Chapter 6

THE NEXT MORNING, “Why do you look haunted, Lyra? I can't believe you're thinking about that slave.” Mistress Pandra pulled her attention, still busy with the clothes she was sorting on the floor. “Whether she survives or not, that shouldn't bother you.” Lyra swung around to face her fully. They had never gotten along from the day she became the King's right-hand woman, so what was the discussion all about? She understands that Mistress Pandra despises the humans and werewolves for what they did to them in the past….but the generation that was being tortured is completely innocent. With a scoff, Pandra picked up the last cloth, which was almost torn into pieces. “This human ended up dead after the cloth became a waste.” she hissed and dropped it aside. She had been in charge of the female slaves that visited the King's chamber, and it had been fun getting their cold, lifeless bodies out of the chamber each time. Pandra raised her face to meet Lyra’s chilly gaze, rushing through her. “Seems like you have overstayed your welcome here, Lyra. Why not check if the wolfless slave survived last night? I bet you would cry again while throwing her away to be devoured by the birds of the air.” A sneer. Lyra chiseled her face. “You will never step your feet in the King's chamber and go unscathed, I'm sure you won't.” “Is that a threat?” Pandra stood up, signaling the maid nearby to come closer, and then she signaled her to pack all the clothes. “You must be full of yourself for being the King's right-hand woman, and then it slipped your mind that I had been here before you, which means, the King's beast will mount on you and devour you someday.” Lyra shook her head. She doesn't believe that. The King had never been enraged by her presence for years now and would never be. It was a deal, and it has been going smoothly. She also believes that soon, the deal will come to an end, no matter the years to come. “My King isn't a beast. He is just a Lycan, a Kyrennei, and a dark lord all in one. So you must bite your tongue.” Lyra shrieked at Pandra before storming out of the room. Her boot hit the pavement as she strolled out of the corridor. When she entered the broad field that would lead her easily to the King's chamber, she halted, her gaze spinning around the environment. Memories of her past came hitting her head again, causing her heart to clench. “What if she's dead too?” she thought and glanced at her sword. “Then it means she isn't the one like the King thought.” she gasped for air and nibbled her bottom lip. *** Odessa slowly opened her eyes to the sun rays that had pierced through the fancy walls at the top. She shut her eyes again, “This must be the underworld. I hope to meet my parents and confess to them that I was innocent of their death.” she pondered, fingers scratching the rugged floor. After minutes elapsed, she summoned the little strength that suddenly rushed through her body and forcefully sat up, but a fierce pain ran all over her spine, a soft wince escaping her esophagus. She gulped down the lump that had formed in her throat, her face twisted. “Wait! Wait! This is the room I came in last night?” she rolled her eyes up to her brows, and then her pupils dilated, “So, does it mean that I'm alive?” Her eyes fell on her body. They were covered in blood and scratches from the King's claws. The dress had left her body, leaving her nude. A sharp pain struck her head, and she grabbed it, eyes closed tight. All her skin was sore, making it tough for her to even touch herself. When she coordinated herself a bit, she looked around the room, but it looked empty. Did the King already leave? Or was he hiding? The creature she had met last night appeared like a hallucination before her very eyes, causing her to fall back. Her heart hit harder like it would burst. A scorching heat enveloped her at that moment. A Kyrennei! The King wasn't just a Lycan, but also a Kyrennei! He would feed on blood, devour flesh, and feed on it, and then turn the world upside down if he wished. Was this the reason he was seen as a cursed king, or is there still more to it? She had thought a Kyrennei was just a creature that was forged on its own. Now she believed her teacher. “This room!” she breathed out and forced herself to her feet, each part of her body hurting her. “I wonder how much blood I lost last night.” she thought, stepping a foot, but a hot lash went over her neck, and when she placed her palm there, it was a deep bite from the Kyrennei. Her breathing was faster, like she didn't have enough air to sustain her. It was too tough for her to respirate. She reached the door and held the doorknob, pulling it open and staggering out of the room. The passageway was so calm without guards. It looked like none of them came close to their king because there was no single person she could see. Her limbs were weak. Each step she took was a bigger punishment to her body system. Being a slave in her father's palace was much better than serving a Kyrennei that would feed on her flesh anytime soon. After a long walk, she found herself on a veranda that would lead her into a broad field. “I didn't pass through here last night. Did I miss the road?” she contemplated, lips agape while she stared into the thin air. “I'd rather die here than go back again. What if I meet him back there this time?” She stepped out a foot but slipped off and landed on the floor with her right arm. Soft groans of pain left her lips. She rolled to the side, trying to stand but couldn't. “He would have killed me. It would have been better.” she exhaled a hot breath, about to shut her eyes, but the sound of someone approaching made her open her eyes. “Just take me outta here, whoever you are.” “You survived?” Lyra! She recognized her voice so well. “Oh! This is lovely!” Lovely? What was lovely about her being on the brink of death already? She felt Lyra's hand on her waist, and then her fetish smile that showed before her, but her vision was already blurry, and her image was fading gradually. “Finally, my King found the chosen one.” Lyra scoffed and stuck her sword to her side. What do you mean by that? Odessa wished to ask—lots of questions roamed in her mind, but she couldn't stop her eyes this time as everything faded before her.