witch’s cauldron

Amara Eldwood

Three nights had passed since the incident in Caius’ quarters, and yet, not a single word of it had spread in the castle.

“How are you feeling today, Miss lady?” Amenie’s soft gasp came from the doorway but I didn't bother to turn around, already used to her obnoxious happiness.

“Just as happy as a bird, Menie,” I commented offhandedly, my drab voice beguiling the sarcasm in my tone.

Outside, a string of muscular groundsmen piled up bricks around an already dug-in foundation. A soldier’s station. 

Were the Alphas trying to turn this place into a barrack?

“ Oh, Miss, I do wish you would cheer up! Did you hear about the head maid’s death? The other servants say the council is considering making me head in her place,” She tittered and the tapping of my fingers on the sill stilled.

“What?”

The woman stopped her cleaning abruptly, her eyes widening like she hadn't realized what she’d let slip.

“Mabel is dead? What the hell happened?” my incredulous wheeze filled with a fear that had become a part of me these days…nibbling at the hole in my belly, making it rip a little wider every night.

Was that why Ronan had commanded I stay in my room earlier?

Guilt and shame cut through my body like quicksilver and I clamped a hand to my mouth as the woman listed through all the gory details.

Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion, 

“She’d been found with a severed tongue and her throat slashed open...it was simply horrible, M'lady! No one deserved to die like that! Not even that despicable woman…rest her soul—” She finished, pausing to cross herself before wringing my hair of water and helping me out of the tub.

A knock came at the door when I had finished dressing and I exchanged looks with the maid when the guard announced the white wolf’s name.

“I’ll leave you two be, M’lady,” Ameniw whispered with a wink, closing the door quietly behind her back.

The white wolf looked sexy as ever...and tired. I could see it in the red rims under his eyes and the way he clocked his head to stare down at me.

“You look well,” 

Really? That was all he was going to say?

Anyone would look well if you shoved enough food down their throats!

Silence stretched between us until I spoke, not knowing where to start. Too much had happened between is that our bond felt raw…frayed.

Everything but the sexual tension was shot.

“When can I see him?”

“You can't. Winters is…unwell,” He cut in before I could finish and I nodded, flashing him a bitter smile.

“What? First you stop me from leaving because I’m your mate and now I can't even see MY mate? How is that fair to you?” I shrieked, tears of frustration springing to my eyes as my dainty hands formed fists at my side.

Pain pricked at my chest when his face remained an impassive mask, far from the vulnerable look he’d given me back in the blond wolf’s chambers.

I hated how hot and cold they were. It reminded me too much of Mother…of everything I’d sworn I’d leave behind in shadow pack.

“I’m sorry, but its simply too dangerous to let you see him. I’m going to have to ask you to leave,” The robot coerced, crossing his hands neutrally in front of him as his sad hazel eyes riveted on my face.

I was frightened…weak, it must be the only reason why every inch of my body wanted to fly into his arms and have him tell me everything will be alright.

I wanted to feel the rumble of Dante’s baritone when he sucked my neck, and feel the coarse lines of Ronan’s palms squeezing my breasts.

And Caius? Goddess forgive me for the dark, forbidden things I wanted him and Laziel to do to me. 

“Just leave. Please.” I exhaled, turning away from him and gritting my teeth until I felt his shoulders sag and the door creaked shut behind him.

I fought the urge to cry, digging my nails into my palms until the bitter feeling in my throat dissolved into nothingness.

#

I’d managed to slip away from the guards yet again, to take a walk around the fortress, inhaling the scents of iron, cherry, burning wood and oranges.

My chest felt lighter than it had in a while as I bowed to a few of the maids who scattered away from me, their raised murmurs indecipherable between shrieks and snobbish laughter.

It didn't bother me as much as it used to now. Not when I had my mind made up.

After all i’d been through in such a short time, anyone who didn't like me could go suck on pig fat for all I cared.

My footsteps slowed to a stop when I saw the confessor’s black ensemble…the way she clutched a maid’s wrist so tightly, her lips moving so fast that it was hard to make out what she was yelling down on the poor girl.

Amenie? Was that my maid?

“Hey! Hey, let that woman go this instant, you cow!” I shrieked at the top of my lungs, making those icy violet eyes snap my way before she let her go immediately.

I was panting when I drew closer, bouncing my gaze between the two women before the confessor snickered.

“Well if it isn't Little Red Riding Hood back from her daily whoring,” the raven-haired woman rasped, the ominous life of her voice making goosebumps spread up my back.

I watched Amenie jump away from her, her face suddenly taking on a terrified look, “Miss! Thank Goodness! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” She breathed tearfully, backing away until she was standing at my side.

There was something decidedly evil about the way the confessor’s face was arranged.

All sharp lines, high, pointy cheekbones and hollowed cheeks, with a butt-shaped jaw that somehow tied everything together.

Her nose looked like a sharp beak, jutting out the deserted white wildnreness of her face and darkly-lined eyes.

A huge of purple eyeshadow stood in the space between her long black lashes and thin, arched brows, and her lips turned down into a distasteful frown when she saw the way I grimaced at her.

Who the fuck was she calling a whore? 

I could point her to the biggest one in Shadowville… the bitch unfortunate enough to have birthed such evil. 

“I know you tried to kill me.” I spat, matching her viciousness ice for ice, and yet, maintaining my distance.

She would not attack me here, not in the open courtyards with the chance a maid of servant could come ambling down one of the many passages surrounding us.

Her face relaxed into a smile and she squinted, big white teeth flashing when she shook her head.

“Funny, you think I would recall think wouldn't you? Strange the things you forget when you're my age—” she chuckled darkly and the hairs kn the back of my neck stood pin straight.

I half-expected her to lunge for me and every morsel of common sense I had left screamed for me to run when she took a step toward us, making Amenie fall back reflexively.

“Stay away from the four.” Selene warned, dark violet eyes darkening with rage and venom as she scrunched up her nose at me.

She was so close that I could smell the overwhelming rose perfume she must have doused herself with, the two loose hairs shielding each of her eyes wavering in the wind that whistled through the space.

I could tell the woman was just itching for a chance to come at me with her claws again, but my hands circled around Amenie’s wrist, shielding her from the woman’s spite.

“Its not like I can avoid my mates is it?” 

“Your mates? My, the infinity elites had warned me that you were something but I had never out you down as the delusional folk,” She chortled, eyes twinkling with satisfaction when she looked me over, following the movement with one claw.

I bit down on my tongue hard enough to taste blood, reminded of how distant the men had been toward me after forcing me to stay.

If we were truly mates, then why was it so easy for them to shove me away at every turn and inconvenience?

Why haven't they touched me yet? Any of them? 

Was I not good enough? Prettier than the powder-faced elites swarming in and out of their sin taverns every night?

My jaw trembled but I swallowed back the hurt tears budding in the back of my throat, refusing to be the coward in Amenie’s eyes.

“If you think you can handle even one of them, then you are more stupid than I gave given you credit for,” The confessor threw out the hateful words like it was candy, the glint of a gold tooth peeking from the corner of her mouth.

Her milk-white breasts shook with every thrust of her claw and I swallowed audibly.

Of course she would be their type. She was pretty…buxom in every way that counted.

And I was plain old Jane with the too-red hair.

“You don't know who I am or what i’m capable of…come on, Amenie,” I jeered, hating how plain my response sounded to me before tugging hard on the maid’s arm who followed me dutifully, head bowed to avoid the confessor’s eyes.

“Oh, but I do, Amara Eldwood. I’ve reached into your soul and spat on it, remember? You don't know those boys like I do, Eldwood. I don't usually warn their whores, but I'm warning you now. For the first and last time,” Selene snapped icily, glaring down her nose at me and gritting her teeth when I flicked a lock of hair behind my shoulder, dismissing her when I glanced back with a small wave.

The maid walked stiffly ahead, oblivious to my calls until she paused outside the guarded chambers to my room.

“Welcome back, lady,” one guard bowed while the other threw the doors open, both pretending not to notice the ragged way the maid’s small chest rose and fell. 

“Is there something you want to tell me, Amenie? Speak up now or get that haunted look off your face, its ruining my vibe—” I sighed, clapping the door shut.

My question made her spin around in shock before she threw her hands up, the worry in her movements making me tense with alarm.

What was this about?

“Oh, M’lady, you shouldn't confront the confessor so boldly! Its…well, its not safe!” Amenie heaved the second we burst into my chambers and my heart pitched a tent inside my ribs.

My brows folded with concern at her state, the way her face had pinked as tears stood in her eyes.

“What do you mean?” I hissed, unable to help the breathless note in my voice as adrenaline surged in my veins and my heart throbbed painfully.

“There are rumors…m’lady, rumors of her affair with Sir Brahm,” 

My entire body felt cold…as though I’d just taken a cold shower, and a flicker of memory from the maid’s gossip passed through my mind.

She had cheated? Or had he?

I nodded tensly, too impatient for the maid to rehash the entire story.

“Well…they say the confessor went mad for months after…dabbling in all sorts of dark arts. Some people—- well, I don't dare say so myself but some people—” she stuttered, waving her hands dramatically before I cut in, leaning forward so much that our faces stood only inches apart and I could have kissed her id I tipped my head lower.

“Some people what, Amenie?” my brusque voice came through harsher than I had intended but the woman didn't seem to mind, ignoring the distant tolling of the bell that seemed almost eerie now in the low light of my room.

“Some people call her a dark witch.” The maid finished, big doe-shaped eyes widening dramatically before her voice fell to a whisper and the chill in the base of my spine shot to my head.