3: Capture her!
I stood there dumbfounded Lyra was pregnant? Since when? I wondered. She had made me serve wine to her and her posse just a day ago. Something in Lyra’s eyes told me it was all a plot. She had heard my conversation with my mother. The sinister gleam in her eyes told me all t needed to know. My stepsister was lying
“Iris has an announcement as well.”
The whole table turned to who had just spokeit. It was my mother.
Instantly my father began to stare daggers at her. His eyes told her to be quiet
“Yes, my sister had something she wanted to say. Lyra drawled “Why, tellus, tris, what is that you wanted to tell us?” There was mockery dancing in hereyes
My throat went dry, and I swallowed to clear it. All eyes were on me now and I suddenly lacked the bravery to make the announcement.
I looked at my mother, who gave me an encouraging nod
I coughed to clear my throat, not daring to look anyone in the eye. I could not dare challenge my sister’s pregnancy and tell them she was lying. If D wanted peace, I would have to stay within my lane. “Lam also pregnant.” I blurted out.
There was silence before laughter took over.
I looked up and for the first time since the nightmare of my life started. Kavriel was not sneering or frowning at me. He was laughing. A genuine Laugh. Smokey and low like how I remembered it. But this time, it filled me with despair. Because this time he was not laughing with me, he was laughing at me.
“So?” He asked, through his laughter. “Is it really news that a concubine is pregnant?”
My stomach dropped from my chest to my stomach at his words. He was taking my pregnancy with so much levity. As though it did not matter
He placed a hand over Lyra’s childless stomach, looking lovingly at her. “When my Luna has my heir growing in her womb?”
I wanted nothing more than to scream that she was not actually pregnant. That she was lying. But no matter how badly they might treat me, I had to keep my life. That meant keeping my head..
“You should know that your child holds no consequence in this court and pack.” There was no humor in my father’s voice or face. His features were hardened with hatred. “You should have kept it to yourself. You are not here to have useless babies, you are here to please the alpha. If you start having babies and ruin your body, you will be nothing but the useless hag you were supposed to be.”
I tried to drive back my raging emotions. My eyes stung badly with unshed tears, but I reigned it all in. I would only shed tears in my chamber, like I always do.
“Ginora.” My father turned his anger on my mother. “Keep your dimwit, you call your daughter in check. If she attempts this shit again, I will take her punishment instead.” He took a menacing step towards my mother,
My mother nodded demurely, not daring to speak up. My father degrading her was not uncommon. But I would not be able to take it if he hand on her again. My childhood flashed in my mind and I tried to fight the bile that rose in my throat.
“Yes, father. I apologize for my foolishness. I tried to pull his attention away from her to myself.
Laid his
“Father,” It was Lyra who had spoken, her voice soft and calming, but it had all the opposite effect on me. Her voice was grating, a reminder of all that
I had lost.
She came to me and wrapped her arm around my shoulder, pulling me close. “Don’t put my sister down.” She placed a hand on my belly. “Our children will be siblings. Almost twins. And I won’t take kindly to her disrespect,”
The nobles at the table smiled at my stepsister’s apparent kindness, but I knew well the sake that swelled within.
My father’s face softened. “Of course, my Luna. Anything you wish.” His voice had turned sickly sweet. It turned my stomach.
She took my hand as well and placed it on hers as well. “We will become closer now, since we both..”
But Lyra stopped short and suddenly clamped her hand over her mouth. I was confused, then I saw a drop of crimson liquid drip from her hand to the tablecloth. Then another and another, umil her hand did nothing to stop it. She chuched her stomach as though she was in agonizing pain and swayed on her feet. I instinctively grabbed for her. “Lyra,”
“Lyra!” Kavriel screamed, running to her side. He took her in his arms and she instantly went limp
“Get the healent” He ordered, canying her into the inner chambers. Away from the guests, who looked on in panic and confusion. My father and mother followed Lyra and Kavriel.
had just occurred.
- d. She w
was okay and then she wasn’t. How did she get hum
I looked down at the blood that Lyra had left behind, confused at what ha When did she get hurt? Was she sick Questions whirled in my head.
I felt something tug at my gown and I looked down to see bright brown eyes looking up at me. There was panic in them. He was
was my very introverted little brother. He barely ever came out of his chamber. It did not matter what happened, he refused to ever leave. It was rather strange
that he was QUL
1 crouched to be level with him. “it’s going to be okay, Abel,” I assured him.
He parted his lips and only then did I realize he had something he wanted to say, but the chaos of the abandoned feast made hearing him almost
2051
- Captione her!
unguwuble Drought my car to his moutle
“The mom maid.“he statered. “The maid shish she and thelu lu na” Abel suddenly clutched his throat with chubby funds, choking on air. I could tell that it was the onset of a panic attack. I forgot all that he was trying to say and scooped him in my arms and rushed into my chambers, leaving the clamour of the feast behind.
As amended to Abel, who now refused to speak, I remained worried. It had been a long time unce the suffered from his panir attacks. He has always been an anxious little boy, having winessed my father’s cruelty at a very young age. He had a bad stutter that my father despised him for. But he had been improving, but when I recalled the horror in his eyes, it filled me with dread. He never looked like that unless my father was acting horribly. But what could he have seen to have given him such a fright!
I stayed by my brother’s side until he came down. And it was a long time until he did. Then there was a knock that was the only warning I got before the door was slammed open, Kavriel guards led by Tera Reiner filled in “Capture hert Heiner ordered.
