Chapter 130

Chapter 130
CRYSTAL

I came here with one certainty burning in my chest; Kallias would go for me. There had never been any doubt in my calculations. He would search for me—relentlessly. By now, he should have already crossed paths with Valtor or Winter, declared with absolute certainty that I was here. Then after that, he and his pack would have reached the borders, demanding my return.

And, if they were denied, they would have declared war.

But there was nothing.

I didn’t know where my reasoning had failed. The first few days unfolded exactly as planned, I kept my head low, observed, and waited. But now? 

After the castle's head maid finally finished interrogating me, I was put to work immediately. 

My hands burned, raw and aching as I dragged the coarse, wet cloth across the stone floor. The fabric scraped against my palms, soaking into my skin, but the corridor seemed endless, stretching on as if the castle itself were mocking me.

When I finally straightened, my back screaming in protest, frustration boiled over. I kicked the water basin hard.

Water sloshed violently over the edge, splattering across the polished stone.

At the far end of the corridor stood a massive open doorway. But two rogue guards flanked it, their presence rigid and alert. If I shifted here and bolted past them, they might not have time to catch me.

Or they might.

My wolf stirred uneasily beneath my skin. She wasn’t weak, but she wasn’t strong either. It had been far too long since I let her run free. Her agility had dulled, and her physical strength had faded even more. Against two rogues especially if they shifted, I wouldn’t stand a chance.

But I had to try. I would not remain trapped under Freya’s thumb surrounded by her obedient lackeys. 

“What in the hell is this?”

The voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

I turned to see a maid sprawled on the floor, water soaking into her skirts as another one rushed to help her up.

“Are you trying to kill me?” the fallen maid shrieked. “Why is there water everywhere?”

“Maybe next time you should use your eyes when you walk,” I replied, shrugging. “You knew I was cleaning the floor.”

I turned to leave, but they stepped into my path.

“You’re new,” one of them said, her gaze sharp and assessing. “So you probably don’t know who we are.”

I laughed bitterly. 

“Oh i know exactly who you are," I said, irritation flaring unchecked. “Your lives are spent serving others. You wake up and grab filthy rags, wash kings’ and queens’ feet, then sleep in clothes that smell of ash and smoke. Isn’t that right?"

The words spilled out before I could stop them. The memories of when I had once served Winter seared into my thoughts, and I knew that I would rather die than submit to that life again.

“How dare you,” one hissed.

“The nerve of her,” the other snapped.

“Because I know this life too well,” I said, meeting their eyes without flinching. “I’ve lived it. But I’m done.”

The old housekeeper had allowed me to keep my veil covering the lower half of my face, from the bridge of my nose down. She hadn’t forbidden it. In fact, she’d said it was for my own safety.

“I’m done!” I shouted.

Then everything happened at once.

Hands tangled violently in my hair, yanking my head back before I could scream. 

Pain detonated across my scalp as I was hauled forward, my body half-dragged, half-thrown.

“Get your filthy hands off me!” I screamed, thrashing.

“Filthy?” one of them sneered. “That sharp little mouth of yours sure knows how to insult. For a new slave, you’re far too loud. And I have a solution for noisy mouths.”

“We don’t tolerate pests like you here,” the other added coldly.

Panic surged. I fought harder, claws bursting free as I raked them across her skin. She hissed in pain—but only smiled.

“You’ll pay double for that.”

A sharp blow sent agony crashing through my head. I screamed, curses spilling from my lips as tears burned my eyes. 

Then, suddenly, they stopped.

The grip in my hair vanished. The abrupt release threw me off balance. 

I stumbled forward and collapsed onto the cold stone floor, my palms stinging as I caught myself.

“M-my Queen.”

The words froze my blood.

Slowly, I lifted my gaze.

Winter stood before me.

“Can you stand?” She asked gently, her voice reaching me through the haze. "Are you hurt?"

I couldn’t bring myself to answer. Couldn’t even look at her.

I shook my head.

“Then please stand up.”

It wasn’t quite a command, but it wasn’t a request either.

I obeyed, rising on trembling legs, my eyes fixed on the floor.

“Good." She said. I caught a glimpse through my lashes and saw that she was smiling. "Now, stay behind me."