The Pure-Hearted Princess and the Kiss of Darkness

- KATALEYA ~

It was a short while later and Dante had finished meeting everyone and is now sitting between me and Mama. There's a glimmer of worry in his eyes and that unease I was feeling earlier returns. "You look worried..." I ask quietly.

"I didn't think you'd come into power so soon." He smiles faintly at me, that smile that I wish I could see through.

But my brother is an enigma. No matter how hard I try, I will never be able to see into his mind. But I can sense when his emotions are in a storm, and right now they are...

"Is that a bad thing?" I ask quietly.

He doesn't reply, simply shaking his head and Leo sighs. "It doesn't really matter what was meant to be or what isn't. That shit is constantly changing, anyway. That's why I prefer logic. At least that makes sense. Let's just focus on what we need to do from here." "Ah, speaking of, you're taking your place pretty well. So, when's the official coronation?" Dante asks with a smirk.

"I hate planning that kinda shit, but the sooner the better." Dad shrugs, massaging his temples.

"I'd like the coronation to be held at the Rossi Mansion, we haven't had a proper celebration in a while," Rayhan adds.

"I'd love that," Mama Mari adds.

The Rossi mansion is more of a palace, but everyone just calls it a mansion.

"We all would like that. It would be nice. But Dante, what do you mean you didn't expect Kat to come into power so soon?" Raihana pushes looking at me. "Kat, are you ok?"

I nod. "I am. I'm not worried about coming into power."

"She has Papi on her mind." Azura snickers, earning an icy look from her mate.

I smile. "Yes..."

"Don't fucking say that shit again, Azura. Don't influence her," Dad growls.

"I'm not!"

Uncle Liam leans forward, his large hand on Aunty Raven's thigh. "So, by her coming into power earlier, has the future shifted for better or worse?" he asks Dante.

"That depends on how you see it, but I think the next step is down to Kataleya. She has the brains to make the right decision," Dante says as he stretches and leans back, placing his arms behind his head and closes his eyes. "I'm tired."

"That's an insult. Are you saying I wasn't smart?" Skyla frowns before she sticks her tongue out at Dante.

"Stop sticking your tongue out, Sky, I'm not blind. And think what you like." Dante smirks.

I frown slightly as I zone them all out. Having them here is comforting, but the next step is mine to take...

Be smart, Kat... Dante always left clues in his words.

"There's some things I haven't told anyone..." I say, now standing up and turning to the room. I glance at Raihana. She might know, but I won't drag her into it because I don't want her getting blamed for my decision. "The Crawlers..."

I take another shuddering breath before I tell them everything. The meaning of El Rey Carmesí, Enrique's abilities, and his lineage to Hecate. The Crawlers, including the one in the crypt. I tell them everything I'd told them before and knew, just in case anyone didn't know. As I speak, I can see the rage on Dad's face, but I'm not about to stop now.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

"And... when I was in Puerto Rico, I had a call, warning me that I should leave from there..."

"Yet you didn't listen," Dad's voice is more of a snarl than words.

"Let me finish. Please," I plead softly.

Dad's frown deepens, but Mama Mari and Mama both turn to him, asking him to do the same.

"And I don't want anyone to say anything to him, but it was Jayce who

called me in Puerto Rico, telling me if I wanted to live to get out of there. You see... a few months ago, I foresaw my death on a Blood Moon."

I close my eyes as I hear a growl, or two, and I internally roll my eyes.

Are all men like this? I've seen Dad like this and Enrique... but it seems more common than I thought.

Enrique... it still hurts. The numbness is fading and the pain is coming back.

"Ok... Kat, that is a lot to keep from us," Mama is the first to speak, her voice quiet, clearly upset.

"I know, but we've all kept things from one another, especially when you were all younger. I know I should have told you, but... I had my reasons." I turn to Leo, who is watching me. "I was safe. I promised you I would be and I am. I kept that promise." I didn't want to upset him when he helped Dad let me go, him and Mama.

"But we made a deal. You will tell me everything," Leo says quietly.

"I was in love, and the first thing everyone wanted me to do when things became rough is for me to leave there!" I whisper urgently, wishing they understood.

"Kat... we do get that, but this isn't like you," Aunty Raven murmurs, worry etched on her face.

"That's because she's not just Kat, but The Asheton Queen," Dante murmurs, his eyes still closed, his hands behind his head. His aura is powerful, but I realise I am not noticing it as much.

"I am the Asheton queen. I won't die," I say, looking around at them all,

"You do know that the future can change, you could die and change the entire balance of the future," Leo adds quietly as he takes out a cigarette.

"I

I know, but I'm not going to die. I want to live. With Enrique, with all of you. And when the time comes, I will be there to fulfil my destiny and stand behind the Adonai."

My powers surge and my gaze flicks to Dante.

The Adonai...

I look at my brother sharply, a sudden thought occurring and his dark red eyes snap open, meeting mine. A hint of a smirk kisses the corner of his lips and my heart skips a beat. The Adonai?

Why else is there a Demi-God among us?

"I have never been as fucking pissed as I am right now, Kataleya," Dad's voice is cold as he stands, and it takes everything not to step back.

"Alejandro-"

"Enough, Kiara! Don't keep defending her! Kataleya, you kept on putting yourself in harm's way, you could have died!" he growls now glaring at me.

My stomach sinks and I step back when someone steps up beside me, her hand wrapping around my wrist protectively.

"Uncle, I knew as well. She approached me for advice. If you're going to shout, then I'm to be held accountable too," Raihana says firmly, standing up to Dad.

"As am I," Skyla says as she and Azura stand up and step beside us.

"Me too," Azura says.

"And you better not say shit to my woman," Leo remarks coldly as he exchanges a look with Dad.

Dad's eyes burn red as they turn on Raihana. "You knew... and you didn't tell me?"

Raihana nods and I shake my head. "Raihana, you-" She shakes her head slightly and Delsanra sighs.

"What's done is done. Let's think of a plan for what we are to do next. Are the Crawlers linked to this phenomenon in Russia?" she reasons.

"What? What about Russia?" Dante sits up, his eyes turning on Delsanra questioningly.

She nods. "You don't know? There's something happening in Russia, and it doesn't look good. Anyone have the footage on hand?" she asks, turning to Rayhan who passes his phone to Dante as he and Liam finish filling Dante in. But by the look on Dante's face, he didn't know. "I fear that's not crawlers ..." he murmurs.

Fears that they're not crawlers? That does not sound good...

"What are they then?" Royce asks.

Dante shakes his head. "Let's focus on the problem at hand. Tell me, Cherry Blossom, what is your plan? I do hope you have one?" he teases.

My brows furrow. "Well, I need to go back to Puerto Rico."

"For what? That fucker who did the very fucking thing I told him not to?" Dad snarls.

"You told him not to?" I ask, my heart skipping a beat. I smile softly, walking over to Dad and take his hand in mine. "Dad, he does love me. I don't know why he did what he did, but he does love me. But I need to go there for more than just him. I need to finish what I have begun. There's more to this than we know. On top of that, he left with a woman who... she gave me an odd feeling..."

"This is fucking insane," Dad mutters.

I begin pacing, trying to think logically.

"Jayce said I'll die if I remain there... The crawlers have a stronger hold there... using Enrique as a catalyst..." The kiss of darkness..

I look up, "That... Everything is tied to Puerto Rico. That's where I need to be. I haven't got it all figured out, but that is the key."

"Not this again," Dad growls as Rayhan runs his fingers through his hair.

"So, we send a team," he suggests. "One that will not just be there to watch over her, but one that is there every single step of the way."

"I second that," Leo says, looking up at me.

Nodding, I look around. "I was going to say the same. After all, this isn't just about Enrique. There's something more... something we're missing regarding the Crawlers and their link to Puerto Rico," I murmur.

"That's a very good point," Royce adds.

"I fucking hate this," Dad murmurs.

"I understand where you're coming from. It is dangerous and concerning, but this is something that is indeed tied to the island," Mama Mari says.

"So, if we agree on that arrangement, the question is; who?" Dante says, looking at me. "Who will go to that cocky ass's island? I swear he irks the hell out of me." "Dante, be nice," I pout.

"I try," he says, and I can't help but smile. It's nice to see him just being himself with everything that weighs on him.

"Who will be the ones to go with Kat..." Mama muses thoughtfully. The room goes silent as everyone ponders over that question.

"Well, obviously I'm going to go, and if anyone refuses me... then I'd like to see them stopping me... right, Dad?"

We all turn, my heart skipping a beat at the young man who has come out of nowhere and is sitting against the wall in the corner of the room...