As I glided back to the palace as fast as my animal legs could function, I frowned at Alan.“She is my wife. Should I not worry?”Alan continued running with me until the end of the camp, the same amusement as before in his eyes. A knowing smile curled his lips.“You should. I’m just happy for you.”His words stuck with me as I ran, and I resisted the smile that almost surfaced.***CathyMy back hurt, but my pride ached more.I sent Theodore away once we returned to the cottage. I didn’t want him to see my wounds; he had endured enough torment. After the queen had left, I woke up from my feigned sleep and ran him the hell out of that palace. Thankfully, we avoided the mass of the guards–they were busy with whatever emergency the king announced. No one objected to our departure.After stumbling bloody and injured through the woods back home, I was exhausted. My back was dried with blood, and it felt like I was recovering from a house fire, the way the whip licked up my back like a fla
I gave him a blank look as I processed the news. My ex lover, who drugged me and coerced me to lock away my wife. Why would they ever want to meet with me again after that? Rage outpowered the confusion as I recalled Cathy admitting to me that Emily was behind the assassination attempt. A coldness passed through me, and I nodded with a scheming smile. “Tell them to meet with me at my other cottage. Please accompany their needs until I arrive.” Let them enjoy their last meal, their last sip of wine. The guard obeyed and swiftly retreated north down the dirt path, closer to the palace where I resided when I did not want to be under my mother and father's jurisdiction. The cottage that hosted our wedding night, the wedding night Emily tarnished. When I shut the door, I was grateful Cathy was tucked away in the kitchen. I contemplated how I was going to announce the request. I did not want her to rage in front of Theo. Bracing for the storm that she would most defi
AldrichAs we walked into the lion’s den that was once merely my living room, I tried to focus on other things–the conversation that needed to be made, the argument that would surely break out.The threat I would rattle both of their bones with. The murderous anger I’d have to stifle.But I couldn’t stop thinking about how beautiful she looked.Cathy walked in with her chin high, and she looked like royalty way more than I ever did.She didn’t even look earthly–she ascended royalty, more like supernatural beauty. The glistening, ruby gown defined her blonde hair, the gold around her neck lightening the green in her eyes.She hated me, but I would fight wars for her, alone.My ex-lover and her husband look at us with unmasked surprise. They certainly were not expecting a guest. I smirked at them, placing a hand on Cathy’s lower back. I hoped she wouldn’t bite my hand off for the gesture later. Elias sipped from his cup of tea with a look of approval.He stared at her with no trace of r
CathyEmily was still quiet, but I could smell the envy protruding from her in waves. I smiled.“Oh, Aldrich,” Emily purred, standing up from the couch. She then floated over to him, resting a hand on his lower arm as if she was consoling him. “You poor thing. This woman has manipulated your emotions so many times.”He stiffened, clearly uncomfortable. I turned to her, asking dryly in a monotone voice,“It’s funny how you still can’t let go of Aldrich.”My words made the room freeze once again, all wary eyes on me.She masked her murderous intent with a wolf’s grin. “He has been my good friend since childhood, of course I care for him,” she squeaked, “Elias, would you like another cup of–”“Really? I didn’t know caring for someone means you drug them on their wedding night, but I suppose we have different definitions,” I said in a bored tone.Emily looked at me incredulously, an outraged panic in her eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about–”I smiled at her menacingly. “The wine
Emily gave me an artificial smile as I froze. “Cathy, I hope we can become friends after this misunderstanding,” she said pleasantly. “Two proper and pretty ladies like ourselves should not be quarreling.”As she walked past me, she sneered in my ear, “You will never beat me, and Aldrich will never love you.”I snickered as she exited, shrugging carelessly, “Who cares?” I couldn’t muster any other words, only able to feel pity for her. “Your poor thing, always living for men.”With her so close, I sneaked a hand behind my back and did a deliberate motion with my fingers. No one noticed.After claiming to leave to retrieve more tear leaves for Elias, I felt myself deflate like a ripped balloon. But I was not relaxed. Would the men believe her? Aldrich had mistrusted me before; maybe he would change his loyalties. And I did not know Elias enough for him to take my word over his wife’s.I only allowed myself to look worried while she was gone, looking between the two men whose opinions m
We left Cathy alone in the garden. Clearly, neither of us saw her at peace very often. As Theo pulled me into his room to play with toy soldiers, I could no longer ignore the question that has been scratching my brain raw. He had to be my son. As our little soldiers fought on the wooden floor, I glanced up at him with a somber smile. I wondered if he sensed it too. “Hey…Theo,” I tentatively said, his name unfamiliar but sweet in my mouth, “would you like to learn some fighting skills?” Theo was very young, and I doubted he was interested in hand to hand combat over playing games or with toys, but I still wanted to see how he’d react. I was his age when I began training with my father’s general. And I did promise him that I’d teach him someday. “Yes!” he yelled, flying off the floor. “Teach me!” The boy was very excited at this, his eyes big and full of mischief. They reminded me of Cathy’s, how determined and bright they always were. W
“What are you doing?” I demanded harshly as I dangled like a doll from his shoulder.“Let go of me, you jerk!”As he ascended the stairs, I drummed my fists along his spine and kicked my dangling legs against his stomach. He did not even flinch; my protests were no stronger than butterfly wings flapping against his barreled chest. I even bit him a couple times. Theo did not come to my aide; I was surprised Aldrich would do this in front of him to begin with. I suppose my son and his father’s bond ran deeper than I theorized. My protective boy did not utter a word in assistance or protest. I silently cursed Aldrich for influencing him so much; he definitely wanted to be just like him.“You’re my wife,” he nonchalantly responded, pulling open my bedroom door. “How is a man hugging his wife considered a jerk?” The sunset was dimming to a dark, twilight sky outside my window, and the last shreds of today’s light kissed my bedsheets.“This isn’t a hug, this is assault!’ I argued, batting a
“But not now,” Aldrich declared, climbing off me. I looked up at him incredulously, surprised that he was relinquishing. He straightened up after lifting himself from the bed, brushing off lint from his shirt. I cocked an eyebrow at him. “What kind of punishment did you expect, Cathy?” he questioned mockingly, mirroring me by raising an eyebrow right back. “Gather your mind from the gutter. I don’t take advantage of women like that.” I glared at him, knowing he was well-aware of what he had been implying. “You’re a liar.” He scoffed. “You know, just for that, I will punish you,” he then abruptly grabbed the glass of water from my nightstand and poured it over my head. I gasped as the cold liquid washed over me, extinguishing any of the heat growing inside of me for him. It dampened my hair and dripped icily down my spine. I glared at him with ice more cold than the water, and he smirked in response. “I did witchcraft on them,” I