Chapter 164: An unholy alliance

AYLA

"You did well talking like that" Amara whispered as she led me away, back to the caravan. "Did you see his face? How excited he was at your words to the princes."

"I figured if I am to pretend," I said, "then what better way than this."

Amara smiled.

"You are learning quickly."

I glanced over my shoulder. Lucius and the princes were already becoming distant figures behind us.

My heart was still pounding but it was not from fear. It was from the fact that I had looked into the faces of Ares, Damon and Cassian and I had pretended not to know them.

The thought alone made my chest ache. I had wanted to run to them.

The moment I saw Ares, something inside me had burst into life. It had been so immediate that I had almost forgotten where I was.

And Damon... I had missed him so much that I could barely breathe.

Cassian.

My heart gave a painful little squeeze at the thought of how I had spoken to him, the confusion and hurt on his face.

I wanted to so bad to tell him I was sorry, to take his face between my hands and tell him that I knew exactly who he was and I loved him.

I loved them.

I felt tears sting the corners of my eyes. The bond that had once connected me to them was gone. Amara had broken it with her spell and yet my heart still knew them.

There was something inside me that still belonged with them.

I closed my eyes for a moment.

Hold on, Cassian.I wished I could have whispered those words to him. I would apologize for every cruel word I had spoken today when I am finally free.

"Are you alright?" Amara’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I looked at her.

"Yes."

She studied me for a moment. "You seem distracted."

"I am okay. I was just thinking about what I said and I hope Lucius was convinced."

"Oh, I am pretty sure he was."

I nodded.

I hoped the princes understood what I meant. Since Willow told me about Lucius plan and the letter he had sent to summon the Alpha council which I now knew where most probably his allies, I could not sit down and watch.

I knew I had to do something which is why when Lucius had come to me and asked that I accompany him to the border, I had not expressed any protest.

"Anything you want of me, my love" I had told him.

The sound of approaching footsteps made me look up.

Lucius was walking toward us with a stormy expression on his face.

"We should leave." he said, glancing at me. "My love." he reached for my hand, his thumb brushing across my knuckles.

Lucius was walking toward us with a stormy expression on his face.

"We should leave," he said.

I looked at him. "What do they want? Why are they here?"

He reached for my hand, threading his fingers through mine.

"They came looking for trouble as always, my love. The princes of the north and I have had a long-standing feud but you have nothing to worry about. I will be able to handle it as I have always done."

A feud?That is what he is calling it?

Amara stepped in close.

"Now that we know the north has us surrounded," she said, "it is time I taught Ayla about her powers."

Lucius turned to her.

"Of course." He smiled. "Ayla could be useful when the time comes." A pause. "Besides. I would want her able to defend herself from those heathens."

Heathens, I scoffed. He had some nerve.

"I know you will win, my love," I smiled sweetly. "I have no doubt you will prevail over them."

Lucius’s expression softened.

"That is my girl." His fingers brushed my cheek and I forced myself not to recoil.

He turned toward the caravan and gestured for us to follow.

I walked beside him, every step taking me farther away from the people I loved but now I had something I had not possessed before.

Hope.

...

By the time we returned to Emberfall, the sun had begun sinking.

Lucius dismissed us almost immediately.

"I have matters to attend to." he said.

Amara nodded. "Then I will prepare Ayla for tomorrow."

"You and I also have to discuss some matters, Amara. Come by my study later tonight."

Lucius turned to look at me. "Get some rest, my love." he said.

"Of course." he kissed me on the cheek and walked away.

Amara waited until he was gone before she turned to me.

"You should rest like he said. Tomorrow we will begin your training and it takes a lot from us."

"Of course. Get some rest too." I said to her.

I walked toward my room. The moment I opened the door, I knew I was not alone.

My body immediately tensed but relaxed immediately as Willow stepped out from the shadows.

I closed the door, locking it behind me.

"Why are you helping me?" I asked as soon as I turned around.

She stared at me.

"I thought you lost your memories."

"We are letting Lucius think that."

"So you trust the witch? You know she is not to be trusted, don’t you?"

"And neither are you." I scoffed. "I do not trust you, Willow. I am sure you know why."

Willow lowered her eyes.

"I will not apologize for what I have done," she finally said. "Because you will not believe me but I am ashamed of how I treated you, Ayla. I was stupid. I was jealous of you."

That surprised me.

"Jealous?" I said. "There was nothing for you to be jealous of. You had everything."

She gave a bitter laugh.

"Look around you, Ayla Evermere." She spread her hands. "The world literally revolves around you. You are mates to three princes who are willing to wage war for you. You are an Alpha’s daughter. You are an Omega Dualis, chosen by the moon goddess herself." Her mouth twisted. "You even have a rogue king who wants you, no matter what you are or what you do."

"I have nothing but a dead mother and a father who would not care less if I lived or died."

"For a long time, I thought he was my father and I suffered too. You are not the victim here, Willow. You never were. I am the prisoner. Tossed around by every person who ever wanted something from me. Lucius would sooner see me dead than see me back in the princes’ hands. Do you understand what that means?"

Willow bowed her head.

"You are right." she muttered. "I am sorry"

For several seconds, neither of us spoke.

My chest heaved.

This was strange.

A few days ago, I would never have imagined standing in a room alone with Willow and having a conversation like this.

She had spent years making my life miserable, humiliated and mocked me. Never letting me forget that I was beneath her and yet here we were.

Both trapped and being used by the same man... looking for a way out.

"We have to work together." I finally said. "We cannot get out of here alone."

Willow raised her head and stared at me.

"Does that mean you forgive me?"

I scoffed. "Never in a million years."

She blinked and despite herself, a tiny smile appeared.

"But I am willing to make a deal." I continued. "Lucius has you watching me, is that right?"

"Yes." she said. He has a little doubt about the priestess. So he wants eyes on you. In case your memories ever come back."

"I thought as much." I crossed to the bed and sat, "Then you keep doing the task he gave you. You tell him nothing except that I am learning to use my powers, and that I love him endlessly and devotedly."

Willow nodded.

"Were you able to tell the princes?" she asked. "I know you all went to the border."

"I did not tell them directly but I said something and I hope they understood it. We will know in a couple of days if Lucius receives any visitors."

"You have nothing to worry about." She said. "I will watch him as best I can."

I smiled.

"Good."

For a moment, we simply looked at each other.

It was strange...Willow and I as partners. An alliance I never would have imagined but perhaps that was what captivity did to people.

It forced enemies to become allies.

"What about the witch. Will you inform her about our unholy alliance?"

I looked at her.

"No." I said. "She does not need to know?"

Willow grinned.

"You do not trust her either, do you?"

"No," I said. "I do not trust her."

"Good." Willow crossed the room, reaching for the door."I did not think you stupid."

She paused and looked over her shoulder at me.

"You can trust no one but yourself, Ayla. Not even me."

I held her gaze and for once, I agreed.