The next day ----
“But… I can’t do it, my lady. My—”
“You will do it, Shelly. By hook or by crook.”
Lady Merlyn’s voice slices through the dimly lit chamber like a blade. Her eyes are wild, desperate, as she paces before the grand window overlooking the palace gardens.
Ms. Moye — Shelly — stands trembling, fingers knotting the hem of her worn shawl. Her lips tremble. “I’ve done so much for you, my lady, but this… please, believe me, I can’t. Even if I wanted to.”
“Oh, spare me the tears,” Merlyn snaps. Her gaze drifts to the window, where two figures — Ash and Blaze — stand laughing beneath a blooming tree, heads leaning just a little too close. “Look at them. So happy. So foolish. They have no idea what they’re risking.”
“My lady, they’re just—”
“Silence!” Merlyn turns, eyes blazing. You have done this so many times, but now you're afraid. Why? " The queen was taking a step near the window.
"You’re afraid because this involves Ash. You always were weak when it came to him. An emotional fool.” She turned suddenly, and took steps closer, lowering her voice to a hiss. "But you're not his real mother, Shelly. "
That word. It stings more than any spell ever could. Ms. Moye’s eyes flash — hurt, then something harder. She lifts her chin.
“Enough. I’ll do my best, my lady.”
She curtseys, ignoring the way Merlyn’s satisfied smile makes bile rise in her throat.
And with that, she slips away.
Ms. Moye sits hunched in her tiny chamber, which looks more like a storage cupboard than a room fit for a royal witch. The bed is barely wider than a cot, the walls lined with jars of herbs and vials of half-finished potions. On the crooked table before her, she shapes something that glows faintly pink — a sweet, like a candy drop.
“Ash?” she calls softly, hearing the creak of the door.
Ash steps inside, eyes darting around the cluttered space. He signs, ‘You were looking for me?’
Ms. Moye startles, then smiles weakly. “Yes. I… I made this for you. And for Blaze.” She holds up the candy in its paper wrap, hands trembling just a little too much. “Take it to him. Make sure he eats it. You must both eat it — together. Where no one can see.”
Ash frowns, hands moving. ‘Why? You’re scaring me.’
She reaches out, cups his cheek. Her touch is warm, but her eyes are shining with tears.
“I’m sorry, Ash. I’m sorry I couldn’t understand you — your feelings for him. I thought… I thought I was protecting you.” A tear slips down her cheek. “Forgive me.”
Ash stares. His mind is a storm of confusion — yesterday she wanted Blaze gone, now she’s giving them gifts? And the way she looks at him — like she’s saying goodbye.
‘Ms. Moye… what’s happening?’ Ash signs, worry furrowing his brow.
But she just presses the candy into his palm, curling his fingers around it.
“Go now. Do what I said. And whatever happens, remember I always… I always loved you like my own.”
Ash hesitates. He nods, eyes soft, then turns and slips out the door, the candy clutched tight.
Ms. Moye sags against her worktable, breath trembling. She wipes her eyes with the back of her hand. Outside her small window, the palace seems calm — birds chirping in the garden where Blaze stand waiting for Ash.
But in her bones, she knows.
Something terrible is coming.
And for the first time in years, she wonders if magic will be enough to stop it.
TO BE CONTINUED........
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I'm Loyal, Not Royal 🗡 (MxM) Book 1
Historical FictionBook 1 THIS BOOK IS EDITED!!! He's a kid who was mute, the royal family took him as a worker under the castle. The only hier of the throne was his friend in childhood, but he was Sent away to complete his studies . But then a self discovery of the t...
