Chapter 4

Donna’s POV

The world stopped when the words left his lips 

“I, LUCIEN, KING AND RULER OF IRONCLAD, REJECT YOU, DONNA, QUEEN OF IRONCLAD,AS MY MATE AND MY WIFE, THEREBY REMOVING MYSELF FROM YOU AND YOURSELF FROM ME” 

The bond snapped inside of me.

It felt like fire and ice tearing through my chest at once, my soul rippling into pieces, my eyes wanting to fall out from its socket. 

I gasped, choking on a scream that was silenced by my closed mouth. I felt my wolf whimper in pain inside of me.

My wound reopened again but the pain that I am feeling wasn't compared to what my soul was going through– I felt my skin trying to remove from my body, my heart thudded and my wolf crying like a loose lunatic. 

I collapsed forward, my bones not able to hold my body anymore. I held my chest, trying to stop the pain, to put the bond together but it was nothing. His link, his warmth, his emotions were gone.

Lucien spoke again after seeing my lump body. 

“I will not lead this kingdom without Luna. And the goddess be praised, Selene is my mate now and she carries my child– a male– who will succeed me on this throne” he said with joy.

The crowd cried out of joy, some clapped, some screamed while others gasped. Selene stood proudly at his side, one hand resting on her belly, while the other dramatically entwined with Lucien's own. Her perfected carved smile at her lips.

My stomach doubled. Five years she had been in my home, in my bed, stealing moments, stealing my husband– and now bearing his fruit. 

Lucien did not even look at me as he waved his hand. “Guards. Take her away. I will decree her punishment when the time comes” 

Two guards seized me by the arms. I resisted, kicked, screamed, begged behind the gag still tied around my mouth. 

My tears poured freely, blurring the sight of him kissing Selene's stomach and she glowing in her triumph. 

I tried to mind link him – “Lucien, please, don't do this to me, remember us, remember me” but he didn't turn, the link was already broken.

The crowd started to part as the guards dragged me across the square. I could see the disappointment in the faces of the people standing and watching my moment of despair.

While I was being dragged away, some people from the crowd threw stones at me. The pain from the stones hitting my body couldn’t compare to the loneliness I felt as my people abandoned and shamed me.

As I struggled while trying to avoid the stones thrown at me, my wrists bled against the tight rope. People shouted, spat, and threw more rotten food at me. 

My cries, my crown, their Luna reduced to nothing.

____

Cold.

I woke to a violent shiver as iced water splashed over me. I gasped, jerking upright as far as the chains around my wrists allowed. 

The cold sensation itching my wounds, my thin dress clung to me, dripping, exposing more of me than I cared to. I blinked to pat the water from entering my eyes. 

A laugh cut through the silence. It was that of Selene– mocking me with her laughter and cold gaze.

She stood above the only place there was light, her golden hair cascading over her shoulders. She parted her lips in victory in an attempt to talk.

“You look pitiful” she said sweetly, stepping closer, her voice bouncing off the prison walls. “I almost didn't recognize the great Luna Donna”

I clenched my jaw, glaring at her through the strands of wet hair plastered against my face 

She tilted her head, pretending to sigh. “I have enjoyed Lucien for five years now. Do you know how many nights he held me instead of you? How many mornings I woke in his arms while you played the dutiful Queen?” Her laughter rang again. 

“How well buried he was inside me, proclaiming love to me, and often speaks about how inexperienced you are?” She sighed, holding her face. “You were nothing from the beginning. And now. It's my turn” 

Her words stung worse than the pains but I refused to give her the satisfaction of tears. 

“If you came here to kill me” I rasped, my throat raw from crying. “I don't see any reason to give a fine speech. Just do it. What are you waiting for?” 

Selene crouched, her eyes shining in the dim light. “Oh no, dear. Death would be too kind taking you. I want every breath you take to remind you that you lost everything to me. Killing you wouldn't give me the thrills” 

I spat at her face, she smiled and she went straight to my ear. The slap sent ringing down in my ear that I thought I wouldn't be able to hear again. My eyes shed a few tears from the pain. 

She rose gracefully, dusting off her skirts. “Not so obedient isn't it? So I have decided to give you a choice. You get to live– but not here. And I have a little surprise for you” she grinned mockingly.

“I don't need your stupid—” she didn't allow me to finish.

She snapped her fingers and the guards stepped forward. They unlocked my chains with roughness that brought more pain. 

Two guards dragged me up and shoved me against the wall. A short looking guard walked in with a bucket full of water and another followed with what seemed like a brush.

While I was pinned to the wall, the short guard poured water over me and I shivered as the ice cold water hit my skin. Another guard scrubbed the dirt and dried blood from my body. 

I felt a part of my stitches open as the brush roughly went over it and moaned with pain. The wound reopened, and I felt a burnt sensation as the water poured over it. 

The humiliation I felt burned hotter than their touch. My teeth chattered but I forced my head high.

Selene watched, smiling at my moment of weakness with wicked delight. When the guards were done, she waved her hands casually and ordered “Take her” 

“Does he know about this?” I shouted. As if trying to convince myself that Lucien still gives a shit about me.

Selene turned “you are not important to him anymore” 

The guards lifted me by the arms, dragging me out into the night air. A few slaves followed carrying bundles.

I glanced over my shoulder at Selene, and my voice though hoarse carried enough venom to make her pause.

“Whatever you do to me, Selene. Remember this: I will come back. If not me, then karma will. Don't think you will escape forever” I said, even though my body fears what she might do with me. 

Her smile faltered for the first time, just slightly. Her lips parted as if to respond but the guard interrupted. “We have arrived, my lady” 

Selene's eyes darkened. She stepped closer, yanked a cloth over my head and tied it tight. Darkness consumed me. 

Her voice was a whisper in my ear. “There

is no need for karma, Donna. I am karma” 

She straightened. “She is special. Let her follow me”