Torment ( Book Two )

Chapter 46

Chapter forty-six

“I guess that’s it.”

Amber scanned her eyes across the empty room and nodded. “Looks like it.”

Hailey zipped up the last suitcase and stood wearing a sad smile. It was the next morning and it was time for her to leave.

“I wish you could stay,” Amber told her. She was so upset Hailey wouldn’t be around anymore.

“Me too.”

“If it weren’t for Luna and her-“

“No,” Hailey said firmly. “I got what I deserved.”

Amber wasn’t so sure. Yes, Hailey still wanted her but Amber didn’t understand why she had to move out because of that. Luna was protective over Amber but Hailey was one of her closest friends.

Amber stepped closer and pulled Hailey into a hug. “I’ll miss you.”

Hailey hugged her back. “I’ll miss you, too.”

Amber helped Hailey move her things from the room to her car that one of the servants had drove to the front door for them. 

Hailey had said her goodbyes to the others last night. They were all shocked that she was leaving and Hailey didn’t tell them the real reason for her departure. They both knew that would cause more drama than necessary.

After hauling her things to the car, Hailey stood outside the vehicle, all packed and ready to leave. 

“Promise we’ll still talk,” Amber demanded, feeling tears threatening her eyes.

“I promise!” Hailey said with a forced chuckle. “I’m not moving to another kingdom, you know. I’ll only be a few neighborhoods away.”

Amber cracked a smile. “It won’t be the same, though.”

Hailey hugged Amber again and Amber wrapped her arms around her tightly. 

Hailey then pulled back but held onto Amber’s shoulders, looking her in the eye. Her curled hair blew in the wind slightly.  “Make sure Luna treats you well.”

Amber swallowed. Hailey had thought Luna totally overreacted when she found out Hailey had kissed Amber. Hailey told Amber Luna had no right to treat Amber the way she did.  She swore Luna had mental issues.

“That’s Miss Luna to you,” Amber mocked, hoping to lighten the mood.

Hailey giggled and hugged Amber once more before climbing into the car. Amber didn’t move from her spot as Hailey started the car. She waved at Amber before driving away.

Amber stood still staring at the empty and winding road long after Hailey had left. She then quickly wiped at her eyes and walked back inside the castle. Eva approached her as soon as she stepped foot inside.

“There you are! I’ve been looking for you.”

Her big eyes peered up at Amber and she sounded out of breath. 

“Is everything alright?”

“I hope so. The Queen wants to see you.”

Amber couldn’t help but wince. They hadn’t spoken much since the incident. Luna had come to see Amber to kiss her goodnight but that was all.

“Okay. Thanks, Eva.”

Eva nodded and Amber brushed past her to walk upstairs to Luna’s room.

Amber pushed Luna’s door open without knocking and entered, finding her seated on a chair while several servants applied her makeup and fixed her hair. It was early in the morning so it made sense that she was just getting ready for the day.

“Amber!” Luna said cheerfully, standing up and motioning for the servants to back up. 

Amber walked towards her as Luna did the same. Luna instantly kissed her lips and Amber kissed her back. Was she not mad anymore?

Luna pulled away, smiling. “Good morning.”

Amber raised an eyebrow. “Good morning.”

“Are you doing anything today?” Luna asked.

Was she ever?

“Nope.”

“Good. I found a therapist for Sally and she’s coming today at two o’clock.”

Amber vaguely wondered how this involved her. “Okay. Is Sally upset about it?”

“No. She’s nervous, though, and wants us to be there with her for this first one.”

“She wants me there too?” Amber was surprised.

“Yes. Why wouldn’t she?” Luna asked, looking into a mirror that hung on the wall next to her. Amber watched her smooth out her lipstick with her fingers.

“Because of yesterday.”

“Amber, she knows it wasn’t your fault,” Luna responded, continuing to look at her reflection in the mirror.

“Do you?” Amber blurted.

Luna’s back straightened and her eyebrows smushed together. “Yes, I do,” she said slowly, her eyes returning on Amber.

“Then why did you make Hailey leave?” Amber asked, her voice raising.

Several of the servants perched up, staring at Amber in dismay. Nobody talked to the Queen like that.

“Because she was tempting you.”

“And why were you so mad at me yesterday if you knew it wasn't my fault?” Amber asked, her voice still loud. 

Luna’s eyes darted around the room for a moment. “I was caught up in the moment. I’m sorry.” Her voice was quiet and her eyes were sincere.

Amber assumed that’s all she was going to get. She raised her chin. “Thank you for apologizing.”

Luna bit her lip. “So are you going to join us for the therapy session?”

……………………………………….

“Just be honest with her.”

“What if she doesn’t like me?” Sally asked nervously, picking at her dress.

Sally, Amber, and Luna sat on the couch in one of the living rooms waiting for the therapist to arrive. 

Luna gently pushed Sally’s hand off of her dress, forcing her to quit picking at her clothes. “Stop picking, Sally, or you’ll rip your dress.”

Sally narrowed her eyes. “I’m just nervous.”

“I understand,” Luna said, brushing a hair behind Sally’s ear for her. “But there’s really nothing to be nervous about. She’s here to help us.”

“But nothing is wrong,” Sally insisted, her voice breaking.

Amber listened to them speak but didn’t say anything. She felt as if she should comfort Sally but Luna seemed to have it under control.

“Can you stop arguing about this?” Luna sounded irritated. "It's going to help, I promise."

Sally sat between Amber and Luna and Amber peered around the girl to look at Luna who was staring at the door.

Several moments of silence passed.

“Are you sure she’s nice?” Sally blurted.

“Yes. I interviewed about a hundred therapists for this job, Sally. I’m not just going to let anyone talk to my little girl, okay?”

Amber knew it was true. After the incident yesterday, Amber had caught Luna speaking to someone in her office. Joel later told Amber she had been interviewing people since the day she told Amber she wanted Sally in therapy.

Nothing was said for several more minutes.

“Is she late?” Sally asked, slicing into the silence.

Amber had gotten used to the quiet and jumped when Sally spoke.

“No, we’re early,” Luna responded.

“How early?” 

Luna narrowed her eyes at Sally, obviously becoming annoyed with her nagging.

The door swung open and Luna instantly stood to her feet. 

A tall, slender woman entered. Her hair was short and red and her skin was pale. Her lips appeared chapped and she wore a black pencil skirt with a green blouse. Black flats covered her feet and she held a clipboard. When she saw Luna, she smiled and approached her.

“Hello, Queen Luna,” she said cheerfully, her voice soft. She did a small bow in her direction.

“Hello, Hope. Did you find your way alright?"

"Oh, yes. It went just fine. I don't live far from here."

"That's good to hear," Luna responded. She tugged on Sally's arm and both her and Amber stood. "This is my daughter, Sally," Luna said, motioning to the girl. "And this is my fiancé, Amber," she went on, moving her hand in Amber's direction.

Hope bent down slightly to be on Sally's height level. "Hello, Sally. It's nice to meet you," she said, holding out a hand. 

Sally stared at her hand and rejected it, shyly pushing her head against Luna's hip.

Luna frowned and nudged her. "Be polite."

Sally hesitated before reaching out her hand and shaking Hope's.

After the handshake, Hope turned to Amber. 

"And it's a pleasure to meet you, too," she said with a bright smile.

Amber returned the smile and shook her hand. She liked the woman but thought she was a bit too cheerful.