CHAPTER 5

Lyra(Mia's) POV

“What are you doing here?” Damion's cold voice sounded behind me.

Thinking about what you and your mother were discussing was the answer. Reality was checking in with me and I desperately craved an explanation for the mess I was in.

“I was just going for a bathroom break. I lost my way and was waiting until someone came by.”

I was standing at the edge of the hallway , not quite long away from the room in which I overheard him discussing a matter that troubled my mind.

“Come with me. I'll show you where you'll be spending your days.”

He marched forward silently beckoning me to follow. I obliged but at a safe pace. His words still brought me terror.

I smiled. Surely he was taking me to a grand room.

Beneath the strings that were beginning to get attached, the title of Luna was a prestigious one. I felt honoured and couldn't wait to experience the good perks that came with it.

Living with Damion's scared me. The man hadn't muttered a word to me and I knew better than to strike a conversation.

How was I supposed to leave with a man who saw me as nothing but a pawn in a game I was ignorant of, a man who saw me only as a tool to achieve his goal?

He stopped abruptly in front of a red door. It was wooden, the handle slightly popping out of the door. It bore testament to years of pull and push. Did I forget to mention the room reeked of human negligence as well?

The mold that was beginning to form at the top edge of the door was bold and unwelcoming. There was a chance to curb it but I doubt anyone has ever shot it a second glance.

I gulped my anxiety, clearing my throat. “Is this the restroom?”

“No, this is where you'll be sleeping in throughout the two years.” His hand stretched for the handle but he recoiled before making contact. “I'm going to get a maid to open that up and take your things inside.”

I quickly covered my mouth. There was this churning feeling in my stomach. I feared vomit would spill out of my mouth as there was a certain stench oozing from the room.

“You can't be serious. This place looks like it has been abandoned for years. If you open those doors I'm sure they'll be rodents crawling over.”

“That is not my problem. This is the only free room I could find for you in the palace. Instead of you complaining, how about some thanks for finding this place for you.”

Compared to the room in front of me, I'm sure the maids quarters will feel like a duplex.

“I can sleep in your room instead. We are married. We can stay in the same room.”

He scowled. “There is no way that I'm going to let a traitor's daughter sleep in the same room as me. I have learned from my father's mistakes. There is no way I'm letting my guard down around you.”

I wanted to tell him that I wasn't harmless and that I was not the person that he thought I was. But how could I explain to him when I could barely make sense of what was happening.

“Please. I'm not going to be of any harm to you.”

He huffed, barely taking a second look at me.

“This is where you're going to stay for the duration of our marriage. Dinner will be served in a couple of minutes and I expect you to be ready by then.

Without another word he turned on his heels and walked aways, muttering incorrigibly under his breath.

There was no defining my next step. Rushing after him was the worst thing I could do. He had suddenly developed a disdain for me and trying to get on his good side right now was a bad move.

I watched him walk away, not knowing what to do.

This was my life now. This was where I was living now. A room with a red door ridden with mould. From one of the finest rooms in my father's home to this place which was not suitable even for a maid.

The maid who had been instructed to get my luggage arrived soon enough. I expected her to be with a full load of belongings. With disappointment, I watched her roll a piece of suitcase beside her as she approached. Could this day get any worse?”

“Is this all?” I asked with widened eyes.

“Yes, Luna,” she said with a bow. “This was the only piece of luggage that was handed over to me.”

“There must be a mix up somewhere. I packed about four suitcases this morning. My father had loaded all of them in the car.”

“My Luna, I promise this is all I saw. Alpha Damion had instructed me to just bring this to you.”

My jaw clenched. How much more suffering is this man going to put me through because of some feud he had with my supposed father? It wasn't right to make me suffer for a crime that I had hand in or no ideas for that matter.”

“Anything else, my Luna?” The maid asked.

“Just make sure this room is clean when I get back and the suitcase is unpacked and arranged. I'm going to have a word with my husband.”

I don't think that's a good idea my Luna,” the maid whispered hesitantly but I didn't pay attention to her. I should have.

Calling an evil man my husband didn't sit well on my tongue. But then again since I woke up nothing in my life had felt the way it was supposed to.

I caught up with Damion while he was having a meeting. He was stood and flanked by some of the individuals that are in the inner circle he had introduced to me earlier. His mother was part of them. Her face wore a displeasing look as soon as her eyes fell on me.

That should have been my cue to walk away. I should have read the room but the hurt and rage blinded my eyes. I began spewing words as soon as I got his attention.

“Why are you dictating my life? First you lodge me in a room full of rodents and now you're cutting my baggage short. For how long will you keep treating me in a lowly manner…”

The words hadn't completely left my lips when a hand struck me cleanly across the cheek. I looked up at Damion with my eyes widened and hand clutching my hurting jaw. He glared at me with flared nostrils.

“Don't ever question my decision or my authority. I own you and I'll do however I please. Now get out of here before I break your jaw!”

His mother nodded approving, flashing me a smirk.

Oh, poor me. What kind of marriage have I signed up for?