Chapter 40: Chapter 40

40 Chapter 40 : Transformation

“You left Gavaria right after the ceremony,” William continued to speak, he knew he wouldn’t be able to directly get the answers he wanted from Ella but he would try, “I didn’t even get the chance to say goodbye.”

“Oh, I’m sorry I urged Nathan to leave because I was afraid I may fall sick again,” Ella responded and immediately pursed her lips.

“i see..” She was lying, there’s another reason they left in such a hurry, was it because Nathan didn’t want Ella meeting Adam? “I hear you asked for an audience with prince Adam, what was that all about?”

Ella shot her eyes towards her brother, why the sudden questions? She felt like she was in an interrogation. “I did, I wanted to apologize for the drama that I caused at the knighting ceremony.”

William knitted his brows, Ella was lying again. What had really happened that day? And how did prince Adam fit into all of this? The young knight stood up and walked towards the books stacked on the various shelves of the library.

“Actually I didn’t get the chance to ask you about that,” William added on as his fingers grazed passed the many books, “you’re in perfect health from what I know. You rarely fall sick even when we were children, so what happened exactly? Did you eat something bad?”

Ella pursed her lips and looked to the floor, William had always doted on her and was very observant of all her antics and ways. She knew that William knew that everything she was saying was a load of horse shit, but why wasn’t he calling her out on her lies? Was he trying to prove something, or was there something he was trying to figure out?

“I umm.. I think it was just my anxiety,” Ella responded meekly, “you know how I get in crowded places, I guess I was just overwhelmed.”

William pulled out a book and quickly flipped through the pages before turning to Ella and smiling at her, “oh of course, your anxiety, I’m just glad you’re doing better.”

.....

He placed the book on the table and slid it towards Ella, “I remember how much you love reading, this particular book has a lot of information that may peak your interest.”

Ella looked down at the book and noticed that there was a small piece of paper sticking out between the pages. Had William placed a secrete note? She looked up at her brother and saw his eyes shooting towards the door and back to her, he was trying to tell her that someone might be listening to their conversation from the open door.

“Thank you William,” Ella responded casually, “I’ve actually been looking for this very book, I’ve heard so many good things.”

William smiled at Ella, clearly impressed by her ability to read a situation, smart girl. “Well I should let you rest now, it’s late and I too need to get some sleep.”

The two siblings stood up and bowed and curtsied at each other in unison.

“Well good night,” William spoke as he walked away.

“Good night William.”

Ella pushed the note deeper into the pages of the book just before Nathan walked into the library, so William was right, someone was listening in on their conversation.

“Had a good chat?” The silver haired prince asked the woman who now stood in front of him with a book in hand.

“We did, I’ve missed him so it was nice sitting down and talking to him after a while,” she then raised the book and showed it to Nathan, “William has always been pushy about me reading, ever since we were kids. Would you like to read the book with me?”

Nathan looked at the little book Ella was holding, it was one about fairytales, werewolves, vampires and elves, not really his taste. “Why don’t you read it and tell me all about it when you’re done.” The prince politely rejected the woman’s offer

Ella brought the book to her chest and smiled sweetly at Nathan, perfect, it was basic reverse psychology, in order to dispose of any curiosity Nathan would have towards the book, Ella purposely offered it to him. Of course this plan was a gamble because there was a slim chance that Nathan would have actually accepted the offer and took the book, good thing William was smart enough to pick a fairytale story book that would normally just be read to children.

“I’ll be happy to,” Ella responded, “well, I’ll be going now, good night Nathan.”

“Good night Ella.”

The prince watched the redhead woman walk towards the exit and suddenly called out to her, “Ella! Just a moment.”

Ella halted in her steps and took a deep breath before turning to look at Nathan, had her acting not been good enough?

“I just wanted to remind you that tomorrow you have to go to the royal jewelers and select a new betrothal necklace,” Nathan explained, “the future wife of the prince needs to let the whole world know that she’s no longer available.”

“Of course, but aren’t you going with me?” Ella questioned Nathan.

For the few days she had been living at the palace the silver haired prince had not left Ella’s side, especially outside the palace grounds. In fact, ever since their trip to Gavaria, Nathan had become unusually clingy.

“Unfortunately not my love,” Nathan responded and planted a quick kiss on her cheek, “I have matters I need to attend to tomorrow, but I’ll ensure that my most trusted men accompany you.”

“Alright..”

“Now go on, go get your beauty rest.”

After Ella had left, Nathan walked out to the balcony of the library, his mind was working wondering what William’s true intentions of coming to Meria were. And judging from the questions he’d asked both Ella and him, William knew something, something that could jeopardize his relationship with Ella, Nathan had to find out what and stop him.

The sliver haired prince turned to walk back into the library when he felt painful thump in his head.

“Argh!”

Nathan walked to the railing of the balcony and grabbed onto it to prevent himself from plummeting to the floor. The man felt like his bones were shuttering into pieces and rearranging themselves in a whole different way, the pain was excruciating.

He dropped to his knees as he felt his top and bottom canine teeth elongate to the point of protruding out of his mouth, what in God’s name was happening to him?

When the pain subsided a little, the silver haired prince tightened his grip on the balcony railing and pulled himself up, Nathan stumbled backwards when he looked down at his hands. His once strong beautiful hands had been replaced with paws that had long sharp claws growing out of them, he also noticed that his arms where covered in white silvery hair.

“Aaaah!!” Nathan yelled and dropped to the floor, he brought his hands to his face and flinched when he felt streaks of hair almost completely covering his handsome face, his snout had protruded forward and his ears were bigger and hairier.

Nathan swiftly leapt off the floor to a blind spot on the balcony when he heard the library doors swing open and heavy footsteps of armor came rushing in.

“Your grace!”

“Stay back!!” Nathan growled

The two knights all halted in their tracks when they heard the vicious roar from the prince, the sheer power and command in his voice sent shivers down their spines and the dark aura that was pouring from the balcony was enough to freeze them up.

Gathering every ounce of courage in his body, one of the knights took a step forward, “Your grace are you okay? We thought we heard you-”

“I said stay back!!” Nathan roared again , this time his dark aura pushed both the knights backwards into the wall behind them. “I’m fine, just leave me be!”

The knights didn’t even wait to be told a second time, they got to their feet and ran out of the library with their tails between their legs, what kind of monster was prince Nathan? Well, they definitely weren’t willing to stick around and find out.

After being sure that the knights had left, Nathan leapt off the balcony railing and stood up straight, looking at his reflection in the glass doors of the library balcony. His breath hitched when he caught site of the monstrosity he had turned into, he looked nothing like the handsome prince he was before, he looked like an absolute beast.

William Morrell ducked out of site beside the entrance to the library, his breathing heavy and his eyes round with fear. He had been walking back to the library to bid farewell to prince Nathan when he saw two knights scampering out of the library. William had cautiously drawn his blade and approached the library doors but immediately withdrew when he saw the creature that was standing out on the balcony, what the hell was that thing?!