Chapter 8

~Silver

I do not know how I managed to walk out of that dining room without collapsing on the floor. I do not remember greeting anyone or even looking around.

I only remember my legs moving like they belonged to someone else and my heart pounding so loudly in my ears that I thought it would burst. Every step felt heavy like I was dragging the weight of the whole world behind me.

My chest hurt so badly I kept swallowing like it would help but it didn’t.

I walked through the long hallway with the paintings and tall windows that used to make me feel small and amazed and now they just felt mocking. Everything in this palace suddenly felt like it was laughing at me.

I kept my head down and prayed nobody would stop me because I knew if anyone spoke to me I would break completely. By the time I reached my door my hands were shaking so badly I almost missed the handle.

The moment I stepped inside my room and closed the door behind me, my strength left me. Sarah was there and she was was arranging my things like she always did, carefully and the second she turned and saw my face she froze.

Her eyes widened and her lips parted like she wanted to speak but could not find the words. She did not ask me anything. She did not need to.

One look at me and she knew. She walked toward me slowly and held my arm before I could even take another step.

“My lady” she whispered softly as if afraid to frighten me. “What happened?”

I shook my head. “My life just ended.” I said and my voice sounded strange even to me. Like it did not belong to someone who was supposed to be crying.

“It ended right there in the dining room.”

She helped me sit on the edge of the bed and knelt in front of me, her hands gripping mine tightly like she was afraid I would disappear.

“There have been rumors” she said softly. “About Viola.”

I laughed but there was no humor in it. “Tell me. I want to hear everything so I can stop lying to myself.”

Sarah swallowed. “They say she is Caspian and Bastian’s childhood friend. She grew up with them. She is the golden girl. Everyone always knew she would mate the Alpha King. When she left after the accident, people said it was temporary. That she would come back once things were fixed.”

My chest tightened again. “And now she is back. And everything is fixed.”

Sarah nodded slowly. “Yes.”

I stared at the wall in front of me and my vision blurred but still no tears came.

“I am not alright and I am pregnant. Like you have predicted.” I said quietly. I watched her hand flew to her mouth.

“Moon goddess” she breathed. “Are you sure?”

I nodded. “I felt it kick earlier. In the dining room. You were right.”

She stood up quickly and began pacing like she was trying to think through something urgent.

“I need to leave. As soon as possible. I cannot stay in a place where I will be humiliated every day. I cannot stay where I am not respected. I will not let my child grow up like I did.” I told her.

Sarah stopped pacing and looked at me carefully. She has never been comfortable around me like she is right now. Maybe because she is finally done keeping with the servant and my lady facade. It has ended.

“There are also rumors about you” she said hesitantly.

“What kind of rumors?” I frowned.

“They say you have a unique bloodline. Something old and rare. Nobody knows exactly what it is but people are talking.”

“I don’t care,” I snapped, my voice finally breaking a little. “I do not care what I am or what I could be. I just want to leave this forsaken place and never look back.”

She came closer and lowered her voice. “You will need money though. The outside world is not kind, my lady. Especially not to a pregnant woman.”

My throat tightened again and my eyes burned. “How do I get it?” I asked. “Tell me and I will do it.”

“You know the password to the safe. Take some money or jewelry. Take anything valuable that can be sold. You will need it to survive.” She advised looking at me with sympathy.

“I will do it.” I nodded slowly. I don’t think it’s considered stealing and even if it is I don’t give a damn.

We moved quickly after that like criminals in my own room. I went to the safe with shaking hands and opened it, my heart racing with every click. Inside were stacks of money and jewels that sparkled under the light.

Things I once admired without thinking. I stuffed them into a small bag, my hands trembling amd my stomach twisting with every second that passed.

Sarah helped me pack only the essentials of simple clothes. Warm wraps and nothing that would draw attention.

“You must leave tonight before anyone notices.” She murmured as she finished packing.

“I will,” I replied because I didn’t plan to stay here for another minute. “Will you keep my secret?”

She looked at me with wet eyes. “With my life. You have treated me right during your whole time here. I will never betray you.”

When night came the palace was quiet, almost too quiet. My heart pounded as I moved through the corridors for the last time. I did not look back and did not stop. I did not even hesitate.

I slipped out into the darkness, my bag clutched tightly in my hand my body shaking from fear and adrenaline and grief.

I ran. I ran away from the palace. I ran away from Caspian. From Bastian. From betrayal. From humiliation. From their beautiful blondee friend. From everything that had almost destroyed me.

And for the first time in my life, even though I was terrified and alone and pregnant, I felt like I was choosing myself. Until I heard the reason why they abandoned me like an old shoe right before I slipped out into the night.