THE WITCH MUST DIE

Chapter 12

The Witch Must Die

My pulse thundered in my ears, my eyes scanning the whole room as though someone was there.

“Prepare my armor,” I said coldly. “Double the guards on the inner gates.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I turned toward the window, staring out at the darkening sky.

I knew she was waiting for me to act now and I knew she was watching.

My hands clenched into fists.

“Rey,” I said quietly.

The name tasted like blood and old hatred in my mouth, infact, it was a curse.

The witch was back.

Who knows what she's planning this time around?!

I quickly stood up and grabbed my sword, Rafaello already preparing my armor.

“Give the orders and make sure it's carried out!” I said, swinging my sword.

He nodded, “your armor is ready alpha.”

“You can go now, I'll wear them myself. Or, send in another servant, while you send the orders out.” I said.

He nodded and bolted almost immediately.

The witch must not be left to live, I'll end her the way she ended my luna.

My fist clenched into balls, my heart hammering in my chest.

___

Adelaide’s POV

“Lock the inner gates.”

The command echoed through the palace like thunder.

Servants froze at once, with their eyes widened and the guards straightened.

Everywhere felt so tense that I wondered what was going on.

I stood beside the tall window in my room, my fingers digging into the fabric of my gown as Rafaello’s voice sounded through the hall.

I looked closely and saw how serious he looked and how the servants coordinated themselves.

Some were running, while others matched out with all seriousness.

Then I saw Kaius come, wearing his armor.

“Double the night watch. Triple the border patrol. No one enters or leaves without my approval.”

I heard Kaius give his own command as well, his voice louder than usual.

I could feel the fear in everyone’s eyes, it sat heavy in the palace. You could smell it.

This could be dangerous, because even the maids were driven back to the palace.

Just then, my door opened and Paula stepped in, breathing heavily.

“My lady.. my lady.” She called, panting.

I rushed to meet her, holding her to still her.

“What's the matter?!!” I asked, gazing straight at her.

“They say whole villages were wiped out…” “Dark magic…” “No survivors…”

I swallowed shifting back a bit, it looked like my head was spinning and she quickly rushed to hold me.

“My Luna! Luna!” She called, running forward.

“I'm alright. My head just spinned..” I said and she nodded frantically.

“Should I get you something, my lady?” She asked, moving towards the window to close it, but I stopped her.

“Leave it..” I stood and motioned to the door, “you stay here, I want to check what's happening outside.” I said, but she rushed to stop me.

I saw the panic in her eyes as she held the door.

She shook her head, looking directly at me.

“You can't go outside, my lady. It's dangerous, and there's chaos out there.”

I looked at her and chuckled, “Paula. You worry too much.”

She still held her ground and blocked the door more.

“Who am I to you and to the pack?!” I asked, folding my arms in my chest.

That cracked her and at once, her gaze softened and she stared down at her fingers.

“I'm sorry your majesty… I just..”

I didn't let her finish, “you shouldn't be sorry for trying to protect me.”

“Did I?” She asked, a smile spreading across her face.

I nodded.

She quickly left the door as though that was the bribe she needed.

I went outside and a guard almost bumped into me.

“It's okay… it's okay.” I quickly said, before he fell on his face to apologize and he went on his way.

“That was close..” I heaved, holding my chest.

The whole pack looked chaotic and I stood at a corner, my arms folded watching what they were doing.

I saw Kaius standing at the end of the hallway, giving commands still. I stood, watching him.

Just then, our eyes met and it felt like something slipped off.

His eyes hardened the moment they found mine.

“And you,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You do not leave the palace. Not for any reason.”

My lips parted. “What?”

“This is not a suggestion, Adelaide,” he added sharply. “It’s an order.”

I clenched my fists. “People are hurt.”

“And they have soldiers and healers for that,” he snapped back. “You are not stepping outside these walls.”

His fear was disguised as anger. I could hear it beneath the command he gave.

“I can help,” I said quietly.

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “You don’t understand what’s out there. This enemy….”

“I know people are dying,” I cut in, my voice shaking. “And I’m supposed to sit here and do nothing?”

His jaw tightened. “Yes.”

There was silence for a while.

Then he turned away. “If you disobey me,” he added without looking back, “you will regret it.”

He left.

I stood there long after his footsteps faded, my chest tight, my thoughts loud in my head.

Did he just say I will regret it?! Tsk.

I still stood, but I moved inside a bit, watching the whole pack.

The palace felt like a cage that day.

Every corridor buzzed with fear. The servants bowed too quickly and the guards whispered behind clenched jaws.

I heard my name more than once.

“She’s the Luna…” “They say the attacks started after she arrived…” “She won’t last long…”

I lowered my head and kept walking. What do they mean?!

Is it because I'm just here doing nothing?! They think I'm useless and won't last?! Is this what Kaius wants?!

Thoughts were flying in my mind and yet, I couldn't understand them at all.

By evening, stretchers began arriving through the back entrance, wounded soldiers, bloodied and pale.

Groans filled the courtyard and I wasn't comfortable seeing them in pain anymore.

I stopped walking and my feet turned on their own.

“Your Majesty!” Paula hissed, rushing after me. “The King said…”

She has been there all along.

“I know what he said,” I replied. “And I also know those men will die if no one helps them.”

She grabbed my arm. “Please…”

“I won’t watch people suffer,” I said firmly, pulling free. “Not again.”

I didn’t wait for her response. I couldn't just stand when I could help them out.

The healers were overwhelmed. Soldiers lay everywhere, some were even unconscious, others writhing in pain.

They were dying!

The dark marks crawled along their skin like veins of smoke. I flinched at the sight.

That's it! Dark magic!

I knelt beside the nearest one. He couldn’t have been much older than me. His breathing was shallow and his skin was cold.

“Don’t touch that,” a healer warned. “We don’t know how it reacts.”

I hesitated.

Then I reached out anyway.

The moment my fingers brushed his arm, something surged inside me like heat.

I gasped as the air around us shifted. My chest tightened, breath catching painfully.

Light sparked in my palm and at once, the soldier groaned.

Then… breathed.

The black veins along his arm began to fade, retreating like shadows.

The healer stumbled back. “What did you….?”

I pulled my hand away, shaking. “I… I don’t know.”

The soldier’s eyes fluttered open. “I… I can breathe,” he whispered.

Another soldier noticed. “She touched him.”

“Luna,” someone murmured.

Before I could stop them, another wounded man reached for me. “Please.”

I swallowed hard and touched his shoulder.

Again, I felt the spark again. Stronger this time.

My vision blurred. My heart pounded painfully as light surged through my veins, spilling into him.

He screamed and then fell silent.

When he opened his eyes, the dark marks were gone.

The courtyard erupted.

“She healed him!” “The Luna healed him!”

“By the Moon…”

Soldiers struggled to sit up, staring at me like I was something unreal.

One man grabbed my hand and pressed his forehead to it. “Thank you,” he whispered hoarsely. “You saved my life.”

Another bowed from his stretcher. “We are in your debt, Your Majesty.”

My throat tightened.

“I didn’t mean to,” I said softly. “I just… touched you.”

The healers looked at me with awe and fear.

I felt dizzy and my legs wobbled.

Paula rushed forward, catching me. “You’re glowing,” she whispered in terror.

I laughed weakly. “Am I?”

My chest hurt like something inside me was stretching awake.

Then, I felt the pull again and it was sharper this time.

Kaius.

Something was wrong.

Before I could speak, the warmth vanished. Exhaustion crashed over me and I swayed, breath coming fast.

“Get her inside!” someone shouted.

As they led me away, soldiers watched with wide eyes, murmuring prayers and thanks.

Some reached out like they wanted to touch me, to be sure I was real but I didn’t look back.

“Why did you come out?!!” I heard someone yell at my back and I recognized the voice.

Kaius!