Chapter 8 The Curse Price

Lyla’s pov From my hidden position behind the door frame, I watched Kiara– one of Lorenzo's many mistresses – go into my room while the others waited for her from a distance. She filled my tea with a clear, thick substance. With a contented smirk on her painted lips as she tucked the crystal vial back into her bodice, allowing it to catch the candlelight. The pearl necklace, the blue silk outfit, and even the way she hummed quietly as she stirred the poison into my cup, were all just how I had imagined them to be. My footsteps were purposefully heavy on the wooden floor as I waited for her to finish before making my presence known. "Kiara, oh! What a welcome surprise.” I said excitedly, as I approached her. She regained her composure immediately after being shocked, and her welcoming grin was a result of years of courtly training. "Lady Lyla! I was only trying to find you. Where have you been?" She asked as I gave the tea service a sharp look. "How thoughtful of you to bring refreshments." "Yes, I..." She pointed to the cup that was steaming. "I figured you could use some chamomile to aid with your sleep." More like, to help me sleep forever. I smirked, as I took a step closer while still projecting a sense of innocent curiosity. "That is really thoughtful. However, I'm shocked that you know that I like chamomile.” I said, "Really? I just figured you might like it, guess I’m really great at guessing games," she smiled with ease. "Please, you must try it while it's hot." As I picked up the cup, her gaze followed every step I took. I held it out to her rather than bringing it to my lips. "You really have to give it a try first. As a token of appreciation for your consideration,” I insisted, my chin stayed firm and unwavering. Her face was devoid of color. "Oh, I couldn't possibly—" "But I insist." With an unwavering smile, I took a step closer, not giving her the chance to say another word. "After all, you went to such trouble to prepare it specially for me." She retreated, her hands shaking a little. "I've already had my tea—" she explained as she ‘accidentally’ knocked against the tea tray as I made my purposeful approach. When the poisoned cup fell, its contents splattered all over the floor and onto her pricey dress's hem. Kiara shrieked and leaped back. "Oh, how awkward of me!" I exclaimed, watching the liquid seep into the floorboards. "I do hope it hasn't stained your lovely gown." As soon as our eyes locked, I felt something in her eyes, it was as though she knew that I caught her red handed. I knew this would not be her last try, and she knew I had seen her. Lorenzo seemed to be surrounded by a curse that turned friendship into treachery and love into poison. I ought to be aware. That exact curse had befallen me in my former existence. Kiara left right away, “I have the maids to clean this, I’ll be back. Or perhaps I should prepare another tea for you?” she asked hastily as she reached for the door . “I’m fine at the moment, I’ll let you know if there's any need for any. Thank you.” I responded with a smile — a fake smile as I slumped in my chair. Memories weighing me down, I had barely survived the last attack against my life and Kiara is here, trying so hard to send me back to the moon goddess. Made worse by the fact that she actually wanted me dead for a man I cared less about. Sigh Then it all flashed back again, my husband and my closest friend, Lucia, were the ones who killed me the first time. Even though I now had a new life and a second opportunity at life that I never requested, the betrayal still seemed new. The curse. Lorenzo's curse was my biggest problem, if he’s weak how can we defeat Jason? I had been looking for answers for weeks, reading old books in the pack, buying gossip from maids, and even trying to find the witch that cursed him herself. However, every path grew dark and every lead became icy. The origins of the curse were lost to time, and it remained a mystery. Eventually, sleep came, but it didn't bring me any calm. Amid my nightmares, I saw myself standing amid a forest of dead trees, with their branches extending toward a blood-red moon like twisted fingers. A woman of unfathomable beauty and terrifying power stood in front of me; her eyes were filled with decades of hatred, and her hair like a blazing flame. She said, "The twice-born returns," and I could feel her voice echoing in my bones. How courageous of you to stay in Lorenzo's sphere of influence. after what happened last time." "You're the one who cursed him?” I asked, but It wasn't a question. Something in me made me know that she was the one. Her chuckle shattered the ice. "I merely gave him what he deserved – a heart that corrupts all it touches, that turns love to ash and loyalty to treachery." The air became frigid as she drew nearer. "But even my greatest works have their limitations." "What do you mean?" "Time grows short." Her grin was as cold as the snow. "My gift becomes irreversible if he is unable to break free from it quickly. His soul's poison will crystallize, permanent and eternal. Her touch was like frost as she ran a finger along my jaw. "And you, little Lyla, will have died your first death for nothing." "How can he break it?" I insisted. "What needs to be done?" However, she had already begun to fade, her laughter resonating through the dream. "Better hurry, twice-born. Some curses, once set, cannot be undone..." My heart thumping against my ribs, I jolted awake. The sky was being painted in gold and violet hues as dawn was barely breaking. A church bell tolled in the distance, each ringing as if to reinforce the witch's warning that time was running out. The floorboards were still soiled from last night's poisoned tea, a somber reminder of how vulnerable I was. The curse would guarantee that Lorenzo's mistresses will try again. And I might not have enough warning from my visions the next time. As I made my way to the window, I saw the sun rise over the pack. I found myself in Lorenzo's infamous orbit once more, but this time with a new mystery to unravel. What did the witch mean when she said that the curse would last forever? And why did I sense, deep down, that my resurrection was somehow connected to breaking the curse? Something was visible in the garden below in the morning light: Kiara and another of Lorenzo's mistresses were strolling together, their heads down together talking. They gave my window a quick glance, and I knew without a vision that they were already preparing for their next move. The witch had warned that time was running out. However, for whom?