Chapter 18: Chapter 18

“Cassius?” I mumbled out of curiosity.

The tall man turned to me and for the second time, I saw those emerald orbs again. He’s actually here. I wasn’t mistaken then? The man in the woods and the man Izaac showed me that night on the roof, they’re the same.

“Feyre,” His eyes lit up and his lips slightly parted.

He must be as surprised as I am. “You’re here.” Cassius blinked.

“Feyre, have you met my brother?” Vienna asked, eyeing us with playfulness.

“Uh, yes. We’ve met in the–” I was about to speak but Cassius cut me off.

“In the market, yes?” Cassius eyed me intently with a sly smile on his pale lips.

A panicked smile crossed my lips, “Ah, yes. In the market.” I looked at Vienna, praying to God that she won’t be as quick-witted as I thought.

“Hm, that’s great. You two hang out, I’ll go find Rose.” Vienna smirked and talked to a servant behind her before she left her station.

“Thanks.” He stated after Vienna left our sight.

My brows shot up.

“Let’s just say I don’t usually roam outside of Syrr. If my sister found out, she would be super nosy and annoying.” He replied after seeing my curious look.

I laughed at his response.

“Will you do me the honor of a dance?” Cassius offered his arm with a genuine smile.

“The pleasure is all mine, your royal highness.” I chuckled and wrapped my arm around his.

Once we arrived at the center of the ballroom, Cassius pulled out his hand in front of me. I could hear everyone’s whispers and their intense stares.

“Feyre,” My name rolled perfectly out of his lips.

My lips stretched into a smirk. “Prince Cassius,” My hand landed on his.

Cassius slightly pulled me closer to him. “Please don’t call me that.” His face crumpled like paper.

“But you’re a prince. People should call you that, right?” I teased

“Well, yes but I still don’t like it. Cassius is fine.” He put both of my hands on his shoulders, while his palm landed gently down my waist.

We started moving along with the slow rhythm. “But why didn’t you tell me that you’re an actual royalty?” I asked, swaying back and forth like how the others were dancing.

A flash of image popped in my head, it was like déjà vu. I swallowed the lump in my throat and continued dancing.

I saw a man. We were dancing just like this in an empty room. We were laughing but I heard no sound.

“Hm, it’s not something to boast about. It’s weird.” He simply answered, uninterested in the topic.

That flash of smile I knew too well. How is he in my memories? Was it even a memory? Maybe it was just some kind of hallucination.

“I think it’s awesome. Tell me, what's it like?” I asked as I narrowed my eyes, waiting for his reply.

He looked at me with a smirk, “You mean being royalty? It’s boring.” He raised my hand and turned me around.

I stared at him dumbfounded, “I expected more but okay.” It must be really boring.

Cassius laughed, amusement graced his emerald eyes. But his laugh died down when someone touched my back. His eyes darted at the arm around my waist.

“May I have the next dance?” A familiar voice said beside me.

I turned to see Izaac who was close to glaring at the prince in front of me.

“Izaac,” I called his name.

“Dance?” He asked me

“Uh, sure.” I replied, giving Cassius a small smile.

Cassius excused himself out.

“Why do you look so gloomy? You were laughing earlier with the prince. How do you know each other? Have you met before?” Izaac stated, he looked at me with a vacant expression.

“No, I just met him.” For some reasons, I think lying is the better solution right now.

The dance ended in silence. Everyone gathered around the ballroom for the arrival of the king and queen. There were thrones in front where the royalties have taken their seat. Cassius and Vienna were also present along with another young prince whom I assume is the last heir, Prince Damion.

The king made his speech while the queen sat there looking so sophisticated in her long, silk olive ball gown that has little diamonds on it. She also wore a pair of lace satin white gloves. The queen has the same color of eyes as Cassius while Vienna and Damon got their ash gray eyes from their father. Not to mention, the crowns they wear were also looking real exquisite. They also wore a great amount of jewelry that looked really heavy with all the stones and gems on it.

I let out a low yelp when someone bumped at me. I looked up to see a lady in her beautiful red ball gown. On her grip is a white rabbit. Her red hair looked fiery on her waist.

My eyes landed on her necklace. My head started to hurt.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” She apologized and left in a hurry.

I squeezed through the crowd and made my way towards the door. I need to get some fresh air. My heart is beating so darn fast. The pain in my head isn’t helping either.

I should’ve probably stayed back at the castle with Sage.

My mind started to relax when I sat on a pavement near the maze garden. I inhaled the cold air and embraced myself. That necklace, that locket felt so familiar. It’s like I’ve seen it in my dreams before. I just can’t remember clearly.

A low growl made me jolt up my seat. I stood up and saw a pair of red eyes in a nearby bush. A shaky breath escaped my lips. Even with jelly knees, I manage to run. I sprinted towards the entrance of the maze garden.

Oh my god! Is that another wolf?

I turned to the right, hoping it wasn't a dead end. Why did it have to be a freaking maze garden? You’ve got to be kidding me, Feyre!

Am I going to die in a maze garden?

I shook my head and kept on running. The creature growled so loud, I could feel it get closer and closer. It’s so hard to maintain a speed at this rate. I feel like my knees are becoming wobbly. I might collapse after an hour!

My body shivered in the cold air. I could feel its breath on the back of my neck. I hear its howl and angry growls.

“Someone save me.” I whispered, praying someone will be able to hear me at this dark part of the castle.

Wait. This isn’t the castle. I looked around and saw only tall, dead trees. I’m not in the castle anymore, that’s for sure because there’s no forest in the castle. How come there’s a path in the castle towards the forest?

Where the hell am I?

I stopped running when the creature suddenly disappeared. I must have lost it. Am I safe now? A big no. I’m lost!

“You lost a shoe, Cinderella.” A voice whispered in my ear.

I turned around and took a step back. The man is holding my other shoe which I happened to lose in the maze, I guess?

“What’s your name? Surely, it isn’t Cinderella.” The man laughed like a maniac.

“Gallo,” I called his name.

“Aw, she remembers me!” Gallo gave me a creepy smile.

He took a step towards me, his hand rose inching to touch my cheek. But before the man could even touch my face, I heard a bone crack. His arm broke making him wince in pain, holding his precious arm to his stomach.

Suddenly, someone pulled me behind their back.

“Bastard,” Izaac growled.