CHAPTER 29: THE GATHERING STORM

The forest was quieter now, but the path home still wound long and shadowed. Vincenzo noticed the strain in Anneliese’s face as she winced with every other step. The walk had clearly taken a toll—and whatever pride she had was now competing with the pain. He slowed beside her, his voice breaking the silence.

"Allow me to carry you."

She hesitated, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. Vincenzo saw it—but this time, he couldn’t fall back on logic or distance. He softened his tone. "We don’t want your wounds to bleed again, do we?"

It wasn’t an order. It was a quiet offering—no longer about control, but care.

Anneliese gave a reluctant nod. "Okay..."

He lifted her easily, and neither of them spoke for the rest of the walk.

By the time they reached the Castle gates, the torches along the walls flickered to life. Inside the stone corridors, the quiet stretched between them—comfortable, but tense in ways unspoken.

Just as they reached the corridor outside her chamber—adjacent to Vincenzo’s—Adomas appeared from around the corner, returning from his brief trip to a neighboring town. His steps slowed at the sight before him—his Lord, once again carrying the same girl in his arms. His brow rose slightly. He bowed with practiced grace. "I came to report, but you weren’t in your chamber," he said calmly. "The trip was a success, Milord. Your suspicion was right."

A brief glance passed between the two men—just a second too long for Anneliese to miss.

Her eyes darted between them, "What was that?"

Eye talking again...She thought.

Vincenzo didn’t explain. He simply said, "Meet me at the patio. In an hour."

Adomas gave a silent nod. "Yes, Milord."

Once inside her chamber, Vincenzo set her gently down, her feet sinking into the soft carpet.

Anneliese stepped back, steadying herself. "Thank you... for carrying me back."

She opened her mouth to ask something—then stopped. But he noticed.

"Adomas and I grew up together," Vincenzo said, as if reading her thoughts. "He’s not just a courtier. He’s the only one I trust without question. His loyalty doesn’t need showmanship."

He gestured to the armchair and waited for her to sit before continuing.

"Earlier—his look wasn’t directed at you. It was aimed at me. He’s just... curious. Protective in his own way."

Anneliese gave a small nod. "Hmm. Okay."

"You should change and rest," he said after a pause. "Good night, Anneliese."

He made it to the door before turning back one last time.

"And don’t forget the ointment for your wounds. Before you sleep."

Then he was gone.

Anneliese stared at the closed door for a moment longer than necessary. What’s wrong with him? she wondered. Am I imagining things... or is he actually taking care of me?

She shook her head, deciding not to linger on the thought. Quietly, she turned toward the wardrobe, letting the strange warmth in her chest fade into the quiet of the room.

The moon had not risen, but the silver sconces lining the arched terrace spilled soft golden light over the stone patio. Ivy twisted up the marble columns, their leaves whispering in the wind. The night air smelled of rain yet to fall.

Vincenzo stood with his back to the door, arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Below, the forest sloped into darkness—silent now, as if holding its breath. He did not turn when Adomas arrived.

"She looks better than I expected," Adomas said, stepping up beside him. "The girl."

"She’s still healing," Vincenzo murmured. "But her mind is waking up."

Adomas raised a brow, resting a hand on the carved railing. "And you’re sure it’s her? The same girl from Bridgehallow?"

Vincenzo nodded once, the weight of certainty in his voice. "It’s her. The girl with fire in her hands. The same girl who walked through the flames without burning, who brought an entire village to ash before vanishing into thin air. I didn’t want to believe it at first... but everything fits. Her appearance. Her powers. Even the timing."

Adomas’s expression shifted subtly—less surprise, more a settling of something long suspected. "She doesn’t know?"

"She remembers nothing," Vincenzo said quietly. "Not the fire. Not the screams. Not even being there. But she was

. I’d stake everything on it."

Adomas exhaled slowly. "And when she remembers?"

A silence passed.

"I don’t know," Vincenzo admitted. "That kind of fire—it could shatter her."

Adomas watched his face carefully. "But you care."

After a long pause, Adomas shifted the conversation. "You asked me to go to Basinmire. I followed the trail like you said. And you were right—someone’s been moving between the southern border and Versimoil’s outer villages. Quietly. Almost... surgically."

"Dark Witches?" Vincenzo asked.

Adomas nodded. "More than one. Whole pack I think. They’re not staying long in one place, but they’re leaving behind signs. Disappearances. Blood magic."

Vincenzo’s jaw tightened.

"And," Adomas added, lowering his voice, "there were traces of old royal seals being tampered with. Someone’s forging credentials. Moving in and out of noble houses—undetected."

Vincenzo turned now, his voice cold. "That means they’re not just targeting commoners anymore."

"No," Adomas confirmed. "They’re climbing the hierarchy. I think, not just human villages will be their target but others too!"

Another heavy silence passed between them.

Then, Adomas added, "Your stepmother and the young ones will be returning tomorrow from the ball in Lirael."

Vincenzo’s brows lifted faintly. "And?"

"There was an envoy present. One of the High Conclave’s secondary generals. So whispers of you claiming a forest girl to be the future queen of Versimoil have reached their ears."

Vincenzo’s expression darkened, "They’re already sniffing around?" he said.

"More than that. I think Even though unknown to her identity, folks from every land suspect... she’s alive. The girl from Bridgehallow’s incident."

Vincenzo looked out over the railing again, his voice like stone. "Then it’s only a matter of time."

Adomas nodded gravely. "You’ll have to decide what to do when they come knocking."

"I already have," Vincenzo said. "I’m not handing her over."