Royal Rogue [Book 2: Royal Series]

Chapter 18

♕ Arianna' POV ♕

Days pass like a breeze, gradually making me feel numb. I feel hollow and my body is weak. So weak. My body cries out for its saviour. For its mate. There was no one to answer that call though. I had no doubt in my mate. I knew he would find me.

The question is, will he find me on time?

The concoction of wolfsbane and silver has been inserted in me once more. It has been a couple days since the last injection.

My own cries haunt me.

When Isabella had brung out the needle, her face was its usual blank mask but her eyes told another story. They looked hollow, almost as hollow as I felt. She gave me looks of sorrow, defeat and guilt when no one was looking. She barely spoke a word. I didn't know what to think of her, but my instincts were telling me that she didn't like this life. She didn't like what she had become.

My instincts have never failed me.

I had been brung water once in a while and food was scarce to find. My stomach had no doubt shrunk, but still called for what it needed, for its purpose. I was sad that it was being deprived of its needs. Of my own needs.

Food after all, saved me.

Leah quickly became my friend, visiting me late in the night and pledging her allegiance with me. She was the only ray of sunshine I had in this dark place.

I sigh, battling tears and forcing them to return and to not be shown. There was no one around but if I let myself cry, they wouldn't end. I haven't cried ever since I've left my mate and I wasn't going to start now.

My body was weak. Yes. But I'd be damned when I'm mentally weak.

I would not let myself crumble. I had to be strong. Not for me, but for everyone else.

My eyes travel around the dark room, landing on features that have become the norm to me. My head hits the wall as I close my eyes, the image of my mates smile in mind. It was one of the main things keeping me sane here. I hope he is okay. I missed his warmth, the warmth that he radiated. A warmth that quickly became my home, my safe place. His embrace was one I could never get enough of. It was where I felt the safest. His smile could make my own lips form into a smile, just by its sight.

With the spare time I have had, I tried to come up with an escape plan, but they all came to a dead end. The dead end being me, my weak body. I could barely move on my own without feeling as if I'm burning alive.

I open my eyes when I hear the door open with the slightest of creaks. I make out Leah's small form with the small lantern she held in her right hand. I manage to smile, not caring how bad I must of looked. Leah walks towards me, closing the door behind her.

"How are you Luna?" She asks, revealing a water bottle on her left hand. I smile in response, knowing I wouldn't be able to form much of a sentence. My tongue felt like sand paper and my throats burned as if acid resided in it. Leah had continued to call me Luna, even after I had told her to call me Arianna. Leah unscrews the water bottle, bringing it to my lips. I drink the water greedily, finishing it off in seconds. A satisfied sigh leaves me lips and Leah looked quite pleased with herself. "Thanks Leah." I say, my voice just above a whisper. "Your welcome, Luna." She responds, her voice the same octave as mine.

Suddenly a question tramples into my mind, letting guilt slip through my conscious at the lack of care. "Do you get food and water, Leah?" I ask slowly, dreading the answer. I prayed to the Moon Goddess that I would like the answer. She slowly nods. "Isabella gives me both." She says quietly, looking down. I release the breath that I didn't know I was holding.