Love & Thieves (Book 2) ✓

𝓒𝓱.28 ~ 𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱 𝓐𝔀𝓪𝓲𝓽𝓼 𝓜𝓮

Arianna watched as the Queen stormed towards her, standing over the stretcher so Ari had nowhere to run. It wasn't like she could escape Margery's fury even if she wanted to, her side had fresh stitches and she was still recovering from a blood transfusion.

"I knew you were a troublemaker when I first met you! I should have known Lady Jezamine was your thief daughter! I disliked her the moment I laid eyes upon her and I knew she was going to be nothing but trouble as well! I should have had your head instead of allowing you to serve for us!" The Queen yelled, grabbing a nearby scalpel from one of the medical trays. "I won't have anymore troublemakers in my home!"

The woman raised the scalpel in the air, smiling down at Arianna as she meant to slash her throat. Arianna grabbed the Queen's wrists, struggling to stay out of range of the sharp blade as Venus May entered the room followed by Jonathan.

"Your Majesty -" Venus went to curtsy until she saw the blade in the Queen's hand and Arianna stuggling to fend for herself. "Arianna!"

Jonathan raced to her aid, grabbing Margery by the waist while Venus removed the scalpel from her possession. One second later and Ari would have died by the Queen's hand, luckily the pair arrived just in the knick of time.

"What is the meaning of this Margery!" Jonathan exclaimed and added. "Why would you want to harm the healer who saved your son's life and countless others, including my own!"

"Ari is nothing but bad luck and a curse on us Aronhalls! She and her daughter are witches! Don't fall for her trickery Jonathan!" Queen Margery screamed and thrashed wildly in Jonathan's arms. "Kill them both and end the curse they have cast on us all!"

Venus May checked Arianna over for any cuts but she was lucky to not receive another injury. Jonathan restrained the Queen tighter in his arms.

"I don't believe Ari and her daughter are witches, your Highness, and there isn't a curse! There is no such thing as witches and never will be!"Jonathan tried to talk sense into the woman but she was lost in her rage and hatred against the healer.

"What in seven hells is happening in here?" King Vincent shouted as he entered the room looking baffled by the yelling and shouting coming from the infirmary. He spotted the Queen in his brother's grasp. "Margery? Jonathan? Why have you got my wife restrained!?"

Jonathan explained Margery's attempt to kill Ari and her claims of witches and evil sourcery. Vincent looked towards his wife with great sadness in his eyes as he spoke. "It seems the Queen is unwell and needs time to rest and gain a clear mind."

Arianna understood what the King was asking of the healers - sedate the Queen and treat her mental illness. Venus May walked towards Margery with a syringe in hand, and the Queen began to thrash viciously in Jonathan's grip.

"Vincent! You can't do this! You can't let them trick you with their illusions! Cut off their heads! All of them! Burn the witches bodies afterwards for good measure! Remove their evil from our home!" The Queen's eyes widened when Venus May injected the sedation serum into her arm, before the woman's body went completely limp. Margery was now unconscious.

Jonathan laid her body on a nearby stretcher, placing Margery down gently while the other healers attended to her.

"I apologise for my wife and her attempt to kill you." King Vincent turned to face Ari. "You have some explaining to do Ari. I know you will tell me the truth and won't lie to me. Your cooperation might save your daughter's life."