“I had seen Lysandra coming frem that same way, and I was curious lifted my chin, refusing to be intimidated.
“That still doesn’t explain why you were in the woods,” Kaius pressed
I saw the pictures–the ones pinned to the wall–why were they there?” I asked, determined to get answers.
Kaius sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Elowen,” he began carefully, “not everyone is happy about the new changes; it shouldn’t be exactly shocking that we monitor their movements, just to be on the safer side.”
“Had that been what got you reeled up?”
“I don’t know exactly what I was thinking, but sometimes I feel like do not know you both well enough; I feel like you guys are hiding something from me.” The truth of the words hit me as I spoke them.
“You know everything you need to know. Elowen, I only ask you to be more cautious; there were a lot of guests; something bad could have happened to you, right under my nose.”
The dismissal stung, but I didn’t have the energy to push further. “I know, and I’m sorry if I left you worrying, I conceded, then glanced at Frost. “I’m sorry, Frost.”
“That’s okay,” he said, though the tension hadn’t left his shoulders.
The next morning, I woke early and headed to the kitchens, preparing a tray of food for Thalia. I wasn’t entirely sure why I felt compelled to bring her breakfast personally, but something about her broken state had awakened an unexpected compassion in me. Or perhaps I simply wanted answers I knew Kaius wouldn’t provide.
I slipped into her room, finding her awake and staring at the ceiling. She turned as I entered, surprise flashing across her face.
“How are you feeling?” I asked, setting the tray on the bedside table.
“They fixed up the bones that had been broken, stitched the wounds, and cleaned them up. That is the best they could do,” she replied flatly.
“I’m… I’m so sorry for what happened to you.”
“Are you truly sorry? I mean, this must be what you have wanted all this time, right?”
“No, would never wish this–not even on my enemy,” I said honestly,
“Bullshi she spat, though there was less conviction behind it than expected.
I studied her injuries more carefully. Beyond the obvious cuts and bruises, several of her fingers ended in ..shly bandaged stumps, and an angry red burn pattern crawled up her neck and across her face.
“Those injuries–would they ever heal?” I asked.
“The injuries would heal after a few days, albeit they would leave nasty scars, but nothing. I can’t take; the missing fingers would regrow after a few months, but the burn…” She traced the pattern on her neck. “This was inflicted by magic.
Does that mean it will never heal?”
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Chapter 158
“It would take a longer time for that to clear off–maybe a few years,
I nodded, unexpectedly moved by her candidness. “I wanted to tell you, thank you, thank you for trying to help this pack.
Surprise crossed her face. “You thank me, even if I failed.”
“You made an attempt; that is better than nothing.”
She shifted, wincing with the movement. “Just so you know, everything I did, every move I made was for me–not for this pack; I knew a time would come when Soren would want his revenge on me for my betrayal–1 thought I could catch him unaware, but they are more powerful than they ever had been. I should have suspected it from the wind; Soren could never create a wind so strong in the past, and Caleb… his abilities are even beyond my comprehension. I hadn’t been ready.”
“I don’t care why you did it, Thalia; I have to give it to you, you are really brave.”
She looked away, uncomfortable with the praise. “Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like how?”
“That look of pity, I hate it.”
“Then I’m sorry,” I said, lowering my gaze.
“You’ve asked your question, and now it’s time to ask mine. Why did you help me?”
“I saw a woman in need of help, and I helped; maybe I am not as heartless as supposed.”
“After all I did to you, after how degradingly I spoke to you before I left, you still… helped me? Now I finally see what the Alpha King sees in you; he sees something he doesn’t have, a pure heart; that’s what he fell for.” she questioned. “Do you regret your
actions?”
“Never,” I said firmly.
Thalia’s face twisted with contempt. “So I guess you didn’t exactly mean your words when you said ‘you hope I died?”
I matched her stare, refusing to be intimidated. “I thought I did; maybe I was wrong?”
She laughed, a harsh sound that held no humor. “Do you know what would have done if I were in your place?” She leaned forward slightly, despite the pain it clearly caused her. “I would have laughed right in your face before I stabbed you in the chest. Then I notify the others only when I was sure you were dead. I would tell them that I found a dead body in the middle of the woods. Of course they have no reason to doubt me. If you had been expecting a thank you from me, then I am sorry to disappoint you. Shut the door on your way out.”
The coldness of her words caught me off guard.
“Do you think I came here for the sole purpose of checking on you?” asked, refusing to show how muc
words had hurt.
“Then why are you here?”
I decided to be direct. “I know there is more–something you are hiding, and I thought if I talked things out with you, you would be willing to spill the beans.”
A smirk spread across her face. “Well, you failed woefully.”
Why do you always have to be such a bitch?” The words escaped before I could stop them.
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Chapter 158
“You see yourself as some her for saving me, but you are not the hato,” she spat. If you were, you would have gone for those widers too, instead of sitting idle here, where you would be protected. You are nothing but a coward.
“Maybe I did make a mistake; maybe I should never have helped you and I apologize for that. I would try not to next time,” I said, turning to leave,
“Who told you there would ever be a next time?‘ she called after me
I stopped, something cold settling in my chest. Turning back slowly, approached her bed again.
“You don’t seem to be able to move those hands right? That makes you defenseless, I observed, my voice dropping to match her earlier cruelty. “And as the cowardly person I am, this is a very good time to attack; perhaps sparing your life was an unwise decision; I can correct all that here.”
Fear flashed across her face, and for a moment I enjoyed seeing it there. The feeling frightened me as much as it satisfied me.
Without another word, I turned and walked out, closing the door firmly behind me.
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