Chapter 8
878 Words
Selene's POV
My body ached from head to toe. Every inch of me throbbed with the reminder of last night. I curled into myself on the cold stone floor, trembling not just from the chill, but from the shame. The silk sheets of my former bed were a distant memory. Now, I was barely more than an animal in a cage. The air was damp, and the small window above let in just enough light to remind me I wasn’t dreaming.
I had dreamed of love. Of a wedding. Of happiness. I had dreamed of a life where I would be cherished.
Instead, I had been betrayed by the man I had once believed was my fate.
Kairo.
My heart twisted painfully just thinking his name. I wanted to hate him. Every part of me screamed for vengeance, screamed that he deserved to be despised. But my heart—stupid, traitorous thing—ached. Not just with pain, but with a sliver of what used to be love.
How could he do this to me?
I had kissed him with every piece of me, believed his lies, trusted his touch. Now all of it meant nothing. He had used me. Played me like a game piece.
I wiped a tear away angrily. No. I couldn’t break down. I had to stay strong—for myself and for the others.
I sat up, hugging my knees to my chest. I had to escape. I couldn’t let myself rot here. Not when my people were suffering. Not when I was being treated like a thing—a possession.
The heavy wooden door creaked open. I didn’t move. I had learned that stillness made me less of a target.
Liana ,Kairo Fiancee.
She strolled in like she owned the world, her hips swaying with confidence, her lips painted a venomous red. She smirked when her eyes landed on me.
"Well, well, the little bride looks broken," she said, her voice sugary sweet with malice.
I said nothing.
She walked over and crouched, her face close to mine. "I saw the way you looked at him last night. Still hoping he’ll change? Still clinging to that delusion that he loves you?"
I kept my lips pressed together, but my jaw clenched.
She chuckled and reached for the tray she’d brought. The food tumbled to the ground—stale bread and a bruised fruit. It wasn’t food; it was an insult.
"Eat. Or don’t. Starve for all I care. Just know that you're nothing here."
She stood and brushed invisible dust from her skirt.
"You’re lucky he even chose you last night. He’s the king, after all. He could’ve given you to the guards."
My stomach turned.
"You think you’re special because he kissed you? Because he made you moan? Sweetheart, I’ve been doing that for years. You were just a break from routine."
Her words burned, but I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of seeing me cry.
She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "You will never be more than a distraction. He’s mine. Always has been. Always will be."
She turned, walking toward the door, but paused before leaving.
"Oh, and if you think about running... remember, we kill escapees. Slowly."
The door slammed shut, and I was alone again.
Tears slipped down my cheeks. I didn’t wipe them away this time. I let them fall.
Was I really so blind? Was he always just using me? And... what had my parents done to deserve this?
Kairo said they killed his parents. But how? Why? They were peaceful. My father was kind. My mother wouldn’t even kill a spider. Why would they kill a king and queen?
The questions circled in my head like vultures, and no answers came.
I curled up tighter.
What will happen next? Will I be caged here forever?
Liana's POV
I slammed the door behind me and stalked down the corridor, heels echoing like war drums.
She looked at me like I was the villain. Like she was the victim.
Please.
She had no idea what I had done to be here. No idea what I had sacrificed to remain at Kairo’s side.
I gave him everything. My loyalty, my body, my obedience. I turned on my own friends. I lied, manipulated, seduced—all for him. And now, he barely looked at me.
All because of her.
That little orphan princess with big eyes and fragile lips. I wanted to tear her apart.
I marched to the maid’s quarters and pulled the head servant aside.
"Selene is assigned to the east wing. She scrubs every floor, polishes every window. She eats only when I say. And if she disobeys... remind her what happened to the last girl."
The maid nodded silently, not daring to question me.
Good.
As I walked past one of the mirrors, I caught my reflection.
Still flawless. Still powerful. Still queen-like.
So why did I feel so hollow?
Last night, he kissed me with eyes wide open.
He called her name.
My blood boiled. I punched the mirror, cracking the glass.
No. I would not be replaced. I would not be discarded.
She would learn her place. One way or another.
And if she didn’t break soon...
I’d make sure she did.
- Writer
