Chapter 40 Chapter 39
Amaris.
"You're late." I said to Evelyn as I saw her approaching the maid's quarters, a flushed look on her face. "I have been looking all over for you. Where are have you been?" I called out, walking to meet her.
"I'm sorry..." She huffed out, panting softly as she approached me. "I have been in the Alpha King's chambers. I just left." She explained, immediately getting ready to work. I raised a brow, puzzled.
"The whole time? Did you spend the night there?" I asked and she nodded, glancing at me. I paused in my steps, furrowing my brows. "I thought he didn't allow people to do that? Stay that long in his chambers, I mean." I said and she shrugged, looking ahead.
"Well, he was the one who ordered it so..." She trailed off, color staining her cheeks. I peered at her for a while before shrugging, letting her go. "Okay, I won't press." I added and she turned to me, smiling.
"Thanks." She muttered sheepishly and we immediately settled to work, hurrying since we were already behind and I didn't want the usual complains that came with not doing our work on time. I sat across from Evelyn, our hands busy with tasks but our minds free to wander in conversation.
As we talked about trivial things, a guard approached us, his face grim as he spoke the next words that shook me to my core. "Amaris, the Alpha king requests your presence in his study immediately." He said and I stiffened, my heart skipping a beat and eyes widening.
I exchanged a quick glance with Evelyn, whose eyes mirrored my unease. "Me?" I repeated, pointing to myself. "But what would the Alpha King want with me?"
"I don't know but you should go quickly. It's best to not keep him waiting." she whispered softly, giving me a reassuring smile. "It's probably nothing to worry about." She gave me a reassuring nod, silently urging me to gather my courage. With a deep breath, I rose from my seat, my legs feeling weak beneath me. Evelyn stood beside me, offering her unwavering support. I smiled, squeezing her hands gently before taking a deep breath to calm the huge fear inside of me.
I wiped my hands clean from the soapy water, arranging my hair as I hurried through the huge corridors, heading straight to the Alpha king's study. My thoughts were filled with apprehension and a sense of impending doom. What could he want with me? Had I somehow drawn his unwanted attention?
The grand doors of his study loomed before me, and I hesitated for a moment, my fingers trembling as I reached out to knock. I could feel the weight of his presence on the other side of the door, a formidable force that made my knees weak.
After a deep breath to steady my nerves, I rapped on the door, a sound that echoed in the silent corridor. "Your majesty, it is I, Amaris. You summoned me?"
The response was swift, the door swinging open to reveal the imposing figure of the Alpha king himself. He was immersed in his work, surrounded by scrolls and parchments that seemed to be endless. His gaze, sharp and discerning, fixed on me as I stood at the threshold.
"Enter," he commanded, his voice sending shivers down my spine.
With hesitant steps, I crossed the threshold and entered his study The room was adorned with regal opulence, and the scent of aged books and fine leather filled the air. The Alpha king's gaze never left me as I approached his desk, my heart racing.
I curtsied as I'd seen other servants do in his presence, my eyes lowered in submission. "Your majesty, I am Amaris. You summoned me."
He acknowledged my presence with a mere nod, his focus returning to his work. I stood there, waiting, my anxiety growing with each passing second. It felt as if hours had gone by before he finally spoke.
"Amaris Silvermoon." He muttered, peering at me as he leaned back on the chair, his lips pressed together to a thin line and a displeased look on his face. Cold sweat broke all over me and I could feel it trickle down my spine.
"Have you met with Duke Ethan recently?" He asked and I snapped my eyes to look at him, the question catching me off guard before lowering it immediately.
My heart skipped a beat at the mention of Ethan's name. Memories of our tumultuous past flooded my mind, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of anger. "Yes, Your Majesty," I replied, my voice barely audible. "I have seen him recently."
The Alpha king leaned back in his chair, studying me intently. "And what is he to you, Amaris?"
I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. But honesty compelled me to speak the truth. "He is my mate, Your Majesty. But he rejected me." I answered solemnly, wringing my hands together.
A flicker of emotions crossed the Alpha king's face, but he blinked and it was gone. He leaned forward on his seat and I resisted the urge to take a step back, his aura menacing even with the impassive look on his face. "I see. What does Duke Ethan want now?"
I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. "He wants me to accept him back, to give him another chance."
The Alpha king's gaze never wavered as he asked the next question. "And have you accepted him?"
My heart ached as I spoke the truth. "No, Your Majesty. I have not."
He fell silent afterward, picking up his quill to continue writing in his scroll, busy with his work. I glanced furtively around the king's study, my heart pounding in my chest, unable to bear the stifling tension and the worry that his questions as raised in me. After what seemed like forever, he dropped his quill once more and focused his attention on me, staring pointedly at me.
"While I understand your pain and reasons for you hesitation..." he began as he leaned forward, placing his chin on his hands. "You must understand that Duke Ethan is in a precarious situation right now. You're aware that he has been cursed, are you not?" He asked.