Made to be a Queen

Chapter 4

Maeve

It feels nice, warm, as I sway with the rhythm of the ocean waves, drifting away from familiar shores towards an unknown realm. The air carries a gentle caress, and the wind whispers tranquility into my ears. However, gradually, an unsettling shift takes place. It's as if the air grows stagnant, robbing me of breath. The wind picks up pace, and the once peaceful waves turn turbulent and fierce. In the midst of this tempest, a voice urgently calls out, "Wake up!" With a jolt, I awaken, gasping for air, my body drenched in sweat. Luna was there, rousing me from the depths of my unsettling slumber. "Wake up!" she insists, her voice filled with concern, as if urging me to reclaim my breath once more.

"Are you okay?" I asked Luna, concerned about her well-being.

Luna returned the question with worry in her voice, "Are you okay? You're sweating as if you've just witnessed a nightmare."

"Yeah, it was a bad dream," I replied, wiping off the perspiration from my forehead. Curiously, I caught a whiff of my shirt and grimaced, realizing I needed to freshen up. "I need to take a shower."

Luna playfully teased, "Yeah, I can definitely smell that!" She moved closer to me, gently tilting my face towards her. Concern filled her eyes as she noticed the blood on my lips. With a caring touch, she wiped away the blood with her finger, observing me intently for a moment, until the awkwardness settled in. "It might be because of the stress from the dream," I explained, breaking the silence. Sensing the need for solitude, I excused myself and made my way to the bathroom.

As the warm water cascaded over my body, I found my thoughts drifting towards Luna, my heart swelling with affection. The steam-filled bathroom became a sanctuary, where my mind danced with visions of her enchanting smile and the way her eyes sparkled with tenderness. With every lather of soap, I recalled the gentle touch of her hand against my face, wiping away the blood from my lips. The water's embrace mimicked the sensation of her arms around me, creating a comforting illusion of her presence. In that moment, I longed for Luna's soft whispers, the way her voice wrapped around me like a soothing melody. And again, I thought "why am I thinking about her? She's not a nice person after all, she's a Nightshade."

"Maeve?" Luna's voice trembled with fear as she called out to me. "I think we should leave! I just saw someone wearing the same outfit as the ones who attacked my carriage yesterday."

Reacting swiftly, I snatched fresh clothes from the bathroom and hastily opened the door. Gripping my knife tightly, I reached for Luna's hand and pulled her along as we raced down the stairs, not sparing a glance towards the window. Instinct guided me as I sought out a backdoor, a hidden escape route to ensure our safety. Without hesitation, we slipped through the door and vanished into the comforting embrace of the wood.

Time passed as we struggled to find our way out of the woods. Luna grew weary, her injured leg unable to support her any longer, and she sought respite under a nearby tree.

"How much farther do we have to go?" Luna inquired, her voice filled with exhaustion.

"Not much, I believe. If only we could spot someone who could help us reach our destination quickly," I replied, joining Luna and sitting down beside her. We surveyed our surroundings, hoping for a stroke of luck. Luna absentmindedly plucked a leaf from a nearby branch and began to tear it apart, her hunger audibly rumbling.

"Are you hungry?" I asked, concern lacing my words.

"Yes, I've never experienced anything like this before. I'm used to having timely meals," Luna confessed.

"Well, I'm glad I have. I've spent many days confined in cells, so I've grown accustomed to going without food for extended periods," I admitted.

Luna's worry was palpable as she probed further, "I'm curious, what did you do to warrant being locked up?"