Chapter 21 Start afresh
SOMA
Lilith’s voice snaps us out of the moment, but she doesn’t spare Mason a glance as she continues. “I’m not sure how much you have inside, but we need to start now if we want your accommodations arranged as soon as possible.”
Mason steps back. “What’s she talking about?”
Words stick to my throat, and I gulp.
“Soma, what’s she talking about?” He grabs my shoulders, forcing me to look at him. “We had plans, remember? We are—”
“Get your hands off her,” Lilith commands.
“Mason,” I whisper.
Hurt bleeds into his features, and his eyes widen as he puts more distance between us. I try to take his hand, but he stops me with a wave of his finger. He’s still here, but it feels like I’ve lost him already.
“Careful how you touch our future Luna,” Lilith says.
Mason’s gaze sharpens. He forgets the hierarchy as he turns to the priestess. “Are you going to force her to be with the prince?”
“Naturally, she’ll be his Luna. He’s the crown prince after all.”
“That asshole,” he thunders. His nostrils flare, and he points toward the palace. “Just a few days ago, he tried to kill me. He embarrassed her before everyone.”
“All of that was in the past,” Lilith says. “It’s different now.”
Mason scoffs, looking at me. “Soma. Say something.”
“You’ll address her as your lady, young man.” Lilith’s sharp voice cuts through the air, her warning clear. She gives me a look, letting me know her patience has run out, then she raises her gaze to him. “In less than ten minutes, you’ve committed half a dozen crimes against the crown. It’s in your best interest to stop talking now.”
“Priestess, he didn’t—”
“My lady,” she interrupts. Her softness is gone, replaced by a sternness that makes me shiver. “We must go now.”
“Mason, I’m sorry.”
He says something, but Lilith is already walking to the front door. I don’t want to annoy the only person who seems to be on my side, so I force myself to follow her.
The three cars belonging to my aunt and cousins are parked in the driveway. Knowing I might see them makes me temporarily forget about Mason.
Aunt Helen, Maeve, and Sheila are all at the front door when Lilith pulls it open. From the pale looks on their faces, I know they must have overheard the conversation outside. They bow, avoiding my gaze as they mutter a chorus of “My Lady.” It’s so strange hearing the title from them that it renders me speechless.
“Your things, my lady,” Lilith mutters.
“Right. I’m sorry.”
After a last glance at my relatives, I hurry up the stairs and pack what little I have here. When I arrive downstairs, Lilith looks at the tattered backpack in my grip.
“Is this it?” she asks. I nod. “This is all you own?”
Sheila and Maeve move behind their mom, who keeps her head so low. I’ve never seen Aunt Helen so resigned, but I don’t pity her. Not even when Lilith raises her hand as if to strike her. She stops when I tug on her dress.
“We have to go,” I whisper.
“Even the palace maids own more than this,” she spits at them. “You should be ashamed of yourself, Helen.”
With that, she yanks the backpack from me and tosses it at them, not caring that it lands on Aunt Helen’s feet. We stalk toward the door. I’m so eager to leave I walk ahead of her, slowing when I realize she’s still inside.
I spin at the same time her palm lands on Aunt Helen’s cheek with a deafening crack. Someone gasps. No. Three of us. Me. Maeve. Sheila.
Blood rushes to Aunt Helen’s cheeks, and she rubs her palm over the reddened spot. Lilith turns, her face schooled into a blank canvas. Stopping beside me, she says, “Let’s go, my lady.”
Tension swells as we walk away from the house. When we are past the driveway, I whisper, “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I’ve wanted to. For years,” Lilith murmurs under her breath. “It’s Dorian’s fault. He spoiled her.”
My feet crash to a stop. “You knew Uncle Dorian?”
Lilith frowns at me, shaking her head like she didn’t expect me to be there. She exhales and flashes a fake smile.
“If I had known we were coming for that,” she mutters, avoiding my question. “We wouldn’t have come at all.”
“It’s okay. Thanks for standing up for me.”
Her eyes gleam. “You’re welcome, my lady.”
We fall into step, heading for the car. Mason is there, standing a few feet away from the vehicle. My heart clenches painfully. I’m not sure where he fits in the new direction my life is now headed, but I don’t want to hold him back anymore. Dante straightens up as we draw close, darting a few glances at my best friend.
It’s time to bid him farewell.
“Go,” Lilith says before I ask. “Five minutes.”
Dante walks away, and Lilith slides into the backseat. Mason and I watch each other, neither of us willing to close this chapter. Finally, he moves, closing the gap. His fingers brush mine, but he knows better than to hold me.
“We had plans, Soma. Is this where it ends?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t ask for this, but I can’t leave now.”
Part of me wants to know why the Moon Goddess chose me. To see where this adventure will lead. But the other part knows I’ll put him in danger if I leave with him. I hate to admit it, but I’m now an important citizen of Shadowspire. If I vanish, they’ll hunt me down, and whoever is found helping me will be doomed.
“Get out of Shadowspire,” I tell him. “Start afresh. One day, when things are better, we can see each other again.”
“But I want to go with you,” he whispers. His eyes water, and he sniffles. This time, he grabs my hands and doesn’t let go. “Start afresh? I want to do that with you.”
“Mason.” I pull my hands from his grip. “I can’t. I’m sorry.”
“Why? Because you’re a lady now? You’re too big for me? Is that it? I’m suddenly beneath you?”
“What? No, Mason. They’ll kill you if I leave with you.”
“So what? You’d rather be wife to that ugly pig?” he taunts. “It’s tempting, I know. To have so many maids at your service, waiting to do your bidding. I can see the appeal.”
“I don’t have a choice,” I snap. He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “If you don’t care about your life, I do. I can’t leave with you anymore. I’m sorry.”
“Go.” His eyes harden, and he wipes his cheek. There’s no trace of my best friend when he tells me, “Enjoy your newfound life of luxury with your prince, my lady.”
He storms off before I can utter a word, and I wobble to the car. Lilith doesn’t flinch as I slump into the backseat.
“Soma,” she mutters. I close my eyes, hoping she takes the hint to let me be. “If Mason leaves without permission from King Rowan, he’ll be labeled a rogue and killed if he ever sets foot back in Shadowspire. For your sake, I’ll pretend not to know about… his plans. But you cannot see him again. Once he leaves this pack, he ceases to be your friend.”
Loneliness creeps into my veins, and I choke on a sob. Everything she said about crying in private doesn’t matter now as tears roll down my cheeks. I curl against the door, wishing I had left with Mason on Friday morning.