Chapter 23: Chapter 23

“My name is Saskia.” She introduced gracefully. Her beautiful blonde braid rests on her shoulder, with locks still hanging on the side of her heart shaped face. She's too delicate-looking.

I smiled, “Do you paint?” I turned to her with raised brows, waiting for her to reply.

Saskia is here in my room, she said she'll be leaving later and she wanted to hang out with me.

“I don't but I can try?” She chuckled, even her voice sounds sweet.

I gave her a spare canvas and a paintbrush. We sat next to each other and silence fell upon us as we began doing our paintings.

“I like your braid.” I said, without taking my eyes off of my piece.

“Your red hair is pretty cool too.” Saskia smirked.

“Are you a vampire as well?” I asked out of curiosity.

“No,” She paused, eyeing her work for a second.

“I'm human.” Saskia muttered

My brows creased, “What?”

Saskia looked at me like I grew two heads before laughing.

“I'm a slave. Vampires feed on me in exchange for coins.” She explained.

My lips parted, “Oh,”

I remained silent, like I lost my tongue. It's my first time meeting a human. I didn't know there are human beings sold as slaves here.

“I'm here for Izaac.” She giggled, her brush moving smoothly across the white canvas.

I can see happiness in her eyes, “Do you like Izaac?” I asked

She looked at me with a smirk, “I've liked him for four years but he only feeds and sleeps with me.” Her tone died down.

“But that's okay. I love him.” Saskia fakes a smile.

What the hell? I'm just completely shocked. I mean, Izaac really is an asshole. How could he do this to a human? He's taking her for granted!

“You should stay away from him. He doesn't deserve you at all.” My eyes softened at her.

“You don't understand.” She said with a smile and there was silence after that. We focus solely on our piece. Only the sound of our brushes against the soft canvas was heard.

After an hour, we finished our artwork. Saskia painted flowers while I did a sunrise in the snow.

“You paint so well!” She exclaimed, staring at my piece with awe.

“Yours isn't that bad either.” I smiled

Saskia stepped a bit closer to me, pushing a piece of paper in my hand. My brows furrowed in confusion as I looked at her hazel brown eyes.

“Burn the paper after you read it.” She whispered.

I was about to speak but she cut me off.

“I got to go. It was nice meeting you, Feyre.” Saskia waved and left me in my room.

I looked down at the crumpled paper in my hand before sitting on the edge of my bed. It has a black ink on it. I saw a rather elegant handwriting and a name on the bottom part.

A smirk stretched my lips when I saw whose name it was. I quickly disposed of the paper as Saskia told me. I flushed the paper down the toilet. I'm curious as to why it needed to be disposed of.

I stared at my canvas again before taking it and putting it with the rest of my works. I've had like four paintings now. I'm not a good artist but I like playing with paints. I think it's a good hobby to pursue.

After I did my painting session, I lay down on my bed and stared at the ceiling. Now, I'm bored again. I don't have an appetite so I don't think I want to go downstairs and eat. So, I spent my time in my room, reading.

The sun had already settled down the horizon; the sky darkened and no clouds were to be seen. I opened my window and let the cool air caress my cheeks. It stopped snowing for now, I guess.

“Oh, right. I have to get ready.” I mumble to myself.

I changed my clothes into warmer ones and put a scarf around my neck. I let my hair down since it's too cold outside to put it up. Lastly, I slipped onto my boots and I'm ready to go.

With a victorious smile, I proceeded to walk towards the back gate of the castle. I can't believe I just sneaked out without them noticing. I think Sage went back to his home early. Ambrose I assume is in his study. Daniel, Izaac and Gideon were nowhere to be found so I guess they're in their respective rooms.

Well, I'm not supposed to go outside at this time but I'm pretty sure I can manage. I've got my dagger just in case.

“What took you so long?” Dark, emerald eyes bore at me.

I grimaced, “I apologize, my Lord. Sneaking out is a pain in the arse. I tried to be careful since you said to not tell anyone.” I rolled my eyes.

Cassius laughed, “You did a good job, my loyal servant.”

“So, what’s up?” I asked. Surely, he didn’t ask to meet up for no reason.

He started walking towards the forest while I walked beside him.

“Are you alright?” He asked, eyeing me with those gorgeous green eyes.

I tilted my head, “Um, yeah. Why do you ask?”

Cassius scratched the back of his head, “Nothing, I just heard about what happened at the ball.”

“And what did you hear exactly?” The corner of my lips rose.

“Uh, nothing much. That you kind of toasted the wolves to ashes.” He licked his lip and smiled at me.

I roared in laughter, “That is kind of true.” I bit the inside of my cheek.

“But how did you do it?” His face turned serious.

I looked at the thick snow beneath our feet. We have reached a thick log. I sat on it while Cassius stood leaning back on a tree a few feet away from me.

“I’m not sure either. I just felt so angry then the next thing I knew, they were on fire.” I said, taking a glance of his face to see his reaction.

His thick brows furrowed, he looked so serious.

“What are you thinking?” I asked, staring at his emerald eyes. I can’t help it, they’re perfect; with those long lashes. His lips were plump, they were pale pink. He looked a bit troubled.

He slightly shook his head and smiled.

“I have something for you.” My eyebrows shot up.

Cassius walked towards me and handed me a book.

“Here,” The book was thick; it also looked ancient based on its ripped edges on some pages. The hard cover is slightly cracked and the colors are faded.

“Thank you, what is it about?” I looked at the strange book.

He licked his lip, “It’s a book of angels.”

I slowly nodded my head, “Huh,” I shrugged

“I didn’t get to ask you this, but I saw a photograph of you and Ambrose. Are you related or something?” I asked, biting my lips. I just hoped he doesn’t think I’m too nosy.

Cassius fell silent, looking down at a sprouting flower in the middle of the snowy ground.

“We were, I guess.” He paused for a moment.

“He was a brother to me but not anymore.” He said, his tone was strangely firm and his eyes were full of rage and disgust.

I stared at him for a moment, wondering what happened to make him this mad. What did Ambrose do to him? I couldn’t find the courage to ask since I think the topic has gotten too personal.