115 The Three Youngest Witches

While Talia was practicing how to become a witch, Cedric went looking for Vander.

The vampire was in his quarters enjoying his solitary wine when Cedric came knocking.

"Your Majesty." Vander gave a polite bow and stood back to allow Cedric entry.

Cedric strode in and immediately jumped into the crux of the subject matter.

"You need to get ready. We are leaving tomorrow morning."

Vander tilted his head. "Whoa, slow down."

He poured a glass of wine and handed the goblet to Cedric.

"I found this bottle in the royal dining hall and took it from the staff. They told me it is the house wine that is served every meal for the King and his family and guests."

He took a sip and smacked his lips. "For a house wine to be this good, it has to be the King's house."

Cedric shrugged. "It is a good wine, but there are better wines in the cellar. We can go visit the wine cellar in the future when we are not so busy. Right now, we have something more important to think about."

Vander grinned. When Cedric had something on his mind, it was a one-track thing that kept coming up.

"Where are we going?"

"We have to go rescue Viviene and Dimitri."

Vander rolled his eyes in disbelief.

"Aren't you getting married in a couple of weeks?"

Cedric shook his head. "Not if we can't get back in time."

"Wait—you said WE are going to rescue Viviene and Dimitri. Who are the 'we' that you're talking about?"

Cedric gave Vander a determined look.

"It will be you and me, along with Talia."

"Heh." Vander chuckled. "And here I thought you were King of Faria. My bad."

"Oh stop it. Of course I am King of Faria, but I have made arrangements so that I can go with you and Talia into the world where my sister is currently at."

Vander looked past the rim of his wine glass over at Cedric.

"What does Talia have to say about this?"

Cedric sighed. "At first, she did not want to risk leaving, especially since she is pregnant right now with my son."

Vander's eyes narrowed but he said nothing.

"However, once she realized that it was an urgent situation and that an unborn child's life is at risk, she insisted on going."

Vander nodded in understanding. "And that's why you are coming along even though your kingdom is still in turmoil."

"Yes."

"It's up to you, but I must forewarn you. The prophecy clearly states that I must mark Talia."

Cedric frowned. "To be honest, I am not sure exactly what the prophecy states."

Vander sighed. "I've been wrestling with this prophecy ever since I've received it from the High Priestess. I had a copy made so I could ponder upon the significance of the vision which pertains to me."

Vander pulled a piece of parchment from his breast pocket. In a grave tone, he read the prophecy again to Cedric.

"The Vision foretells a voyage which spans three worlds, of which Earth is the central world which touches the other two in diametrically opposite poles."

"The Bloodless Royal Vampire must take the Coven Queen Bride through the worlds, to safely navigate through the double veils. Only through the mark can he safely return from behind the double veils."

"We three can leave for the third world, but if I do not mark Talia, I may not be able to return to this world. It would mean I would be trading places with my brother."

Cedric shook his head. "You know that I would never leave you behind, no matter what."

"Likewise. If we go together, we go as a team. I will do everything in my power to keep you and Talia safe."

Cedric nodded and placed his empty glass of wine back not the table.

"In that case, I will see you tomorrow morning at daybreak in the dining hall. We eat and then leave together."

As Vander walked Cedric out, he could not help but wonder how the vision would play out in a way that would allow him to mark Talia.

It was entirely possible that he would not be able to mark her and be forever lost in the other world.

He put the depressing thought from his mind and drained the last of the wine into his glass. It could be awhile before he would have a chance to drink wine that was this nice.

=======

Cedric had barely taken a dozen steps away from Vander's room when a figure approached from behind.

"Cedric." A voice called out from the gloom of the hallway.

Cedric turned his head. It was the Duke of Voltaire.

"Andre? What in the world are you doing here?"

"Good evening to you too." Andre laughed. "I came to wish you well on your journey into the next realm."

"How did you know I was leaving?"

Andre grinned. "Witchy grapevine."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that my aunt Lucile Lecoeur has a big leaky mouth and has confided in my mother about the prophecy."

"You have a witch in your family too?"

Andre laughed. "Don't we all?"

"What do you mean?"

"Haven't you figured it out by now? The witches hold the real power of the kingdoms. They infiltrate into the most powerful families in all the kingdoms and become a powerhouse for that kingdom."

"Is that right." Cedric rubbed his chin. "What did your witchy aunt say to you?"

"She told me you, Talia, and Vander were leaving tomorrow morning for the next realm."

"She is correct. After breakfast tomorrow morning, we will take off."

"Your Majesty. This journey is bound to be arduous and risky. Perhaps it's best if I join your group."

Cedric frowned. "What is your motivation for wanting to join us?"

Andre smiled mysteriously. "I know something that many people don't."

"And that is?"

Andre smiled. "There is one other prophecy which everyone has forgotten about."

Cedric narrowed his eyes.

"Speak!" He commanded.

Andre leaned back on his heels.

"Do you remember the clock tower in Primrose Village?"

Cedric frowned. "What does that have to do with my sister and her husband?"

Andre leaned in closer.

"There is a very old prophecy about the Primrose Village Clock Tower."

"Is that so." Cedric rubbed his jaw. "Why have I never heard of it?"

"You've never heard of it because it came from one of the earliest High Priestesses who was an ancestor of mine. She was the Keeper of Coven Visions at that time."

"And what does the Primrose Village Clock Tower have to do with us?"

Andre shook his head. "Not US. It has to do with three of the youngest witches of Faria."

"Who?"

"Evelyn, Viviene, and Talia."