Chapter 6
Sierra's POV
I didn't think before I barged into the kitchen.
At first, they didn't notice me. The maid, Rhea, leaned against the counter, smirking as she whispered to the mistress. She was draped in one of my finest robes, giggling softly, her hands tracing the golden embroidery as if she already owned it.
"I'm so glad the plan worked, Lyraea," Rhea said, her voice thick with satisfaction. "The poison took care of everything. She's useless to him now."
Lyraea snorted. "She was always useless. But at least now, she has no hold over him."
Something inside me snapped.
The rage coursed through my body. My vision blurred, and my hands clenched into fists. Before I knew it, I was on her.
I lunged at Lyraea, my fingers tangling in her hair. She shrieked, stumbling back, her hands flying to mine as she tried to pry my grip away. But I didn't let go.
I pulled. I twisted.
I wanted her to feel the pain that had been festering inside me for so long.
"You killed my child," I screamed, my hands tugging harder. "You destroyed my home! You took everything from me! Why?"
Lyraea fought back, her nails clawing at my arms, but I barely felt it. Tears streamed down my face as I swung my hand across her cheek, the satisfying crack echoing in the kitchen.
Rhea shouted, but I didn't stop. I hit her again and again, my fists finding every inch of her body they could reach. She had to hurt. She had to suffer.
"Why did you take him?" I sobbed, shaking her, my voice breaking. "What did I ever do to you?"
A sharp force sent me stumbling back.
Rhea.
Her palm hit my face hard, knocking me off balance. My back slammed into the counter, a sharp pain shooting up my spine. I cried out, collapsing onto the cold stone floor.
Before I could recover, a boot connected with my ribs.
Then another.
Laughter filled the air.
"You silly, little fool," Lyraea sneered, kicking me again.
I gasped, curling into myself, trying to shield my body from the blows. My stomach churned, nausea rising as the pain tore through me.
"I'm so glad you're going to be the new queen," Rhea cooed, her voice sickeningly sweet.
"No," I rasped, forcing myself to look up, my breaths shallow. "That's not ever going to happen."
Lyraea crouched, a smirk curling her lips. Then, she spat on me.
Rhea followed, her hiss of amusement burning into my ears.
Their footsteps faded, the door clicking shut behind them, leaving me broken on the floor.
I tried to move, but my body refused. My limbs were weak, trembling from exhaustion and grief.
Then I felt it.
The mark.
A warmth spread from my chest, crawling through my veins, replacing the pain with something... else. Strength.
I pushed myself up.
I still didn't understand it, but I embraced it.
Step by step, I forced my way back to my chambers, locking the door behind me. I collapsed onto the bed, letting the silence consume me.
I didn't eat. I didn't move.
Lyraea.
She wasn't just some mistress.
She was trying to take my place.
And Kaelvar… he was letting her.
I had endured his cruelty for years, but this? This was something else.
I closed my eyes but I didn't sleep.
I heard the horn announcing the beginning of the meeting and had no other choice but to force myself to rise.
The hunger gnawed at my stomach, but I ignored it. I straightened my dress, not bothering to change the stained fabric and ran a hand through my tangled hair. It didn't matter how I looked.
I walked into the grand hall, my footsteps barely making a sound against the marble floors.
Everyone was already assembled.
Elders. Nobles. High-ranking soldiers and healers.
All of them turned when I entered.
I barely noticed their stares because my eyes had locked onto the podium, and my world stopped.
Kaelvar and Lyraea were dressed in expensive and lush wedding attires.
The kingdom priest stood between them, solemnly reciting vows.
No.
No, no, no.
My breath hitched when Kaelvar's eyes met mine, and for a moment, something flickered in them. Annoyance? Amusement?
Then he smirked.
He raised a hand, and with a flick of his wrist, papers flew toward me.
I barely caught them before they hit the floor.
My hands shook as I turned them over.
A divorce agreement.
My signature scrawled neatly beside his but I never signed this.
Realization hit me that it was one of the documents he had given me during one of those rare moments when he pretended to love me.
My fingers curled around the papers, crushing them.
Kaelvar's voice rang out, loud and cruel.
"Sierra, as of today, you are no longer my wife."
The hall murmured. Whispers filled the space.
Something inside me cracked and a current pulsed through my veins.
I took a step forward and another till I was standing in front of him.
And then I struck him.
The slap rang through the hall, sending Kaelvar stumbling back.
Gasps echoed around me.
I turned to Lyraea.
She barely had time to react before I shoved her to the ground as he cried out, her knee slamming against the floor.
I bent over her, my hand raised, ready to strike–
"Guards!"
Rough hands grabbed me.
I struggled, twisting against their hold, but they were too strong.
Kaelvar straightened, his face twisted in rage. "Throw her into the dungeons."
"No," I snarled. "I am the queen of this kingdom. No queen shall step into the dungeon."
The hall fell silent as all eyes were on me. They looked bewildered, especially Lady Vaelora.
For the first time in years, I wasn't just enduring. I was fighting back.
Kaelvar's expression faltered.
But then he laughed a cold, empty sound. "You have two choices, Sierra. Become a maid in this palace or rot in the dungeons."
I met his gaze, and something inside me shifted.
He saw it.
For the first time, he looked afraid.
The air was thick with my murderous intent for him.
My voice was steady when I spoke.
"I would rather rot in a thousand hells"
Kaelvar flinched, His hands trembling by his sides.
"Then so be it." His voice wavered. "Take her away."
The guards dragged me toward the doors and the last thing I saw was Kaelvar turning away, helping Lyraea to her feet.
Then the doors slammed shut.