6- Lord Korran

Maera

“Alright girls, it's time to leave,” I said, which they paid no attention to. I would have to do something crazy to get them to leave. I scooped up a bucket of water and splashed it at them, forcing them to react immediately. 

“How dare you pour water on us,” one of the girls riled up. 

“You're just a maid and nothing more,” another added. “We are the Lycan's consorts, and you are nothing.”

“Jealous that much,” said the last one. “You wish it was you with the Lycans.”

“Are you all done?” I responded. 

One of the girls left the bed as she headed for me. She stretched her hand to pull on my hair, but I grabbed her hand and flipped her over. She thudded heavily on the floor.

The others gasped and ran, screaming the Lycan's names.

“Who told you to put your hands on her!” Lord Korran yelled his Alpha aura all over the room.

I shivered and immediately dropped to my knees. The other Lycans watched behind him.

“Forgive me Lord Korran,” I replied. “She came at me first. I only reacted to it.”

“That does not qualify you to put your hands on her. You are a maid, so know your place!” 

His voice was sharp, cutting me into pieces. 

“A maid and nothing more.” For a brief moment, I had forgotten. 

“I'm sorry your Majesty,” I replied, shaking as I struggled to keep myself from tearing up. “It will never happen again.” One moment I was Luna, and the next, a maid.

“Leave. All of you!” He barked. The next thing we were all on our heels.

“Not you, Maera,” he commanded. 

I stopped right on my track, wondering what it was I had done this time.

“Have you finished cleaning up?” He questioned. 

“No your Majesty,” I replied. 

“And where are you going? Or have you forgotten why you are here?”

I raised my eyes slowly to Lord Zarek. Those icy-blue eyes pierced my already wet eyes as I brought them down immediately. I turned back and resumed my duties, while the Lycans left.

A few minutes later, I was done. I proceeded to leave the chamber, but once at the door, I felt a presence behind me. 

“Lord Zarek.” I turned immediately. 

“Your Majesty,” I said. “Is there anything else you would like me to do before I leave to carry out my other duties?”

He said nothing at first. He later walked up to me with a cup of water.

“Have a drink before you go,” he said as he raised the cup up to me.

I was amazed by the hospitality, but I questioned it. I hesitated at first but later took the cup of water and gulped it down my throat. It was satisfying, to say the least.

“Good,” he said.

“Thank you, your Majesty,” I replied, bending the knee and bowing my head as I turned back to the door.

“Astari,” he called in the sweetest of ways. I turned.

“Any other thing, your Majesty,” I responded. 

“Call me Zarek,” he replied. “And no, you can leave.”

I nodded my head and left. 

Out, I could feel my heart thumping. I tried bringing it under control but faltered.

“Easy girl, we still have work to do,” I said to myself.

I had two more chambers to look after before calling in the night—the Lycan Korran and Fenrik. 

“I'll start with the youngest,” I said. I was in no mood to face Lord Korran. My body would falter before him.

I led the way to Fenrik’s chambers. I stood at the door for minutes, wondering what was happening to me.

The energy pulsing was shocking. It connected me, commanded me. It was elevating. Powerful. 

I pushed the door open without even realising I had failed to knock. I was shocked to see what was before me.

He sat naked on the floor, inside a circle drawn like some kind of rune. What amazed me most was that light shone around his body like an invisible map, lighting up the drawings on the floor.

“Lord Fenrik,” I called, yet no response. 

I walked up to him. No, the energy pulled me closer. I touched his shoulders and immediately lost consciousness. 

I woke up to see myself lying on the bed. My head was pounding.

I turned around to see him standing, staring down at me. I quickly sprang to my feet.

“You shouldn't have done that,” he said.

“I'm sorry, Lord Fenrik,” I replied. “I could not help myself.”

He gave me a weird look. “Could not?”

“Emm.. I felt pulled towards you. I..” I stopped immediately when I realised how ridiculous I sounded.

“Forgive me Lord Fenrik,” I said, changing the topic. “I should not have done that. Is there anything you would like me to do for you?”

He stared at me without saying a word. “No Maera. You can leave. I'll send for you when I need you.”

I took a bow and left. But something pestered within me. I had not entirely lost consciousness, neither was it clear.

It dazzled my mind. Flashes. I had seen Lord Korran on the floor, bleeding. I never fully understood. They came and went, the memories, in bits. I knelt beside him, clothed in white.

“Get a grip of yourself, girl,” I said to myself, trying to bring myself under control. “One more stop and we are done for the night.”

The next stop was Lord Korran. I took a deep breath. My bones weakened with each closing step. 

“Breathe girl, breathe,” I said. 

I walked up to his door, knocked and pushed it open. The room was dark, save a single candlelight. Lord Korran was nowhere to be found.

I saw the food tray on his table. “I'll just take that and leave,” I said.

Before I took a step forward, I heard a deep and guttural growl behind me. I turned immediately to see what took me by surprise. 

His eyes were blood red, beaming with intensity. “Lord Korran,” I said, freezing within me. I could not move.

Something felt off. He did not reply; he only stood for a second, watching me like he saw a ghost behind me. 

Before I could blink, he stood in front of me, his hand was wrapped tightly around my neck, choking me, as he lifted me above the ground.

I tried to fight him, but he was too powerful. All I managed to do was claw at his hands, which he paid no heed to.

“I thought I killed you before,” he said. His voice rumbled out from his chest. “Why won't you just die.”

“Lord Korran, it's me, Maera,” I managed to squeeze out some words as he held tightly to my throat.

“Liar,” he screamed. “Don't think I don't know your tricks, witch!”

I tried saying something else but failed. I had lost my voice and was slowly losing my breath. 

Just then, his grip loosened as he was sent flying across the room.

“Leave now,” another voice commanded.

I wasted no time. I picked myself up and headed for the door, not daring to look back.

My breath hitched. Sweat broke out of my skin. I could still feel the strong hands wrapped around my neck. I kept running with tears in my eyes.

I ran to the room Krishna had given to me. I entered and shut the door as I slammed onto the floor, crying profusely. 

It seemed death was always knocking on my front door, and tonight, I had been lucky enough to escape one.