His Forsaken Luna-Chapter 103: Chosen (3)

The fire crackles in the fireplace beside the sofa I rested on, reading a book while playing with my hair, my feet tucked beneath me. I have read the same sentences over and over again yet nothing sinks in. Since my conversation with Eryx my mind had spun and instead of resting I was growing restless.

I’d already slept throughout the night. There were no other effects of the poison even if it was still in my bloodstream. With a loud sigh, I put the book down on the sofa, my gaze flicking to the window, the snow alight by the dim glow of the guest room lighting, the darkness beyond concealing the rest of the garden.

I’d been inside all day, reading, pacing, eating the meals the servants gave me. It was boring. Alaric hadn’t returned since discovering I was in bed with Eryx, but Liva kept me company for lunch. She knew I’d been poisoned by Deyanira, but she never voiced it, though I could tell from the glances she gave me from time to time.

Instead of talking about it, Liva told me what I wanted to know while stuck inside the guest room. Deyanira left for the Summer Palace. The repairs on the wall were almost complete, and it was decided that the nobles would have their own separate mourning ceremonies.

Liva left, commenting that I didn’t have to stay in the guest room. It wasn’t a prison, and I wasn’t being punished. I smiled gratefully at her. I don’t know why I’d let myself stay in the room. Deyanira was gone; that was one less threat, and there was no need to rest any longer.

"I need a walk," I announced to no one before grabbing a fur lined coat and some gloves before venturing out of the guest room.

I nod at the guards by the door and sigh when the cold early evening air hit my cheeks. This was exactly what I needed. My steps were light along the path as I gazed at the snow. It was strangely quiet but I didn’t mind. It meant nobody would be troubling me.

"You should be resting."

"Ah!" I almost jumped out of my skin as Faidon appeared beside me, shadows drifting off him before disappearing. He’d never hidden that power in front of me. Was it to frighten me?

Clutching my chest, I glared at the shadow. "As should you be."

Faidon smirked. "Touché."

"So," I breathe out and continue my walk. "You’re on guard duty tonight?"

Faidon nodded, his focus fixing on me. He didn’t say anything but I had the urge to explain myself. "The poison does not affect me for long. It was a stronger dose this time but I have rested enough. My mind keeps spinning with everything. So am I truly resting?"

"I see your predicament," Faidon answered, his eyes scanning the area for threats.

"There is something I do want to check, though. This isn’t any random walk."

Faidon gestures for me to lead the way. We continue in a comfortable silence even if I am all too aware of his deadly presence beside me. We stop by the wall and buildings that had been attacked. Like Liva explained, the wall was still being repaired but it was almost complete. It was also heavily guarded.

I walked off the path, allowing my skirts to slide along the snow, my boots crunching into it as I drew closer to the wall. "Sorry, Your Highness. We ask that you keep your distance," a guard I do not know says in a stern yet polite manner. "It is still dangerous."

I nod once. "I will not get any closer."

The guard stepped back and continued surveying the area while others worked behind him. I breathed in the air, closed my eyes momentarily and glanced at Faidon. "Can you feel it?"

There was a thrum of power in the area. It was dull but I could I feel it. It was like the magick used from the attack still lingered like the remnants of blood that still stained parts of the ground.

"Yes," Faidon answered, and my head whipped up to meet his eyes.

"Can the other Weres?" I asked, still watching him.

Faidon tilts his head as though he is listening to someone speak. "No."

"So why can we?" He is one of them. "Could you... tell that being who attacked us was weakening? Their powers, I mean."

"No."

I release a breath, unsure how I feel about it. If he couldn’t tell that thing, that High Fae’s magick was weakening, then we would not be the same. I thought perhaps Eryx might be right. Maybe I was a Chosen, and my wolf was biding its time or something. It was wishful thinking.

We walked away from the wall, continuing down the path until it was quiet again. I looked around, noting nobody was nearby. "You’re a Chosen, right?" I glanced at him warily, worried he might take offence.

"That is correct," Faidon answered like normal, musing, "Eryx told you his thoughts."

"Yes."

"And?" Faidon glanced at me, appearing nonchalant to those who weren’t paying attention. He scanned the area continuously, taking in the surroundings, sounds, smells, and whatever else he could do with those shadows.

"It is a lot to process," I admit. There were too many words to explain, but Faidon seemed to understand.

"It is."

"That’s it?" My eyebrows rose.

"I am a man of few words." I’ve already dealt with one of those, and he betrayed me.

"Ugh." I stopped. "I might as well see him."

"Him?" Faidon frowned.

"Soren," I said, observing his reaction for any signs he might know what happened between us.

Faidon tilted his head. "He is waiting for you at your palace." If he did know, I couldn’t tell. His face was like a stony mask, unreadable.

"Okay, could you and Cohnal switch for a few hours?" Faidon’s eyes sharpened on me, curious. I knew he wouldn’t take the request lightly.

Why would I want the Beta instead of Faidon to see Soren? I could see the questions building behind those eyes before he sealed them, unreadable again.

He bowed his head. "I cannot leave you alone out here unprotected. I will escort you back to the guest room, where you can be guarded until Cohnal is by your side."