CHAPTER 128: WHEN THE TORCH STOPS BURNING

"I beg your pardon?"

Sloane released me, and I rubbed my hurting hand.

"Do not worry, you’ll still be the monarch’s wife, only in name. Even if he has fucked you several times and you somehow get with child, I fear for it and you."

"There she is..." I mocked. "The Sloane I know."

"Don’t take it too much to heart, I did try to make my peace with you. I even apologise for slandering you and hurting your handmaid. But your inability to forgive earned you this mess, and now, when I become Queen, it’s unfortunate that we won’t be friends."

"If you become Queen," I corrected.

Sloane laughed softly. "Oh, Eloise...I thought you were smart. Yes, you have the power now, most likely the second most powerful woman in Valkanor... for now."

"We won’t know until the Fates get here."

"Yes..." She pushed off her chair. "And I can’t wait. Drevon will not agree with mating me, but his devotion to you isn’t greater than the Fates’ decision. Going against them is like bringing ruin to the entire empire. Who would follow a monarch who defiles the goddess’ will?"

My fist clenched tightly until I could feel my nails digging into my skin.

"Do you think Drevon will forsake the entire future of his empire for you?"

"We’ll never know..."

She sneered. "Fine, I’ll give you the days until the Fates come. Hold him close, fuck him till you collapse, because come that fateful day...He’ll be mine." She turned on her heels and walked away.

I watched her retreating form, my eyes growing heavy, maybe it was the wind or maybe it was the pain in my chest that was becoming too hard to bear.

I clenched that area, silently gasping for breath as it got deeper. What’s this? Why is it so painful?

I tried to steady my breathing, taking it one at a time until I could finally steady myself. I could breathe now, but the pain was far from gone; it lingers like a knife was piercing my heart.

~•~

"How long before the Fates arrive?"

"In a few days...when the torch stops burning," Ravyn replied.

"Your Grace," Osha said in a worried tone.

"So this is the Moonhall," I said, eyeing the grand doors.

"Are you sure you want to go in?" Ravyn asked.

"Why? Is there something dangerous in there?"

"No, it’s just no one goes in there, not that it’s prohibited."

"Good," I said sternly. "I want to see inside."

Ravyn pushed open the doors for me.

"I’m going alone." I stepped into the hall, and the doors slammed shut behind me with a loud boom.

The Moonhall.

It stretched endlessly, bathed in a silvery glow. Tall, carved columns line the sides, high ceiling in a canvas of the deep night sky, with painted massive moons shining down.

Along the walls, countless candles burn in golden silver, and at the end was a giant torch, its holder gleaming like liquid moonlight. The flames did not burn bright, which showed how close the day was coming.

I walked closer, my shoes echoing on the polished floor like a mirror, reflecting the ceiling above.

This place was magnificent, but I couldn’t appreciate the craft or the designs. I was too far lost in my coming fate. I wanted to be strong and tell myself that Drevon will always choose me, but I found myself doubting.

I’m pathetic, truly. Was I so broken that I couldn’t believe in him? I chewed the inside of my mouth and placed my clenched fist close to my chest. Pathetic. Nothing good ever comes from your existence. Happiness was never an option for me.

A soft swish sound drowned my ears. I lifted my gaze and looked to my right where a woman swept with a straw broom.

She had gray hair with a mix of black strands, showing how age has gotten to them.

"We never had any visitors." She raised her head, and I gasped. "It’s nice to see someone for a change."

She’s...blind. Her eyes was milky white, as if the color had faded over time.

"It’s bad manners to stare, dearie."

How did she know I was staring?

"I’m sorry, I didn’t think I’d see anyone here."

"How do you think this place is spotless? There’s someone who cares for it, dearie."

I gulped. "Of course, but—"

"You didn’t think a blind woman would be the one you see."

"Forgive me."

"There is nothing to forgive. I may be blind, but I see more than those who have eyes, figuratively and literally."

I snorted quietly.

"At the end of the day, vision is not important."

I found that hard to believe, but I’ll just agree, just to be polite.

"Maybe..."

That was no agreement, Eloise!

She chuckled, walking to me, she didn’t walk like she was old or tap the broom to tell the direction in which she was going. How strange.

"You are a rare thing, aren’t you?"

"Pardon?"

She took my hand into her rough ones, feeling them. "Ah... there is ice in your blood. Who would have known?"

I narrowed my eyes in confusion, but then it struck me. "Oh, you mean the cold. I’ve always been cold."

"Always?"

"Yes, I was born with a lingering ailment."

"Hmm... but not so much a sickly girl now are you?"

"You can say that." I smiled. "You’re right, you see more."

"Oh, we see. We see."

We?

"But child... I’m afraid the discord in your heart will ruin you. You’re torn, cold, and caged in your mind."

"Discord?" I murmured. "I have a very good reason to be."

"And why is that?"

"I’m going to lose everything..." That was all I said, but my words were heavy and spoke volumes.

"Certainly you’d have seen this coming, didn’t you? That inner voice telling you what a human could achieve in a nation of Lycans." She held my hand tightly, and the warmth consumed me. "Shall I give you an answer?"

"If you have, please do, maybe I could get some clarity."

"You don’t need clarity from anyone. I’m just here to give you an answer."

"Tell me, then," I said, and then I found myself asking. "Why have the gods forsaken me?"

"Dearie, the gods haven’t forsaken you. They weren’t the ones who chose you to begin with. You’re not forsaken."