"I need to tell you something important," Madeline had said to me after making sure I was comfortable on her bed with enough snacks and beverages.
She was being super nice, nicer than her usual bubbly self. I had gotten used to the cheerful Madeline who always had a smile on her face and said a lot of things I could not understand. But during the rebel attack, I saw the serious and defensive side to her as she took on the task to protect Lin and I.
I had not expected her room to be my next destination. One reason was that I was hypnotised by my new surroundings that I barely noticed where we were going. I realised that the Northlands were more advanced and developed than the Southside. I could not make a definite conclusion without seeing some more of this place. That became my new goal, something for me to look forward to and not hover over the melancholy I felt over my loss of freedom. Maybe I could establish something of my own here.
One other reason was that I had completely forgotten about her to be honest. With everything that had been going on, I only worried about what would happen next.
"You know I hate you, right?" I reminded her of how pissed I was about her little suggestion to let me take Aimee's place.
She tried to soften me up, telling me all kinds of good things and buttering me up with food. It was working just a bit. I wondered what she really wanted from me.
"I need you to have an open mind," she said. "This is a big secret we have been keeping from the Southside for centuries now. It'll all make sense later but just listen, okay? And trust that no one here will ever hurt you."
"What is it?" I asked, holding some popcorn to my mouth. The food here is amazing.
"You believe in magic, right? Well, we do too, to a certain extent," she started.
"Are you trying to mock me?"
She waved her hands wildly in front of her, eyes wide in panic. "No! Not at all, I would never. It's true! Well, to us, it isn't magic. It's Grace."
"Grace?" I repeated.
She nodded. "Grace of the Moon. We hold the Moon in high regard here."
"You mean, as a form of worship?" I asked.
"Sort of," she said. "There are some who do."
I had read a few books about religion and stuff like that. Sometimes, people did the weirdest thing. Some believes in nature or a specific part of nature, like trees, rocks, water or even animals. During my study of magic, I never got to find it's source but my grandmother had mentioned something about the magic of the moon as well as the magic of the sun. Could this be anything like that?
"Really?" I asked, now intrigued.
"Yes. The Moon created a special species by means of this Grace. They are called Lycans," she continues.
"Lycans," I murmured as I paid close attention.
"They were powerful creatures that were larger, faster and smarter than the human and had a special trait known as lycanthropy, or the ability to change form into a wolf," she said.
"Really?"
"Yes," she said. "However, when it's power was revealed to humans, they decided it was unfit to live and deemed it dangerous. The Lycans had attacked human settlements a couple of times so they decided to hunt them down and destroy them all. Most survived, some didn't. Because of that, they decided to live in hiding."
"However, as the years went by, the Lycans had offspring, even with humans, and their numbers grew as did their wealth, power and prominence. Soon enough, a struggle broke out between the Lycans and the humans. Humans have always been crafty creatures who found a way to fight them but the Lycans were powerful as well. As a result, the two sides sat down and decided that they were no longer going to coexist. The Lycans chose the North because they fared better in cool weather and the humans went for the South. As a result, peace ensued."
"Wow," I gasped. "That's a great story. So what happened to the Lycans? Did they go in hiding again?"
"You could say that. Like I said they live in the Northlands and humans in the Southside," she shrugged.
I blinked. "What?"
"All of the Northlands belong to Lycans and werewolves. The Lycans' number went down as they had children with humans, creating the werewolf specie. Those are the two that are residing in the Northlands today."
"Help me try to understand this because I have so many ideas popping up in my mind. Are you trying to tell me that some mystical creatures live here?" I said, feeling a bit dizzy.
"I'm telling you that every being here, except for the animals, are Lycans or werewolves, with the exception of Lin and you," she explained, gauging my reaction.
"In that case, you are..."
"I am a pure blooded lycan," she said for me. "One of the few ones. As is Midas. Lucas is a werewolf and so is everyone you have met this far."
I huffed out a breath. "I don't believe you."
"I can show you but I'd rather not since you aren't ready," she told me. "I'm sorry, Amaya. I know this is rather overwhelming but we couldn't risk telling you before you arrived. Lin was informed of this yesterday when we arrived and she is having as hard of a time as you are."
I rubbed my temples in frustration. "I know you're telling the truth but that does not make it any easier."
Lycans.
Werewolves.
Magic. It is real. It had merely been a simple belief before, a fantasy really. But I finally had proof. My grandmother had been right. I pulled out my necklace and looked at it as I recalled all those moments I took in my grandmother's stories that changed my life. Here I was. Why was it still so overwhelming?
"So what I felt for Midas, it was real? That magic... " I realised.
Madeline pursed her lips. "I am afraid Midas is the only one who can answer that for you. Like I said, we have our own traditions and customs that you have to learn. Midas will have to talk to you about the alliance as well. You're going to discover quite a lot the next few days."
"What about you? Will you be teaching me?" I asked as I slid off the bed after Madeline as she picked up a bag.
"I'm leaving," she said. "I'm already behind on my work. I have to travel a lot so you won't see me much. I will be here for the wedding. We can talk when I get back."
"You can't leave," I protested as we walked out into the corridor. "We just got here. I don't know anyone here yet and I don't like it. Please stay."
"I'm afraid I can't, Moonflower. But don't worry. Everyone here is meant to serve you. You'll be alright," she kindly assured me. "I'm late. I need to go or I'll miss my flight."
One of Barbara's henchmen, I think her name is Wanita, was waiting for me after Madeline returned to her room. I frowned at her but she just ignored me as she began to walk away. I think I had to follow her. I wanted to go the other way but knew I would get lost within the first five steps so I reluctantly fell into step behind her.
"The Alpha has left the palace. He said that we should inform you that he will be back shortly and that he will meet you upon his arrival," Wanita told me during our walk.
"Does that mean I can do what I want?" I asked hopefully.
Wanita shook her head. "Alpha wants you to wait in your quarters."
"I don't want that! I want to have a look around this place! I barely saw enough with Peter! I have to see more! I want to go outside!" I yelled, throwing my hands wildly in the air.
"Lady Amaya-"
I stomped my feet. "No, no, no!"
It was childish, I know, but I hated losing my freedom. I never envied Aimee when I was home. I always thought being in a routine and doing as you were told was suffocating. I liked deciding for myself what I was going to do with my life. Slowly, though, I could see myself losing my freedom. Mother had warned me about it. That had strengthened my resolve to use the little time I had to the best of my ability.
Now here I was, having a hard time handling my new reality. "I won't go far. I just want to see the garden."
"We'll ask the alpha to add that to your schedule," Wanita insisted.
"Can't I make a choice about it? This is my life, isn't it?" I asked in exasperation.
"I'm sure you can discuss that with the alpha."
I hate this place.
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Of course I threw a tantrum.
And of course Midas barged into my room, mad and all. I was not really surprised. I had thrown quite the tantrum and broke a couple of valuable pieces I could lay my hands on before they decided to lock me in my room. I mad a mess there as well. I have to admit, it felt so good.
"Do you not know how to do as you're told?" he asked as he looked around the mess my room had become.
Clothes and sheets were everywhere, some of them soaking wet, and I had managed to remove the heavy mattress from the bed. There was barely anywhere to walk by, and I sat in the middle of the havoc.
"Maybe you should stop treating me like a child," I said.
He scoffed. "Maybe you shouldn't act like a child."
"It's hard to do that when I have to ask you for permission to breathe," I argued.
"I shouldn't be explaining to you how this works. I'm sure you have been trained on how to handle yourself. I'm not sure why you are making such a fuss," he said, tenting his brows.
He was right. He always right. At times like these, someone like Aimee would sit still and do as she was told. I should probably hold my tongue. That would be best for me.
"I wasn't."
"What?" he asked, confused.
I sighed as I began to confess. "I haven't been trained. And I'm glad too because I cannot be acting like your dog. I value my freedom very much, thank you."
"I don't think you understand," he said, his voice now at a low, threatening tone that had me cowering backwards when he took a step forward, ignoring the clutter on the floor. "No one cares about your opinion. You're only here because of a compromise. If you want your freedom, how about you go back home to the people who tolerate that behaviour?"
I gulped, dropping my gaze as the fight in me left and my tongue felt heavy in my mouth. I knew what returning meant. It would mean that they would stop looking for Aimee, and I could not have that. I bit my lip and fumbled with my fingers as he kept looking at me.
"Clean yourself up and come to my office right away," he said before leaving.
I frowned as I complied in silence. Barbara and Wanita to my room, as if to spite me. Barbara actually ordered me to clean my room, with the least help from Wanita. After throwing on some cleaner clothes, they let me leave for Midas's office with Wanita. She left me by the door and I knocked before a muffled voice allowed me to enter.
"I'm sorry," I apologised after standing awkwardly in front of his huge desk. "I know my actions were stubborn and childish. It won't happen again."
He did not say anything at first, leaving me anxious for quite a while before he invited me to sit down. He leaned back in his chair, swinging in it slightly as he stared at the table top then finally looked at me.
"You haven't been trained," he stated, as of expecting me to explain more.
I nodded as I thought over my reply. "No, it wasn't really necessary. And I hated it anyway so they just gave up on me."
"Hmm," he hummed thoughtfully. "That is a problem that we don't have time to fix. You are going to have to adjust to the rules quickly for things to go swiftly for you. I can assure you that the court won't be easy on you."
He flipped through some papers thoughtfully, finding a pen in the mess. He spun it around his fingers as he looked at his documents. I, on the other hand, was distracted by him. He was wearing a white shirt with the top buttons left undone. The sleeves were rolled up his arms, showing strings of arm hair and more of his caramel skin. His eyes looked tired and there were slight traces of bags under his eyes. His right hand brushed back his deep, brown hair, releasing some curls out of their entanglement and letting them fall over his forehead. He was deep in thought and, dare I say, relaxed. There was no tension in his muscles and his forehead was smoothened out.
"I take it you've seen Madeline?" he asked, leaning forward to look at me.
It was almost as if his green eyes were drinking me in, taking note of each curve and dip of my face. His eyes always looked intense, knocking the breath straight out of my lungs and making me feel funny. I could never decipher my own emotions around him.
"Yes," I answered, surprised that my voice managed to be clear and confident. "Did she leave yet?"
He glanced down at his silver watch briefly. "I believe so. Did you understand what she told you?"
"Not really," I confessed. "I'd need to sleep through it for it to make sense. My mind is a bit jumbled up."
"I thought you believed in magic," he said, leaning back once more with his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes glinting in amusement.
My eyes lingered on his arms, mesmerised by how his muscles shifted and how wide his chest was. "I thought so too."
"Well, any questions?" he asked, his lips forming a small smile.
I stood up and slowly made my way around his desk. I was drawn to the window, staring out to the vast lawn with tufts of white fluffiness scattered around. Beyond the trees were tall mountains with white peaks. I wanted to know what that white stuff was. I was just too curious. I moved away from the window, my attention now on the messy brown hair that had my fingers itching for a touch. Was this magic too?
I buried my fingers into his hair, surprised by how soft and moist it was. My other hand was on his shoulder, feeling his muscles tense under my palm. It worried me how I seemed to gravitate towards him, as if by instinct.
"Why do I feel this way?" I whispered, though I barely recognised the sound off my own voice. "Is this magic too?"
He did not reply right away and I was not sure what he was thinking. He stopped my hands' journey to the base of his neck, standing up to face me as I pulled away my hands, suddenly fully aware of what I was doing.
"I hope you realise that there is nothing romantic about our union," he stated, as if reminding me. "This marriage is just a formality. The sooner you realise that, the easier this will be for you."
I bit my lip, suddenly feeling very troubles. "Madeline had said I should ask you, that you would know. I know there is more to this and you won't tell me."
"Maybe it's best I make you understand now what your place is," he said, unimpressed. "Like I said, this wedding is a formality. The terms of the alliance do not require an heir, thankfully. As a result, you can not receive my claim nor do you become the Luna. Another woman shall be tasked with bearing a suitable heir in the future."
I frowned, taking a step back as if I had been slapped in the face. "What?"
"You will not have political significance within the kingdom. You can only act as an ambassador for the Southside only when necessary," he continued.
"In other words, I'm getting married to you just for show? Another woman has to have your child whilst I watch?"
I could not understand the storm that was brewing inside me, nor could I express how enraged I truly felt. Not only was this a bogus arrangement, but it was also degrading and insulting. Is this how I will have to live my life from now on?
"You may have your lovers as long as they are kept away from the public eye," he added. "I'll inform you of anything else I can think of. If you have something to add, then you may go ahead."
"You must be joking," I laughed humourlessly.
"I'm not," he deadpanned. "This is your life now. Better get used to it."