Selena's Chosen

Chapter 3

She stood there, a beacon of pure light, though none radiated from her. It was as though she pulled light in to burn away inside of her. From what Salona saw, she had to have been at least ten feet in height, towering over her subjects.

Though Salona expected to feel fear at her own Goddess appearing before her, she did not. Instead, she felt relieved. Relaxed. Like when her mother would hold her after making a mistake and wiped away her tears. She had this feeling that Selena would make things better.

"You FUCKING Feline!"

The shriek that pierced the air was musical, even if it was supposed to be threatening, it could have been easily played from a harp- which is maybe why it was all the more disconcerting to hear.

"I RAISED AND NURTURED YOUR SOUL, AND CAST AWAY THE DARK! GREW IT IN THE SUN AND FERTILIZED IT WITH LOVE. YOU PROMISED UPON LIFE YOU WOULD FULFILL YOUR END!"

With a whirl of silver light the figure was suddenly engulfing Salona up into an embrace of warmth that had Salona in tears though she felt no sadness or happiness- only reverence and confusion.

"UPON THIS WORLD DARKNESS SHALL FALL, AND PERISH THE LANDS OF THE LIVING. SIX LIGHTS SHALL BE BORN IN DARK AND TOGETHER END YOUR SHADOW. SEVEN LIGHTS I PROMISED YOU ONCE- SHALL BE YOUR RUINOUS DOWNFALL!"

Antonio, as Salona now knew him, was suddenly grappled by chains of the same silvery light as Selena.

Selena looked down at Salona, silver light meeting Salona's own dark brown eyes.

"My daughter, I'm sorry for your future. And tell your partners I am sorry for theirs as well. This was not the plan. A promise was broken today. A promise to you, myself, and all others. We will have retribution."

Salona was dropped to the floor as the silvery light of Selena was suddenly blindsided with a bright fireball, and with a screech that had everyone in the rooms ears bleeding if they didn't cover them in time, she was rocketed up to the sky, gone in a burst of fire that rained down on the events below.

A scream rang out and Salona moved just in time as a roaring fire picked up. She instinctively plucked Princess Kátya off her feet and kicked a chair up and out the nearest window, following it out herself with the Princess screaming in her arms the whole way down from the second story.

Salona immediately moved away to a safe distance, hearing multiple feet following her, before setting the Princess down and dropping to her knees in submission.

"Forgive me, your Highness, I hope I have not caused you any harm. I shall accept any punishment for my sudden and rude treatment."

Salona's breath was raspy, her breathing quick and shallow. Her brain couldn't focus on a single thought, or feeling, and Salona didn't know what to do from here.

"Rise Dame Salona," His Majesty's voice commanded instead, "There is no need for such things."

Salona rose, but when she met the Kings gaze, she could only imagine the look on her own face based on his concern.

"Father is right," Princess Kátya stepped forward and curtsied, "Thank you for your swift action, Dame Salona. You may have very well saved my life."

Salona didn't know how to react, but she thought she might vomit. The royal family should not be bowing to her.

"Your Highness, please stand straight, I have only done my duty. Do not lower yourself before a soldier like myself."

The Princess stood, but the Beta stepped in.

"Princess, the area is not secure. We are to evacuate you immediately to the castle until further notice."

The King shared a look, likely mind linking the Beta and his Daughter before the two left, more wolves flanking them from the darkness.

The King turned back to look at Salona, an emotion on his face she couldn't bare to identify right now.

"Dame Salona-"

She didn't let him finish.

"Forgive me, my King, I have unfinished business to attend to."

Salona's nose picked up a familiar scent, and her eyes immediately began surveying the surrounding landscape. Her eyes weren't as great as other species in the dark, but there was  a building on fire providing the perfect amount of light.

There across the courtyard, he watched her feline eyes glowing as he stared her down.

"I, Salona Nakoyak, accept your rejection, Antonio Rossi, and cast away our bond."

This time Salona was ready for the pain. She had already felt it- she was already used to it. Now it was her turn to watch her fate bound collapse in agony- and collapse he did. 

The torment that ripped from his throat was satisfying, the fire licking  across Salona's skin telling her of the torment the royal was feeling- he likely hadn't dealt with much pain in his life, living as a blue blood up in his castle. His attendants flocked him, but they all knew they were no help.

Many eyes cast Salona's way, but she stood tall, not a single sign she shared in his pain.

"Salona Nakoyak," The Guard turned swiftly at her Kings voice, arm crossing her chest in salute.

"My Liege."

"Follow me, we shall seek you medical attention." He left no room for argument, and the guard followed behind silently.

Salona was likely in shock. Her wolf had gone eerily silent, likely mourning the loss of the big cat Winter, her Mate. Salona herself felt nothing. No mourning, no sadness, no happiness. Nothing.

Salona followed the King back to the quarters the royal entourage had been offered for the duration for their stay. How long that would be now after the hell Salona had wrought on tonight's events. News was already likely spreading across the land, and with Ravens in attendance, across the world within the week. There was much to spread afterall.

The heir to the throne of Malfinio had found and rejected his mate. And the Goddess of them all had attacked him for it. Where did that leave Salona? Hopefully, back alone in her frozen corner of the world. She could tell her mom she was rejected, get back to her work, and perhaps one day take a mate by choice instead of fate.

"Well, I can prescribe a small dose of a painkiller, but the root of that tooth will need to be removed before it can damage her jaw further. That's a crazy break, the entire thing is shattered all the way into the gum. The fever will be gone within the hour, simply an after effect of the rejection."

Salona blinked- once, twice. A sand cat stood in front of her, speaking to the King.

When had Salona made it to a room? When had she sat down?

'She... appears to be in a deep state of shock. After what I've heard, I'm not at all surprised. This here is a sedative that should help her sleep tonight. I... best of luck."

Salona blinked- once, twice. A sand cat was walking away from her, leaving the room she was in. When had she gone back inside? Whose room was this?

"Salona, Father said it would be best for you to stay with me tonight. My attendees will help you ready for bed, if you don't mind."

A woman was talking to Salona, she had heard her name. 

Multiple hands helped Salona from her finery, and into a soft nightgown. Hands handed her tea and three pills to take. Hands helped moved those pills into her mouth, and the tea to her lips. Hands moved her to a bed and tucked her under a quilt of the finest material.

Salona blinked- once.

Salona fell asleep.