My Vixen Bride

CHAPTER 004

MAYA.

“I was afraid you will change your mind.” He holds me tight to his chest. “I really cannot live without you, Maya.”

“Me too.” I fight back disgust as he hugs me. He pulls away and holds my hand in his after taking my bag from me.

“Let’s go.”

I don’t know what path he is leading me through but it is definitely one with fewer guards. I didn’t even know about the existence of this road that leads outside the city. I look around, memorizing the path, making a mental note to ask about it later.

“If we cross the mountain over there, we’ll be on safe ground.” He says to me, smiling brightly. “Your mother’s influence won’t reach there.”

I watch how he says my mother instead of his Luna.

I look around, wondering if my plan will work tonight. And why it is getting delayed. We cross another path into the woods and that is when Chaold stops. Maybe he smells them already. He draws out his sword, and looks around the empty forest.

“Who is there?” he barks out and before he knows it, an arrow comes flying at him. He dodges effortlessly, eyes wide as he looks around once before he grabs my hand, saying “We’ve been found out!”

A few men pour out of hiding immediately.

I don’t say a word. I let Chaold drag me forward. We ran past trees, and I notice how he doesn’t even mind the fact that I cannot keep up. He keeps dragging me with him.

“Don’t let him escape. Save the lady!” the guard’s commander barks out from behind me and that was my cue. I pretend to trip over a stone, and slip my hand out of Chaold’s hold. He pauses for a second, just as some arrows wheezed past him, missing by an inch.

I hear him curse furiously, conflicted between coming back for me and running to safety by himself. At the end, he tears his gaze from mine and continues running.

He left me there. All alone. To save himself. A chuckle slips past my lips as I kneel there in the dirt. This is all I needed to let go. Him, abandoning me after the promises he made.

The commander of the guards, Rand, reaches me, and tries to help me up. “My lady, are you okay?”

I simply look in the direction Chaold fled into, eyes filled with hatred and Malice. “Kill him.” I say the words through gritted teeth and Rand doesn’t ask any question.

He simply nods and runs after him.

……….

I sit next to mother as they bring in Chaold’s bloody body. He isn’t dead yet. Just barely alive. Officials of the state are lined up on each side, each of them plotting their own plans.

“My daughter was kidnapped today by this man.” Mother points at him, looking bored and tired.

“Chaold kidnapped the lady?” one of the officials asks curiously and mother points a look at him.

“Do you need me to repeat myself?”

“No, Luna.” He shakes his head. “It’s just that. Chaold is a respectable young man. He does not have a reason to kidnap the lady.”

“Not if he is a rebel.” Mother says and the court falls into whispers of shock.

“Rebel? That’s impossible.”

“It is not.” She says “He kidnapped Maya today to weaken our system. Thankfully, my guards detected it early and saved her. Else, the city would’ve been in chaos by now.” She smiles wickedly, staring at her fingers. None of the official dares to speak another word.

They all knew this was a show to find out who was behind Chaold. Anyone who defends him will officially be made the scape goat.

“Since he hurt my daughter, obviously I cannot let him go.” She says again. “Heed my words. Chaold Carson is a traitor to our city and so shall be treated as so. He shall be executed in three days according to wolf laws.”

“N-no.” I hear Chaold’s weak stammer. He finally lifts his head and our eyes meet. My lips curl deviously and he shakes his head, forcing words out despite being so weak. “I did not kidnap her. We both agreed to run away! Maya, why aren’t you saying anything? I did not kidnap you.”

I turn my eyes away from him, ignoring his screams and shouts as the guards come in to take him away. The hall slowly empties, until it was just me and mother.

Her eyes narrows on the exit. Not smiling or frowning.

“So, do you regret your decision?”

My jaws clench, and I bite my lips. “No.”

“Good. Because when you came to me yesterday and exposed Chaold’s plan despite how you felt for him. And even planned your own revenge so wickedly, I knew that you are indeed my flesh and blood.”

“I am only wicked to those who are wicked to me. I am nothing like you.” I stand from my seat, ready to leave when she calls out.

“The lord of Gorlan arrived the city gates an hour ago. He should be here any moment. Get some rest and get ready for your wedding tomorrow.’

My heart flinches in horror but I gave a nod before I walk out, to the comfort of my room, dreading what awaits me tomorrow.

*******

I have thought about escaping by myself instead of abiding by mother’s wishes but I found it was true small villages have been attacked recently. Gorlan was responsible. If they manage to take Ravindor and kill mother, I’ll be next. So I have to stop it even if it means stepping into the monster’s lair.

I stay quiet as one of the maids does my makeup. Tara is standing by the side, eyes red with tear stains at the corners. The other maids are hurrying about to get my dress in perfect condition.

When they are done, I stare at my reflection in the mirror. I am wearing a deep, blood-red silk with gold embroideries that catches the light every time I move. My hair is drawn into a stylish bun and is adorned with tiny rubies. A crown sits there. A gift from mother.

Apparently it is a family heirloom and I am meant to keep it safe.

“You look so beautiful today, my lady.” Tara says, cleaning the corners of her eyes.

“I look beautiful every day, Tara. This is nothing.” My bangle jiggles when I raise my hands. Honestly, the sound of it is annoying. “Shall we?” I raise my hand towards her, and she takes it, slowly guiding me out as the rest of the maids follow behind to keep the tail of my dress perfect behind me.

The place is decorated like a royal wedding. There are drinks everywhere. Most were laughing and chatting without noticing yet, but one person is already looking at me.

Considering the way he is dressed, he has to be the one. The lord of Gorlan.

His gaze is intense and ice cold, but I cannot see his full face because he wears a mask. Maybe it is because of how he looks. I’ve heard people mention how ugly the lord of Golan is and I only find myself regretting this decision all over again.

I am a sucker for pretty men which is why I fell for Chaold in the first place. And yet, my husband to be has been denied a trait like that. Tell me I am not already f****d up! How bad is it if he even needs to wear a mask to cover up? Also, where are his horns? I hear he has them. Or could he somehow have tuck them in? Stars above! How am I suppose to pretend to be in love with him in the future?

“Survival first.” I murmur to myself. That is my first task. I can worry about his looks later.

The plan is simple. Survive, seduce him, take over his city. Just as I was thinking about it, I saw his lips curve upward into a very very wicked smirk as if he could read my mind and worry instantly fills my heart wondering what that even means.

“She is here!” someone announces and mother, and the others finally turn in my direction.