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Seconds passed as slowly as hours. I had no idea what was happening, as I waited for one of them to clarify his presence here. Finally, the witch spoke up.
“You’re early,” she told him, and at that moment, something inside of me broke.
I took a step back, as a chilling realization began to dawn on me. The pieces of the puzzle were falling into place, revealing a sinister truth that I hadn’t even dared to consider before. Luke, the man I once considered my best friend, was working with the witch in a conspiracy that was obviously against the kingdom, against my father and eventually, against me.
The room seemed to close in around me as the weight of this revelation settled upon my shoulders. My heart pounded in my chest, and fear gripped me like icy fingers. I couldn’t comprehend how someone I trusted could betray me in such a profound way.
The witch’s gaze felt more menacing than ever, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that she had orchestrated this meeting to confront me with the harsh reality of Luke’s treachery. Her piercing eyes seemed to hold a knowing glint, as if she had anticipated this moment all along.
I cast a wary glance at Luke, who stood there with an unsettling calmness. His familiar face now seemed shrouded in darkness, and I struggled to reconcile the friend I once knew with the traitor who had been hiding in plain sight.
“What is the meaning of this!?” I managed to stammer, my voice betraying the fear that coursed through my veins like poison.
“Lil,” Luke said, taking a step closer to me.
“Stay back!” I shouted, pointing a trembling finger at him, although I knew very well that I was outnumbered. This was enemy territory. How mistaken we were to think that I would be safe here.
Silently, I beckoned Adrian to return as quickly as possible, before something dreadful happened. But he could have been miles away still, having no idea what was unraveling here.
The witch’s lips curled into a knowing smile, confirming my worst fears. “Oh, my dear,” she purred maliciously. “Luke has been serving my purposes all along. A pawn in a much larger game.”
The room seemed to spin around me, and I struggled to find my footing in this web of deceit. I couldn't understand why Luke had turned against me, why he had chosen the witch’s side over our friendship. What did she offer him to turn his back on everyone who loved him?
Anger surged within me, mingling with the fear that had taken root in my heart. I couldn't allow the witch’s machinations to prevail, nor could I forgive Luke for his betrayal. I probably couldn’t win this war, but I knew that I wouldn’t go down without a fight. I was my father’s daughter. I was a warrior who had her sister’s death to avenge. That was yet another explanation I wanted to demand of them, but the witch spoke hastily.
“Tie her up,” she gestured at me. “Then, we shall wait for the other one to come back.”
I shook my head at Luke, who started to approach me. “Don’t you dare come near me!” I snarled, realizing that I was backing up against a wall. There was nowhere else left to go. But I was damned if I would allow him to lay a single finger on me.
“Lilith, please,” he spoke calmly, without any remorse. I hated him so much at that moment. I wanted to grab him by theneck and squeeze, but I knew that I wouldn’t achieve anything like that.
My mind raced, trying to come up with a plan. Maybe if I allowed him to tie me up and used an old skill while he was doing it? That could work. I could inhale deeply, allow him to tie me up, then exhale, which would have made the ropes looser, maybe allowing me to wiggle out of them. It was a long shot, but I had no better option.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he spoke almost tenderly.
Angrily, I spat in his face. “Fuck you!” I shouted. “Do what you must!”
He hesitated and at that moment, the door burst open.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Adrian
I heard commotion the moment I descended my horse and barged into the door of the cottage. It was good that I did that, because the moment I entered, I saw Luke there, about to hurt Lilith.
“Don’t move!” I shouted at him. He obeyed.
We were all standing at a safe distance from each other now, but we knew that half of us weren’t on the same side.
“Adrian!” Lilith shouted at me, rushing over to my side. I stepped in front of her, sheltering her with my body.
As we stood there in the witch’s cottage, this was the last place where I thought all the revelation would take place. I believed this was the safest place on earth for her, and yet, Luke was here. He had found her somehow. The weight of the truth hung heavily in the air. I spoke to Lilith without taking my eyes off of Luke and the witch. Something told me that it was best to keep them both at bay.
“I found the letters in Cassandra’s room,” I told Lilith, not taking my eyes off of those two. “Luke is the one. Luke was Cassandra’s secret boyfriend.”
Lilith’s eyes widened in shock, and I could see the questions and pain swirling within them. In that moment, I wished I could shield her from the truth, spare her from this heartache. But the truth had to come out, as painful as it was.
“Luke?” Lilith’s voice tugged at my heartstrings, as I felt the weight of the revelation pressing upon us all. Luke’s eyes were downcast, his guilt evident in the way he avoided Lilith’s gaze. The witch, ever the enigmatic presence, observed the scenewith a knowing, somehow satisfied expression, as if she had anticipated this turn of events.
