I immediately grabbed my robe and ran to the door.
Before I could reach for the door, the shadow circled me laughing wildly.
"Going somewhere?"
"The Alpha won't spare you if you harm me," I yelled as if that would do anything.
"Now I am scared!" The shadow laughed it off, circling me swiftly. "Would you like to see your past, since you don't have a vivid memory of it?"
Before I could respond, I felt the shadow entered my head and this made me weak. I could feel it in my head but could do absolutely nothing.
Suddenly the room changed to a lush garden. I could see the young Seraphina, she looked carefree and happy. But as that moment progressed, darkness engulfed Seraphina's life. The Loss, pain, betrayal, and death.
I felt sad as I realized Seraphina's life had not been easy like mine. She had been broken so many times.
"You're not Seraphina, are you?" The distorted voice whispered in my head which made it ache.
I was in pain. Dangerous pains.
"Get the hell out of my head!" I yelled trying my best to get on my feet.
"Not until I kill you. You're just a stranger in someone else's body, I'll force you to leave because the Alpha is not meant to be yours."
The words echoed in my head.
My room started spinning.
I felt so dizzy.
Liquid dripped out from my nose, and I touched it; it was blood!
I can't die like this! I still have mysteries to uncover.
I needed energy and a sudden one overwhelmed me
I needed it, to defeat the shadow.
How does one defeat a shadow?
I had no answer for that. I immediately forced the shadow out of my head with the heavenly energy, and it came out, scattered in pieces.
I quickly got on my feet and ran out, I bumped into Lorien.
He looked as if he was coming to rescue me, prepared and determined.
"A… a shadow!" I managed to speak.
"Stay here." He replied and entered my room with two guards.
~~~~~~~~
Lorien's POV
I could not believe what happened. How could someone plan an assassination against my mate? Of course, I hated her and wanted her dead but not like this.
She can only die by my hands and no one else!
Only the royal families who held high authority could summon a shadow.
This is the third attempt against her life.
She was not safe in her room and I knew what to do.
I walked out of the room and grabbed Seraphina by her hand.
"Come with me," I said authoritatively and she followed me, obviously overwhelmed.
I stormed into my room and pulled Seraphina in; she was holding her robe together.
"Can you explain what is going on?" She asked anxiously.
"Your life is in danger…
"My life has always been in danger." She replied angrily but calmly.
"Someone is after your life, again," I replied reluctantly.
I watched as she dropped into my bed.
"You don't have to think about it, I'll catch whoever did this."
"What about the first attempt? The second attempt was from the old granny, and she said it was Caelum who sent her. Is that not enough evidence?" She fired back.
"Just leave it to me," I said not sure if that was to make her stay calm.
I remember the first attempt, both Isolde and Seraphina were hurt. And the second attempt was the granny then a shadow?
The shadow was definitely from Caelum!
The demon prince who kissed Seraphina days ago.
He must have his reasons to want to kill Seraphina.
"You have to rest and leave the trials for now," I announced.
"The trials will continue." She replied boldly.
"You don't have to be stubborn and have you been seeing caelum behind my back? Caelum is the prince of the shadow on the realm, he controls those dark shadows…
"I've not been seeing Caelum, but he can't want me dead. He must be evil, but he can't do that. The granny told me she wanted me captive, not dead but alive." She replied cautiously.
I clenched my fist and walked to her.
"Why do you trust him so much?"
"I…I don't know, but that force was not from Caelum. I could feel it, it felt like….someone in this castle was controlling it. I could not see the master but that person is here, in the castle."
I rolled my eyes, most of my maids and people wanted her dead but no one would dare perform dark magic on her.
"I'll look into the matter, were you wounded?" I asked concerned.
"I'm fine, I just bled from my nose." She replied, moving her eyes away.
"My brother, Alistair is arriving in the castle today after a long trip. I'll tell the maids to dress you up, and remember this: you will be by my side. Always!"
I commanded.
She looked up at me, her wild eyes glowing with hope.
"Say yes, Alpha," I demanded softly.
She hesitated for a while then blurted out gently. "yes, Alpha."
"Or should I watch while you bathe?"
"What! No, I'll be fine."
I chuckled and bit my lower lip, she was getting stronger and wiser.
"No problem, no one will perform dark magic on you in my room. Stay safe and alert. My maids will attend to you now. The trial will continue tomorrow as you want it." I explained.
She nodded and I strode out.
~~~~~~~~~~
Seraphina's POV
I stood in the open arena.
The sun was hot and harsh. Seems everything was against me, seas of eyes looked down at me as I sweated profusely. But I could not let anything or anyone bring me down.
Lorien was sitting on his movable throne and Isolde beside him.
That snake!
She gave Lorien the idea to bring me out in the open sun. Who does this to her fellow woman?
"Miss Seraphina is here to face her trial. A wild animal will be released from its cage, and we will see if she can tame it or not." A noble said and sat down.
The guard opposite me looked up at Lorien and he gave him a positive nod. I became prepared, holding the spear they had given to me tightly.
The guard opened the cage cautiously and ran to safety.
I stood my ground and watched silently as a white dire wolf walked it. It was huge and I froze on the spot. It looked majestic but hungry; it looked around for a second, then charged at me.
I immediately dropped my spear and dug my hand into my pocket to bring out the raw meat I brought.
It bit my arm, and I screamed; everyone gasped.
It dragged me in the sand and I finally managed to bring out the raw meat. It smelled it and took it from my hand into its mouth then after eating, it looked sorry and rubbed its head against me.
Everyone shouted for joy and I smiled as I pat its head.
"She has passed the trial," the noble announced, and they all clapped; I watched as Isolde walked away in anger. She was disappointed that I did not die.
The dire wolf was led back to its cage and Lorien came to me then took my bitten arm in his hands.
"How do you feel?" He asked.
"Leave me alone," I yelled and walked away from him. I got to my chamber, and my maids prepared a bath for me, then dressed my wound. What if I had died?
I heard Lorien walk in and the maids rushed out immediately.
"You don't have to be stubborn." He said.
"I'm not stubborn. I barely escaped from a dire wolf's jaw, and you say I'm stubborn?" I asked angrily.
"I'm sorry you had to face that…
"Leave my chamber, please." I interrupted as I stood up.
He seemed amused yet unmoved.
"And if I don't?"
"You…
Before I knew it, his strong arm reached out behind my back and held me tight. His eyes locked with mine, and I found myself, holding his robe tightly for support. My arm was in pain but I was okay with it.
He looked at me, not like the past. This look was different, he looked at me as if I was magical….as if he needed me.
I could not explain it, but there was a bond between us that he did not want to accept; he did everything to avoid the bond.
"You're so naughty and too stubborn." He affirmed quietly.
"I was forced to be and I think you should stop spending time with that woman." I retorted, basking in the moment, making sure not to sound jealous.
"There is absolutely nothing between us." He muttered drawing my body close to his.
"Lies!" I whispered, his presence taking total control of my mind and voice"
"I felt like ripping that wolf into pieces; what about your arm?" he asked, anger visible in his voice.
"It's fine, they had treated it."
My boy trembled as he brought his mouth to mine slowly.
My breathing became shallow and he stole my lips in his.
My arm hurt and I let out a cry in his mouth.
"What is it?" He asked curiously.
"My arm," I replied and he released me.
"You should have your bath now, I'll see you later." He stated and left.