Chapter 66

P.O.V. Ebon

I was weak.

I gave myself to my greatest enemy and now I would have to deal with the consequences.

But sorry? No, never!

I've always been driven by the desire for revenge, which gave me the courage and energy to overcome any obstacle that came my way, but now that Lyall has come into my life, I'm experiencing other feelings and I don't want to give that up.

I was the Queen of the Vampires, but now I carried Lyall's mark on me and I wouldn't hide it for long. Just as I would have to deal with the fact that the moon goddess had given me a werewolf companion, all my people would have to learn too.

I didn't plan to spend the night in the forest with Lyall, but I definitely didn't think I'd just get home when the sun was up.

As soon as I got home, I stopped by the utility room to drop off the backpack and utensils I'd used during the night and went to my room using the servants' passage, without going through the main room, as there was bound to be someone waiting for me and as much as I didn't want to hide Lyall, I also didn't want them to see me so finished off, as if it were written on my forehead that I'd had sex all night.

Lyall stayed downstairs to shower and get ready too and as soon as I left, I felt as if my chest was going to explode simply because we were changing environments in the same house. If before I was already affected by Lyall, now I feel like I'm going to go mad the closer I get to him.

After a nice relaxing shower, I combed my hair and dried it, leaving it perfectly straight. I'm not much of a make-up wearer, but I took the time to cover up the dark circles under my eyes and some of the marks that Lyall had left on me.

I was dressed in a turtleneck dress. I wanted to get ready to tell people about my mark, but I didn't know who was in the room waiting for me and it was wiser to talk to my counsel first.

Once I was ready, I looked in the mirror and although I no longer recognized myself, I smiled at myself. I know I'm facing a new life and starting to believe that love really does overcome all hatred.

As soon as I walk down the stairs, I'm startled by the scene I see and the slight smile I was wearing crumbles.

“Why is Lyall tied up and lying at your feet?” I asked, almost shouting at Viktor, who, from the hateful look on his face, was certainly suspicious of us.

“You've been weak in leading us and that's why I want to call for your dismissal.” Viktor said and it sounded like a joke, so absurd.

“You've got to be crazy. Have you lost your mind?” I said to him, who looked at me cynically.

“You're the crazy one who let yourself be persuaded by that damned werewolf. I proposed revenge by accepting him here, but you chose to lie with him and sully our name and our history.”

“Who are you to tell me who I lie with or don't lie with? I didn't know I owed you or anyone else any satisfaction.”

“Me? I'm your only salvation. You've been betrayed by your little boyfriend and at the end of the day you'll know that I'm the only chance to save you.” Viktor said with great conviction.

I looked at the members of the council who seemed to agree with Viktor, but I didn't care, as I know he's good with words, but as soon as my eyes met John's, I knew there was something very serious going on.

“Speak up, John. What's going on?” I asked the only person I really trusted there.

“We were attacked during the night, when you weren't here.” He replied.

“And why does this have to do with Lyall?” I said without understanding what he was getting at.

“We were attacked by a group of werewolves. They freed some prisoners and surrendered some soldiers.” He paused, as if he wanted the courage to speak. “They knew our vulnerabilities and left a warning that they would soon return. I'm sure they received information from a spy... who seems to be Lyall.”

“Why him?” I asked, hoping that the story didn't make sense.

“One of the werewolves, before he left, said that the alpha of Valgerd would soon finish his sacrifice and return home. When we went to look for you, I was told that you were with him and that you weren't to be disturbed, and the counselors suspected that he might want you away.”

“And what do you think?” I asked my friend and counselor.

“I think you already know the answer...”

I looked at Lyall on the floor and our eyes met. Deep down in my heart I wanted to believe that he wouldn't do something like that, but I know that it's almost impossible for someone to do what he's doing out of love. The version that he was there for revenge was much more acceptable.

“Take him to prison, but don't touch him. I want to talk to him alone.” I ordered and watched as Lyall was led away, but first he gave me a look of disappointment and I don't know why, but it hurt my soul.

“I'm going to give you a chance to make amends with your people. Agree to marry me and I'll see to it that this shame isn't spread to anyone,” Viktor said and left with the other councilors who were there, leaving only John.

“What are you going to do now? Things have gotten a bit complicated for you, since it's spreading that you were weak and let the enemy take advantage, but honestly... I think that's a lot of nonsense,” John told me.

“I need to get my head together and confront Lyall, but honestly, I don't think he did anything of the sort,” I said to my friend, who seemed to agree with me.

“He's a werewolf and that's not how they play this game, but in any case, you need to be prudent and at least pretend that you believed this story Viktor set up.”

“I'll do that, but for now, take care of Lyall for me and don't let him know that I believe him. We need to be convincing.”

My friend also left and I went to my office to talk to some advisors.