Chapter 8

• An extravagant castle stood before him, tall and proud. It was surrounded by acres of lush garden with aromatic flowers, luscious fruits and scrumptious vegetables. Several men were dressed in armors as they stood near the gate to guard the estate. Staff was buzzing in and around the estate like usual as the day broke out.
• Knox took a moment of time to contemplate before going inside as he was there after several years. It was far very long while after that he was daring to enter the castle and he knew it was dangerous place for him.
• He was going to place where he could never leave alive and to meet a person who could end his life with a snap of finger.
• Taking a hesitant yet a daring step, he inched forward with his hands secure around the stole that was wrapped around his head. The guarding men were alert but with the help of few simple distractions, Knox skipped inside the castle without getting noticed.
• He knew the castle like the back of his hand for the reason that he was there many times several years ago. That was the place where everything started.
• The castle was the very place why he was in a position he was right then.
• He was cautious when he was inside the estate. Knox stood in the dark corners and shadows to cover himself from the eyes and with a precise caution he reached the second story. There was the estate staff everywhere striving to complete the chores from cleaning, cooking to organizing.
• As he stopped before a huge double door with exquisite carving, Knox heaved a breath as he chanted words of courage to himself. If it was not for his own life and his motive, he would never set a foot in the place again.
• The door creaked loudly when Knox pushed it open and closed it behind him.
• "You wish for your death to set your foot here after what you have done, Knox." Knox heard a harsh commanding voice and he immediately turned around to come face with the person who had been slaughtering him in his nightmares.
• "I have something of your liking." Knox pretended to be brave as he proceeded further into the bedchamber. "It is the kinship we share that led me here to share the details of importance about Witch Orla even after breaking an oath with you, Lord Alder Emor" Knox looked at his friend weakly as he glanced at him with a frowning smile.
• Alder Emor's face hardened at the sight of the man and at the sound of the woman he hated. His eyes glazed at Knox as he looked for the hint of truth in his dull eyes. At the confirmation, Alder nodded his head at his friend to proceed with the particulars.
• "Witch Madonna had informed me the locality where Orla might be although she did not know the precise location." Alder's eyes widened slightly as he tried to conceal the smirk on his face.
• ~*~*~*~
• Lucius Emor had always been a man with both the heart of kindness and brain of craftiness. It was the very first time that a certain someone had challenged him to explore more about his inner magic and strength.
• The way how Madonna had consumed his energy which was created to destroy hers was still fascinating at the same time infuriating. She was one intriguing woman, per se.
• But he not just had abundant powers but a well working mind too. It was not just about his sister or Orla anymore but the young witch had successfully stolen his attention with her actions.
• Putting right amount of strength at right time can even defeat an overpowered person is the new lesson he learnt and he was going to put it into practice on the same person who had taught him.
• "I finished the task given, My Lord." Davon, his bulter informed Lucius when he was drowing in his thoughts.
• Lucius nodded his head with a sly smile as he waited outside the cave for little more before doing what he ought to.
• This was going to be fun, he thought as he designed his move again.
• Waiting for a while longer, when the last ray of the sun is shone before the first ray of the full moon shone on him; he walked inside authoritatively as his eyes glazed with intent.
• As the familiar stone walls welcomed him, the cave was lit with candles as the aromatic whiff of herbs hit his nose. The familiar table was occupied with several ancient books and few ingredients used to perform magic. He glanced at a register of witches that was dear to the young witch as he stuffed the register in in pockets.
• At the back of the table was the gorgeous and annoying young witch, sleeping on the bench in an unladylike manner. Her mouth was open slightly as her covered chest heaved rhythmically.
• He smirked at the sight of her disheveled and turned to his butler, Davon to give the next set of instructions, "Prepare for the ceremony, Davon."
• Davon, although nodded his head at his superior's orders, was still tentative to do what was told. He knew his master from the very time he was welcomed into the world and he was one of those very few persons who would wish nothing but good for him.
• Davon could not justify the meaning behind his master's actions even though he knew very well how twisted his master's mind can be.
• "I apologize for daring to question you, My Lord, but are you positive this is how you want to take your plan further?" Lucius' smirk widened at the query. Davon was the same age as him and he was more of a friend than an employee to him. Davon was only the person who knew all his secrets and he was the only person he could trust completely so his question only made his trust in him to strengthen.
• "Like Mortas said, in a good sense or a bad sense, Madonna is the only person who can show me the path to all the answers I need. She is apparently the person who can lead me to my ultimate purpose and I resolved to make a good sense out of her. Hence, intoxicating her was necessary." Lucius explained as he walked to the sleeping Madonna.
• He had ordered Davon to mix the intoxicating herb in the produce that the villagers were sending to the young witch as he now knew the manner to control the young witch was to be simple in his attempts.
• He traced a light finger on her jaw and snapped his fingers as a long black thread with amulets of fire, water, earth, sky and air were tied to it.
• He had managed to get Madonna into a sitting pose as he let Davon tie the black tread around his and Madonna's joined hands. Once the tread is secured on the hands, he brought them together and prayed to the moon seeing the bright light was shining on them.
• When the moon was at its full, he brought out a dagger from his belt and slashed his palm followed by his blood to tickle down in a rush. He later proceeded to cut the palm of Madonna.
• When both their hands were bloodied, he joined their palms and let the blood mingle with each other as Lucius looked above into the sky.
• "I, Lucius Emor, the Lord of Northern region, thus vow to the Lords above to be a gracious husband to the woman in my arms and thus take Witch Madonna as my wife with the blessings from heavens on the auspicious night when the moon is at its full force." Lucius took the vows as a bright blinding night glimmered from their joined bloodied palms, sealing both of them in a blessed matrimony.
• Lucius gave a full blown smile to Davon as he took his new wife in his arms. Lucius was grateful to his father to have given him the means to control the young witch to his wish, unknowingly. If not for his father, it would have been a tough task to take his plan to next phase.
• Witches and warlocks are one clan who give utmost importance to matrimony and the bond. Now that the bond between him and Madonna was in place, it was his time to put forth his next plan into action with a determination that he would not just reach Orla but would end the war in his family altogether and in that, Madonna would be the one who would assist him.
• "Now I shall proceed by performing a ritual to seal her powers to my command." Lucius told Davon as the latter prepared the needed chattels. "This matrimony and the ritual shall mark a new beginning to the end. The wrong shall be dealt with and the right shall be settled."
• With that Lucius had successfully sealed all of Madonna's powers to his will.
• ~*~*~*~*~*~