Chapter 37 Hold steady, imp!
Amara pov
The tension in the room shifted as the focus turned to Braden and Lola standing like statues at the altar. Lola wore a hot pink gown, typical for her, while Braden’s attire was a mix of dark blue leather and fine silk, the insignia of Blackwood Pack embroidered over his heart.
The crowd fell into silence, the only sounds being the soft rustle of fabric and faint strum of music.
The elder began the ceremony in a voice that made everyone but Sebastian and me tremble in their seats. “We gather today not only to witness the union of two powerful families but to honor the bond that will tie the fates of Lady Lola and Alpha Braden together as the Alpha and Luna of Blackwood Pack.”
Lady Lola’s smile was anything but radiant, her eyes looking at everything but Braden. Braden stood rigid in front of her, his hold on her hands anything but gentle. From here, I could nearly see the tick in his jaw with every second that passed.
It is obvious neither one of them wants to be here.
The elder nodded to both of them. “As is tradition, the bride and groom must pledge themselves to one another, binding their spirits as one before the Goddess of the Moon.”
Lola stepped forward first, her voice steady but carrying the hint of a tremor. “I, Lady Lola Aldrin, daughter of Black Forest Pack, accept you, Alpha Braden Blackwood, as my Alpha, my mate, my husband, until the Moon Goddess takes us to our resting place.” She was handed a knife and slit her palm, allowing drops of blood to drop onto the marble ground beneath them.
Braden took a step forward and his dark eyes locked with hers..
“I, Alpha Braden Blackwood, son of the Blackwood Pack, accept you, Lady Lola Aldrin, as my Luna, my mate, my wife, until the Moon Goddess takes us to our resting place.” He grunted impatiently. He took the blade, slitting his palm and placing it against hers.
A bind was used to tie their hands together, intertwining their souls forever.
The elder smiled slightly before raising his hands toward the sky. “By the power of the Moon Goddess and the bond you’ve pledged, I now pronounce you Alpha and Luna of Blackwood Pack. May your rule be strong and your bond unbreakable.”
“This was dreadful.” Sebastian sighed exhaustedly beside me. I nodded in agreement, though he couldn’t see.
I felt a prickle under my skin, and felt a sense of being watched. I looked around the ballroom until my eyes landed on Lola, shooting me the most unusual look I’ve seen on her face.
It’s almost.. happiness.
If that’s not enough to make me uncomfortable, I don’t know what is.
•••••••••••••••••••••
After the ceremony was over, I couldn’t bring myself to stay for the feast. My feet hurt more than anything I’ve ever felt, and my back has been quite sore.
I’m still not used to wearing these dmned heels all the time. And the corsets don’t help much either.
Estra typically helps Kleo with my night routine, but tonight, it’s Victoria and Kleo who’s helping.
“Here’s your nightly tea, my Queen.” Victoria handed me the typical teacup with steaming liquid.
I swallowed a sip and cringed. “What is in that?” I coughed as the warm liquid ran down my throat.
“It’s your normal night herbs.. why? Is it off? Did the herbs go bad?” Kleo asked, holding her hands out for the cup.
She took it and raised it to her lips, taking a large mouthful and swallowing. She coughed, immediately regretting the decision.
“They went bad, alright. I’ll have them pick new ones and fetch a fresh cup.” She said.
“I’m sorry! It’s just what I was given.” Victoria began to get upset. I shook my head.
“Don’t worry. It’s fine. And don’t bother with a second cup, I think today wore me out enough.”
With a bow, they both left me to climb into bed and lie down. Sebastian is busy working on something, but he said he should be down by morning.
I yawned and pulled the blanket to my chest. Today has been too long.
••••••••••••••••••••••
“Hold steady, imp! You’re gonna get us caught.” The mumble of a voice spoke, breaking somewhat through the darkness that consumed me.
I felt myself get jolted to the right as a hard thud sounded through the room.
“I said quiet!” He snapped again.
What’s going on?
I tried to speak, but no words would come out, so I tried to use mind link to get help from Sebastian or anyone, but it was just silence. Who are these people? Why are they here?
“You hear that?” Another said. I tried to listen to whatever it was, because I know it wasn’t me. That’s when I heard banging on the door, a loud rattling sound. Then shouting, and the thundering of many footsteps.
And then I heard him. Sebastian’s beast roared so loudly I swear it shook the stone walls. He’s angry, or scared.. I can’t tell the difference.
“Fck they know we’re here. Shut up and let’s do what we came here to do. Grab her and get to the portal before it closes.” The first said.
There was an eerie silence in the room aside from the loud banging outside the door, and then all of a sudden, I felt hands on me. Disgust and fear filled my every cell, wondering what they were going to do to me.
Why can’t anyone get in? There are no locks on the doors.
“Sebastian, please.” I tried the link again, but got nothing.
In a flash, I was thrown over one of their shoulders like a sack of potatoes. All dead weight. That’s when I saw it, the portal. A giant black hole in the center of my chambers.
I tried so hard to move, even just my fingers, and every time I tried, I felt a slight tingle.
Yes.. It’s coming back.
“The king's going to love this.” One sneered, stepping through the portal. And that’s when the man and I crossed into it, my hand barely a movement, but just enough to reach out..
“Amara!” Sebastian shouted as he burst through the door.
Wouldn’t matter anyways.. he’s too late.
The portal closed before he could reach me. But not before I saw the fear etched onto his face..