☽ Chapter 42: Witch Cassandra ☾

?Chapter 42 – Witch Cassandra?

I sit quietly in the prison under Hidden Claws’ storage shed, watching Witch Cassandra dream walk through the tenth Rogue’s mind. Her assistant takes the time they have during the dream link to write what they see while Ariven, Amberle, and Ira go through the reports. Four days have passed since the attempt to bring down Coro and his Soulless soldiers. We managed to weaken his power, but the war will rage on until his death. “When you told me to come here, I never thought it would be to learn that Prince Coro is alive and that a war is starting.” The Priestess states with a sigh, and I send an apologetic smile her way. “It could be worse. We could be barging into the Royal Pack and fighting Alexander to give the throne to the rightful Queen.” Dominic chuckles as he, Mika and Lace walk in with refreshments. I sigh, thinking about the next dilemma I will have to face soon. That sixteen-year-old Crystalline Thorn will have to be placed on the throne soon as the true heir, and Coro’s line will have to end one way or another. “We have two more years before Crystalline is eighteen and a legal adult. For now, we just watch over her as best as we can and send help when possible.” Ariven adds as he hands me a glass of lemonade from the refreshments cart and pulls me to his side. “I will bring up the idea of an alliance to Alexander in the meantime, stating that since we are from the Royal bloodline, we should protect and help each other.” I suggest just as Cassandra finishes her dream walk and slumps in her chair. Her assistant hands Ira the newest notebook to go through as Mika hands the Witch a glass of lemonade to help the hardworking woman relax. “Of all the dreams I have walked, I have never seen so many disgusting acts by one man.” The black-haired woman states, her voice quivering with emotions that I cannot pinpoint. I sigh, leaning closer to my mate as I look to the she-wolf who Cassandra had just dream walked in, very skinny Rogue with signs of sexual abuse that only Coro would do. “He’s done similar things to me because of the Blakes.” I admit, seeing the shocked look cross Cassandra’s face. “Well that man must die then. Centuries of tyranny in the shadows have been caused by Coro. If I am not mistaken, Alexander is being controlled by his some-time great-grandfather as well.” The room grows silent as the sudden realization that Coro rules the werewolf world from the shadows brings one more problem to light. The possibility of him taking over from Alexander and regaining control of the nation something no one wants to come true. “That means the true Princess will have to become Queen.” Dominic chimes in. “What do you mean by that?” The witch asks, staring at us with both confusion and hope in her eyes. “We believe that Crystalline Thorn is not named after the lost Princess.” Ariven begins, looking at me as if asking for approval to tell Cassandra the truth. I smile, turning to look at Cassandra, the hope in her eyes shining so bright that I feel a warmth of happiness radiate off of her in waves. “Amberle and I believe that Crystalline is in fact the Lost Princess. If her brother Coro is still alive, then something happened to her that caused her to be suspended in time as a baby until the time was right.” I finish, seeing tears build in the witch’s eyes. “Morai had a hand in that. The Goddess of Destiny protected the Princess like I asked all those years ago.” She mutters softly. Hearing about Morai, I think back to a moment during training and how she mentioned a witch that has been her Patron and the protector of all Moon Goddesses. “Are you the one who made this necklace?” I ask the witch, revealing the snowflake charm from under my shirt. Cassandra smile as she touches the moonstone before nodding. “Yes. I had a feeling that the Moon Goddess Selene would hand this down to her descendants. Please keep this with you when you meet Crystalline. If she is truly my lost Princess, this stone will confirm the truth.” “I will.” I answer, seeing the reassurance in her eyes. “Now, how do we find that demented Prince who I wish I drowned as a babe?” Her voice is filled with venom as Cassandra speaks about Coro, and I realize she too wants to have a hand in his death. “If I have learned anything about Coro, it’s that he will be like the shadows and gone when light is shone on him. The only thing we can do now is plan for the final battle, and I believe that will have to happen once we have Princess Crystalline on our side.” I voice my thoughts, seeing Cassandra nod in agreement. She soon asks to retire, her body exhausted from the strong spells performed, so Lace has a guard help the Witch to her rooms. With Cassandra the Ancient Witch on our side, the chances of winning this war are high. Of course, as I have learned through my life, destiny is not set in stone and Morai has many paths for us to follow. “Why the grim look? Tonight is the last night for both your packs to be here. Let’s go get cleaned up and enjoy the last bonfire of the night before you all have to leave!” Mika chimes in with his easy-going smile that I remembered as a child. I chuckle, motioning for him to lead the way as we all file out of the room with Dominic and Ira carrying the new stack of paperwork away. Tonight, we need a break. Tomorrow, we can continue to plan for the war to come.