A Cursed Luna

CHAPTER 3

SERAPHINA

"Regina! Regina!" I called. My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it in my head.

I could not afford to lose her. She wanted me to run, but to where? Where was I supposed to go? I had lived my life hidden, treated like a maid. I had barely seen the kingdom beyond the palace grounds. I did not know the roads. I did not know who would take me in.

"Regina, if you can hear me, I really need you," I called again. Tears ran down my face as I huddled on the cold floor. I hit my chest again and again, hoping the pain would ease. It did not. My mate had just rejected me, and now my only companion would not answer.

"Run, Seraphina. You are in danger. Leave the Eldoria kingdom!"

The warning rang through me again. I sprang up, wiped my face with the back of my hand, and grabbed whatever I owned. There was little to take. I shoved it into a dusty old sack in the corner. Packing took almost no time at all.

My eyes burned with sadness. I slung the sack over my shoulder and opened the door as quietly as I could. I kept my gaze on the ground. A shadow fell over me and stole the thin light from the small bulbs in my room.

"And where do you think you are going, witch?" Celestia screeched.

I dropped to the floor. My heart raced even faster.

"I do not think that is any of your business," I hissed. It was the first time I had ever spoken to her, or to anyone, with that much nerve. I was surprised by it myself.

I scrambled back to my feet and staggered for a few seconds. My legs were weak and my head still hurt. My tired eyes met her furious ones. She looked ready to end me then and there.

"You seem to have forgotten your place," she scoffed, keeping a careful distance. "What gave you the idea that you could talk to me like that?"

I said nothing. I only wanted to get out before the guards came looking for their perfect princess.

"Out of my way, Celestia," I said.

She giggled, eyes wide, shocked by the boldness.

"After you tried to steal my mate?" She stepped closer. My fists and jaw tightened at those words. The one thing that had felt like mine had been taken, and I had been able to do nothing about it.

I was running out of time. I had to leave the palace. I tried calling Regina again. There was still no answer.

"So you finally got your wolf, huh?" she paced.

"At least something good can come out of your existence," she added. Once those words would have cut deep. I had heard them too many times to flinch now.

"You do not need me," I said. "You do not care if I live or die. Why not let me leave and be out of your life for good?"

"I swear by the Celestial Goddess and the guardians above, if you dare step out that door, there will be bloodshed, and it will be yours!" she roared. Her eyes shone in the poor light. A shiver ran down my back when I saw her smile.

"Do you think our parents would be happy with that?"

"Brave of you to assume they are still your parents. After you killed Mother with your witchcraft? She could not care less whether you live or die, and I am sure Father has always despised you."

My eyes filled. Soon the tears came freely. I could not hold them. My mother had been the most precious person in my life. She was the only one who had truly cared for me. Being accused of her murder hurt in a way I could not name.

"You would become a murderer," I sniffed.

"Well, let us see who they believe. A dead, unwanted, miserable pauper, or the harmless, gentle princess." She smiled. I shook my head as more tears fell. I could never win against her. Not here.

There was no point standing there arguing. I took a deep breath and narrowed my eyes. She kept talking about how little I mattered. When I saw an opening, I took it and ran.

I ran as if my life depended on it, because it did. My heart hammered. A growl rose behind me and my stomach dropped.

She had turned into her wolf just to catch me. Why?

I did not stop. I burst out of the house and into the fields. No one was in sight, and that helped me. I ran as fast as my legs would carry me and pushed harder whenever it seemed she was gaining.

By the time I reached the border I had no breath left, but I could not stop. She was still behind me. Why did she want me to stay so badly?

Out of panic I crossed into the neighboring country. She halted at once. There was no sense in following me there and putting herself at risk.

I watched her turn back. As she did, my body gave in to the bruises and the blood from the injuries I had taken while running. My eyes grew heavy. I fell to the ground and let the dark take me.

I thought I had died. Then a flickering light over my head pulled me back. My vision blurred and cleared, blurred and cleared. When it finally settled, I was sure I must be dreaming. It was the most luxurious room I had ever seen.