Chapter 18
1042 Words
Svetlana
I opened my eyes slowly to find King Nikolai glaring at me with rage.
“You little human!” He snarled as he lifted his hand, ready to hit me but he paused midway, exhaling as he dropped his hand slowly.
He scowled as he walked away, pacing around a moment. “She’s not allowed to die, you must live to suffer for what your ancestors did!” He barked and tears streamed down my cheeks.
Zina was at the side, staring at me pitifully, I was filled with indignation for her. Why did she save me? Why didn’t she let me die in peace?
“Keep a close eye on her, I want her to be transferred for the east wing tomorrow, that beast has done enough harm to my slaves, if you want death, I’ll offer it to you on a platter.” With that, he turned around, dashing out of the room while I began to sob.
Realizing I had gotten my voice back, I felt no joy, I just sobbed quietly while Zina sat beside me, quiet without a word.
“I’m really sorry.” She whispered and I scoffed.
“Why? Why didn’t you let me go?” I inquired and she inhaled deeply.
“I’m really sorry… I can’t, I love you too much to do that to you.” She replied and I snorted.
“Love me? That’s not love! Love is letting go. Now I’m back in this world where my body will be given to a brutal beast for only god knows how long.” I wiped away tears.
“Do you know how it feels? To have his filthy claws on your body?” She was sobbing now.
Do you know how it feels for your first time to be an insane beast who was everything but gentle?” She tried to touch me but I pushed her hand away.
“Do you know how terrifying it is? I would never see myself being with anyone, I’m scared of being touched by a man because it brings memories! Memories I wish I could shut out!” I lashed out, sobbing profusely.
She tried to pull me into her arms, sobbing equally with her eyes filled with pain.
“Child…”
“I am not your child!” I slammed, pushing myself up in rage as I limped towards the window.
There was a little ache in between my legs but I bit back the pain. “If I was your child you would protect me from that monster! You wouldn’t watch me serve him! You would let me die! I thought you were different. I thought not all Lycans are monsters but it’s clear you’re no different… You’re all the same.” I whispered calmly and she dashed out with great tears.
I exhaled as I sat on the end back, staring at the trees outside while contemplating if I had gone extreme with Zina.
Maybe I shouldn’t have been so cruel… Maybe I should’ve ignored her rather than say those hurtful words.
I exhaled, shutting my eyes tightly. My head was banging, nothing was right. Everything felt out of sorts and my future looked like a cruel mess.
With guilt gnawing at me, I walked outside, heading into the garden. There were numerous herbs, plants and poisons everywhere.
She laid in the middle, like a mother in the midst of her children.
I swallowed as I sat beside her on the green grass “I’m sorry, Zina.” I mumbled and she sniffed, forcing a smile to her face as she turned to me.
“It’s fine. You’re right… I shouldn’t interfere in your life… it hurts to watch you want to make a crazy decision but it’s your life… not mine.” She managed to wipe all her tears away and I leaned close, inhaling softly.
I felt a strange kind of connection to her, maybe because she was the only adult female I had even gotten this close to.
But it felt right, it warmed my heart greatly, it made me feel somewhat safe like I had someone to lean onto… A mother.
I shut my eyes as I pushed out those thoughts from my head. “You love this garden.” I whispered as I looked around she nodded, smiling sadly as she plucked a rose.
She skillfully removed its thorn before handing it to me. “It’s the only family I had left. I don’t have anything else but them.” She muttered sadly and I felt pity for her.
At least I had Viktor but she was lonely. “I’m so sorry… What happened to them? Did humans…”
“No.” She smiled at me. “You don’t have to feel guilty, you were never a part of the war and you should not be paying for what they did.”
“I had the best family, loving, supportive and all the amazing things you could think of but the next minute they were gone, it was too late…” I was deeply confused.
“What do you mean?”
She shrugged. “It’s nothing, you’ll know at the right time, you should be resting, how…”
“I’ll be your family. You can always count on me now. You’re not alone, you have me.” I whispered as I hugged her tightly and she sobbed as she rubbed my hair gently.
“Thank you so much… You don’t know how much this means to me…”
“It’s the least I can do, you’ve saved my life twice now.” I muttered and she brushed it aside.
“Come, I’ll make your favorite dish, tell me what it is.” She urged and I shook my head.
“No… you don’t need to go through the trouble, I’m perfectly fine, thank you so much Zina.” I replied with gratitude and she frowned.
“Nonsense, this is what mothers always do for their daughters, it’s no right at all. They feed, care and protect their daughter…” She whispered, a hint of regret in her voice and I knew it was linked to her family, probably the reason for their separation or death.
- Writer
