"So killing your husband is not a big deal for you?"
"Oh please don't act all holy. You're not a saint," she said as she eyed me.
I was shocked beyond words. I was not dreaming, was I?
"Caelum warned me when I messed with your head and told me to caution Alistair about you. He knew Alistair was making plans about abducting you, and I alerted him, but Lorien, as usual, saved you. The second attempt I made on your life made him furious, and he took the powers he gave to me, but I begged for a last use."
"What last use? And who is this caelum? What does he want from me?" I asked.
"To free my son, why do you think I'll waste my last usage on you," she said teasingly ignoring the other questions.
"That's why you lied low ever since Alistair's breakout, you had no power to harm me."
"That's smart of you. Now leave me in peace, we are having a festival tomorrow."
"How do you live in peace with the thought of murdering your husband? You barely have a conscience left in you, how would Alistair even feel if he heard you killed his father…
"How will be feel? What about me?" she interrupted angrily then walked up to me. "How will you feel when your dethroned Alpha gets another woman pregnant and gives her special treatments until she gives birth then she dies? He never looked at me, he only marked me once and did not even care for Alistair as his son! He considers Lorien great and his precious heir but what did I get? A queen regent with her dejected son!"
I was overwhelmed by the new revelation, she had been wronged a lot but that does not give her the chance to to kill a human.
"I understand…
"Get out, now!" she yelled furiously, tears welled up in her eyes.
I obeyed and walked out of her chamber and my maids followed me back to my chamber. My angry expression had changed into a gloomy one.
We entered my chamber, and I took my seat gently; what will I even tell Lorien? Is it needed? He'd be so miserable if he knew the queen regent he trusted killed his father.
"Do you need anything, your majesty?"
"I'm fine, I just need water," I replied
The maid walked out and brought warm water to me after some minutes. I could hear singing and dancing outside.
"What's going on?"
"The preparation for Magnus festival has begun, the queen regent is in charge of it."
I needed to talk to someone but not Lorien. From whatever I had in memory, Seraphina did not have any parents and it hurt me.
The guards outside declared the arrival of a maid from Lorien's side.
I approved her entry and she bowed as she walked in.
"The Alpha has requested that you should meet him on the terrace." She said politely.
"I'm so sorry, I won't be able to do so. I have to rest, it has been a long day." I replied and she bowed and then left.
My mood was gloomy throughout the remaining day, and later, when it got dark, I took my bath and ate.
Then slept lost in thoughts and fear.
~~~~~~~~
Magnus festival was totally different from our pre-wedding rituals, white flowers were used to decorate everywhere in the castle.
The protection was tight but the preparation went on. The maids dressed me in a white but long white dress with pearl accessories.
I heard footsteps and my maids bowed in the direction.
"I'll take her to the hall myself." Lorien's voice called out and the maids went out.
"Good morning," I mumbled softly.
"Is there a reason you did not come to see me yesterday?" He asked.
"No reason."
"And you stayed in your chamber, do you know how dangerous that is?"
"Staying in my chamber is dangerous?"
"Not that Seraphina, I'm talking about Alistair. We don't know where he is right now or what he could be planning. I just want you to be safe." He explained, and I walked to my bed, adjusting my hair.
"I'm safe Lorien. Moreover, I don't feel like attending this festival, I am…
"Seraphina, you have been acting weird since we got back from the search for Alistair. Can you tell me what is wrong?" He interrupted as he stared at me.
I wished I could tell him, but I couldn't. Even if the queen regent had lost her power, it was his right to know the truth himself.
I beamed at him sweetly. "Never mind, I've just been too stressed lately, I guess I overreacted." I retorted as I got up on my feet.
"If you say so. Let's head to the hall together."
I walked to him and we strolled to the Magnus hall, hand in hand. Our maids paced behind us as we entered the hall, the women who stood at the entrance bowed as they saw us.
Everyone in and outside the hall had white attire on, the seated guests all stood up and bowed as we entered. Our elevated seat was ready for us and we took our seat.
They all sat after us, and I watched as the queen regent stood up; the words she said earlier reeled in my mind.
"Welcome to the glorious worship of our mighty ancestor, Magnus!"
She had concealed the bruise I gave on her cheek well, I loved the way they used plants and animals for natural makeup. It suited them well and had no health risk.
I watched as they revealed the history of Duskbane. I was getting bored and Lorien noticed.
"Are you exhausted?"
"No, I'm good." I retorted, and the queen regent called him out; he had to give a speech. He stood up and addressed the gathering.
After he finished giving his speech, some instrumentalists came out to the open space in the middle of the hall and showcased their talents.
"I've to show you something," Lorien whispered into my ear.
"What is that?"
"We have to sneak out of here but I don't know how." He replied, looking around.
"You the Alpha, can't you leave?"
"If we want to leave, we must do it under Mother's nose. She'd get so furious if she saw us leaving so we have to sneak out."
He replied, and I nodded gently, then watched as he stood up and walked out through the side of the hall confidently, his warriors guarding him.
I wondered if that was what he meant by sneaking, I went after him and met him mounting his horse.
"What are you doing?" I inquired and I offered his hand to me.
"Come on before Mother chops our heads off."
I did not know what he was planning, but it seemed fun, and I took his hands and then got on the horse, taking my seat in front of him.
"If the queen regent asks of me tell her I went to take take of urgent matters." He stated and his warriors bowed.
He led the horse out of the castle and it galloped following Lorien's lead.
"Where are we going?" I asked loudly, taking protection in his body.
"Just close your eyes." He answered back and I listened to him reluctantly.
After what seemed like an hour of racing, the horse stooped abruptly and Lorien got off it.
"Where are we?" I asked as I tried to open my eyes but he placed his broad hand on my face, obstructing my view.
"You will see it soon." He helped me off the horse and as I got down, I could hear birds chirping, and a sweet sensation filled the air.
"Don't tell me you want to get engaged to me?" I asked and he chuckled lightly.
"What is engaged?"
"Never mind, it is something you won't know ." He guided me as we walked forward.
We stopped in our tracks and he removed his hand from my eyes.
I was stunned by the beautiful sight before me, putting both of my hands on my mouth.
It was a wide patio with bright rays shining down on it. The atmosphere was silent and the scent of blooming flowers rents the air.
A meandering stone footpath is let into the space, requesting visitors to explore.
A few lanterns were strategically placed to make the space more beautiful and inviting
"What is this captivating place?" I asked I walked into the space, touching the flowers gently.
"A place I come whenever I have too much going on in my head," He replied as he took his seat on a decorated bench.
"It is mesmerizing."
"Anytime my father made me train till I got bruised and tired, I ran from the castle and come here; I single-handedly did everything myself." He explained.
As the sun shone down, the tranquility became alive. I felt a peace as I took my seat beside Lorien, resting my head on his shoulder.
"How do you feel now?"
"I feel better, Lorien. Thank you." I retorted and he smiled.
"You're welcome, you're the only one who knows about my secret place now."
"You told no one about this?" I inquired curiously.
"Well, just both of us and my father but he is dead now. He'd come and drag me everything I ran away from training. I wish he could come and drag me away again." He said, pain obvious in his voice.