Rejected Luna Of The Cursed Alpha

Salvation

Aria's POV

I stood motionless, staring at the old woman. The words she said rang in my head, refusing to disappear. "My...mother?"

Even I didn't know who my mother was.

The old woman opened her mouth to speak, but whatever words she was going to say seemed to fizzle away in her throat. She looked so strange, her expression so sharp, for a moment, I was scared. Scared, not because she had seen me before, not that it would have been bad if she had, but because of the look of terrible realization on her face, the look of someone who had said something she didn't mean to say in the first place.

"I..." she faltered, "I've made a mistake."

The king narrowed his eyes at her. "Mother Elara, you clearly recognized her."

"I did not!"

"You said she had her mother’s eyes, just now, that’s not a mistake someone would make,” he looked at her pointedly, “especially not you."

"I was mistaken," she said resolutely, though her voice shook as she did so. Her hands, which had somehow found themselves picking up the herbs from the floor, trembled violently. Several more leaves fluttered away from her grasp before she finally gave up and let James help her.

He kneeled beside her, picking up the few sprigs left and placing them gently in the basket.

"Here, let me."

"No!" The word was out of her mouth before she could stop it. A hush seemed to fall over the corridor because of it; even those passing by fell silent. It was as if Mother Elara had bitten off something that made the entire castle hold its breath.

The old woman lowered her voice to a mere whisper as she gathered the few herbs left into the basket, never looking up at me again. "It has been many years since I've seen her," she muttered. "Old eyes forget what they've seen before."

She turned and stalked away before I could stop her. I watched her retreating back disappear around the corner before something sharp and bitter twisted in my chest.

She was lying. I felt it in my bones, but I couldn't say why. Perhaps it was the way she had tensed when she had mentioned my "mother"; I was just as surprised as James when she turned and left without another word, or perhaps…

Perhaps she really had seen my mother in the past.

The king let out a sad breath. "She has never acted that way before."

"Who is she?"

"The oldest healer here," he replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "Mother Elara has served three kings; her composure is usually..." He trailed off, looking thoughtful. "Unshakable."

"But it isn't now," I finished quietly. He gave a sad nod in agreement.

That was the first thing either of us said for a long while.

I don't know why, but I wanted to press her for more. What did she know about my mother? Had she been here, in the castle? In this very room? Did Mother Elara know more than she was letting out? I wanted to ask her so very badly but the questions clung together in my throat, forming a large lump that swallowed every sound I tried to make.

"Your Highness," a voice chimed in, startling me out of my thoughts. I turned to see a woman approaching us. She wore a dark gray dress and her silver hair was gathered into a tight bun at the back of her head. She radiated a certain kind of poise that made me instantly aware that this woman held a position of power and influence. "Beta James."

James gave her a respectful nod. "Mrs. Evelyn."

She turned to me. "You must be Lady Aria," she said.

"I..." I began but stopped when I realized there really were no words. No one had ever called me Lady, not since…

I bit back a wry smile at the memory. I was about to brush that off as ridiculous when Mrs. Evelyn continued, "His Majesty granted you sanctuary here."

Her tone did not change as she continued, "Anyone given safe passage within these walls must be shown due courtesy."

I could see that she was testing me somehow. Testing if I knew that I was truly being honored by being here through James.

I turned to him, whispering. "Do...you know who she is?"

"His Majesty's most trusted advisor," he said simply before turning to me with a warm smile.

We were led to the dining table where we had our meal.

"Aria, I shall come by in a few months to see how you are faring," he said immediately after we were done with our meal.

"Thank you." I murmured as he gave me one last smile before walking away in the opposite direction. I felt something in my chest tighten at the sight of his back disappearing behind the corner.

It was the first time I had felt completely alone since Valemont.

Mrs. Evelyn was a woman of few words, and as we walked down the corridor she had little to say. She kept a steady pace, as if she did not want to waste time; I followed behind her. The castle itself was beautiful, but it lacked the flash and extravagance I had grown used to in Valemont's palace.

Instead, the walls were made of dark stone and simple banners bearing the royal crest were hung between tall, narrow windows. The furniture was all finely made with dark wood, but it was sturdy and stood like silent sentinels in their respective rooms. Nothing was showy.

Nothing was unneeded. Everything had its purpose.

It all felt so very...secure.

It was the first word that came to mind as we passed through a grand hall. Eyes followed us as we walked, servants pausing where they stood, soldiers straightening their backs, or lowering their gazes. A few outright stared while others simply feigned ignorance. No one paid me any open thanks or insults, but all seemed to observe me with a mixture of both curiosity and apprehension. I was not sure whether to feel grateful or insulted as I forced myself to lower my gaze.

"They are only curious," Mrs. Evelyn said as she led the way around another corridor.

I frowned at her comment before looking up. "I imagine you don't get many visitors."

"Outsiders seldom stay here." She replied simply. I frowned at the word. In truth, Outsider fits me better than Lady ever would.

We turned a corner and I nearly collided with a little boy holding a stack of towels. He was probably no older than seven, his eyes lighting up as he saw me. He gave me a little wave with one hand before I could stop myself. My lips parted in surprise before I could stop myself; a smile bloomed across my face before I could think better of it.

Just as I raised my hand to return the gesture, though, a woman came up behind him and gently took his hand in her own, whispering something in his ear. The child's smile disappeared, his disappointment evident even in the way his posture drooped before the two of them walked away.

I stared at the place where they had stood with a frown. Something in me ached at the sight of that little boy's face, disappointment etched into each feature. It was the first time I had felt so sad over something so small.

It wasn't until Mrs. Evelyn opened the wooden door before us that I stopped staring. "This is your room," she said.

I stepped inside and let out a breath. It was a simple room, with a bed at the far end of the window. A wardrobe stood in one corner, the bed covered with simple but well-made linens.

There were few other things in the room, save for a washstand, a small writing desk, and a single chair.

Mrs. Evelyn placed a small key on the desk as she entered. "If you need anything, the kitchens are downstairs." I gave her a small nod of thanks as she left me alone in the room. As always, the silence was overwhelming.

I walked to the window. Outside, I could see rows upon rows of herb gardens, waving gently in the late afternoon wind. The scent of rosemary and lavender wafted inside through the opening, and I felt my eyelids grow heavy.

Maybe, just maybe.

This place would be my salvation.