Fifty three
*Freya*
Rafe and I stared at each other, our hearts trying to speak to one another. He looked like he wanted to explain himself but he kept silent. I tried to hold back the tears that was trying to force its way out of my eyes. I couldn’t let them see me cry. Jessica smirked, triumph glittering in her coldly beautiful face. “Oh Freya,” she drawled, vicious glee dripping from every syllable. “What are you doing here? Surely you knew Rafe would choose to be with me at this time. Did you honestly think you ever stood a chance?”
Rafe’s brow furrowed, a war of emotions playing out across his handsome features as he glanced between Jessica and me. “Freya, I was just coming to see you…” he began, taking a step towards me, one hand outstretched.
But I couldn’t bear to hear his excuses, his lies. Humiliation burned through me, mingling with the searing ache of betrayal. I had to escape before I crumbled completely.
“Why did you even ask me to come here?” I asked, feeling the anger roar inside of me. He had to have known that this wasn’t a coincidence. It was either he deliberately planned to humiliate me or Jessica had planned to sabotage the both of us and he had walked right into her hands.
“I didn’t ask…”
“Don’t,” I choked out before he could finish, my voice cracking on the single tone. “Just… don’t.”
Gathering the tattered remnants of my pride around me like a shield, I spun on my heel and fled, ignoring Rafe’s anguished cry of “Wait, Freya, please!”
I raced blindly through the twisting corridors, my vision blurred by scalding tears. Maids and courtiers watched as I ran past, their whispers and pitying glances chasing me like a pack of hounds.
By the time I reached my chambers, I was gasping for breath, my lungs searing and my heart pounding fit to burst. I flung myself inside and slammed the door, sagging back against the solid oak as if it alone could hold back the rising tide of despair.
Grace and Clara hovered nearby, their faces pinched with concern. “My lady?” Grace ventured tentatively. “What happened? Is everything alright?”
A strangled sob tore itself from my throat, and I slid to the floor, drawing my knees to my chest as if to contain the howling void that opened within me. “No,” I gasped, burying my face in my hands. “No, nothing is alright. It’s over. It’s all over.”
And as my faithful maids drew close, murmuring soothing nonsense and stroking my hair with gentle hands, I let the tears come at last, great wracking sobs that shook me to my very core. For in that moment, with the image of Rafe and Jessica’s passionate embrace seared forever into my memory, I knew the bitter truth.
****
*Rafe*
Freya’s dark hair streamed behind her as she fled from the receiving room, tears streaming down her face. “Freya, wait!” I called out, guilt and shame burning in my chest. But it was too late – she had already disappeared down the corridor.
I whirled on Jessica, fury rising like venom in my veins as I took in her self-satisfied smirk. “You planned this, didn’t you?” I snarled through gritted teeth.
Jessica sauntered closer, her hips swaying. “My king.. what does it matter? she left you after a slight inconvenience. But I am here for you,” she purred, reaching out to trail a finger down my chest. Before I could react, she pressed her ruby lips to mine in a searing kiss.
I shoved her away, violent disgust roiling in my gut. “How dare you!” My words lashed out like a whip. “I should have known you’d stoop to such trickery to undermine Me and Freya.”
“She doesn’t deserve you, Your highness.” Jessica sneered, all pretense of demureness gone. “I’m the only one truly worthy of being your Luna. Your Gamma told me that. My family told me that. I was always meant to be yours!” Her eyes glinted with naked fury.
I clenched my fists, struggling to control my rage. “I suggest you’d better get out of my sight before I have the guards drag you to the dungeons.” She gasped in shock. I glared down at her, daring her to disobey me. With a last, venomous glare, Jessica spun on her heel and stormed away.
I had to find Freya, had to explain, to plead for her understanding. She had to know that she was the only one I wanted.
I hurried from the throne room, my pulse thundering in my ears. Jessica’s treachery burned like acid, but the thought of Freya believing the worst twisted my insides into knots.
I had to find her, had to make her see the truth before doubt took root.
Her chambers was the first place I went I busted through her door without thinking twice. But the room was empty, the rumpled bedcovers and half-packed trunk told me she hadn’t returned here after stumbling upon that wretched scene.
“Where is Lady Freya?” I asked one of her maids, struggling to keep my voice steady. They stared at me as if I had two horns.
The girls exchanged uneasy glances before one mustered a reply. “She did not come back here after being summoned to the receiving room, Your Majesty.”
A heavy weight dropped in my stomach. If she hadn’t come back here, where could she have gone? Freya wasn’t one to wander aimlessly – she would have had a destination in mind, somewhere she felt safe to cry and nurse her wounded heart.
I clenched my jaw. I would tear this entire kingdom apart brick by brick if that’s what it took to find her. Freya had to know she was the only woman who I wanted. I couldn’t – wouldn’t – let her slip through my fingers because of Jessica’s vile machinations.
Squaring my shoulders, I turned on my heel and strode from the room, fresh purpose driving my steps. I would search every last corner of the realm until I found Freya and she would listen to what I had to say.
I swept through the castle corridors, my boots striking the stone floors with measured urgency. Every corner explored, every door flung open yielded only disappointment as Freya’s whereabouts remained unknown.
Doubling back toward the royal gardens, a flicker of movement by the maze caught my eye. Two serving girls gossiped in hushed tones, sneaking glances over their shoulders. I didn’t even break my stride as I closed the distance.
“You two!” I barked, causing them to startle. “Where is Lady Freya?”
The younger maid’s eyes went wide as saucers, seemingly struck mute. But her bolder companion recovered quickly, dipping into a hasty curtsy.
“Beggin’ your pardon, Your highness. Lady Freya went that way.” She jerked her chin toward the yawning mouth of the hedgerow labyrinth. “Looked right upset, she did.”
“I didn’t ask you what she looked like.” I snapped at the maid who hastily apologized.
A fresh surge of desperation lapped at me. She had gone into the maze garden. Muttering a terse thanks, I turned and plunged between the high walls without hesitation. The maze’s twists and turns blurred as my focus zeroed in on any sign of Freya’s passing. I refused to let her slip through my grasp, not when her sparkling spirit was becoming the light in my life’s darkest recesses.
Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw a glimpse of blue skirts whipped around a corner ahead. “Freya!” I called, my voice cracking with desperation.
***