CHAPTER 5: BETRAYAL

McKenna's POV

"Luna Queen," I bowed as she entered, confused by what I had just seen. "Cut the crap! I know you disobeyed me and went to see your family. What have they told you?" She angrily asked. "My family told me nothing other than they thought they would never see me again. I'm not sure why they would think that. It broke my heart," I answered honestly. "It should have! You deliberately disobeyed me. There are punishments for those such as yourself, but I will take it easy. Three days in the dungeons with limited food and water should teach you a lesson. Please do not mistake our friendship for being above your station. I must be fair to all," she said as guards came in and started pulling me away. "PLEASE, your majesty! The king ordered me to go. I could never say no to the king. What else was I supposed to do? I could not tell him no!" I cried. "We will discuss this in three days," she said, watching me be dragged away from sight.

I had never seen the inside of the dungeons, but I know a few handmaidens that had. The horror stories that followed did this place no justice. It was cold, damp, and smelled of piss and blood. You can hear the cries of both criminals and innocents whaling in pain and agony.

"Get in there!" one of the guards said, pushing me inside a cell that already had seven other prisoners that eyed me suspiciously.

I knew Antoinette had to be fair, but this seemed personal. I would not forgive her for this. I had been so forgiving over the years. I often turned a blind eye to her wicked ways, and it was my fault. I did not know how I would survive this and come out not hating her regardless of the situation.

"What are you in for?" one of the older she-wolves asked. "I trusted the wrong person," I murmured, pushing my back against the wall.

The brittle old she-wolf made her way over to me. I was frightened as her aura was one of benevolence and strength. Odd, I thought to myself.

"The Queen means you no good. You would do right to stay on her good side until the time comes to leave this place," she whispered loud enough for only me to hear. "H-how do you know it was her?" I stammered. "I'm a Seer. I see things that have happened and what will. It's not always easy to interpret, but I do my best. The pain she will bestow on you will lead to a beautiful blessing that has the potential to change this land. I can see past what I assume to be true," she explained. "If she is planning to hurt me, why would I stay?" I asked. "Because she will threaten the one thing you care about. You will stay," she replied. "What is your name? How long have you been here? Why are you here?" I asked. "My name is Gertrude. I have been here long enough to age. The Queen herself had me thrown in here when she discovered the king sought after my counsel. I'm certain he doesn't know either of us is here," she answered. "She will pay for this..." I replied. "Shhh, keep your voice down, child. Do not mistake all prisoners as loyal. Just hang in there and do not do anything insane. It shall play out in your favor. That I am sure of," Gertrude said, tossing me one of her worn blankets.

Three days later...

"How are you?" I heard a familiar voice ask. "Swan, why are you down here?" I wondered through chapped lips and puffy eyes. "The Queen wanted one of us to fetch you. Of course, the other ladies were indifferent to it. I'm sorry. This doesn't seem right," she said, having a guard open the cell door.

I did not dare to speak as I felt too weak. Ignoring my sweat and stench, Swan roped my arm around her neck and helped me make it to my quarters after stealing a glance inside the cell I had my stay in. I was so weak from a lack of sunlight, water, and food. The guards somehow forgot to feed us most meals and, when they did, it was not much to go around.

"The Queen has ordered you to return to duty by morning. I mind-linked her, letting her know that you are much too weak to serve dinner tonight," Swan explained, pouring me a bath. "Why are you helping me?" I croaked. "I-I don't like how you are being treated," she replied, peeling off my rags. "I am treated pretty well compared to some," I pointed out. "Yes and no," she said, handing me a glass of warm goat milk.

I did not have the energy to ask what she meant. I ate the loaf and apple she brought me and settled into a small bath while Swan detangled my matted hair.

"You have such gorgeous hair," Swan said, struggling to comb through my many coils. "Thanks," I sighed. "Do you know the older lady that sat in the cell with you?" Swan asked. "Not really," I replied carefully with my words. "Oh, I am sorry you endured that agonizing torture," she sighed. "There is nothing to apologize for. You did not put me there," I said, feeling myself drift off to sleep during my bath. "Sleep, little lamb," I heard Swan say before I relaxed under her hold.

Next day...

"Wake up, McKenna. The Queen has called for you," Swan said, shaking me awake. "Already?" I groggily asked. "Yes," she chuckled before tossing me what I was to wear.

It did not take very long for me to dress and shuffle to the throne room. I begrudgingly greeted the Queen with a curtsy.

"I've missed you!" Queen Antoinette shouted as Swan and I approached. "Luna Queen," I bowed again in disbelief. "Swan, you can go," Queen Antoinette said before turning to a nearby window.

Swan gave me a look that silently told me to beware of the Queen's intentions. I already knew this to be true. I was no fool.

"I need your help. The Alpha King and I will celebrate yet another anniversary, and I have no idea what to get him," she said, smiling from ear to ear.

I stood silent as I listened to her go on about her anniversary, complain about her in-laws, and how she was a much better Luna Queen than her sister-in-law. I did not care about anything she was saying as she was a heartless prude in my eyes.

"Perhaps ignore them," I said regarding her in-laws as if I did not tune out halfway through the conversation. "Only if it were that easy. What about my anniversary gift?" She asked with a smirk. "What did you have in mind, your majesty?" I gulped. "Not what but who," she smirked. "I'm not following, your majesty," I said, confused.

She stood from her chair where she was now seated and came to stand in front of me.

"Are you still pure, McKenna?" She bluntly asked. "You know that I am. W-why are you asking me that?" I stuttered. "What if I allowed my husband to lay with you? He fancies you from what I have heard," Queen Antoinette said, fiddling with a strand of my hair. "I want to save myself for my mate. I could not possibly give myself to anyone I do not love. The Alpha King does not fancy me," I boldly replied. "Okay, forget I brought it up," she said, dismissing the conversation.

Honestly, I think she mentioned this to see if I would oblige. It was indeed a test.

"My Queen, is it possible that I could go home at least once every full moon to help my family plow the fields? It would mean so much to me," I pleaded. "It seems you like working in the fields. Perhaps we can give you a taste of home," she chuckled, having a hidden meaning.

That she did, I was to now plow the fields of the palace until sun up and sundown. She meant it as a punishment, but it was almost therapeutic being away from the politics of palace life. 

Next day...

"How are you holding up out here?" Swan asked, handing me an apple she undoubtedly stole from the kitchen. "I love it. I want to get a bath and curl up into a ball on a nice thick pile of covered hay," I sighed. "That sounds nice," Swan agreed. "Why are you out here?" I asked. "Oh! I finished my shift. I was in passing when I noticed you could use a friend that would bring you a stolen snack," she chuckled. 

Swan was by far one of the nicer handmaidens which I recently discovered. I hope to keep her close in the coming days. I would not mind having someone to confide in doesn't sound like such a bad idea now that Swan and I have bonded. However, I was still weary of her intentions.