The Taste of Seduction

Set on a hill was a huge castle. The peak

ascended into the clouds from which they had come, making it impossible to decipher just how tall it actually was.

There were no clouds in the sky now except for a few small ones over towards the sunset: puffy white clouds, and some long, streaky clouds, all tinged with a fiery red glow from the sinking sun.Her mouth dropped open at the sight but she was more than surprised,she was stunned.

Elvin took a horn-like thing and blew in it. Meredith jumped as it sliced through the memorizing

silence.

It snapped her out of whatever trance she had been in.

Her eyes widened in surprise when another horn blew back.

"We are about to move through the wall, hold on tight."

Elvin said as they passed through some sort of invisible barrier.

She felt the magic in her veins as her skin seemed to crawl with electricity, when they passed through the magical barrier. She couldn't see it but she could definitely feel it.

When they finally entered the gate of the city, she saw people busy in the streets, some sitting on their patios and others standing from the windows as they stared at them flying in the sky with a surprised look on their face.

When they finally realized who they were they started waving to them.

Hesitantly, Meredith raised one of her hands in an awkward greeting as they flew by, and in response, cheering erupted from the vast collection of people.

Meredith smiled at the sound, completely lost and in awe at the incredible sight.

Elvin turned to look at her and chuckled at her awkwardness. Meredith laughed back and waved back eagerly.

"How did they know you had found me? I thought no one knew you were going to look for me."

Meredith said as they rose higher moving to the beautiful castle on top of the hill.

"I informed the council once I found you and they announced it to the people to look forward to your return."

"Oh"

"Yeah, look how happy they're for your return." Elvin said, with a smile on his face.

"Hold on tighter, we are about to land."

Meredith braced herself as Elfy glided toward the castle. Meredith held Elvin tighter and squeezed her eyes shut as they nearly ran through the building but suddenly Elfy slowed down, and stopped.

When she opened her eyes, she stopped breathing.

A few, very well dressed people stood in front of them.

They were watching them with intense interest and curiosity. Meredith avoided their gaze as she looked around the place they had landed.

They were in a garden filled with various varieties of flowers and the the air resonated with the serenade of birds and the delightful tinkling of fountains. She inhaled the heady perfume of roses which seemed to calm her down.

Elvin got down first and reached out to help her off the horse.

Whispers of the people near them drifted towards her, and she stared at the ground.

Two figures approached them and Meredith finally looked up.

An older woman and a man who seemed like the bodyguard stood in front of them.

The older, blonde-haired woman with piercing green eyes greeted them.

Her exquisitely sculpted face emphasised flawless porcelain skin, reflecting an almost unworldly beauty.

Clad in a long gorgeous green kurti and pants she bore the contradictory demeanour of a woman who seemed both older and younger.

Elvin bowed his head, in greeting. Whoever this woman was , she seemed powerful.

"Welcome back Elvin, you have done well." She said and glanced at Meredith.

Meredith swallowed nervously as her gaze met the woman's. Her eyes were so intense as if she could see through her soul.

"Princess," The woman bowed at her and Meredith gasped in surprise.

"UhOh hello." Meredith bowed too.

The woman chuckled at her awkwardness.

"Don't be nervous dear. There's a lot to learn and learning is a gradual process." The woman said warmly.

She exuded such a calm aura, Meredith couldn't help but like her.

"I'm Aurora,a member of the council." The woman introduced herself.

Meredith's eyes widened in surprise. So she was the one who sent Elvin to find her. The witch. With her eyes color and knowledge glinting in there, she should have known earlier.

"M-Meredith Elizabeth Rossi.." Meredith introduced herself shakily.

The woman grabbed Meredith's trembling hands, "You look so much like your mother. So pretty."

Meredith blushed, "Thank you."

Aurora nodded and took a step back.

"I know you're tired and want to rest. I will leave you. Once you have rested, we have a talk."

"Alright."

The woman gave Meredith a small smile and then she left.

"Elvin, ah you come back alive. Such a shame." A husky voice sounded behind them.

Meredith turned and saw two men standing behind them.

One of them had an arrogant smirk on his lips while the other was just studying her as his brows furrowed into deep thoughts.

"Wellsorry to disappoint you, Timothe." Elvin said his lip's twitching.

Meredith frowned as the men stared daggers at each other.

But surprisingly, Timothe pulled Elvin into a hug, patting his back.

"I was worried, something had happened to you. "

Timothe said worriedly. Elvin chuckled, "I'm not dying until I have seen you get married."

The men pulled away from each other laughing and Timothe glanced at Meredith.

"Meredith meet my best friend and my second in command,Timothe Ruff." Elvin said proudly.

Timothe smiled warmly at her. He was classically handsome. His aura was somehow matured and made her feel like she had met an older brother.

His warm smile had her relaxed. Meredith couldn't help but smile back at him too.

"Pleased to meet you." She said, extending her hand for him to shake. But instead of shaking it, he bent forward, lightly gripping her fingers, and lifted the back of her hand to his full lips. He planted a swift kiss on her hand, never breaking eye contact with her.

"The pleasure is all mine, Princess." He said

sweetly, bowing his head. Meredith blinked and blushed in embarrassment.

Timothe pulled away and Meredith saw the other man who seemed younger around Atlas's age staring at her.

"And then Prince Marcus Wilson of the Vampire clan, your betrothed."