Heart of Darkness

The Lords were kind enough to help her find her brother. Lord Quintus was the one to talk to her, the other two were silent and just followed them.

"Where are we going, My Lord?" Angelica asked.

"I think your brother might be with His Majesty," Lord Quintus replied.

Why would her brother be with the King?

They took her to the parlour where the King had taken her the previous night. Just as Lord Quintus predicted, her brother was sitting with the King and they were chatting animatedly.

Angelica was both surprised and confused.

"Your Majesty," Lord Quintus spoke, interrupting their conversation.

The King turned to them, and his eyes narrowed upon seeing her.

"Lady Davis came here looking for her brother," Lord Quintus explained.

Her brother turned around and was surprised to see her.

The King leaned back on his couch and tilted his head to one side as he looked at her.

Angelica curtsied. "Your Majesty, I am sorry to disturb you this late."

"Not at all. Please come and sit." He motioned toward the sofa next to him.

Angelica didn't know why she looked over at Lord Quintus, as if he would be any less dangerous. He looked lethal, with those silver eyes glistening like the sharp tip of a sword. His raven hair and pale skin that looked like it had never seen the sun made him look both dead and handsome. Such an odd looking creature.

He gave her a smile that was meant to be assuring but it only made him look predatory.

Angelica turned back to the King and went to sit on the sofa, opposite her brother. "Why are you still here?" she asked him.

"Father said to wait for him, but he never came back," her brother replied.

Where could her father be?

Angelica looked at the King, "I am sorry for the disturbance, Your Majesty." She apologized again.

Where was her father, and what was he doing?

He smiled at her. "No need to apologize. Your brother is pleasant company and I got to see you again."

The King was good with words, and his charming smile didn't make things easier for her. She smiled back awkwardly, then averted her gaze. As if magnetically drawn to Lord Rayven she looked into his eyes out of all the people in the room. He had been watching her, just like the other two Lords and the King. But while everyone looked at her with curiosity, he looked at her with distaste.

"Do you know where your father could be?" The King asked, getting her attention again.

"No, Your Majesty. This is the first time something like this has happened," she said concerned. "I am afraid something happened to him, especially with what has been happening in town."

The King nodded thoughtfully. "Don't worry. The killer is after young women. Your father is probably busy with something else and could be here any time."

He gave the Lords a nod to leave, and they left them alone. Angelica looked at her brother nervously. She wasn't only nervous about being here with the king, but also about her father being gone until this hour.

A servant came in with drinks and put them on the table. "You look distressed. Have something to drink," the King said. Then he motioned for William to have a drink as well.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," her brother said, picking up the cup without taking a drink.

"Why is the killer targeting young women, Your Majesty?" He asked.

"We are trying to find the killer and then we might find out why," The King replied. "Until then, you should protect your sister."

William nodded. "Of course, Your Majesty."

The King chuckled.

"Do you know that your name means protector?"

William shook his head.

"I think your father chose the perfect name for you both… or was it your mother?"

"It was my mother," Angelica said.

Now the King turned to her with that curious look in his eyes that never disappeared. "William told me he wanted to become a knight."

Angelica nodded. "Yes, but father thinks it is better for him to become a courtier."

"I told him he could become both if he wanted to. Your brother is a very clever boy."

"He is, Your Majesty," Angelica agreed, smiling at her brother.

She was happy that the king recognized his talent and would let him do both things. Although she wished for her brother not to get involved in politics and the royal family at all.

But if that was truly what he wanted to do, then she could only support him. And who knew, she might herself become a royal if the king decided to turn his curiosity into something else. That made her frightened for some reason.

"What do you say, William? It is not a bad thing to become a courtier." The King spoke to her brother.

"If that is your advice to me, then I'll take it to heart, Your Majesty," her brother replied.

The King leaned forward and tapped him on the shoulder. They seemed to get along well.

"Your Majesty, I think it is better if we go home. I am sure you are busy and need some sleep," Angelica said.

They couldn't spend the whole night in the castle waiting for her father.

"Yes. You should get some sleep too. I am sure your father will come back home safely."

Angelica stood up and curtsied, then turned to her brother. "William."

William stood up and bowed. "Thank you for your hospitality, Your Majesty."

From the way the King smiled at her brother, she got a feeling that he liked him and she found it sweet somehow.

"I'll arrange for someone to take you home," the king said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, but our butler is waiting outside," Angelica told him.

"I don't think your butler can protect you from whatever is killing the young women."

Angelica got a feeling that the king knew more than he was letting on and he was right. Her butler wasn't a swordsman or a fighter.

"Lord Rayven will escort you home." The king nodded toward the door.

Lord Rayven?!

Angelica turned to the door and saw Lord Rayven standing at the entrance. She held her breath as she met his gaze again, hoping he would look at her differently. Maybe forget what happened last time, but he seemed to still hold a grudge. Not the right person to protect her, she thought.

Why him of all the other Lords?