Chapter 6

I couldn’t move. Not even blink.

I sat frozen in my chair as the sounds of applause and cheerful chatter faded into the background as I stared up at the portrait that had just been revealed. The canvas was large, the colours deep and bright. It hovered over me like the ghost of a new world I was sucked unintentionally into.

The picture was me—not just a resemblance, or trick of light, me. Every angle of the woman’s face was an exact replica of mine. The cheekbones, the jaw, the arch of her brows, the haunting depth of her eyes, and by the goddess, even the shape of her lips were just like mine—soft, full, with a slight downward tilt of a knowing frown.

My stomach twisted as I stared, trying to understand what I was seeing. My clammy hands gripped the soft fabric of my dress. My head spun, like my body was shutting down to make space for the panic rising within. I couldn’t remember sitting for the photo, so it definitely wasn’t me. So how did they have it? How could Varic, a man I had just met have a picture of me?

My eyes lingered on Varic who stood tall before his people, oblivious to the turmoil I felt before returning to the portrait. Although she looked exactly like me, there was a difference. The woman looked proud. Poised, respected, and not broken and scarred like me.

“Today marks more than just a celebration.”

Varic voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to reality. He stood tall in front of the crowd with a flute of wine in his left hand. His expression was calm, serious and his eyes ran through the room as he spoke.

“We have prayed for many days and many nights for the past five years, and today, the moon have answered our prayers,” his voice rang through the stone hall, not loud, but commanding and confident.

Confusion marred my face as I listened to him. Everyone in the room looked up at him with so much reverence.

“For years, this kingdom has lived without its luna. Our people mourned in silence, I mourned in silence. Yes, we grew stronger over time, but the balance we had with her was lost, just as she was.”

Grunt of agreement echoed through the room affirming Varic’s words. Some turned to me with admiration and cheerful looks before turning back to their alpha making me all the more puzzled.

“And by the grace of the Goddess, she has returned.” Varic’s voice thundered with finality earning cheers and murmurs from the crowd. “My Queen, first of her name, rightful luna of Bloodmoon and descendant of the moon herself stands before you now.”

What? My mind echoed as all eyes turned my way. I blinked as Varic turned towards me, stretching out his hand, as if ushering me to come to him. My stomach was in knots as I got to my feet and took a step toward him. My feet were wobbly, and my body protested, demanding rest but I pushed myself forward, a small part of me didn’t want to embarrass him. Many questions ran through my mind but I knew there had to be an explanation for everything—there had to be. There had to be a reason why a picture of me hung above our heads like a relic. A reason why Varic had asked me to be his Queen.

Varic’s eyes held mine as I reached him placing my sweaty palm on his. A sudden jolt of electricity surged through me at the contact, making me let out a soft gasp. My eyes left out interlinked hand and met his, and for a split second, an unreadable expression crossed his eyes like he had felt it too. But as quickly as the emotion flashed in his eyes, it was gone replaced with his ever present unreadable gaze.

Another gasp escaped my lips as Varic pulled me closer to him. The soft tug pulled me out of the hazy of thoughts that swelled in my mind as I remembered the word I thought he had uttered when he rescued me.

Mate. The word ran in my mind but I shut it out. It was probably a dream, I convinced myself. Or maybe I had misheard, and whatever feeling I thought blossomed was probably nothing. Probably a fiction of my tired mind.

Varic grip tightened against my hand as he turned to his people. “She has returned her kingdom that waited faithfully, to her people, and to her throne. And she shall reign as she had long before the tragedy, as my equal. Not beside me, but with me.”

A chill dance up my arm at tension that filled the air. The people anticipation of Varic’s next words was heavy—as if they were waiting for him to say the inevitable.

And Varic delivered his final words without wasting time. “I, Varic Greythorne, first of my name, Alpha of Bloodmoon, surrender half of my kingdom, half my land, half my rights…”

Varic’s words drifted as he turned to me. Eyes still unreadable, unblinking but holding me prisoner.

“-All my heart, all my name. All that is mine, she holds.”

The silence that stretched was deafening. I stared at him, frozen, stunned. His words landed making all the blood drain from my face as its magnitude sank in. no one said anything. No one moved and then all at once, a roar filled my ears as the crowd rose, erupting in cheers, claps and hollers of pure joy.

“All hail Alpha Varic and Queen Vanessa.”

The name made me snap my head curtly towards the people. Who was Vanessa? The woman in the portrait above flashed in my mind. The realization made my eyes widen—my mind finally catching up. She was Varic’s queen, the true Luna of Bloodmoon.

It all made sense. I staggered back, taking my hand out of Varic’s. The sudden movement made him turn towards me—his gaze intense and calculating as he watched me. One thing was clear in their strong depth. A single commanding look which screamed play along.

With a shaky breath, I faced the hall, searching the faces but no one seemed confused. No one raised their hands in defiance or yell while pointing an accusatory finger. They were just accepting this. Accepting me. But how could they? How couldn’t they tell the difference?

That woman, Vanessa—their queen—she belonged here. She looked in control, feared. How could they think that I, a woman who was discarded like a rag by Greg could be their queen?

The panic bubbling was overwhelming but I didn’t let it show. I couldn’t when my life and Varic’s honour was on the line. So I bowed. Not deeply, but just enough to show respect. My hands trembled at my sides but I kept them steady as best as I could. When I straightened, they bowed back; completely accepting me.

I couldn’t take it anymore. My head spun and I needed to sit. So I turned quickly, forcing my legs to carry me back towards my seat. I could feel Varic’s eyes piercing the back of my head, but I couldn’t bring myself to face him. Every step I took felt loud, and every breath, tight. I sank back in my chair, trying my best to slow down my breathing. The buzzing in my ears quieted down and from the corner of my eyes, I could tell the crowds cheers had begun to settle. The room quieted as chatters continued as if nothing life changing had just happened. Even Varic was now busy, having a conversation with a group of people.

I sat in silence. My eyes drifted back up to the photo. A dry scoff passed my lip as I thought about the situation I was in. My life had taken a drastic turn, but it seemed like I had spiralled back to where I had stared. I was still a puppet, but this time, with a different master. I was once again putting on a face that didn’t belong to me. The thought hollowed me out because it was true.

I was a tool, a copy, a lie. 

I was Nadia for Greg. The obedient idiot who didn’t even deserve to be called a wife. And I was Vanessa for Varic. A lookalike. Taking the place of a Queen.

“You shouldn’t stare at her for too long,” came a voice from beside me.

I flinched turning slowly to find a man standing by my side.

“What?” I muttered taken aback by his sudden presence.

The man smiled faintly. A smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You’ve been staring up at your portrait all evening, one would think you are searching for a part of yourself up there instead of within.”