CHAPTER 4: DEFIANCE
1865 Words
FREYA
I heaved a sigh of relief as the door slammed shut in Icarus's wake.
What was I thinking?
I sat on the bed as my weight weighed down on my trembling legs. I knew I would not have gotten away with all I had said if I was not Icarus's mate.
Deep down, I was aware I pushed my luck and crossed my boundaries. Anyways, here I was, still standing. At least I got on his nerves so that counts for something.
After I took some moments to collect myself, I walked towards the drawer where the talismans laid, hesitating for a moment before reaching down to pick them up.
As my fingers came in contact with them, I waited for something to happen, but nothing did, so I quickly grabbed them and tossed them in the dustbin. I would ask a maid to empty it later.
The plush, comfy bed had become my favourite thing in the room. We did not have beds as soft as this a hundred years ago, so I made myself comfortable.
I had barely enjoyed solitude for a few minutes when a series of soft knocks interrupted my rest, followed by a voice which I recognized as Ava's.
“Miss Freya? May I come in?”
I sighed. What did that girl want with me again? Whatever friendship she was trying to foster was not going to work, because I would not want any other ties to prevent me from accomplishing my ultimate goal.
Grudgingly, I replied. “Come in.”
The young girl cracked the door open slightly, peeping in with a smile on her face which was met with a frown.
“What do you want?” I questioned her.
Her smile faded as she skittered in, bearing a dress in her hands.
“The alpha ordered that I prepare you for the meeting he would be having in the evening. Here is the dress he approved for you to wear.” She lifted the dress for me to see.
I scrunched my nose as I inspected the dress from the neckline to the hem. It was more ceremonial than pretty, with the toga design it bore.
“Hmph.” I huffed, looking away.
“You do not like it?” Ava asked, her voice laced with concern. “I could request for another one if you like.”
As much as it would be fun to play around, I decided against it. I did not feel like it at the moment. I had more important things on my mind than to play silly games.
“You know what? I would just wear it that way. Maybe the Alpha should make better choices next time.” I said before waving her off.
She walked over to the room I had earlier walked in and I followed her closely behind.
“Oh no, this closet is supposed to have been cleaned!” Eva exclaimed.
“What did you call it?” I asked her.
“A closet.” She answered, albeit absentmindedly as her eyes perused the nooks and crannies of the closet. “It is where all your clothes and shoes would be kept and It should have been cleaned before you moved in. I really thought it was.”
She turned towards me, eyes filled with guilt.
“I sincerely apologise, Miss. I shall send someone to clean it soon.”
It appeared she expected me to be upset, so I played the role of the angry Luna.
“And ensure it never happens again. You should be keen to inspect your assignments after delegation.” I said, wearing a frown on my face.
“I am really sorry, miss.” Ava curtsied, her head bowed low.
I could not deny the thrill I felt knowing the power I wielded as Icarus's mate. It could get intoxicating,
“You may leave now.” I continued to feign anger.
“Um, Yes Miss…” She curtsied again, but I did not miss the conflict in her expression.
“...but I have not done your hair and-” Ava tried to explain but I cut her off.
“The hair you made earlier is still intact, isn't it? I would not want you tugging on my scalp every time. I would wear my current hairstyle for the meeting.”
“Yes miss.” Ava sighed in defeat. “But before I go, is there anything else you would like?”
“No Ava, just go!” came my annoyed response.
She jumped at the sharpness of my voice, scurrying out of the room.
After she left, I could not help but let out a giggle. “Power is indeed intoxicating.” I muttered to myself with a smug smile on my face.
Soon, another maid came to clean the closet, after which the dress Ava had brought earlier was hung inside.
The maid finally left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts again. Soon, I felt a presence in my room, calling unto me. I knew I was being summoned and I rose to my feet, walking towards the mirror in my room.
For a moment, I stared at my reflection, which slowly morphed into the old witch that performed my reincarnation ritual.
I bowed at her in greeting.
“Imani, Icarus's home has talismans scattered everywhere. He even tried one on me but for some strange reason, it did not work like it used to. What happened?”
Imani's sharp eyes lit up, her crow's feet crinkling as she smiled. “Oh, you do not seem to know the implication of being reborn in the Luna's body.”
“And what is that?” I asked.
“There is a shield of protection on you, keeping you from getting harmed by any form of supernatural power coming from him.” Imani explained.
“Ahhhh...that makes sense…” I nod in understanding. “Does that mean that if the talisman had been hung around my neck by another person, I would have grown weak?”
Imani nodded, and I felt my heart skip for a moment.
“I need to know that…” I muttered.
“You must keep your eyes on the goal, Freya. The immortal Alpha might look charming, but remember the devil that lies within him. Refuse to be distracted, or else you will fail. The entire coven and beyond are counting on you. You are our only hope. Our savior.” Imani warned before disappearing from sight.
My resolve grew even stronger and a smirk grew on my lips as I stared at my reflection.
“Let us take this game a little further, shall we?”
***
“You are late.” Icarus's voice echoed in the large hall as I walked in. I wondered why he wanted me to join the meeting anyways.
Although it was a good thing on my part. If I needed to bring down his Kingdom, this was the place to be. This very room filled with his most trusted allies, beta, zeta and the rest of his clowns.
“Oh, pardon me, Sire.” I curtsied with exaggeration. “You know I am yet to get used to finding my way around your magnificent castle.”
The look of confusion on his handsome face faded into a frown as he regarded me from head to toe. He was clearly displeased, and I could not help the smile that tugged on my lips.
“What is this you are wearing?” He asked. “Did you not get the dress I approved for you to wear?”
“That?” I gasped in feigned shock. “Oh my, I had thought it was meant for our other...meeting.” The seductive smile on my lips fully conveyed what I implied.
Icarus' eyes almost bulged out of its sockets and an official choked on his drink. “And what do you mean, Freya?”
“Well, the dress looked just like what one of your harlots would wear. Forgive me if it gave me the wrong idea.” I curtsied again, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
Icarus’ eyes blazed in fury and clear irritation at my bold words, but with my face masked with innocence, he could not dare accuse me.
After another second of cold silence, my defiant gaze locked on his, he rolled his eyes. A habit of his I’ve noticed.
Well, I couldn’t wait to gauge those eyes out of their filthy sockets.
“So, where was I?” Icarus totally ignored me, going back to his meeting. I went on to take my seat across from him and his eyes intently followed my every movement.
“We need to expand our territories.” Icarus said. “The more our clans grow, the less game we have to go round during the full moon.”
I scoffed as I looked around to see the noblemen and council members nodding in agreement like hungry lizards.
Do they ever refuse his orders?
“I disagree.” My voice sent the room into grave silence and Icarus's eyes twitched in annoyance.
“And why is that?” Icarus gritted out.
“Expanding the clan's territory will not guarantee more games. You should know better than that.” I shook my head. “After living for so many years, one would have thought you would be as wise as your age.”
His jaws clenched down hard. If Icarus' eyes could spit fire, the whole room would have been engulfed in flames at that moment. The glass he was holding crushed under his grip as he bared his teeth at me.
“You have angered the Alpha.” One of the councilmen said with a disapproving frown.
“If you were not my Luna, I would have ripped out your heart. Rise on your feet!” Icarus commanded.
I got on my feet, taking in the look of disapproval on the faces or the councilmen. This was about to get interesting.
“No one speaks to our Alpha in such a manner. You are such a sour-mouthed young lady!” An older wolf reprimanded me. “Apologise this instant!“
Kras jezelf terwijl ik spreek!
I muttered a spell under my breath, smiling as I spoke.
“From the depth of my heart, I am sorry for my loose tongue.”
Before I had completed my statement, everyone began to scratch their skin vigorously like they had been bathed in poison ivy.
Everyone except Icarus.
I muttered the spell again but the itching of the others only increased and they cried out in pain, blood dripping from the scratches.
The room was thrown into absolute chaos.
Icarus looked around in shock before turning to me in anger.
“What have you done?” The man growled.
I was in shock as well, because Icarus was supposed to be ripping off his skin from the burning pain that comes with the itching.
Yet, there he was, staring back at me with those cold gray eyes, rage consuming the last of his expression.
Why wasn’t my spell working on the bastard?
- Writer
