Lienna.
“What do you want?” I asked as she moved closer to me, her eyes slowly narrowing. It’s been a while since I’ve seen her and everything tells me our meeting now would be anything but good.
“Oh… Nothing. I just wanted to discuss with you,” she said once she got beside me, her tone flippant. “Like I said earlier, you must be enjoying your new status, aren’t you?” Her voice was laced with a subtle venom, and I could sense the tension in her body.
“I don’t understand what you’re talking about,” I muttered through gritted teeth, trying to keep my cool.
She turned her head to look at me, her eyes filled with venom but a saccharine smile still plastered on her face. “Oh, don’t play with me Lienna. You know exactly what kind of game you’re playing. Thanks to your innocent looks and actions, you were able to worm your way into the Shifter Kings heart, didn’t you?” Her words were dripping with malice, and I could feel her gaze piercing through me.
I opened my mouth to retort but thought better of it and listened instead. Luckily, Veronica still had a lot to say.
“You had them change your room and now your status has been elevated amongst the maids of this castle.” She said as she stopped directly in front of me, her glare boring into mine. “You’re well on your way to becoming another mistress.” She revealed with a sneer, her lip curling up in disgust.
“Where are you going with this, Veronica?” I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral, but my heart racing.
“Nowhere, I just wanted to give you some advice, however unsolicited,” Veronica said, her voice dripping with sweetness, but her eyes gleaming with a knowing intensity. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Lienna, and you need to be careful. The Shifter Kings may favor you now, but what about the future?” She asked, her words hanging in the air like a challenge.
Despite my outward calmness, I felt my heart skip a beat, my body stiffening slightly as if anticipating a blow. Veronica caught the reaction and brought her fingers up, staring at her nails with a devious smile. “I just wanted to warn you, it would be time for you to start watching your back. You don’t know when your enemies might strike.”
Her words sent a shiver down my spine, and I felt a prickle of unease. Was she threatening me? I searched her face, trying to read her intentions.
“Are you threatening me?” I asked, my voice a lot tighter than I had anticipated. Veronica’s smile grew wider, and she waved her hands dismissively.
“Threaten you? I wouldn’t dare do that. You now have the favor of the Shifter Kings; they would be furious if any harm came to you.” She muttered, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
I was about to give her a scathing retort when her eyes darkened, and the energy around her changed. The air seemed to thicken, becoming heavier, more oppressive. The light in the hallway seemed to dim, replaced by a bone-crushing darkness that made my skin crawl.
I felt a chill run down my spine as I looked at Veronica, and for a moment, I saw something else there, something sinister, something ancient. Her eyes seemed to bore into my soul, and I felt a jolt of fear.
Who is this woman? I wondered, my mind racing with questions. What secrets was she hiding?
The moment passed, and Veronica’s expression returned to its normal mask of sweetness. “That would be all,” she said, her voice dripping with innocence, as she turned around to leave. I watched her go, still standing there completely frozen, my mind reeling from the encounter.
As soon as she disappeared from the hallway, the weight that had held me down vanished, and I shivered, cold sweat breaking out on my skin. I felt like I could finally breathe again, like a dark cloud had lifted off my shoulders.
What does the mistress have up her sleeve this time around? I wondered, my mind racing with questions. Frustrated and still trying to process the strange energy shift, I hurried to my room and flung myself onto my bed, burying my face in the pillows. I let out a scream, pulling at my hair in frustration.
I was still stunned by that conversation and the unexplainable energy shift in the air. It was definitely not normal, and it seemed to come from Veronica herself. Was that a warning sign? I couldn’t tell; there was so much to think about, and yet… How am I going to keep myself safe from the threat that is Veronica?
Just as I was starting to calm down, a movement sounded at the door, and I sat up with a start. As I looked up, I saw King Adonis walk in, his presence commanding attention. My initial worry about Veronica forgotten, I jumped to my feet, my heart skipping multiple beats.
“Your Majesty,” I called out, hurriedly lowering my head in respect. He didn’t answer my greeting, but I could feel his gaze on me, and it made me nervous. Did he perhaps hear the conversation I had with Veronica? I didn’t think it was the case, but the uncertainty made my stomach twist with anxiety.
Out of all the Shifter Kings, he was still the one who was highly suspicious of me, and for good reason too. The fact that I was the reason for all the strange happenings in the castle was enough to rouse suspicion. I heard him approach me, his footfalls heavy and commanding, like a predator stalking its prey.
Placing a finger under my chin, he raised my head up, forcing me to meet his gaze. His eyes seemed to bore into my soul, and I felt a shiver run down my spine as he searched for answers. “There’s nothing special about you, yet you go and achieve all of these feats?” He asked, his voice laced with skepticism.
My stomach twisted itself into knots, my fingertips growing cold as I tried to come up with an explanation. But I had none. Leaning in slightly, he placed his nose behind my neck and took in a deep inhale, as if trying to scent out the truth. I stiffened, not knowing what to say or do, feeling like a trapped animal.
Pulling back, he stared at me once more, his eyes narrowing. “Do you have something to tell us?” He asked, his voice strangely calm, but with an undercurrent of menace.
I swallowed, my heart racing like a wild animal. “No, your Majesty,” I lied, my voice barely above a whisper.
He furrowed his brows, and I was forced to look away, unable to meet his gaze. The finger underneath my chin refused to leave, holding me in place. “You better say it, not that I’m being nice. If it comes out in the future, you will pay for it,” He said, his voice like gravel, sending shivers down my spine.
Two deadly confrontations in one day; I really couldn’t take this. How should I tell him? I’m a vessel for the moon goddess? She currently resides in me? For some reason, it still didn’t feel like the right time to tell them.
“None, your Majesty,” I whispered, my voice trembling. The finger under my chin finally left, and I lowered my head, feeling tears sting my eyes. I hurriedly blinked them back, trying to maintain some semblance of composure.
“Good. Continue to keep it. Whatever it is,” He said, his voice dripping with disdain, and I felt a pang of hurt in my chest, my legs suddenly trembling. I have already sealed my fate. Just when I thought that would be all, he dropped another bombshell.
“Strip.”