Chapter 74

**Lorenzo's POV**

"I curse you, Prince Caspian," echoed through my cold, dark room. I sat down on a wooden chair, my gaze fixed out the window. I just sat there, observing how bright the moon was and thinking of how vicious the moon goddess was to me.

"I curse you for all eternity. To die and live over and over again, knowing full well that you will never be with the one you love."

Why? Why me, goddess? Why was I given such a malicious punishment? Tears flowed slowly down my flushed cheeks. This was my third bottle of the night, yet my pain only grew. The more I drank, the more I saw Luciana, and the more I saw her, the more I wanted to drink, to forget. I was tired of watching someone so undeserving end up with the one I cared about most in the world.

“Lorenzo, are you there? I need to speak with you,” I heard Lincoln say, his footsteps measured as he approached. Even after such a long night, he still looked unearthly perfect, while I looked like a bum shoved into a dark alley corner. It was strangely annoying. He turned my seat to face him and sat in front of me.

“What happened? What did you see?” he inquired, his tone filled with worry and deep concern. “Does she not recognize you?”

I slowly shook my head. I didn't know if I was happy or awfully disappointed. “She recognized me, Lincoln. She even called my name, but…”

“But what?” he echoed.

“I saw him kiss her.” I scoffed bitterly. “He kissed my woman. But you know what's worse? You know what kills me the most, more than anything else in this pathetic life? That every single time… she lets him. She sees me there, but she lets him touch her,” I exclaimed.

“Lorenzo, I'm sure there's a valid explanation,” he assured me.

“I have no time for a pity party, Lincoln,” I snapped.

“Please, calm down and think this through. It’s just the way of the curse; you have no control over it, Lorenzo,” he explained, trying to stay calm.

“That's Prince Caspian to you!” I yelled, knocking the wine bottle off the counter and spilling its contents across the floor and our shoes.

He let out a heavy sigh. “You're right. I was wrong… and I'm sorry, Prince Caspian. But we need to call a spade a spade. This is just the way of the world.”

Phoebe stood at the door, startled by the sound of breaking glass. She stared at Lincoln, her face filled with horror.

“Luciana is in danger,” Lincoln said after a moment.

“What do you mean she's in danger?” I stammered, already shaking with fear.

“When Phoebe was out by the training dock, she felt something… something eerie, sinister. And so did I,” he explained.

“Okay, but what does this have to do with Luciana?” I questioned hesitantly, still trying to connect the dots and worried about what I might discover.

“We believe the witches were planning to complete a phase of their plan tonight, but something must have interrupted them. That, however, doesn't mean they won't strike again.”

“I'm not following,” I stated, confused.

“A few minutes ago, a sector of the moon darkened, spreading and leaving it almost void of color—but somehow, it was averted,” he explained plainly.

“You mean the sacred ritual was attempted?” I asked in shock, gasping.

“It could be so,” he answered.

“But I thought that during a sacred ritual, the moon couldn't be seen by mere sight, only by the eyes of a witch,” I said.

“Yes, it can't—at least, not until it’s fully darkened, leaving it undetectable by any other creature who might try to stop it,” Lincoln replied.

“Then how do you know about this, Lincoln? Aren't you supposed to be a fairy? How do you know so much about this?” I questioned, staring sternly at him. His eyes wavered, almost as if he’d let something slip, something he shouldn’t have.

“Well, that's because…”

“Because I'm a witch, Your Majesty,” Phoebe blurted out, finally stepping out of the shadows cast by the door.

“You… you’re what?” I asked hesitantly.

“I'm sorry I hid the truth, my Lord, but it was the only way I thought to protect myself,” she cried, falling to her knees in plea.

“You traitor!” I exclaimed, drawing my sword, ready to execute her.

“Your Majesty, please stop and think this through!” Lincoln begged.

“You knew about this? You knew, and it didn’t occur to you to tell me?” I sneered, growing even more agitated.

“I admit it was a mistake, but she means no harm. I swear it,” he vowed.

“You vouch for her? Her kind is the reason we’re in this mess to begin with, Lincoln,” I reminded him, glaring coldly down at her.

“I understand what you’re saying, but at least hear her out. She’s been with us through dire times. She saved us. She saved you,” he said quietly.

I chuckled bitterly. “I’m immortal. What could I possibly need to save from?”

“From yourself, Prince Caspian… you need to save yourself. And by the looks of it, you still do.”

I sighed at his words, looking at both of them with a wave of emotions. Phoebe had truly been with us through it all, but what if this was just another well-thought-out scheme in an elaborate plan? Witches were especially vicious when it came to manipulating human emotions. But if she truly was who she said, I couldn’t have innocent blood on my hands. Not again.

“Now, why don’t we calm down and hear what she has to say,” Lincoln suggested calmly.

“Fine. You have thirty minutes,” I said, lowering my sword.

“Thank you, Your Majesty… I am a witch—well, not entirely. I’m half wolf, half witch. I’m—”

“A hybrid,” I completed, cutting her off.

“…and the first known of my kind,” she continued. “And this is my story…”