The shock
1474 Words
NADIA
Whether I liked it or not, it was happening.
I stood frozen, watching the best friend I never knew Joel had speak to him in a way I never could. Something about her felt off, but the harder I searched for clues, the more it seemed like I was the one who didn’t belong.
Joel laughed at her jokes, his attention locked onto her as if I wasn’t even there. And when he finally left me alone with Vanessa, she turned to me with a look so condescending it made my skin prickle.
“You don’t have to worry your pretty little head, ma’am,” she said, her tone nonchalant. “I’ll handle everything. You just have to show up and test things out.”
I blinked. Was she serious?
“No, I’d like to be involved in the planning,” I said, forcing a polite smile.
She tilted her head, smirked. “Suit yourself.”
Not a single flicker of uncertainty crossed her face. She was confident—too confident. And in that moment, I knew.
Vanessa was going to be trouble.
I spent the entire day trying to be part of my own wedding, but no matter what I suggested, she had a problem with it. Subtly, skillfully, she dismissed my choices, steering everything in her own direction. The more I pushed back, the more powerless I felt.
By evening, I knew I had to involve Joel.
I went to his chambers, but he wasn’t there. Frowning, I searched for him and eventually found him outside—training.
Training? Now?
Shouldn’t he be preparing for the wedding? Testing tuxedos? Choosing wine pairings?
“Joel?” I called as I approached, but my steps faltered.
Vanessa was with him.
She handed him a bottle of water, her fingers lingering on his waist a fraction too long.
My stomach twisted.
“Joel?” I called again, this time ignoring her completely.
He turned to me, and for the first time, I saw something different in his expression—annoyance, as if I was interrupting something. A sharp pain shot through my chest.
“I need to speak to you,” I said, forcing myself to swallow the lump in my throat. “Alone.”
Vanessa smirked, but Joel didn’t take the hint. Instead, he pulled her closer.
“We can hear you just fine,” he said dismissively. “Besides, I’d tell her anyway.”
My heart stilled.
Who was this man standing before me?
I looked between them, my mind screaming at me to see the truth.
“What is it, Nadia?” Joel asked, bored.
I opened my mouth, but the words wouldn’t come. My throat tightened. My vision blurred.
“Vanessa… she…” I tried, but the weight in my chest made it impossible to continue.
“She what?” Joel pressed.
I wanted to tell him how she made me feel. How she was taking over my wedding. How I didn’t trust her. But all I could do was stand there, struggling to breathe.
“You’re overwhelmed,” Joel said, brushing it off. “That’s what Vanessa is for. She’ll plan the wedding, and you’ll love every single detail. Your job is to marry me, and that’s the end of it.”
Vanessa smirked again, placing a hand on his chest before whispering something in his ear. Then, she walked away—like she’d already won.
My fists clenched.
“Joel…” My voice wavered. But he had already picked up his sword again, as if I wasn’t even there.
“I—I don’t want Vanessa,” I whispered.
He didn’t even look up.
“You’ll be fine. Go lie down,” he said, his tone clipped, dismissive.
And just like that, the sadness inside me twisted into something hotter, sharper.
“I don’t want Vanessa,” I repeated, louder this time.
That made him stop.
He turned, his expression hardening. “Why would you even say that?”
“Because she’s taking over our wedding—”
Joel scoffed. “You know she’s my best friend, right? The only family I have left? And you’re standing here, saying you don’t want her?”
His voice held something bitter. Something almost cruel.
He threw his sword to the ground, sweat glistening on his skin as he placed his hands on his hips. His stare pinned me in place.
“Joel, no, that’s not what I meant—”
But he shook his head, laughing under his breath. “Maybe you don’t want to marry me, then.”
The words hit like a slap.
“Maybe we shouldn’t get married at all.”
I gasped. My world tilted.
“Joel!” I ran after him, grabbing his arm.
“I’m sorry,” I pleaded, pressing my hands against his chest. “Of course, I want to be with you.”
He scoffed.
“Then why don’t you want my family involved in the planning?”
I swallowed hard, guilt clawing up my throat.
Then, his voice dropped lower. “If you can’t accept my family’s role in this, then you don’t want to marry me at all. And I’m sorry—sorry that I risked my life to keep your secret hidden. Sorry that I’ve done everything to protect you while a murderer walks these halls, waiting for his chance to kill me too.”
My breath hitched.
“Joel, I didn’t mean it—”
He took my hands, holding them tight for just a moment. “I know you don’t want Vanessa. But this is how you make me feel when you say things like that.”
I shook my head. “I’m sorry.”
But Joel just stepped past me.
Panic clawed at my chest. “Please, Joel. I’m sorry.”
He didn’t stop.
He didn’t listen.
I stumbled, my knees hitting the ground as I watched him disappear into the palace. The maids, the guards, everyone gave me a funny look as I tried to stand on my feet, their stares burned a hole in my neck but none of that was important.
Tomorrow was our wedding!
My world had crumbled in minutes and I had to wait his anger out to be able to fix this mess.
Hours had passed and I didn’t know how long I sat staring blankly out of my window. The trees swayed in the gentle breeze, but I barely noticed.
Then—something moved.
A shadow slipped past my window, creeping toward the fence.
My heart thundered, eyes widened in horror as the only means of explanation floated over my head.
The only person that would be creeping around would be the murderer and He was trying to escape.
I leapt to my feet, my mouth parting to scream—but if I did, he’d run.
I needed Joel.
I sprinted to his chambers, but when I barged inside, I found it empty. Where was he?
Panic surged through me, but I had no choice. I couldn’t let the killer get away. I needed to know who he was and occupy him till Joel came to find us so without thinking, I went after him myself.
Scrambling through the woods, my hands and knees scraped raw, I followed the cloaked figure as silently as I could. He entered a clearing, stopping. I ducked behind the bushes, holding my breath.
Then, Vanessa stepped out of the shadows, grinning.
“Were you followed?” she asked.
The man shook his head before walking toward her—and then, to my horror, he pulled her into a deep kiss.
I covered my mouth, my mind racing.
Was Vanessa in on it too!?
But then I shook my head — it just wouldn’t make any sense. She just got here, there’s no way she was in on the murder of the king, What if this isn't what it looked like?
But then she spoke.
“You have the potion, right?” she asked. “Nadia must marry you tomorrow and die the same day. They must pay for what they did to us.”
My blood ran cold.
The man’s hood slipped off, and I locked eyes with a face I knew.
A sharp breath escaped me, rattling the dry leaves beneath my feet.
Vanessa’s head snapped up.
“Looks like someone likes to snoop,” she sneered.
I turned to run—but I was too late.
Joel stepped in front of me, his speed nothing I have ever seen —The power of one’s wolf
— But for just a second—one fleeting moment—I saw something behind his eyes. A flicker of regret. Hesitation.
Then it was gone.
I spun to escape, but Vanessa was already behind me.
A sharp pain exploded behind my eyes.
Then—darkness.
- Writer
