Chapter 269
Not many people from our community were going over to the Lycan region for their once-a-year celebration. In fact, from what I knew, it was just Raul and me. At least, that was all I was aware of. Us, and the Queen’s brother, Hendel.
The Queen herself would be staying back to keep the beasts on a leash—her words, not mine—making sure nothing spiraled out of her control while a portion of her court was away. A handful of elders were going too, though more for politics than enjoyment.
My parents hadn’t seen the need to accompany me, trusting that I would be able to take care of myself. Diana had wanted to come along, of course, but Laura had refused, citing her age and her own need for help at home. That didn’t stop Diana from sulking like it was a full-time occupation.
I watched her now as she picked through the clothes I’d selected for the trip, her nose wrinkling at some of my choices as though my wardrobe was a personal insult.
But what does she mean? These were my best clothes.
I’d be gone for almost a week—five days, to be exact—and thanks to the benefits I’d earned by winning the contest, coupled with the fact that the Lycan King had invited me personally, I would be staying in the palace itself.
Not just any palace chambers, but in the same building as the King’s family. There were other perks too, but the one Diana seemed most fixated on was the idea of me traveling with the royals to the cave dedicated to the moon goddess, something akin to a shrine.
“Rachel will be shitting herself,” She said flatly, suddenly, abandoning my box of clothes like it had personally offended her.
I shrugged, a smile curling at my lips. “She made the bed she’s lying on p>
I picked up the new mask Laura had made me. She’d insisted the previous one was starting to lose its glitter, though I suspected her real reason was a determination to keep me shining—as if making up for those years when I’d been the recluse, the target, the one everyone mocked.
This mask was similar to the old one, but more luminous, set with tiny glittering diamonds and faint white lights that caught on my hair like frost on snow. When I looked through the eyeholes, I found Diana staring at me with an unreadable expression.
“What p>
She stood abruptly and dragged me to the full-length mirror in my room. “Do you think you still need the mask p>
I could see what she meant. My hair—now completely white—had transformed my appearance, and my well-toned build, shaped from hours in the palace’s gym, was a far cry from what I’d once been.
The Queen had insisted on my training there after our magic sessions, explaining it would strengthen my core and give me better endurance for magic.
I looked… different. And not just in a flattering way. My eyes were now a distinct shade of gold, flecked with green. An odd, almost unreal combination.
I looked like a stranger. Like a freak, if I dared say it.
My family disagreed, of course. To them, I looked like an angel. But family will never call you ugly to your face, will they?
Still, I found it easier to believe my own reflection than their reassurances. And so I wore the mask.
“You’re just addicted to covering your eyes,” Diana said knowingly. “I hope this isn’t going to be a forever thing. Or I’ll tear it off myself p>
Her frown told me she meant it. I knew she was still unhappy about not coming with me, and the mask was only a distraction from the real problem. We’d planned to attend the Lycan celebration together, and then Laura had swept those plans away with her own.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get you souvenirs when I come back,” I muttered, patting her cheek and hugging her when her eyes went misty. “I’ll miss you too p>
The thought of going without her left a sour taste in my mouth. I wished for a miracle, anything that might convince Laura to change her mind.
Two hours before the journey to the Lycan’s region commenced, but Diana, in her highly reactive state, can pack a bag in an hour.
Then there was a knock at my door. Diana and I exchanged puzzled looks.
“Do you think it’s Raul? Maybe to take you to the palace?” Diana asked as we headed for the door.
“I doubt it. We’re leaving from here, remember—” I stopped mid-sentence when I opened the door.
Levina.
Standing alone, looking nervous, with a traveling bag clutched in her hand.
Oh no. Please don’t tell me she was hoping to stay here before the journey.
“What are you doing here?” Diana demanded before I could.
Levina shifted from foot to foot, her head bowed, her grip on her bag white-knuckled.
“If you’re not going to speak,” Diana said sharply, “you can go back home. Or maybe wait at the Queen’s palace for Raul p>
“I’m sorry,” Levina blurted, lifting her gaze to meet mine. The rightful source is
Took you long enough, I thought, scanning her from head to toe. The bracelet was gone.
“What happened to the bracelet?” I asked, my voice dripping with amusement.
“I took it off,” she said quietly. “I realized my father was right. I was stupid for following Rachel around, thinking we were friends, forgetting the past p>
“Only because she was exiled,” Diana said with a derisive snort. “If she were still here, would you be? I’m sure the only reason you’re here now is because you’re lonely. Do we look like an animal shelter for strays p>
“I’m sorry, Dora. I’m sorry, Diana. I won’t betray your trust again p>
“That’s because there won’t be another chance,” I said flatly, stepping back.
Her eyes widened in alarm, certain I was about to shut the door. She wasn’t wrong.
“Go wait in the living room,” I said finally. “My father will probably let you stay there until we leave p>
Her relief was visible, but I didn’t wait to see more.
“You should have sent her away,” Diana muttered once the door closed. “I can smell the fake apology from here p>
She stopped suddenly, gasping so sharply it made my heart lurch.
“What is p>
Laura stood in the doorway between our rooms, a basket of folded towels in her arms, brows furrowed. How long had she been there? How much had she heard?
“Diana, pack your bags. You’re going with Maya,” she said, placing the towels on my bed before walking out.
We stood frozen, the shock so deep we didn’t even celebrate.
“What just happened?” I asked, staring after her.
“Maybe she suspects something’s wrong with Levina. Or… something bad waiting for you in the Lycan region?” Diana said slowly, still in disbelief.
“I don’t know,” I admitted. But a tiny spark of relief flickered in my chest. Whatever Laura’s reason, I was glad Diana was coming.
We hurried into her room to pack. Time was slipping away.
We found Laura in the kitchen forty-five minutes later, stirring a fragrant pot of food for herself and Peter. The smell made my stomach growl.
“Mother, why did you change your mind?” I asked.
She didn’t look up from the pot. “I’ve had the feeling since this morning. Woke up with it.” She stopped stirring. “Maya, be careful. Both of you. Stay close together. I don’t know what this feeling is, but I don’t want to lose either of you. Promise me nothing will go wrong p>
“We promise,” Diana and I said together.
I wished I could consult El, but I’d been keeping her and my magic quiet these past days to conserve energy.
My dreams— those dark, unsettling ones that had first started the night I’d almost been killed by the triplets—had begun again, a few days ago. I’d taken them as a bad omen and decided not to risk draining myself before the trip.
Laura’s next words broke my thoughts. “Stay away from drinks, too. The full moon is coming in a few days. Remember the witch’s warning p>
I nodded, just as Peter walked in, his warm, familiar scent wrapping around me like a blanket.
“My girls,” he said, putting an arm around each of us. “Take care of yourselves. And maybe Levina too—she seems remorseful p>
“Honey, you’re too quick to forgive,” Laura said. “If Rachel walked in right now, Levina would be at her side in seconds p>
“Maybe,” Peter admitted with a shrug. “But for her father’s sake, we should at least try to be civil p>
I nodded reluctantly. I can try civil.
When the time came, we gathered in the same place we’d used to teleport to the Lycan pack during the peace treaty party months ago. Raul stood near his uncle, Hendel, looking unusually somber, not even mouthing the words of the teleportation chant with the rest of us.
Was he really missing his siblings that much?
I almost laughed at my attempt at irony.
Clutching Diana’s hand, I inhaled deeply, bracing myself as the magic rose around us like invisible water.
Then my heart began to race.
What was I afraid of?
What was the worst that could happen?