Chapter 42 Chapter 41
Evelyn.
I ran my fingers through the rough stones, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over me. I had more than enough to forge the blade that would shape my destiny.
I realized that I had enough to make the blade that I wanted and I smiled once more. Thank the moon goddess for taking all those classes when I was young, regardless of it's uselessness as my sister, Elizabeth would say. The books I got through the help of Amaris as well would also come in handy. Next thing I need to do would be to gather the herbs, especially the lethal cocoa pods that hoards a potente toxin that is detrimental to all Werewolves, royals included. I know where they grew, all I just needed was to locate it within this huge forest and that will take a long time and I'm not that free. I'll be extracting the poison from it and adding it to the blade while I'm making.
One step at a time, I muttered to myself as I covered up the ore, heading to the stream to wash myself clean before going back to the castle. Despite all the strange sensations that the Alpha king has ignited in me, it still won't stop me from achieving what I want. I'm still going ahead with my lmabod revenge and making him pay as I am not that easily deterred.
I could feel the weight of my decisions bearing down upon me, but I couldn't afford to hesitate. Time was my enemy, and the Alpha King's fate hung in the balance. Vengeance is mine and I do my best to serve it on a silver platter or, in this case, a silver blade.
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You really are sick." Amaris muttered as she placed the back of her hands on my head. I squeezed my face together, shivering under the covers. This is a pretense I had mastered over time. The feigned sickness was my escape, my ticket to freedom, however brief it might be. Amaris gazed at me worriedly as she knelt beside my cot in my crib, a worried look on her face.
"Are you sure you'll be able to come to work like this? She asked and I slowly shook my head.
"I thought as much. I'm going to have to come up with an excuse for your absence then. The last thing I want is for you to faint while we are the mines. I'll have to go without you."
"I'm sorry about this." I murmured, sounding crestfallen.
"Don't be. It's normal to be sick sometimes. You just need a few days of rain and you'll be right as rain soon. I have to go now. I'll make sure I finish early so I can come back to you." She tells me, a small smile on her face. I returned the smile as best as I could, watching as she stood and left my crib.
Keeping the pretense for a while longer, I stayed there till I was sure the coast was clear before standing to my feet, pushing the thick covers away. Although I felt bad for lying to Amaris like this, I needed her out of the way for what I wanted to do. No one must know about this, especially her. I dressed quickly, choosing an outfit that would allow me to blend into the shadows of the forest.
Satisfied with my look, I made a fake impression of me sleeping under the covers even if I keep no one would come to check on me since Amaris was no longer around but I didn't want to takeu chances. Pleased, I hurried out of the palace grounds, sneaking past the burly knights and entering into the dark forest.
It was forbidden to come here alone due to the fact that rogue wolves roamed free and could attack without a second thought but what I needed was embedded deep inside of it. Taking a deep breath, I steeled my nerves and walked inside the forest. The air was thick with the scent of earth and moss, a stark contrast to the perfumed halls of the palace. I took a deep breath, savoring the untainted freshness that surrounded me.
My steps quickened as I ventured deeper into the forest, guided by an instinctual pull. The path was overgrown and treacherous, but I navigated it with ease, my senses heightened by the thrill of the forbidden. The forest whispered secrets to me, its ancient voices carried on the wind. I felt a connection to this untamed realm, a connection that stirred something primal within me.
Finally, I reached the tree I had sought, its gnarled branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. It was said to be the only tree in the forest that bore the precious cocoa pods, a deadly plant for werewolves. I approached it with caution, aware of the dangers that lurked in this sacred space. With gloved hands, I carefully plucked the pods, their dark, glossy surfaces reflecting the dappled sunlight.
As I gathered the cocoa pods in large amounts, a sense of satisfaction washed over me. All I had to now was extract it's juices which was a deadly toxin and use it to bathe the blade was I done with it and the Alpha king's life would be snuffed. This plan of mine always made my heart skipped a beat at the sheer outrageousness but I knew that I would still continue with it.
Once my basket was full with enough pods, I carried it and started to make my way out of the forest. While I walked, I wondered how I was going to get past the guards and take this into the castle without anyone noticing. My hands tightened on the handle and I took in a deep breath, that would be worry for another day.
But just as hope began to blossom within me, a rustling in the underbrush sent shivers down my spine. I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. Suddenly, the tranquility of the forest was shattered by the sound of approaching footsteps. I got into a defensive mode, darting my gaze around to see if there was someone with me. Finding no one, I continued on my journey, walking faster this time.
It didn't take long for me to realize that I was being chased and I also picked up the pace, running like my life depended on it but i wasn't fast enough. Out of the shadows emerged a group of men, their eyes filled with malice, their intentions clear as they advanced to me. I tumbled to the ground, my basket filled with all the cocoa pods, flying out of my hands and landing on the floor.
I screamed but no one would hear me in these thick woods, retreating as icy fear flowed in my bloodstream.