Bab 6: Chapter Six
Chapter Six
After taking a settling breath, I begin my walk to the party. This dress is designed to be eye grabbing, signaling my availability to mate. I hate mating season. I’ve never felt the draw of it. I love engaging in sexual activities as much as the next guy; but I never felt the compulsion to immediately rip my clothes off and jump the nearest thing next to me.
I walk down the hall, following the sound of music. It’s honestly surprising how smoothly things run in this palace. It feels as if an entire week’s events happened in one day, and now I’m going to a dance. I just want to go back to swimming. I’ve been with the lycan’s too long.
I follow the hall to the center of the castle, using muscle memory to find it in the twists and turns of the hall. It opens to a deep floor that is surrounded by flowers. A band is in the far corner, playing a song with a heavy bass; their sound amplified by magic. There are balls of floating light high above us, giving the illusion of glowing orbs. The dark green scenery is serene, illuminated by the orbs. I feel several eyes on me as I walk down the stairs to the stone dance floor.
I nod towards Ileen and Alier, talking to a woman who I assume is Miyla. She’s holding her chest, trying to keep her face stone; her red dress looks like it’s trying not to rip under her grip. I spot Silas’s curls on the opposite side, standing next to the ever present Alek, both wearing wolf masks, covering their nose and up. Goddess’s forbid that we cover our mouths. Both of their eyes are on me and trace me as I walk over to Ileen and Alier.
“Senja,” Alier says, taking my hand and kissing it. Both he and Ileen are wearing porcelain masks decorated in their family crest. “This is Miyla, the boys’ mother.” I give her a smile as Alier keeps talking. “This is Senja, she found Morgain.”
I nearly let out a relieved breath. Please don’t bring up that I’m also the one that killed him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I wish it was during a less solemn circumstance. I am sorry for your loss.”
“Do you know who he was with?” She asks, her breath hitching, her storm grey eyes searching desperately for an answer.
I shake my head, “I only know that he calls himself Greyson.”
She stiffens, her breath hitching. “Greyson?”
Does she know him? “Yes, do you know him?”
Her voice trembles before speaking. “He was a boy that used to live at my palace with his mother. She was a maid that had recently lost her mate when I took them in. They left about a few years ago, when she found a new mate.”
I tense, hoping I can finally get my answers on who he is; but force myself to appear relaxed. “Do you know what he looked like? Where he went?”
She shakes her head, putting her hand on her forehead; hidden under a partial sun mask. “Oddly enough, I don’t know. I can only recall his name. It’s not common these days so it stuck in my mind.”
More amnesia? “Are you sure? Do you know if he had a scar?”
“Who dear?” She asks, her posture changing, appearing more as if she’s gossiping at a party instead of discussing her son’s potential murderer.
“Greyson,” I say, shooting Alier a concerned look.
She waves me off. “I’ve never heard that name before. Alier, where is Morgain? You promised you had news.” She pushes me out of the way, stepping closer to Alier. “Where is my son Morgain?”
“Miyla, Morgain passed away.” Alier says, surprise evident in his voice.
“What?” She yells, drawing attention as she starts hysterically sobbing.
“Mi…” Ileen says, looking at me, unsure what to do.
When more eyes are drawn to us, I force myself to recover. “Ileen, perhaps you and Alier should take Miyla somewhere private.” I suggest, hesitation clear in my voice. “Maybe have her examined.” If it’s amnesia, I want to know what’s causing it.
“Where is Morgain?” Miyla asks, going back to a relaxed position.
“Miyla, have you ever heard the name Greyson?” Alier asks, worry very evident in his voice.
She looks at him like he’s insane. “Should I? Now where is Morgain?”
My mouth drops open while Alier coaxes her away from the party, Ileen trailing behind. I was about to follow when I feel a hand tap my shoulder. I silently curse as I put a smile on my lips. I hate mating season.
I look to my right to see a man that is a bit taller than me. I’m at eye level with his Adams apple, and that’s in three inch heels. When I glance up, I see a man with olive skin with a five o’clock shadow. He’s wearing a balham mask, and it highlights his jade color eyes. His ember colored hair is tousled and mixed with twists to tame it. My breath catches as I feel my cheeks warm. I hate mating season.
“Hello beautiful, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Greifi.” His voice is like velvet and warms my body. “Now, may I have the privilege of knowing yours?”
What is going on with me? There is a girlish pleasure racing through me with his direct attention. Why am I feeling this? “Senja, and it’s a pleasure to meet you Greifi. Now if you’ll excuse me,” I say as I pull away from him.
I see surprise in his eyes before he can hide it. “May I inquire where you are going?”
Inquire? “You may question, but it doesn’t mean I’ll answer.” The way he’s speaking is reminding me of my brief time in a boarding school. I can feel his eyes on me as I walk away.
I race up the stairs and race to the left wing, where the infirmary is. When I reach there, I can see Alier talking quietly to Ileen, their masks off and worry very evident on their faces. “What happened?” I ask as I step into hearing range.
“She doesn’t remember anything.” Alier says as Ileen reaches for my arm. “What could this be? She firmly believes she’s never heard the name Greyson before; and when she hears it, it’s like the last five hours are wiped from her mind. There is only so many times I can tell her, her son is dead, so she’s been given a temporary sedative.”
“Five hours? Is Greyson a trigger word or something?” I ask. “What could cause that?”
Alier shrugs. “I’m not sure. I don’t see any bite marks on her, so it has to be a spell. I’ve never heard of anything like this before.”
“Aren’t spells regarding mind manipulation illegal?” I ask as Ileen’s grip tightens.
“I don’t think legality is an issue for this man,” Alier says. “We need to figure out who this Greyson is.” He looks to me. “If he’s this dangerous, Senja, I don’t want you alone.”
I wave him off. “I’ll be fine, Alier. My goal right now, is to figure out why this is happening.”
“Senja, you have-“
“I owe nothing.” I snap back, cutting off Alier’s warning growl. “Disowned, remember?”
Alier growls, his eyes slightly glowing. He takes a calming breath. “I do not have time for this. Senja, go back to the party. Stay close to Alek and his guards.”
“Alier,” I warn.
“Please.” He snaps before going back into the infirmary. I’m not about to listen to someone that speaks to me like that. Ileen gives me a pleading look before following Alier, breaking my resolve. My fists clench as I stomp my foot like a child. I’ve never been good at following instructions. Maybe I should go to the library.
“Senja,” I hear a voice hiss.
I look over and groan. “What do you want Alek?”
“Alier sent me a message.” He says, holding up a red stone projecting the words “Watch Senja.”
“Let’s pretend you didn’t find me.” I say as I start walking towards him.
“Senja,” He warns, grabbing my wrist. “Let’s go. I have a long night ahead. I hate these things.”
“I thought you would like events dedicated to finding someone to have sex with,” I say with a dark tone in my voice.
“Senja,” he growls. “Let it go.”
“When you’re dead.” I say, taking my wrist back and walking ahead of him.
“How long are you going to be mad at me? And don’t say until I’m dead.” He says, racing to catch up with me.
“Okay. How about go back in time and stop yourself from telling my family, and then getting me disowned.”
“It was going to happen eventually.” He argues. “They needed to know.”
“Yet you felt the need to tell them three minutes after I walk in on you having sex with my sister.” I snap. “You literally cheated on me, and then got me kicked out of my own house, in under five minutes.”
“Senja,” he says, grabbing my arm and turning me to look at him. “Do you want to know the truth?”
“Are you capable of honesty?” I ask him, folding my arms.
He gives me a dirty look. “I didn’t have sex with your sister.”
I snort a laugh, “Yeah, then do you want to explain why you were naked in bed with her?”
He forces a calming breath. “Yes, I would love too. Your sister and I set it up like that because you were never going to tell your parents the truth; and I couldn’t break up with you, even though I needed to. Two birds. One stone.”
Anger flushes my face, “You slept with my sister, in order to break up with me; and then proceeded to destroy my entire life because I wasn’t telling my parents life altering news fast enough?”
“I didn’t have sex with her!” He nearly yells.
“Like that makes this any better?” I demand, nearly seeing red, clenching my fists. I stomp on his foot, cutting off his reply. I walk away while he barks a yelp in pain with my nails nearly drawing blood from my palms. I wish I never came here. I should have just left after giving them the news.
I was going to go to my room to leave, but Silas is standing at the turn, motioning towards the party. He can already tell I’m angry, but his face is stone under his mask. I give him a murderous look as I get closer to him.
“Senja, Queen Ileen is insisting for you to return to the party. Where someone can keep an eye on you.” Silas says, putting his hand on his blade in a subtle motion; a warning.
“Then come to the room with me, because I’m going to murder someone.” I growl.
“Senja,” Alek roars behind me. “You’re being ordered by the Royal Guard to vacate these halls and return to the party.”
“What is it with you people and forcing me to go to a dance?” I demand. “Just let me go to my room.”
“Senja, enough. Queen Ileen and King Alier are presenting you at this party. You are well past the courtship age and need to meet suitable mates. It is your duty-“
“Finish that sentence, and I’ll kill you before you draw your next breath.” I snap at Alek.
“And you wonder why I wanted to break up.” He retorts. “Accept it already.”
“Accept what?” Silas asks.
“Don’t you dare.” I hiss at Alek.
He smirks. “Senja-I’m sorry, Princess Senja is the next in line to inherit the Aquanian Throne.”
“The hell I am,” I snap as I stomp on Alek’s foot. “I am not part of that family.”
“You were chosen by the Aquanian Goddess.” He snags my wrist, turning my arm to reveal a silver trident on my left inner bicep. “You’ve even bonded with a balham. Not only does Kia let you ride her, others will as well and protect you. Kia also sees you as her charge. You know the chances of that much success are near impossible. You were chosen to lead.”
“A birth mark, and animal skills, does not make me a queen.” I say, yanking my arm back while Silas’s mouth hangs open. “I walked away from that life. No, actually, I was thrown out of that life by you.”
“The only reason they did, is because your family thought if you lived this life, you’d come home within a year. It’s been three decades Senja, minus the time spent with Elayna at your home two years ago. You’ve proven your point. Now start acting like-“
I stomp on his foot again, digging my heel in this time. “No.” I bark as I go to punch him.
“Will you quit doing that?” Alek demands as he grabs his foot and Silas snags my waist, pulling me out of reaching distance, barely saving Alek’s face.
“Senja, calm down.” Silas says, pulling me away.
“It’s been thirty years Senja. Why are you still so angry at me?” Alek demands. “Why do you still wish death and pain on me?”
“Because I loved you, you asshole!” I growl, hate tearing through me as shock takes him over.
“I didn’t know.” Alek breathes. “I swear I didn’t.”
“Well now you do.” I snap as I try to stomp on his foot one more time.
Silas twirls me away from Alek, placing me in front of him. “Return to the party, and you can leave after two hours. I’ll even take you to your room. Just please let this go smoothly tonight. We’ve already had enough anger and heartache today.”
“Fine,” I snap. “Let’s show me off at some Goddess Forsaken event designed to encourage men to fuck me.” I yank his arm off of me then stomp away. I hate mating season.
Hadiah
-- Hadiah diterima Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone