redith.
I also rembered the confessions Draven gave when I least expected them.
And yet, Wanda’s words slithered over all of it like venom.
’Had I been too quick to confess my love to him? To believe every tender word he spoke?’
Heat flared in my chest with anger, doubt and humiliation all at once. My mind refused to be still, questions clawing at , each one sharper than the last.
’Was it all a ga? Was I a fool for trusting him? Was I nothing more than a piece to him, just as Wanda said?’
"Calm down, redith." Valmora’s voice slid into like cool water over a fla.
I swallowed hard. "I’m not overreacting. You read that letter with , and you saw what Wanda wrote."
"You are thinking too much," Valmora answered, her tone firm but not unkind. "This is exactly what Wanda wanted. She wanted to twist your mind against Draven, and to make you question everything good that has blossod between you."
I dragged in a sharp breath, my hands curling into fists on my lap. "But what if she isn’t lying? What if everything I’ve been living in these past weeks is just an illusion?"
Silence humd inside for a mont before Valmora spoke again.
"Why do you think Draven forcefully claid and married you in the first place? You already know he did not love you at the start. Or have you forgotten so soon?"
My breath turned harsh as the mories hit like a slap. mories of our bitter argunts in Stormveil, the coldness in his gaze, the way I used to wonder endlessly why he wanted at all.
I had asked him, more than once, both in Stormveil and here in Duskmoor about the reason he married , but he never gave an answer till date.
A shiver ran through as the ugly truth pressed against my chest. Wanda was right.
My heart stumbled, twisting painfully as doubt seeped deeper. Did Draven like now? Or was it all still part of whatever plan he had from the beginning?
I pressed a hand to my forehead, fighting to steady my breath. Then Valmora’s voice slipped in, quieter this ti: "Do you trust ?"
I didn’t answer. My lips parted, but no sound ca.
"redith," she continued gently, "I am your wolf. From the mont we connected, have I ever given you reason to think I would harm you?"
Her words echoed in the fragile silence of my heart.
Then I let out a deep, shaky breath and muttered under my breath, "No... you haven’t. At least not yet."
Valmora sighed inside , her voice softer now and threaded with more patience.
"I know how you feel, redith. It is understandable. But don’t let your emotions blind you from what is truly important. Don’t let them hinder your visions."
I pressed my lips together. I didn’t want to hear any of that now. My chest was too heavy, and my thoughts too tangled.
But Valmora didn’t stop. I knew she wouldn’t until she had achieved her aim to calm .
"Draven owes you an explanation. That is sothing only he can give, and I will not take that right away from him. But I want you to know this, Draven did what was right given the situation, the circumstances, and his role as a strategic leader at that point."
I blinked hard, swallowing down the sting of tears that threatened to rise.
"You will understand that side of him one day," Valmora went on, "when you step into the court fully and take on a true leadership role of your own. Then you will see yourself making similar decisions."
Her words pressed against , but I couldn’t find any reply. Too many questions swirled in my mind, colliding with Wanda’s venomous words, with Draven’s silences from the past, with my own fragile hopes.
Valmora’s voice sharpened a little. "Don’t let this rage—this bitterness swimming in your heart spill beyond today."
I let out a humorless laugh and whispered, "Do you... care about my emotions now?"
"I care about your emotions if that is what will make you happy," Valmora replied. "But my true concern is this; would you really let Wanda leave so happily after what she has done to you?"
The question burned through like fire. My fingers curled tight into my palms. I let my voice drop, sounding low and venomous. "That bitch must have left already."
"No." Valmora’s answer ca quickly, almost like a smirk I could feel in my bones. "She is still here."
Before I could move, the door opened. Cora and Arya stepped inside, each balancing baskets of fresh beddings.
"Good morning, my lady," they chid respectfully.
"Good morning," I answered absently, ready to side from the sofa. My eyes locked on Cora. "Is Wanda still around?"
"Yes, my lady," Cora replied.
And that was all the confirmation I needed. Imdiately, I stood to my feet and smooth my blouse and pants. The next second, I strode toward the door.
I could feel Deidra’s quiet presence as she began to follow , but I didn’t turn or ask her any questions.
My jaw clenched as I spoke inwardly, "What should I even say to her, Valmora? Because right now, all I feel like doing is pulling every last strand of hair out of her thick head."
Valmora chuckled darkly. "Wanda doesn’t think Draven is your mate. Tell , redith, how do you think that truth will ruin the little happiness and false victory she clings to after giving you that letter?"
My lips curled into a slow smirk as I descended the stairs, already imagining Wanda’s face shattering when I told her.
My anger didn’t vanish, rather, it shifted. I sharpened it into sothing colder to be used on that vile woman.
---
The morning air was crisp, laced with the faint scent of dew and burning fuel. My slippers crunched lightly on the gravel as I stepped outside.
There, just ahead, Wanda was striding toward the black car waiting with its headlights on, probably wallowing in whatever emotion she had chosen.
"Wanda." Her na left my lips like steel.
Reviews
All reviews (0)