The Crown's Fire - Chapter 248

Chapter 248: Always There In My Dreams
Katelina felt a strange sense of familiarity when Queen Xenia greeted her and invited her to sit for a conversation.

“Ezekiel explained that you won’t be able to remember us until those memories come back. I’m just so glad that you’re safe and sound. Ah, my apologies. I’m used to calling you Tarah. Now I must get used to your real name, Katelina.” Xenia smiled sweetly as she poured herself some tea.

“I heard that you’re slowly regaining your memories, so I’m sure you’ll remember our brief encounters soon and how you also helped me,” Xenia continued. Katelina, curious, asked about those brief encounters.

She found herself immersed as Queen Xenia narrated everything. “You helped me keep my disguise hidden. I guess you saw it in your visions and understood my fate with my husband, Darius.”

Xenia lovingly looked at her husband, who was engaged in conversation with Ezekiel. “You’re such a lovely couple,” Katelina couldn’t help but comment.

Xenia grabbed her hands and gently squeezed them. “You and my brother are a lovely couple too. The journey ahead may not be smooth, but I hope you and Ezekiel stay strong together. I witnessed how he suffered when he lost you, so he may tend to be overprotective now… I hope you two stay strong no matter what.”

Katelina nodded, feeling the sincerity in Xenia’s words. Xenia added, “If you need our help, don’t hesitate to tell us. Although I’m sure Mother and Father’s support will be enough. They will back you and Ezekiel with all their might.”

Katelina smiled, feeling comforted by Xenia’s words and the warmth of her family. “Thank you, Xenia. It means a lot to me.”

Xenia smiled back, her eyes full of kindness. “We’re family, Katelina. We’ll always be here for you.”

It felt good to hear those genuine words, to have someone supporting her. Katelina fought back the tears welling in her eyes as she whispered, “Thank you.” She didn’t know why she was so sensitive lately. Probably because a lot had been going on, and feeling she had someone with her right now was overwhelming.

In her memories, Devon would always tell her that she had no one, that her only means of survival was him, so she must please him. The abuse was too much, a constant torment that felt suffocating. If it had been just her, Katelina might have chosen death to escape the torment. But she couldn’t condemn her brother to the same fate…

But now, those dark times were just memories. Devon was no longer here to torment her like before, and she felt deeply grateful for that. Just as in her previous vision, Ezekiel had saved not only her and her brother but also those who suffered under Devon’s tyranny.

She and Xenia engaged in more conversation until Ezekiel interrupted to get her.

“I’ll visit you some other time,” Xenia said, and Katelina nodded.

She bid her farewells to both Xenia and King Darius, then grabbed Ezekiel’s hand as they walked back to their camp.

“Won’t we visit Queen Mineah next?” Katelina asked.

“Hmm, let’s give her some more time to recuperate. My brother-in-law is very protective. He didn’t want his wife disturbed for a few more days after giving birth,” Ezekiel commented with a pout.

Katelina chuckled, then recalled something and asked, “What about the bloodthread? You haven’t informed her about it?”

“Not yet. Besides, King Amon is away. He’s at Cordon right now for the ritual of marking. He’s marrying Cordon’s chancellor’s daughter today. It’s sudden, but I heard he’ll be back here tomorrow to leave and go back to Helion with the rest of the entourage,” Ezekiel commented.

Katelina nodded and muttered, “It would be disrespectful to interrupt such an important event. Maybe we can wait and observe. Besides, there seems to be nothing suspicious in King Amon’s movements.”

“Indeed, but I still don’t want to take any risks. It’s best if my sister Mineah meets him as soon as she can. She might be able to identify energies within him and confirm that there’s no remnant of Devon inside him,” Ezekiel commented.

Katelina squeezed his hand and said, “Let your sister enjoy her rest and motherhood for now.”

Ezekiel nodded, but Katelina could feel the lingering worry in his emotions. She knew he was anxious to eliminate the remaining remnants Devon had left behind. There were two remaining bloodthreads according to Ezekiel, and she couldn’t deny the lingering fear inside her that Devon could be revived using those.

“After a few days of scanning all the people here with demon’s blood, we’ll return earlier than planned to Ebodia and proceed with our marriage ceremony,” Ezekiel commented as they returned to her tent, and she nodded.

Ezekiel led her back to her bed and added, “Have some more rest for now. Tomorrow, you’ll join your training with Onyx and the others.”

Katelina nodded, slowly regaining her strength after performing the dragon spell. Her recovery was slower compared to when she had done it with Jade and Luis. Elen had mentioned that the resurfacing of her past memories was causing her stress, which was affecting her recovery.

Cora, Levi, and Luis had begun their training with their dragons under Master Kasper’s guidance. Katelina’s eyes lit up as she said, “Right! Have you heard about Asura and Master Kasper? Their plan to get married?”

Ezekiel nodded. Katelina pulled him to sit on the bedside. “What’s your thought on this? Asura seems so happy and in love, but I don’t know much about Master Kasper. It seems like a whirlwind romance. I’m worried about Asura…” Katelina expressed her concern. Asura had been brokenhearted twice, and she had witnessed her friend’s suffering.

Ezekiel smiled at her and gently caressed her cheek with his warm palm and thumb. “Master Kasper is a very responsible man. He’s been living here for more than a millennium but hasn’t involved himself with women… until now, with Lady Asura,” Ezekiel pointed out.

Katelina released a heavy sigh of relief. Maybe she was just overthinking. Ezekiel was about to get up and leave, but Katelina grabbed his wrist.

“How come you’re no longer kissing me on my forehead or lips whenever you go away from me?” she timidly asked.

Ezekiel paused, a pained expression crossing his face. “Kate, it’s not that I don’t want to. I’m just worried… after what happened. I don’t want to cause you any distress or bring back bad memories.”

Katelina’s eyes softened. “Ezekiel, I don’t want us to change because of what happened. I need you to be the same loving and caring partner you’ve always been. Your touch, your kisses… they ground me, they remind me that I’m here with you, not back in those dark times.”

She missed him so badly, but at the same time, she now understood his hesitation. She pulled him back onto the bed, and he sat obediently. She moved on top of him and straddled him, kissing his lips because she could feel his longing through their bond.

Katelina focused on thinking it was Ezekiel with her. But…

‘Katelina, I told you to kiss me. I know you can endure the pain I’m inflicting on you, but will your little brother endure the same?’

Devon’s voice taunted, and her body stiffened. She instantly pulled away and hugged Ezekiel tightly, burying her face in his shoulder.

Ezekiel gently stroked her head and back as he hummed, “It’s alright, Kate… I understand. I will be patient, so take your time. Just always think of me and remember I’m always here for you.”

She was trembling, her whole body shaking as another flashback of her past surfaced. Two years of suffering under Devon’s disgusting presence. By this time, Devon no longer took her to the dungeon to inflict physical pain, but he continued to force her to watch him engage in his dirty sexual acts with other women.

“I want to vomit, Kiel,” Katelina muttered, remembering how Devon had forced himself into her mouth numerous times. She felt so disgusted that she vomited on Ezekiel.

“It’s alright… Let it all out,” Kiel comforted her, holding her tightly despite the mess.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry…” she sobbed hard, overwhelmed by the smell of her own stench on him.

“It’s fine. I’ll clean you up and have this bed replaced. It’s fine, my love,” he whispered in her ear, lifting her gently and carrying her to their bath.

She clung to him, not wanting to be away from him. Ezekiel carefully undressed her and placed her in the warm water, his touch tender and reassuring.

“We’ll get through this, Kate,” he murmured as he began to wash her gently, his hands steady and comforting. “You’re safe now. I’m here.”

Katelina looked up at him, her eyes filled with gratitude and pain. She touched his face and smiled. “I remember you now. You’re always in my dreams and visions,” she weakly muttered, tears streaming down her face.

That was when she started formulating a plan and changing her tactics around Devon. Instead of fighting him, she submitted to him and gained his trust. In her three years as his captive, she became the headmistress and received privileges, including the safety not just of her brother but of her people. She used Devon’s obsession with her to her advantage while she planned her way to fully escape with her brother.

“Kiel, you became my beacon of hope during those dark days. You were always there in my dreams. You became my hope for survival.”