Chapter 190 Chapter 190

Chapter 190 Chapter 190
(Fiona's POV)

Ziva was my friend. We fought. We laughed. She cried when Soraya died. We both loved Soraya.

I risked my life to go into the Dullahan’s lair to save her life. 

How did I not suspect?

Her coldness to me months after she discovered Xander and I were previously together. How hadn't I realized how prying and nosey she was, eager to know everything that was happening in my life.

She was close to me, advising me to open up to her, quarreling with me when I didn't.

“Fiona,” she would say. “We're friends. Friends tell each other everything. You should always tell me everything.”

She wanted to know if I was really her mark or someone simply useless.

She wanted to know my weaknesses, my powers, my fear. Everything!

She wanted to know every last update about my relationship with Xander. Were we still talking? Were we previously mates? Would I leave Knox for him?

She knew everything about my past secrets, my emotional vulnerabilities, the things I cherished the most. She was watching. She always had been.

How hadn't I noticed that creatures rarely attacked her, even when she was at foot’s length. 

She was so smart; part of the reasons why I fell in love with her in the first place. She knew things, reasoned quickly, answered with facts. About the Thralls, the creatures of the night, plans we were set to execute.

But, all was bait.

I sank on my knees, my body instantly growing weak. “How did I get here?”

“I lured you here, bitch!” the demon that once was my friend spoke. “Through the same thing that is your utmost weakness. Your emotions.”

It walked toward me. “You love too much, trust too much, eager to please everybody, even when it inconveniences you. You are willing to shrink yourself to fit into a tiny box, when you were meant for things greater. Look at you, willing to risk your life for a person you don't even know. Weak!”

Suddenly regaining the use of my legs, I stood up straight, raising my cheek. “It might seem like weakness to you, but it's empathy, it's kindness, it's strength!”

“Where are the people you're shrinking yourself for? Where are the people you're willing to give your life for? Nowhere to be found. You're all alone now. No Xander. No Soraya. No Parents. No Knox… just you.”

Knox…

“The mating bond with Knox,” I asked. “How were you able to…”

“A very useful distraction,” Ziva smirked.

“And your shift into a wolf?”

She rolled her eyes. “An illusion.”

“Now, enough of the banter! I seek time alone with my bride.” The king of the Thrall spoke and slowly, each of the creatures bowed low to the king of the Thrall and one by one fled the palace, including Valkyr and Ziva.

The doors slammed shut and now I was alone with him in the massive obsidian throne room.

Now it was only the both of us and I felt incredibly intimidated and sore afraid.

I was expecting him to begin with talking about Wintercrest and the attacks I was certain he’d caused, I was expecting him to talk about Xander. Ask me to be his bride straightaway… I was expecting anything but what he said next.

“I know Arya, your mother.”

“What?” I screamed. “How?”

I wanted to yell at him, to tell him never to speak about her ever again, but once again, curiosity had gotten the better part of me and I was weak. He had spoken about something that was valuable to me… something that had power over me.

My mother.

The reason why all of this unfolded in the first place.

He climbed up from his throne, walking past me until he got to a pool of water that shone so black that it looked like a mirror.

He gestured as I walked closer. “Take a look.”

I peered into the onyx liquid, not knowing what I would see, but there she was. My mother, with her long hair, lively eyes, smiling brightly at me.

“Mom!” I cried, placing my hand on the surface of the water and the image disappeared instantly.

I collapsed on my knees as tears pooled my eyes. “Why? Why are you so cruel?”

He walked closer to me and for a minute, I held my breath, praying he wouldn't touch, but he stood a few feet away, maintaining steady eye contact.

“This doesn't have to be an illusion,” he said. “I can make this happen. I can make your mother come back to life.”

My heart pounded in my chest. “But you want something in return?”

He smiled. “Yes, I want you.”

“No.” I said. “No, I will not marry you.”

“You don't even know what I'm offering,” he said.

I stared up at him, speaking through lips that quivered. “I know enough.”

Once, I thought I would change my mind and succumb to his requests but now, I didn't care.

“Become my queen, and I will give you power, wealth, everything you could ever ask for,” this time, he did touch my chin and his hand felt prickly and icy on my skin as he raised my head up to face him. “Stand by me and your mother wakes again. Wintercrest will never be touched by my creatures again.”

One decision could save everyone. One sacrifice.

This was emotional torture.

“I don't require your love, Fiona,” he said. “All I require is loyalty.”

“And if I refuse?” I eyed him suspiciously.

“Then nothing changes,” he said. “My creatures will continue coming for Wintercrest. You'll never see your mother again, not because you're trapped behind the magical barrier, but because she will degenerate and eventually die, as will everyone you know.”

I knew he needed my powers. He needed me for his greed to take over the world, not because he truly needed my loyalty. 

“Why?” I asked him. “Why me?”

“Because, Fiona… you were never meant to be the enemy.”

“Then what was I born to be?” I asked.

“The queen who was promised to me long before you were born,” he said.

This came as a shock to me. Who promised me to him? I opened my mouth but he shushed me with a hand on my lips.

“You don't have to give an answer now,” he said softly. “You have until dawn.”

I stared at him. “And then?”

“Then I stop asking,” he shrugged.

With his robe flying in the wind, he headed back to the throne.

I tried to move, but I couldn't. That was when I realized that my legs were stuck to the ground.

With horror, I watched as ice crept over my feet, slowly climbing up my legs inch by inch so that I could not move. 

Was this what he meant when he said he'll stop asking? Because he had placed me in a frostbound curse that would swallow my body, until it reached my chest, and then my throat until the cryogenic curse closed over my skull, leaving me dead by dawn.

I struggled in place as my mind raced with millions of thoughts on how I would come out safely.