Chapter 16 16
Amelia’s POV:
When Mei told me that he had saved me, I thought that perhaps he… cared for me more than I could understand. So, I decided then that I would consummate our union by seducing him as married couples do, then claim the bond that was rightfully ours. But now… he stormed off without a word, leaving me to question everything. Did he take me in out of pity? Did he even love me?
With a hardened heart, I dressed quickly with my trembling hands, then returned to my room with tears in my eyes and laid down on my bed, forcing myself to sleep despite the ache that had settled in my chest.
I reopened my eyes to see the candle flicker once, then again, as if the air itself was shifting. Suddenly, the shadows on the wall stretched longer, bending into shapes I didn’t recognize. When I blinked, the walls were gone and around me was a forest.
Before I could fathom what was happening, a figure ran past me and I went after it, confused.
I watched the figure leap into a tree and move swiftly from branch to branch. Instinctively, I followed, jumping up after it and trailing through the canopy. Suddenly, the figure halted, drew a bow, and aimed at something unseen. It held that position for several minutes before finally releasing the arrow.
Not even a second passed before a voice barked an order to find whoever had fired the shot. The figure dropped from the tree, as several men charged after it. While I stood there, confused and desperate to understand what was happening. Then the figure ran past me, and in that instant, I realized the person who had shot the arrow looked exactly like me.
A scream tore out of my lips as my eyes flew open. Gasping, I took note of the sweat soaking my hair, and the way my body trembled as I clutched at my chest.
My mind raced.
Was this how I received the wounds on my body? My fingers went to the scars, the bruises, and I realized something even more troubling. Why has Denary never mentioned it? Without hesitation, I rose, smoothing my skirts, and resolved to find Denary in his room because I wanted answers. On reaching his room, I stormed in to discover that he wasn't inside.
I turned around to leave but suddenly paused when an idea crept into my head. So, I decided to have a quick look around his room just in case something could juggle back my memories. As I moved around I took note of the books, records, catalogs and ledgers. Until I reached the corner of his wardrobe where I saw a portrait of my own face hung up on the wall and beneath it, an arrowhead, inscribed with the letters: “A.M.”
It felt familiar, though I could not yet place why. I reached out for it but stopped midair when I heard footsteps echo in the hall. I ducked, until I found the perfect time to slip away before anyone could see me.
The next morning, after Mei had gotten me dressed up for the day and was about to head out to get my breakfast, I held her back.
“Mei… where can I find Uriel? I need to speak with her.”
Mei hesitated, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Milady… we were not to meet with her until tomorrow, for your checkup. Is everything okay?”
“I just want to speak to her.” I replied. “Please, take me to her.” My tone left no room for argument.
Mei hesitated before nodding.
Although she suggested I have breakfast first, I insisted and we had to leave for the clinic immediately. When we arrived, at my orders, Mei waited for me at the entrance while I followed her directions to Uriel's workroom where she was surrounded by vials, herbs and boiling pots.
On seeing me, she looked up at me with surprise. “Lady Amelia… Why are you here today? Your fingers are not due for checking until tomorrow.”
I swallowed, meeting her calm eyes. “I need exercises or herbs that could help me regain my memories.”
Uriel’s expression hardened.
“Amelia… forcing or putting too much pressure on the mind can be dangerous. Your memories must come slowly, and naturally because forcing them could cause permanent damage.”
I clasped my hands, pleading. “Please, I… I need to remember.”
Uriel’s expression softened, though her voice remained firm. “Alpha Denary instructed me not to give you anything that could forcefully retrieve your lost memories as it could cause brain damage if misused. So you must be patient.”
I felt a swell of gratitude, and warmth in my chest at the mention of the name Denary. I had no idea if it was because of what Uriel had said or because I believed that him refusing to let me retrieve my memories forcefully was because he truly cared for me.
I smiled at Uriel, relief washing over me. “Thank you… I understand.”
When I stepped out of Uriel's workroom, I made my way outside the clinic to see that Mei was still patiently waiting for me. So, we both made our way back to the main building. But as we were returning, I noticed an unfamiliar carriage, being parked directly in front of the entrance.
I turned to her. “It seems like we have a visitor.”
“A very important one at that.” Mei said, with a smile.
“How important?” I asked, eyes returning to the carriage.
Mei replied. “Well, for one, it's a six-horsed carriage. And secondly, it has the kingdom's crest.” She said pointing at the crest on the carriage. “This kind of carriages are usually used by the royal family, that's the Alpha King and the High Queen.”
“Do you mean Denary's father and mother?” I asked, and Mei nodded.
“Mei ” I said as my gaze lingered on the carriage. “Why have I never seen Denary use such a carriage if it's meant for the royal family.”
“I do not know the exact reason, my lady.” She began. “But perhaps it is because he is no longer living in the capital. He is the Alpha of his own Pack now, so he uses a carriage with his Pack’s crest rather than the royal one.”
I nodded slowly. “Hmm… I suppose that makes sense.” I turned to continue walking, but then something struck me, and I stopped abruptly.
“Wait.” I said, spinning back around to face her. “You said those carriages are usually used by the royal family, didn’t you? So… that would mean the king, the queen… or their children.”
Mei nodded and a strange flutter started in my stomach. “So if this carriage is here… does that mean either the king or the queen, or both, might be here as well?”
“Yes, my lady. ” Mei said carefully. “It seems very likely.”
I didn’t know how to feel. Should I be happy to meet them? Should I be terrified?
I had read so much about them during my time here, pouring over histories and genealogies, trying to understand the world I’d woken up into, but books told nothing of personalities. Nothing of what kind of man the Alpha King was, or what sort of woman Luna, no, High Luna, Evelyn was.
And suddenly I felt nervous, very nervous.
Mei must have seen it in my expression, because she gently reached for my hand. “My lady, perhaps they came here for something important. They may be speaking with Alpha Denary right now. So, you do not have to feel agitated.”
I nodded, letting her reassurance settle what little it could, and we continued inside. As we passed through the living room, I glanced around quickly, hoping that no one would be there. And luckily, it was empty. When we reached my room, I sank down onto the bed while Mei went to the nightstand, lifting the jug to pour me some water.
Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door. Mei placed the cup in my hand and went to open it.
A maid stepped inside, bowed, and said. “My lady, Alpha Denary has sent for you. He requests your presence in the lounge.” Then she left just as quickly.
The cup slipped from my hand and crashed to the floor causing Mei to startle. “My lady!”
But all I could think was, What if the King and High Luna was in the dining hall?
My heart was suddenly too fast. “W-why… why would he call me there?” I whispered.
“Maybe they want to meet you.” Mei said gently, trying to soothe me.
I swallowed. “Mei… What kind of people are Denary's parents?”
Mei hesitated, always a terrible sign. “The King has never visited Bloodmoon since I began working here a year ago, but Luna Evelyn has come twice. And from what I know about her, she dislikes clumsiness and prefers elegant, composed people. But she has a calm side too. She… can be gentle.”
I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. “That sounded as though you forced yourself to say something good about her.”
Mei flustered. “No, no, my lady, truly! You will be fine. I promise.”
I took a deep breath, then another. “All right, let us go.”
Mei walked beside me down the corridor, and when we reached the tall double doors of the lounge, she opened one for me and I stepped inside.
Immediately, my eyes landed on Denary, then on the elegantly dressed middle-aged woman with silvered hair woven into a knot who I believed was Luna Evelyn. Her gaze lifted to me instantly. “Sit down.” She said, voice devoid of warmth.
She was seated at the far end of a single sofa while Denary sat at her right on a double sofa, so I took the empty space beside him. The moment I settled, she turned to Denary.
“So this is her.” She said. “The woman you brought back.”
“You have seen her now, haven't you?” Denary said without hesitation. “So, please can you tell me why you came here without any notice?”
Luna Evelyn’s expression didn’t change. “I came to inform you that your fiancee, Lady Jasmine, will be arriving in five days.”
My fingers froze on the edge of my dress.
Fiancee?
She continued calmly. “And I expect us to prepare a welcoming ceremony for her arrival.”
For a second I could only stare at her as she continued delivering the news that felt like a dagger slipping between my ribs. Then I finally tried to come to terms with the fact that Denary had a fiancee. Does that mean that he only kept me here to be his concubine?