The Cost of Betrayal

Chapter Thirty-five

********Four years later***********

Maura set the table in their tiny cottage and stepped back. She was proud of her work. It was ready for tonight. She looked at the picture hanging on the wall of her grandmother, "Gamma, I hope I have made you proud," she sighed wistfully. She knew deep down that her grandmother was proud of her but, maybe also just a little disappointed. She has been staying here for far too long.

Just then, Birsha walked in. He reeked of cheap perfume and alcohol. "Hello, my love."

Maura's gut twisted as he approached her, the scent of s*x still on him. She knew that was what that pain was earlier. She had grown accustomed to it over the last few years. "Really? Today?"

Birsha sneered at her, "Why not, it's as good a day as any to get laid. Besides, it's not like you're going to be giving me an heir anytime soon." It was apparent that he had forgotten what today was.

His harsh words stung Maura. She wasn't sure which hurt worse, his obvious betrayal, or that he'd forgotten their anniversary. Why didn't he feel any of this? Any other day and she could have dismissed his hurtful words. It's not like she didn't want to give him a baby. Hecate knows she's tried everything she could think of to bring fertility to their union. As the words left his mouth, he could feel the sting in his palm that he felt every time he hurt her. A reminder of the vows he made. Even when he was with another woman, his left hand burned as if it were on fire. "I'm sorry, love."

Maura looked at him, but she knew that his words had ruined the evening she had planned for them. She swallowed the lump in her throat, "It's okay, I know you've been under a lot of stress lately. Sit down, eat."

He looked at the table and the realization dawned on him, "Oh my, I'm sorry love." His palm burned fiercely, telling him how badly he hurt her today. "How can I make it up to you?"

Maura looked him in the eyes and said, "Stop wandering," her tone was determined. She was tired of this, every single time he cheated on her, she felt it.

He scoffed, "Not likely. You see if you can't give me what I need. I will go and find it elsewhere." He began to eat his dinner, effectively killing the mood in the room.

Maura sat down in her seat and began to eat. She wished she knew what she was supposed to do. What was saving her coven from at this point, if she couldn't even save her marriage? She pushed her food around on her plate, the hard work and love she had put into this dinner now made her nauseous. Once Birsha was done, he looked at his dejected wife and felt a small twinge of guilt in the pit of his stomach at the sight of her sullen face. He couldn't take it. He walked toward the door, "I'll be back later."

As the door clicked shut, Maura let the tears fall. She needed help, and answers. She picked up her phone and dialed her mother's number.

Bella smiled at the familiar ringtone, pushing the button to answer. "Maura, darling, it's your anniversary. Why are you calling me? You should be-" she stopped as she heard her daughter's disheartened sobs. Her light tone changed to concern. She could feel anger filling her as she listened to her daughter tell her what was happening. "Calm down, baby girl. I'll be right there."

Bella rushed to the cottage Maura shared with Birsha and opened the door. She could see the effort that Maura had made to make today special.

Maura looked up at her mother, "Momma, why?"

Bella shook her head, "I don't know, sweetie. I wish I did."

"Did Dad ever do this kind of thing to you?" Maura asked. Maybe this was normal and she was making too much of this.

Bella sighed and again shook her head, "No, baby. He didn't."

Maura clutched her stomach as the pain began, telling her that Birsha was again cheating on her. This time the pain was too much to hide. She was tired of it. She was tired of being strong, she just wanted it to stop.

Bella's concern for her daughter grew at the sight of her in such pain, "What's wrong?"

Maura lifted her tearstained face to her look at her mother, "He's cheating on me." The pain washed over her in waves.

Bella stood over her daughter, holding her hands over Maura's head, reciting a spell to send the pain away. As the pain eased in her daughter, Bella looked down at her. "Pack your bags, we have to leave."

"But, I swore to protect this coven. Momma, I can't leave," Maura protested as her mother strode purposefully to her bedroom. Bella ignored her daughter and opened the closet, grabbing a few things and shoving them into a bag that she found at the bottom. Once she was satisfied with the number of clothes in the bag, she walked into the bathroom and threw her daughter's toiletries into the bag. She walked out of the bathroom and smiled, "I didn't say we weren't coming back." Even if she did want to stash her daughter away and hide her from this pain, she knew that she couldn't. But at least she could try to help her.

"Where are we going?" Maura asked. She wasn't sure if the relief came from the spell her mother had cast or if he was finally finished.

Bella smiled, "I've made some great friends, too."

******************

Bella inhaled the sharp sea air, it was so different than the dry air of home. She knew that dragons and werewolves both had fated mates. And even though she could have taken her daughter to see the Boyets, this would be the safer option. This was such a relaxing place. She hoped her newest friends could help her.

She walked with her daughter purposefully towards the looming castle. As they approached the gates, two imposing men stopped them. "State your business."

"I'm here to see the queen and king," Bella stated calmly.

The guard on the left looked at the women. He took in Maura's tearstreaked face and Bella's worn look. He could feel nothing but exhaustion and pain coming from them. "Your name?" He asked.

"Bella and Maura," Bella said plainly. She understood the procedure so she did her best to remain patient.

The guard disappeared behind the gates, leaving the women to wait. Maura could feel a strange mix of relief and foreboding as she waited beside her mother. "Mom," she whispered.

Bella looked down, "Yes?"

"Are we actually seeing the king and queen?" Maura was in awe.

Bella smiled, "You're not the only one that has changed these past four years, darling. Now chin up," Bella said as she noticed the guard returning.

The guard smiled at them, "You may enter," he greeted them with a slight bow. As they passed the guards, the one that allowed them to pass caught a delicate whiff of begonias. "I'll take you," the guard said, the words leaving his mouth before he could stop them.

Bella smiled kindly, a faint scent filling her nostrils. She had never experienced anything like it before. She couldn't quite place it, almost like the scent of cedarwood and fresh-cut grass. She shrugged it off as the man led the way. She wouldn't complain, he had a cute tush, she thought.

The guard opened the doors to the living quarters of the king and queen, "Your majesty, Missus Bella and Maura."

The couple turned to the door and smiled, "Hello, Bella, Maura, it's nice to see you." A feminine voice greeted them. "To what do we owe this honor?"

Bella walked up to the female and embraced her warmly, "He's hurting her."

The king turned from the window, where he was watching some young dragons train. "Who is and how?"

Bella looked at the two of them, "Maybe we could sit?"

The queen nodded, "Of course, Maura dear, you look simply exhausted." She looked at Maura sympathetically, she could almost tell already what was going on. She turned her attention to the guard at the door, "Thank you, Xandros." As she dismissed him, she noticed the slight spark in his eye and hid her smirk.

The guard gave the queen a slight nod and left the room.

"Now, what's going on, dear?" She asked.

Bella sighed, " I think that Maura should tell you, Lillith."

Nervem took in the sight of the women seated in his parlor, "I think I'll leave you to this for now." He looked directly at Maura, "But know that I will do everything I can to help you."

Maura nodded as she waited for the king to leave the room. Once the door was closed she filled Lillith in on everything. Sparing no details and causing her mother to gasp in surprise. She had no idea this had been going on for this long. Lillith listened silently, she knew that Maura would need to get it all out. Once she was done, she poured them all a cup of tea, careful to be the only one to pour from the pot. She didn't want to risk pregnancy on Maura.

Lillith sipped her tea thoughtfully before she gave her advice. "There is only one thing to do."

Maura tilted her head, waiting for Lillith to continue.

The queen set her teacup on her saucer and gently placed the cup on the table. "My dear, you must reject him."

"But, how?" she asked.

Lillith wrote the words on a piece of paper and pushed it to Maura, "I forget, your kind doesn't usually get fated mates. Just recite this to him and mean it. He will accept it and then you can move on."

Maura read over the words, they seemed simple enough. Could she do this?