Chapter 121
The temple was silent, save for the flickering of oil lamps and the distant murmur of the priestesses preparing for the midnight prayers. I remained in the dimly lit chamber, my thoughts tangled with the weight of Kaelin's last words.
My child was going to die. And it was going to be all because of Rowan.
Those were the words she uttered.
The very words she said.
It was just another one of her manipulations. It had to be. And yet, the unease in my chest refused to fade.
I turned, my eyes drawn to a figure in the shadows. Draped in silver robes, the real Moon Goddess's prophetess stood near the altar, her face obscured by the hood of her ceremonial cloak.
My feet moved before my mind could decide.
"Prophetess," I called softly, and she turned toward me.
Her face was weathered with age, her eyes clouded with the wisdom of countless visions. She studied me in silence, as if she had been waiting for me to speak.
"I have questions," I admitted.
She tilted her head. "You seek answers only the moon goddess can give."
"I heard you can see the future. Can you read my future?" I asked, voice steadier than I felt. "About my child?"
The prophetess regarded me for a long moment before nodding. "Come forward, Queen of Zaire."
I stepped toward her, and she reached out, placing a bony hand over my stomach. Her fingers were cold, sending a shiver up my spine. She inhaled deeply, her eyelids fluttering.
Then—
A gasp tore from her lips.
She jerked away from me as if burned, stumbling back until she hit the altar. The golden bowl of sacred water rattled, nearly tipping over. Her breathing came in sharp, panicked gasps, her entire body trembling.
I reached for her. "What did you see?"
The prophetess's eyes widened in terror. "Death," she whispered. "Destruction."
My stomach twisted. "What does that mean?"
She shook her head violently, gripping the edges of her robe as though it could shield her from whatever horror she had witnessed.
"You must leave!" she cried suddenly. "Leave this place! Leave before it is too late! Leave and never look back!”
The prophetess turned and fled, her screams echoing through the temple halls.
I stood frozen, my heart pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears.
What had she seen?
Back in the castle, I barely spoke a word.
Rowan noticed immediately. He always did.
He found me in our chambers, staring blankly out the window at the moonlit courtyard. He said nothing at first, only crossing the room with the quiet confidence of a man who knew me too well.
"Are you going to tell me what's wrong," he finally asked, "or do I have to guess?"
I swallowed. "It's nothing."
"Ariadne." His voice was gentler this time, but no less firm.
I closed my eyes. "I'm tired, Rowan. I’m so tired of everything. Why does our love have to be so complicated?”
He stepped behind me, his hands resting on my waist. His warmth was grounding, the steady presence I had come to rely on. He pressed a kiss to the side of my neck.
"What’s complicating it? What are you talking about?” He asked with concern.
My shoulders slumped as I decided against telling him.
“I’m just tired.”
“Then let me take care of you," he murmured against my skin.
I stiffened.
His hands slid over my stomach, his touch slow, reverent. But instead of melting into him as I usually did, I stepped away.
"Not tonight," I said, turning to face him. "I just... I need to be alone."
Hurt flickered in his eyes, but he masked it quickly. "Ariadne—"
"I'll be back soon. I just need a little fresh air," I said, already moving toward the doors.
Rowan didn't stop me.
The night air was cool against my skin as I stepped onto the balcony overlooking the gardens. The scent of roses and damp earth filled my lungs, but it did little to settle the storm raging inside me.
I barely noticed the sound of approaching footsteps until it was too late.
"How could you make such a foolish mistake," came a familiar voice.
I turned sharply.
Lilian stood before me, her expression dark with fury.
"What are you talking about?" I asked warily.
Her lips curled. "Did you think you’ve won now? Did you think throwing her in the dungeons will truly make any difference? What do you think they would do if they find out that she’s missing? They’ll replace her with someone even more brutal.”
I tensed.
"You have no idea what you've done," she hissed.
"I did what I had to," I said coldly.
"Release her before they find out. I don’t want to be the one to have to inform them.”
"No."
Lilian stepped closer, her gaze burning with something dangerous. "You're making a mistake, Arin. Kaelin isn't your enemy. On the contrary, she is the only one who has been speaking in your defence this entire time.”
"She tried to kill me," I snapped. "She is exactly my enemy."
Lilian let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "You're so blind. So so blinded by love or whatever it is that has made you this way.”
I took a step back, suddenly on edge. "Why do you care so much? You’re just a spy like her. You’re here to do your job. You don’t really care about her. Or anyone here.”
"I care when it has to do with someone I love," she said, her voice laced with something close to desperation. "You think you’re the only one who has people they love? You’re going to ruin all of us if you continue with this. And you’re not going to succeed. You or your Alpha King.”
"I don't take threats lightly, Lilian. Remember you’re lucky to still even be here," I warned.
She smiled, but it wasn't kind.
"It isn't a threat," she murmured. "It's a promise."
Before I could react, she reached out—so fast I barely had time to flinch.
Her fingers brushed against my forehead repeatedly, almost as if she was trying to wipe something away.
The movement was fast and forceful but it was only until a few seconds later I realised what she was trying to do.
I gasped, jerking away, my hand flying to my forehead. But the damage had already been done.
The mark I had taken so long to carefully conceal every day had been revealed.
Lilian's smile widened.
"Now everyone will truly know what you are," she whispered. "An Otsayak."
Panic slammed into me.
I reached up, frantically pulling my hair out of its braid to cover the mark I knew was showing on my forehead. My breathing was ragged, my chest tightening.
I had to get away.
I turned, ready to run—
And then I saw him.
Prince Lucian.
He stood just beyond the archway, half-hidden in the shadows. His golden eyes were wide with shock, his face pale.
He had seen.
Lilian had did this. Knowing he was watching.
There was no way she didn’t know he was watching.
I took a step toward him. "Lucian—"
But before I could reach him, he turned and fled.
I stood there, frozen, my entire body trembling.
This was bad.
This was very, very bad.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
