Chapter 20 20

Chapter 20 20
Chloe POV

I had that scary dream again.

I was driving my simple Elysia car towards the cliff, not by mistake, it was intentional. I wanted to end my life badly since the moon goddess wouldn’t punish the ones who shame me.

Since she wanted to so badly disgrace me by matching me with the one who hated my guts, I couldn’t take it any longer.

But the road had changed ,it was filled with thorns and stones, hard ones and anytime I drove closer towards the cliff , I could feel the wheels sliding under my control.

Even though I wanted badly take my own life, I still wanted to live at the same time.

And in every dream, my car fails, I shut my eyes tightly screaming as I braced for the familiar rocky impact of the soil below, instead I fell into cold deep water. The impact was so strong that it broke the window glass.

“Help!” I struggled as I tried to open the door but I was trapped, my lungs burned and it was a terrible feeling, even though it was a dream, it felt real.
That’s when I saw him.

The man in a hoodie swam towards me through the thick Black Sea, and instantly hope descended on me. Finally, my savior had returned. I thought as a smile tugged at my lips but when he reached me he stopped and pulled something from his back.

I recognized it vividly. It was that same arrow that was fired at me.
He was also the archer who planned to end my life.

He smiled at me evilly with no soul in his dark eyes, and he then aimed at my heart.
I shut my eyes again accepting my fate, and then, I woke up.

“Oh my goodness!” I gasped sitting upright with urgency, my chest heaved and my sheets were soaked with sweat.
What just happened? Why was I having these dreams? And why was this one different today?
I clasped my heart so tight, it felt like it was going to explode out of the jumpscare I just received.
I stared at the wall clock, it was 5: 58a.m.
“It’s almost six,” I muttered. “Calm down, Chloe, I’m okay, it’s just a dream, just a stupid silly dream
stared at the ceiling, trying to remind myself I was alive. Just a dream. Just a stupid dream.” I reassured myself as I tried to go back to bed but sleep wouldn’t return.

I threw off the duvet and slipped into the black and silky night gown jacket. It was quite cold so it helped me feel a little bit warm.
“I miss my furs!” I mumbled to myself as I drank the glass of ale on the table. I wish the full moon would just resurface but the rain had just stopped a few hours ago. The sky was still recovering.

But staying in this tiny room was making me claustrophobic so I stepped out, walking along the quiet corridor, the guards were off duty some were still sleeping, the perfect time to think, I thought.
I crossed the courtyard and for once since the attack I stood right in front of the villa’s gate, watching the rain drizzle, touching the wet soil, I took a deep and slow breath as I tried to forget the hooded man in my dreams, his deadly stares, and the arrow pointing at my heart. I’ve never been scared of death until this moment.
“Can’t sleep?”
I was startled by the deep voice that resounded behind me, I thought I was the only one here. I relaxed when I found out it was Antonio.
“You scared the heck out of me,” I breathed and winked at me leaning against the wet pillars.
“Sorry, princess, didn’t mean to, I just couldn't help it.” He said with a smirk, his tousled dark hair covering a part of his face. He had eye bags and it was obvious he hadn’t gotten enough rest.
“Apology accepted.”
“So tell me, why are you wandering around like a ghost?” He asked, curiosity laced in his tone.
“I should be asking you that, why are you up ?” I retorted, wrapping the jacket closer to myself leaning against the other side of the pillar.
He let out a scoff, “I couldn’t sleep,”
“Why?”
“I’m up in case the alpha needs me, or changes his mind about the attack.”
I smiled to myself, I wondered what kind of man he was, he always surprised me most times, he was strong and resilient, not only that, he was also faithful to the king.
He was the second in command; he should be envious to be an Alpha one day but he seemed content with being where he was, protecting the king.
I sat on the low pavement, my leg was weak from all the standing, and I hadn't fully recovered from the slumber. Antonio joined me almost immediately and we grinned in unison.

“So, what happened? Did you have a bad dream?” He asked, turning to face me.
I paused, before staring down at my palms. He was one of the people I could trust so I cleared my throat.
“Yes I did, I was drowning, and that archer who tried to attack me was there in my dreams, aiming at my heart.”
Antonio arched a brow, “That’s sinister.”
“Yeah! It is, I don’t know, I just feel like something bad is about to happen.”
He patted my shoulders softly. “Nothing would happen to you.” He said with so much confidence as our gaze met.
I looked away. “How are you so sure? For all I know the archer could be out there, waiting patiently for me.”

He smiled at me softly, then clapped his hands twice. All of a sudden, the villa door burst open and a guard walked towards us, I stood immediately. He was carrying a golden tray.

“What’s this?”

“Open it!” Antonio responded.
I pulled it open and I gasped instantly.
It was a human head, its eyes were white and wide. Dried blood clung to its skin and the dark hair seemed wet like he’d just been freshly murdered.
“Who is this?” I asked Antonio for an explanation.
“He was found close to our kingdom's gate, he was bleeding but not dead, yet, he was trying to say something but died at the spot.”
“Is he who I think he is?”
He winked, “Yes, he’s the archer, the one who dreamt about.”
“How are you so sure…”

“Bring in the arrows,” Antonio motioned to the guard and they showed me proof.

“We found this on him,”
“Hold on,” I froze, “I know him, I know this mark.”
I’d seen the snake's tattoo, I’d seen this exact tattoo on only one person.
“You know him?”Antonio asked curiously.
I swallowed hard, staggering backward, “Yes, his name is Theodore,”
The lifeless face stared back at me and memories rushed through my head. I can still remember that bonfire we had, and the way he danced with Lacey, my twin sister.
“How do you know this Theodore?” Antonio asked, his jaw slackened.

“He was one of Lacey’s numerous boyfriends, he was so obsessed with her, he’d beg me to deliver flowers to her, letters, and even gifts, but she would always trash them. One day he even caught her kissing her new boyfriend, he was so hurt.”
Antonio let out a deep breath. “That’s weird, why was he dressed in the same hoodie the archer wore and why was he trying to shoot at you?”

Instantly a chill ran through me, as I trailed the head with my fingers, I swallowed hard, I couldn’t understand what he was doing here.

Could it be a mere coincidence?
I scoffed facing Antonio. “Tony, do you think he was sent by my sister?”
Antonio went quiet for a long time, of course he himself didn’t know the answer to my questions because he couldn’t understand why this man would want me dead.
But Theodore would do anything for Lacey, he was obsessive and so much in love with her even though she never showed him any affection, was this a ploy to win her heart?
“Do you think your sister is behind this?”

Why not? After all, I've had my suspicions about her being behind my car accident. She had every reason to want me dead, she hated me passionately. All she ever wanted was for me to die. She never ceased to say it to my face when we were younger.
“I wish you were never born!” Her words still echoed in my ears.
But… Why, why would she send him?
I cleared my throat, trying to shrug off the disappointment. I needed to face reality and deal with the issues on the ground.
“I need your help, Antonio.”I blurted.
“Don’t tell me you want to confront your sister again, you know she’d deny these allegations,”

“I don’t care!”
“ Do you have proof she sent him?”
I went quiet, stabbing Theodore’s head again. “This is proof! And I’m going to burn the Sanders kingdom to the ground.”