Chapter 238 Chapter 237
"That foolish Rayena!" she growled through clenched teeth. "What's she doing here? Shouldn't she be dead?!"
A sharp pain cut through her stomach and she winced, clutching her belly. Oh, she really needed to calm down.
Moving gently across the bed, she picked up the medicines the healer had left behind and used them. Ordering some food, she ate quietly and fell into a listless sleep.
Awoken by a nightmare hours later, Ysolde decided to go on a walk. Her legs were swollen, but if she continued lying down it would get worse.
Waddling out of her chambers, she started on her walk out of the palace. The gardens weren't like they used to be. She missed the time when lush grasses and well-manicured hedges covered the large expanse of land around the palace. Now it was just dried-up stalks and bare ground that was ugly to look at.
There were so many things she missed. This wasn't how she imagined her life at all. If she had just let things be then, would she have ended up in a much happier place?
Ysolde didn't know. And it hurt to think about it.
She was rounding a corner in the hallway when she spotted two figures walking toward her. On closer inspection, she realized it was Rayena and Soraya returning from God-knows-where.
Anger ignited in her chest, and all thoughts about resting disappeared.
Why did this thorn always show up where she least expected her to?
Without thinking her actions through, she stalked toward Rayena, stopping directly in front of her. "Hey, you! Stop right there!"
Rayena barely acknowledged the woman who had walked in front of her, still dazed from crying her heart out at the memorial stone. She sidestepped Ysolde and continued walking.
Ysolde turned back in indignation and dragged Rayena back. "Didn't you hear me?"
Still brimming with fury, she struck Rayena across the face.
The latter's head swung sideways, and it brought a measure of satisfaction to Ysolde. "That'll teach you never to ignore me when I'm talking to you. How dare you return here? How dare you set foot in this palace! How dare you show your face, even? You're supposed to be dead!"
Rayena slowly looked at her with red, swollen, dead eyes. "Well, I'm not. Surprised?"
Someone gasped, and Ysolde realized it was her. The audacity of this wench!
Rayena was still staring at her. She moved her gaze up and down. "I see you've been made queen. You've finally gotten your wish. How's that going for you? Is the king treating you well? From what I'm seeing, I'm not quite sure. I could barely recognize you the first time I saw you," Rayena said with a snicker.
Ysolde's chest burned at the sarcasm buried in her words. "How dare you! I'm going to kill you!" she screamed.
"No, you won't," Rayena muttered noncommittally.
"You ruined my life the first time. I won't let you do it again!" Ysolde spat, eyes filled with venom.
Rayena rolled her eyes.
"Let's go..." Rayena said to Soraya, and they started on their way.
"Hey! I'm talking to you! Don't you dare walk out on me!" Ysolde screamed and tried to reach for her again, but Rayena turned back and slapped her. Hard.
Sparks exploded in Ysolde's vision.
"Just because I let you lay your slimy hands on me the first time doesn't mean I'll tolerate it the next time. I didn't come here for you. I came here for Xenon. And as for ruining your life, you did that to yourself—the moment you started prioritizing ambition over peace. Who's the miserable one now?"
Rayena looked around her, eyes gleaming with devastating clarity. "Let me give you a hint. I'm not the one who's being called the queen of miscarriages—the one with a deadbeat mate. Now get out of my face."
With a hiss, Rayena continued on her way with Soraya.
Ysolde watched her leave, stunned beyond words. How dare she hit her?!
How dare she!?
.
.
.
"Don't you think what you did back there was a little too much?" Soraya asked the moment they entered into their room.
Rayena glanced back at her, then gave a shrug. "Really? I didn't think so. Ysolde has had it coming for a while. She never stops getting on my nerves." Rayena muttered under her breath.
She went on to seat, crossing her arms and legs. "That would teach her never to mess with me."
"I know that, I'm just a little concerned. You know she's the queen now. She could easily have us punished."
"Ysolde wouldn't dare. I think she's just more embarrassed at the state we found her in."
Soraya chuckled, going on to join her on the couch. "Okay, if you say so."
Then she added more quietly. "You're really different now, though. I don't remember you being able to do that in the past."
Rayena rolled her eyes, letting out a huff. "I tried being the good girl. Where did that end me? I'm afraid, I have no kindness left in my body." She mumbled, leaning back on the couch.
Soraya looked around her, the smile on her face fading. "So, what are we going to do about being trapped in the shifters realm."
Rayena brows furrowed at her words. "I may have to strike a deal with that imposter king so we can get out of here. Escaping isn't really think cards now, security is tighter than it was before."
"Strike a deal?" Soraya repeated, befuddled. "Didn't you hear what he said in the council room that night. He might still try to sleep with you."
Rayena grimaced at that, dread pooling in her stomach, making her nauseous. Other than Xenon, she'd never been intimate with another man. She had even gone on dates despite the numerous suitors her mother had set her up with while being home.
The thought of being with that king terrified her more than she would like to admit. She let out a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. "When we get to that bridge, we'll know how to cross it."
Soraya lips flattened at Rayena's response. She stopped her questions, letting out a breath.
"Okay then."