Noir
Chapter 60

Instead of trying to save him, we should have killed him. As the thought lingered in my mind, the words echoed, each repetition growing louder. An hour had passed since Noir had left the bedroom, leaving me locked inside. I was oblivious to his whereabouts, his actions, and when he would return. Uncertainty shrouded my fate upon his return. All I knew was what had to be done. Yet, could I truly go through with it? In the past, I had never hesitated to do what was necessary, but those previous adversaries had never been my mate. He had once confided in me, revealing his hidden lineage, explaining that he had kept it a secret to spare me from making a choice. Now, I found myself forced to make that very decision. Either way, I was condemned, regardless of my choice. The book's ritual proved futile, and I could never become his mate. The act of genetic union to create a new species was redundant, as I was already that new species... I was the embodiment of it. A memory resurfaced, unveiling a secret long concealed within Elouise. At the tender age of six, I had dismissed it as a fanciful tale, a narrative spun solely for my delight. Now, I understood that it was no fairy tale, but rather the account of my own birth.

*In a realm where witches and vampires resided, an enchanting princess from a long lineage of powerful witches and a noble prince within a dark vampire coven found themselves entangled in a forbidden love. Despite their covens' deep- rooted enmity, they defied the rules and began clandestine meetings, their hearts entwined in secrecy. The air crackled with anticipation as they shared stolen moments, the moon casting a soft glow upon their hidden sanctuary. The rustle of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl echoed through the night, a symphony of nature bearing witness to their forbidden union. But alas, their love was not to remain a secret. A traitor lurked within the shadows, shattering their fragile sanctuary. When news spread that their love had borne fruit, a child born of their clandestine meetings, a tempest of war erupted. It was a testament to the depth of their love, for each coven hungered to claim the child as their own. The scent of tension hung heavy in the air, mingling with the aroma of ancient spells and the metallic tang of blood. Hearts heavy with desperation and longing, the covens clashed, spells colliding with fangs and claws. The battlefield became a battleground of love, where loyalty and betrayal intertwined. Amidst the chaos, the child, innocent and unaware, became the coveted prize, a symbol of love transcending boundaries. The clash of magic and the clash of wills reverberated through the land, as two covens fought with equal fervor, refusing to relent until the child was claimed. In the midst of this turmoil, the princess and prince, their love tested and their hearts burdened, fought to protect their precious creation. Bound by a love that defied convention, they stood united against the chaos, determined to shield their child from the ravages of war. And so, the battle raged on, fueled by love and desire, as the princess of witches and the prince of vampires defied their fates, clinging to the hope that one day, their love would conquer all.*

It had been a beautiful fairy-tale, one that I had wanted told to me over and over, pretending I was the beloved child. In my childish imagination, I had carried on the fairy-tale.

*The years had passed, and the world had changed. The war that had raged between the witches and the vampires had eventually subsided, leaving only scars on the landscape and in the hearts of those who had fought. My parents, my princess and my prince, had done everything in their power to protect me from the fallout. They had hidden me away, raising me in secret, away from the prying eyes of their respective covens.*

I had lived within the fairy-tale world so many times, that I had memorized every detail, every nuance. And now that I knew the truth, I couldn't help but feel a strange mix of awe and disbelief. The thought that I was the product of such a forbidden love, born of two beings who defied not only their covens but fate itself, was both exhilarating and terrifying.

My early years had been spent in hiding, my existence a secret known only to the woman who had been determined to raise me as her own. I was never meant to know the truth of my birth and heritage. However, fate had a funny way of stepping in to even the best laid plans. It was fate who had brought Noir into my life. And it would be fate who would determine how he left it.