Chapter 11

Elvanya's Pov

He said the words again, “Show me your back.”

I had plans to disobey and just say no, but I knew I was dead if I disobeyed. I was dead if I obeyed. Disobedience meant a faster, harder death. I had no choice but to follow the command and die quietly.

I took a shaky breath and slowly turned away from the King. I faced him with my back, keeping my head down. My hair was tied on my neck, but I pulled a few loose strands free. I reached back with both hands and pulled my dark dress collar down hard. I pulled it past my shoulder blades and exposed the mark.

The cold air hit the spot. I felt the skin there tighten, i just waited and stood like I was condemned.

The silence in the huge room was heavy. I heard his slow footsteps on the stone floor. He was coming toward me, coming to see the Moon Mark, coming to end me.

He stopped right behind me. I felt his heat. It was so hot compared to the cold stone air. It was suffocating.

I held my breath, waiting for the killing blow. I waited for claws, for sharp teeth.

But instead, I felt his touch.

His finger touched the mark lightly. He traced the crescent moon and the tiny dots around it like stars. He was examining the mark.

The touch was not cold, but hot, a great heat. When his finger touched my skin, a strong shock ran through me. It was much stronger than the first time. It felt like fire running in my blood. I gasped quietly, my muscles tensed up. I squeezed my eyes shut and shivered all the way from my neck to my feet. It hurt but also felt strange, like I was burning and freezing at once.

His voice was very low, right next to my ear.

“It is real. It has power. I can’t believe this.” He said.

He lifted his hand, and the heat was gone instantly.

“Turn around. Cover it now immediately, i don’t want to set my eyes on it anymore.”

I slowly let go of the collar. It covered the mark again. I turned to face him. My legs felt weak, i felt faint.

He stood too close. His silver eyes searched mine. They were not blank anymore. They looked like they were searching for something deep inside searching for the truth.

“What is your full name, human?” he asked.

“Elvanya, Your Majesty,” I replied.

“I didn’t ask for your first name. I need your full name. Don’t you have a family name? Where were you born? I want the full truth. Don’t give me half answers.”

“I have no family name. I was born in Rivenwood, it’s far south. I’ve lived there all my life.”

“Rivenwood.” He repeated the name like it sounded strange and didn’t like it. “Do you know what the mark means?”

“No, Your Highness. I didn’t know it was there until last night. I swear I didn’t, and I have no idea of what it means.” I said truthfully. I had to tell the truth now. Lies would only make things worse.

“It appeared last night? Just like that?” He asked.

“Yes. I had a dream. The moon was red and it was huge. My back started burning. When I woke up , the mark was there and glowing. I was quite terrified and I didn’t know what to do.”

He stared at me for a long time. He looked like he was thinking hard, solving a puzzle, calculating risk.

“You never had this dream before. You never felt this burning.” He asked.

“No. Never. I have never dreamt of red moons before. It’s my first time having a dream like that.”

“Have you seen anyone else with this mark? In your village or the slave pens? Anywhere? Tell me everything.”

“No. I haven’t. I only saw it this morning in the mirror. I asked Mira, and she said it was a legend, like a bad story.”

He walked back to the big window and stared out into the dark. He was angry.

“Cordelia told me your parents sold you for a sack of grain. That is an insult, a very big insult.”

“Yes. We were starving. They sold me for bread.”

“Your parents didn’t know about the mark. They sold the most powerful thing in the kingdom for food. They are fools and blind, ignorant humans. I never knew humans were this foolish.”

I didn’t answer. I just stood there, frozen with fear. I was the powerful thing, but I didn’t feel powerful. I felt like I might throw up.

He turned back and crossed his arms. His chest was wide.

“I’ll tell you everything you need to know about the mark. The mark is a legend. It is called the Moon Mark which is a symbol of the Moon Goddess. The stories say a human with this mark will end the Lycan Alphas. It’s a sign of a new beginning or should I say the end of my line. My family has ruled for centuries. You are supposed to end it all.”

I stood still and felt cold. His words were a death sentence.

“I’m just a human girl. I can’t bring ruin, i can’t end the Lycans. That’s not possible. Why would a mere girl like me who was sold for grains be bearing such a powerful mark?” I whispered.

He laughed cold and dry, not happy.

“You don’t have to do anything. The mark does the work itself. It is magic and power, it grows with you. The stories say it will glow when the moon is full, getting stronger. You are a weapon that does not know it’s a weapon. You are a danger to everyone here.”

He stepped closer and stared into my eyes.

“Do you know why I didn’t kill you at once? Why I didn’t let Jaxian touch you? Why I saved your life twice? Do you think I’m foolish?”

“No, Your Highness. I thought you were playing a game.”

“It’s not kindness. I am the King, i have no kindness. I did it because the mark is new and raw. It is mine now, you were sold to me, you’re mine. You’re not the prophecy yet. You’re just a slave with a special mark, you’re a resource.”

He paused and waited, but I did not react. I just held my breath.

“If the other high beasts see that mark, they won’t wait. They will kill you. They will kill you to protect my crown and stop the legend. Thorne, the Beta, would rip your spine out if he saw it. He’d destroy you and the mark. He would enjoy it. Do you understand the danger?”

“I will hide it. I promise, i will never show anyone.”

“You will hide it. Yes, be silent, be invisible and perfect. You must do all this because your life depends on it. My patience with human servants is thin, but my interest in the mark is great. I want to know what it does. I want to control this ruin.”

He stared at me for a long time without speaking. His silver eyes were a silent command. I was his now, his secret. His dangerous weapon. His biggest risk.

“You can go now. Don’t speak of this,” he said, dismissing me.

I bowed low. I turned and walked to the huge black doors, head down. I was almost safe, almost out of his power. I was not dead yet.

I reached the door and touched the cold metal handle. I pulled the door open slightly. I was ready to leave, ready to be free.

Then his voice stopped me.

“Don’t let anyone else see that mark. Your life depends on it. Tell no one what we spoke about.”

I froze. I didn’t turn around or answer. I just listened and breathed slowly.

“If Thorne sees it, you’re dead. If Cordelia sees it, you’re dead. If another beast touches you and feels the magic, you’re dead. If you tell a servant like Mira or Senna, you’re dead. Do you understand? This secret is only between you and me. I’m the only one keeping you alive.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I understand, it will be hidden. I will not tell anyone,” I whispered.

“Good, now go. Don’t come back unless I summon you.”

I pulled the door open and walked out fast. I didn’t look at the guard. The heavy doors closed behind me, i was safe for now. I was alive, i was still shaking.

I carried a dangerous secret. I was the Moon Mark, i was the King’s secret.

I walked fast down the corridor. I had to get away from his private chamber. I had to hide. I had to be perfect, i had to survive until the next day.

I had to hide the glowing mark. I had to follow the King’s command. I had to protect his secret, i had to protect my life.

I didn’t know how long I could keep the secret hidden. I didn’t know what the mark would do next.

All I knew was that I was alive.