Mark Me.

#3

Camilla

I walked to him, stumbling through the soft barley fields to get to him.

He looked down at me, and that same frown crossed his face—the one I'd associated him with for years.

I knew he didn't like me.

But the reason to that? I had no idea.

“Did you hear what I said?"

“I did."

“So what's the response?"

“You're just a child."

A child?

“I'm not a child! I'm 18!"

“Can you handle being Kael’s chamber maid and not being taken advantage of again?"

My breath slowed.

“Uh?"

Chamber maid? Okay, forget the status was so low. Whose chamber maid? Kael's!?

“Kael is in need of a chamber maid. My guess is if you stand in the row of maids presented to him, he'll choose you."

“But… but he tried to kill me. He'll finish the job…”

"Not if you pretend to have lost your memories. Not if you're under my protection.”

Under Filius’ protection?

Could he protect me?

The silence between us seemed to span as long as the length of the fields we were in.

His eyes were steady and unwavering.

He meant it.

~

That night, Filius and I rode back to my Kingdom. The Kingdom that betrayed me.

The last time I was on a horse with a man behind me, it felt safe, and familiar. Riding with Filius was different. I felt more alone than ever.

Filius talked little, and only gave me little instructions, expecting me to remember every single thing he said.

He was barely acknowledging how hefty a price he'd have to pay if he was found out scheming against the Alpha with a nobody who claimed to be the Luna.

“You have lost all your memories. You now answer to the name Aries. Make one mistake and you die.”

From Luna to a maid. How ridiculous life was.

"Who's there?” A guard called. It was way past midnight when we arrived.

"Open the gates," Filius commanded. The guard recognized him instantly, and called over the other guards.

The large gates began to swing open, and we rode through.

"Remember, he's not the man you love, he's the one you want to destroy,” Filius' low voice sounded close to my ear.

Filius and I rode to the stables where he got down from the horse and began to walk away.

“Filius, I… I can't… get down.” I said, suddenly feeling ashamed.

He turned around, “It's Lord. My Lord. Now, what Lord brings a maid down from a horse? You can get down.”

I looked down at the ground, and hugged the horse's neck, slowly bringing my other leg around.

"Aah!” I screamed as I slid down the horse's massive body, but he was there, catching me in an instant.

So he wasn't all ice after all. Somehow, that little act of his assured me that Filius was going to protect me after all.

He dropped me.

"Ow. Thank you,” I rose to my feet, and dusted the back of my tunic.

We turned to leave, and just then, I heard my name.

"Camilla.”

I froze, but Filius' hand was already on the lower back of my waist.

That was Kael!

Filius turned first, then gave a little head bow.

I turned, and was face to face with him.

My heart pounded against the walls of my chest, hard and heavy, as my eyes met his.

His hair was damp with sweat, falling carelessly across his face. He was in his horse riding attire, holding the reins of his horse.

He seemed to have returned not long ago.

I can do this! I can do this!!

Don't be scared. Filius has your back. If Kael figures out something wrong with you, you'll be gone before you can even start your revenge.

However, there was something different in his expression.

This wasn't what I expected.

Kael looked like he would cry.

I sank into a low bow.

You can't tremble. You can't falter!

You are not a child! Filius is watching.

“Camilla?" Filius asked, as I heard Kael's footsteps approaching me.

Kael called, “Cami."

I looked up slowly, and schooled my expression into one of confusion.

Kael's eyes were wide, and oh, how he looked strikingly beautiful.

Just the way they had looked four nights ago.

You hurt me, Kael.

I'm here to hurt you back.

He grabbed my shoulders, “Where have you been? I have been looking all over for you! Why would you disappear just like that?"

What was… what was wrong with him?

However, I tried to maintain my composure, “Your Grace, my name is Aries, but if Your Grace wishes to call me, a humble maid, by Camilla, my undeserving self shall accept it."

Confusion spread across his face.

"What are you saying?” he asked.

“Alpha Kael,” Filius pulled me from Kael's grip gently. “Do you know her?" Filius asked, “Are you perhaps calling her by the Luna’s name?"

Kael looked at Filius, thrown into more confusion. All of a sudden, he took me by the neckline of my tunic, and ripped it apart.

I screamed, but before I could cover myself, Filius had taken my hand and pulled me to him, concealing me.

I knew what Kael had been looking for. It was a birthmark behind my left shoulder, and he must have seen it.

“Explain this. Where did you go, Cami?”

What was he saying? He pushed me off a damned cliff, after digging his nails deep within me.

Filius was firm with his words, “Alpha Kael, I found her half-dead, floating down a lake while inspecting the boundaries of the territory with a few of our men. Although I'm not sure as to why you're calling her the name of the Luna.”

I turned slowly to face Kael, my lashes low.

“Do you perhaps know her? When I found her, she'd lost all her memories. I had to give her a name. If you know her or her family, I would love it if you helped me out as I intend to mark her as mine soon.”

I turned to look up at Filius' serious face.

My heart nearly dropped.

We never discussed this.

Mark me??