Chapter 29 29

Chapter 29 29
Lacey’s POV

At that moment it felt like I’d die. The world spun and just before my body touched the cold marble floor, Andrea's arm caught me, and I was so glad she did.

“Luna, are you okay?” She murmured, and I nodded, even though I wasn’t.

I didn’t trust anyone enough to tell them what I was really going through, not even Andrea, no matter how close we seemed.

One thing my father taught me was that anyone could switch up on you, so it was better for them to never see your weakness. I straightened, forcing myself to hide the pain I felt in my chest.

“Are you deaf? I said I’m okay, I’m perfectly fine,” I snarled, faking a smile that didn’t meet my eyes.
Every step I took threatened to tear me apart, but I didn’t stop moving. I wiped my sweaty palms against my gown trying to hide the nervousness that hovered around me. Before I could take another step, Henry appeared right in front of me, like a knight in not-so-shining armor.

I smiled but he grinned as if he wasn’t pleased that he’d seen me.
I folded my arms around my chest, “Where have you been? I've been searching for you all over the palace!” I asked inspecting him, he appeared well dressed as if he’d just returned from a ceremony, a special one.
“That’s none of your business, Lacey,” he retorted, his tone condescending and impatient.

I motioned to Andrea and she slipped away at once, I turned back to face him once again, my smile had disappeared now. “Why did you lie to me?”

“I don’t understand!”

“You told me you fought for Alpha Cain, but that was a lie, is that right?”

He rolled his eyes, as if tired of my small talk, “That’s not important…”

“It is!” I cut him off, “I’m sick and tired of you treating me like a fucking outcast!”

“Because I don’t trust you!” He blurted out and I let out a scoff.

So Andrea was right all along, he disliked me and didn’t desire me any longer.
“Look at me, I’m frail, what harm could I possibly do, huh? Tell me, Henry Sander!” My voice thundered across the almost empty hallway.

I swallowed hard and continued, “I deserve better, Henry, I just woke up a few days ago from a deep slumber that almost took my life and this is how you welcome me?”
“I’m glad you are awake, Lacey, but you need to focus on important things like caring for your daughter!”
“Oh, she’s mine now!”
“Stop leaving her alone with the maidens, they won’t love her the same as her own mother!” With that he stormed off, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

My face twisted as if I were about to cry, this wasn’t the life I imagined, never did I ever think Henry would desert or treat me this way.
What changed? He used to be mad over me, why did he suddenly lose feelings for me?

I heard footsteps and when I turned I saw his angry face, “Where is Arya?” He barked.
I didn’t flinch, I just smiled, acting oblivious, “I don’t know who that is!”
“Of course you do, what have you done to her?”

“Oh! You mean your lover?”

He points a finger at me, “if anything happens to her…” his words faltered and he swallowed hard. He knew that look on my face, the one that meant I’d gotten away with what I wanted again.

“What are you going to do about that, Henry?”

“Did you kill her?” He asked, his voice sad.

“What does it matter, she’s just a low-life maiden!”

He snarled, “I wish you nerve woke up from that slumber,” he said walking away again.

And my chest tightened instantly, his words hit me so hard and I smiled. “I killed your mistress and guess what? I enjoyed every moment of it!” I yelled after him but he didn’t respond.

“Hey, you, come here!” I called the guard who was standing at the corner pretending not to pay attention to our conversation, he’d just returned with Henry earlier.
He bowed, “My lady!”
“Yes, thanks for coming, did my husband go to Blueblood territory, today?”’

He paused before nodding, “Yes, Luna Lacey.”

“Good, then tell me everything, what went down there?” I asked, my interest piqued, but he went silent as if he was scared. “It’s okay, this is going to be our little secret.”

“He proposed marriage to Chloe Blueblood the daughter of Alpha Cain,”

“Adopted!” I corrected and he nodded, then it dawned on me, proposed?

“Thanks, you may leave now!”I yelled and he scurried away.

I was still shocked at the information I’d heard.

How could Henry do this to me? He was supposed to be faithful and loyal to only me?
“All I’ve done is to clean your mess! I’d kill for you! I’d kill…” I broke down, crying so hard my insides clenched together.

Chloe, the name that had always haunted me. How dare she try to bewitch Henry? He was no longer her mate, he severed that bond long ago.

How dare she try to threaten my marriage this way?

She was supposed to be dead, now she was a ghost that was so hell bent on ruining me!

I pushed open the wooden door to Eloise's room and quickly sent the maidens away.
“Out!” I barked and they disappeared leaving me alone with Eloise who was sleeping peacefully in her crib.

I stroked her hair and smiled at her, “Everything I do is for you, daughter.” I said softly.

“I’d make sure no one takes away this beautiful life we’ve built for ourselves, I’d always protect you, daughter, no matter what!” I cried, wiping the tears that flowed freely.

Which is why I was going to end Chloe.
“She has to go, “ I hissed and in that moment the only thing on my mind was to start a war, one that would get the job done, I didn’t care how many lives would be lost so far I got the chance to take down Chloe myself, and it would be for a good cause. After all, I was sick and tired of waiting for the right time.
Without Henry’s approval, I gathered a few archers, and some strong warriors who would fight for my cause. They followed me quietly without any complaints and we all rode towards the blueblood territory heavily armored and ready for what awaited us.

Halfway into our journey we sighted a little girl in tattered clothes, she stood by the road, sneering at me, this instantly caught my attention.

“Halt!” I yelled and we stopped moving. “Who are you?”

She bowed before me, “My queen Lacey.”

“How do you know me?”

“I’ve dreamt about you, about this day, I was captured by Alpha Cain but he released me, he thought I was just a harmless little girl.” She griped.

“Are you?” I asked and right before my eyes she transformed into an old saggy woman easily in her late eighties. Her black hair instantly turned silver, and she fell onto the ground.

My eyes widened in surprise, this was the plot twist I didn’t see coming. “I deceived them, I made them think I was a little girl and then they killed my stupid stepdaughter, who I turned into an old crazy witch!” She began to laugh and it frightened me a little bit.
“So, you’re a witch!”
“Yes, I am, they plan on attacking the witches but for some reason they can’t!”

“And why should I spare you?” I asked.
“You need me, my lady!”
“How? What help can I get from an old hag who can’t even stand right?”
“I know you want to be the most powerful queen to ever live, I know you don’t want competitors, I know your heart desires and I can make it come true, I just need you to trust me.” The old woman hissed.
I grinned, “How can I trust you?”

She smiled, “I know you’re on your way to take down your sister!”
I swallowed hard, tightening my grip on the bridle.
How the hell does she know everything?
Yet before working with her I needed to ask myself if this wasn’t a trap, one set for me by my sister, the very person I’d ridden here to kill.

“ I don’t need help!”

“Of course you do, you feel alone, but don’t worry child, I’m here now!” She smiled at me deviously, her rotten teeth shimmering in the dark.

I glanced at my warriors for a minute, before returning my gaze to the old witch who had now transformed into a young man.

“Decide, Lacey, this ball is yours,” he said, his baritone voice resounding like thunder on a stormy night.

How do I know this isn’t just another trick? Why should I even trust the deceitful words of a witch?

She’d do anything to be alive.

“I've made my decision!”