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𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐆: 𝐆𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥 𝐛𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
...✵...
🐉 | 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐀 | 🐉
"You're avoiding him,"
I opened my eyes, watching as the sun broke against the horizon as light rays engulfed the shadows of night. I glanced at Maeve, who raised her brow at me, waiting.
"I'm not—"
"Ever since you brought Morgana back from the druid's forests, you have gone out of your way to avoid him." Maeve pointed out, crossing her arms.
I sighed, moving towards my horse, rubbing his white coat, giving myself time to come up with an answer that I thought Maeve would believe instead of the truth.
Because knowing the truth wouldn't help me or those I cared for.
A sharp ache radiated from my side when I reached for the reins, but I didn't wince. Instead, I swallowed the painful groan and kept rubbing Gabriel.
"You know you can tell me anything," Maeve said, her voice softening.
"I know," I murmured.
I looked over my shoulder at her, and the truth was on the tip of my tongue, but Wren popped into my head along with the harsh words from Lady Vestalis.
"It seems my lessons aren't working. I wonder if you would respond better to me teaching Wren instead."
I didn't care what happened to me.
I was used to Lady Vestalis's 'lessons,' but apparently, she was letting nothing go to chance and had used a new tactic to keep me in line. Anytime I disobeyed her, I had to make a choice: me or Wren for her to punish.
I turned back and looked up at the sky, and that's when I felt it.
The warmth filling my veins swirling in me, and I closed my eyes, trying to push it down. It's been a long time since I felt the unrelenting rage that warmed me against the slight chill in the air. It wanted to be let out, and the last time I did that was after learning of my mother's death.
No.
"Carena,"
I pushed the rage down and opened my eyes.
"I'm letting him go," I said, the words tasting like acid once they left my mouth. I looked at her and pleaded that she would drop it and let it rest. "He's going to be king. I was stupid to fall for him."
"No, you weren't," Maeve said, moving over me and searching my eyes. I felt like she could see right through me. "I'm not going to push because I can tell you're not telling me the complete story. So, I'm going to drop it for now. But know this," Maeve grabbed my hands and gave them a tight squeeze, "He loves you, and because of that, Arthur will fight for you even if you do not fight for him."
