Chapter 12
“POV–ARYA
“The child who cursed you is dead.”
His words echoed in my head, like the grim reaper was whispering into my ears. It felt like a cold hand had wrapped itself around my heart and I struggled to breath properly.
“And there’s no way to undo the curse?!” Darius asked, his voice strained with fear, dread and exhaustion.
“Not from what I have seen. Ebezina said as he sat on his stool, looking tired and drained
I took deep, steadying breaths. This was why I hated the idea of hope. I preferred to work with facts, like the fact that Mallonis had no cure. The tiny rays of hope I’d been given, feeling that perhaps my case would be different and I’d get to survive this was the main reason I was mentally struggling right now. I’d have felt so much better if I’d juu been left alone to die. Now my case had only worsened, and I was still going to die regardless
As I steadied my breathing silently, trying not to call attention to myself, I took a moment to study the old man, wondering how much of a toll this was taking on him. He’d lost his only daughter and once again, he was being reminded of the fact that he couldn’t save everyone, not even the people he desperately wanted to.
Truth be told, I’d long since accepted my fate, regardless of how hard that pill had been to swallow. It was something I had to do to keep myself sane, to keep myself from falling apart. Right now, I could scarcely think of anyone who would remember me well when I was gone.
Darius and I, regardless of the fact that we were mates, hadn’t known each other long enough for my death to have a lasting dent on his life. Perhaps I was only being biased, but I doubted my death would have as much of an effect as his would have on me. If anything only the death of his unborn child would bear any significance.
Maybe I was being a little too negative, but what else could 1 do, beat myself up!
There was nothing I could do, especially now that I’d just confirmed there was no cure for this. My limbs felt heavy with the w
weight of my fate, but I wasn’t going to break down here, not in front of the two people who had fought their hardest to save my life. A time for tears would corne later, much later.
I took yet another deep, steadying breath and knelt beside Ebezina, a gentle smile spreading across my lips
“Thank you for everything.” I whispered.
Ebezina looked like he was at the verge of tears, and my heart broke at the sight of him. Suddenly, be reached under his collar and pulled out a small necklace with a crescent–shaped pendant that shanniered softly like the moon
a moon stone extract. It contains a purifying spell that should keep you strong. Ebezina said, squeezing the necklace into my palm.
“It’s beautiful.” I whispered, caressing the cold pendant,
“It helped Ify, my daughter, in her time of need.” Ebezina continued, his gaze lingering on the necklace.
“I hope it helps you too.”
I nodded gratefully at him and rose to my feet. I gently put the necklace around my neck and gasped as I felt its magic course through my body My eyes radiated off its shimmering blue light for a second before returning to its normal grey. Slowly, my limbs felt Lighter and some of my fatigue disappeared.
Darius stepped forward, clasping my hand in his
“We should go.” he whispered, his voice distant and weary.
He turned to Ebezina and bowed in deep respect.
“Thank you for everything. And take care, Ebezina.”
The ride back to the caste was quiet as the horses pulled our carriage forward. The sky gave way to the night and the moon shone high in the sky, Its rays bouncing of the sleek black horses and the beautiful tarred road.
I knew Ebezina was an extremely talented doctor: I had seen firsthand the extent of Ebezina’s abilities, yet some of his words still left me bewildered
1/3
I searched my memory, trying to all it had ever angered one on lost any friends during my child for atera. Hand few friends begin with. Lytawas always the better company uvignet while I was left to contend
or two, werewolves typically met their end in battle ou died
were afflisted with the macus sickness. That was an entirely different story on the coVİL
The thought of returning to my pack crossed my mind one moone. Perhaps if Treinned now, Tille
if there had ever been another child with magical powers who had died young. Tosigle I dosbred this would helpi familar with the archives anyself, Init it would’t hurt to try. Bluever really paie flasingh the muntality archit
they
I felt he would approve if He
Iturordio look at Darius, wondering what his trply monkd be it I told him I wanted in leave. How would be hân tag along, but that was something I wasn’t going to allom. My pride as an alpha wouldn’t let me rely on his power and stanis for somethin this, especially since I kisen holly would be involved the moment he wa
1 took a deep breaths and sighed, staring out the carriage. The castle grounds were in clear sight now and neither of us we were yet to say a wood to each other. Dainis muscles were tense and the worry lines on his fourhead were deeper iliis crer. My wilt was indistress, and i because Darius was toss. Words lung unspoken in the air between us and a small part of the ached to break the silence, but I was follow through
The moment we got back to the castle, a plethora of mails came out to greet tis at the foyer.
“Welcome home your majesty, Lady Arya.” They chorused in unison, bowing their heads.
Darius culled at them before turning to me.
“Where would you like to have dummer?” he asked in a time
“humy room.” I whispered back
“Prepare a bath for Lady Arya, and have her supper served in her room foglu Didius cominded. The maids towed and scurried out to perform their duties.
A steward suddenly rushed forward from the east wing of the castle, slightly out of breath. He bowed to Harius and me before speaking
“Your majesty, there’s a matter I’d like to bring to your attention. The steward said.
“Is it urgent Dariis asked in a drab tone that clearly conmminicateil his exhaustion
“Council Elder Mordecai wishes to speak to you. The steward replied.
Darius stiffened, t
- d. then cursed I under bis breathe
“Arya, make sure to eat your dinner and get some rest. I’ll check in on you later. Darius sail
I nodded at him as he followed the Steward out. I stared after in for a while before slowly making my way to my room
After a warm shower and a small dinner, I settled into my silk sheets and caressed the moun necklace around my neck while in deep thought. Why had a council elder summoned Darius? I knew there were a plethora of reasons why he could be summoned by any of them, laut fcouldn’t shake off the feeling that it probably food something to do with me,
It was already past noon by the time I woke up the next day. Fillong grown accustomed to waking with a splitting headache every morning, but today was very different thanks to Ebezina’s little gif that glistened around my neck. I ate a warm meal of fried chicken and pasta, before having a long soak in a bath to ease up the stress I’d gathered over the past few days.
Afterwards, I went through my closet of dresses Darius had gotten me and took out a dark green cotton dress. Throwing it on, I left my room to stroll around the castle grounds.
My wolf yearned to take the reins and shift, to feel the wind against her fur, but I knew better than to let her. I didn’t want to risk another forceful shaft into my human form again especially since I wasn’t sure how that would affect my child. It was already laid enough that shifting during pregnancy posed certain risks. Our wolf and human biology were starkly different, so something was almost always bound to go wrong with a shift during pregnancy. Like, what if your woll wasn’t compatible with your pregnancy, and what if the foetus couldn’t handle the stress of a shift, not to talk of a forceful one! I couldn’t risk in. So, she’d have to stay tucked in for the time being.
A casual stroll and being present while walking in nature, that was something I wouldn’t have been caught dead doing back in Aeternum, not when an alpha had so much work to do.
My mind intrusively wandered to my family and my heart twisted in a familiar pain. I wondered what my parents were doing right now, if they thought I was already dead, if they’d even tried reaching out to know what had become of their daughter. The more I let my mind wander, the more my chest tightened with bitterness and anger.
Chapter 12
Immersed in the beautiful scenery of the castle, I realized Arterum was the last place I wanted to think about right now or it would lead to impulsive decisions on my part. It was painful how one could be so good and yet wound up being treated so badly. Abandoned, dejected, cursed, unwanted. It was all so much to take in, but chose to shove it down.
Despite being a werewolf, pregnancy was still something that couldn’t be toyed with. Heightened stress levels could affect a baby’s development so I wasn’t going to let myself think about the ins and outs of my situation. What was the point, and when had overthinking ever solved anything! 1 wasn’t going to risk a rise in my blood pressure because of my no good family. If I had to fake being happy for the time being. I would.
Protect my baby’s life, that was all everything boiled down to, that was my only mission. That was all that mattered.
As linched close to the walls enclosing the castle, I took a detour, wandering if I could get away with leaving the castle grounds entirely and strolling into the main city. That was sure to life my spirits in some way.
Just as I was
is about to walk past the bronze gates, a familiar face came into view.
“Lady Aryall” a female yelled, waving frantically at me.
It was the maid who had led me to save Calista. Despite her servant–like attire. I knew she didn’t work within the castle, which made me wonder how she’d gotten to know my name. Had she gone out of her way to ask, or had Calista told her?
As she closed the gap between us, I realized she looked much younger than on the day I’d first ret her. All the stress and panic lines on her face were gone, and I figured I was probably a few years older than her if I were to judge her solely by her child–like features.
“Thank you for saving Calista’s life the other day. We owe you our thanks.” She said as she reached me.
bowing
I smiled at her
“Its nothing. What was your name again?” I asked.
“olls. Its Charlotte” she said, beaming “Where are you headed?”.
“I just want to stroll a bit, see what the city looks like.” I replied.
“Wouldn’t a carriage be more fitting for a city tour?” Charlotte asked
“No, my legs will do just fine.” I replied, smiling
“I was just getting Calista’s prescriptions from doctor Akachi and I be heading to the market to buy some groceries. I could be your guide if you’d like! Charlotte affered
“Thank you. I’d love that.” I replied as we walked through the main gates. The guards bowed at us as we left and I hoped none of them would go
snitching to Darius.
Charlotte’s voice broke my small train of thought
“Calista speaks so often about you” she started, almost skipping beside me. “She won’t stop chattering g about your meeting at the hospital.”
1 laughed at her statement, happy to hear that Calista was doing well enough to be chattering at all. But slowly, the weight of Charlotte’s words sank in and 1 stiffened in sudden fear and realization
Was it possible that Calisia had already exposed my darkest secret to the world?
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