Chapter 14: Jealous Hearts

FELDA

I couldn’t get Daze off my mind the entire day. It was annoying, frustrating, and even worse because I saw him with that girl. Arianna or whatever her name was. I didn’t know much about her, not yet, but I found out one thing that made me curl a smile:

She hated Isolde.

Just like me.

And that made her useful. Very useful.

I stepped outside to breathe in some fresh air, letting my long dress flow behind me as my maids trailed silently. Tonight was warm, the kind that should calm nerves. But mine were anything but calm.

I loved King Rowan.

Not because my father gave me to him like a gift wrapped in gold. No. I loved him because I had watched him for years, like a shadow, always a step behind him even when he was with Isolde.

I used to follow them when they were dating, hiding like a stupid little girl who thought love was just about watching someone from afar and dreaming stupid dreams.

But now, I had him. He was mine. Legally, royally, mine.

Still... I didn’t think I’d ever be confused between him and another man.

Not until Daze.

King Rowan was good, he knew how to please me in bed, yes. But Daze?

Daze was a beast.

He touched you like he owned you. Like he knew what your soul needed before you did. He jerked life into you, then out of you, over and over. He made me feel alive and cursed at the same time.

“Your Grace!” a voice suddenly screamed, dragging me out of my filthy thoughts.

I jerked, almost hitting my head against the palace wall.

I spun around immediately, fuming, my eyes locking on the maid who had dared startle me. They both bowed quickly, heads down like frightened dogs.

"I'm so sorry, Your Grace," the first one said, trembling. "I just... I saw you were about to hit your head, I panicked."

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I hissed, folding my arms. “You don’t have to shout my name like a common town crier just because you wanted to stop me.” My voice was loud, enough to make her tremble more.

"I'm sorry… I didn't mean to...”

"Just shut up and get away from me," I snapped, waving her off. She stumbled a few steps back, her eyes to the floor. The other maid, Mia, didn’t even lift her head.

I took a deep breath and adjusted my dress. I had to stay focused. I needed Daze out of my head. He was too dangerous to be lingering there.

I changed my mind to see King Rowan when something made me stop. I halted, and Mia bumped into me from behind.

I turned sharply. “Why the hell are you two acting like fools tonight?!”

Mia bowed quickly. “I’m sorry, Your Grace. I wasn’t looking ahead…”

“Both of you, leave!” I barked.

They hesitated and I smiled.

Black flame started dancing in my palm as a result of a spell I cast in my head.

They saw it and ran.

"Useless maids," I hissed, closing my hand and extinguishing the flame. Pathetic creatures.

I turned back to see why I had stopped.

And there they were.

Her.

And Daze.

Clinging to each other like their lives depended on it. Like nothing else mattered.

My nails dug into my palm. A sharp sting hit the bone.

“Ouch,” I muttered, but the pain was nothing compared to what burned in my chest.

But why?

Why was I so angry?

I didn’t love Daze.

I couldn’t love him. Ever. My heart belonged to King Rowan.

Still, I cast a healing spell on my palm, watching the wound seal and vanish.

She was alone now. Daze had left.

Good.

I walked up to her and tapped her from behind.

She spun so fast it startled me. Her golden eyes flamed bright, her wolf peeking through.

I stepped back.

What the hell?

Was she always like this?

Who made her this angry?

Her eyes dimmed slowly as she realized who I was.

“Queen Felda?” Her voice was unsure, almost a whisper.

I nodded slowly.

In a flash, she stood and bowed deeply. “I’m so sorry, Your Grace. I thought… I didn’t know it was you. I would never have...”

She kept rambling, bowing over and over until I touched her shoulder. She paused, her eyes meeting mine.

She was taller. And definitely stronger.

“Calm down. You didn’t hurt me,” I said smoothly. “You stopped yourself. That’s all that matters.”

She still looked guilty. “But I almost did.”

“You didn’t,” I repeated.

I led her to a veranda nearby where she’d been sitting before. I sat first, knowing she wouldn’t sit unless I did.

We faced each other.

“So, tell me… who were you expecting?” I tilted my head. “Who did you want to hurt?”

Her eyes dropped immediately.

“Was it that soldier I saw you with earlier?” I added, watching her face.

She shook her head, biting her lip. “I can’t hurt my boyfriend.”

My brows lifted in fake surprise. I already suspected. They were always clinging to each other like heat in summer.

“He’s your boyfriend?” I pressed.

“Yes… but I don’t really like him like that.”

I blinked.

Really?

A strange warmth settled in my chest.

Why did I feel... relieved?

I didn’t say anything. Just nodded.

“I thought you were Queen Isolde,” she confessed in a low voice.

Of course.

It had to be her.

Isolde.

The reason we were both drowning in unspoken bitterness.

“Why do you hate my senior so much?” I asked with a sly smile, my voice mocking, teasing.

She smirked a little, seeing through my sarcasm.

“I didn’t plan to hate her. But she gives me reasons to.” She straightened her back, like she’d been waiting forever to get this out.

“Reasons like?” I asked, soft and slow. I didn’t want her to get suspicious. I needed her to trust me.

I needed to mold her into my weapon.

She exhaled. “Like I said, I don’t really like Daze. My heart belongs to Prince Finnian.”

She paused, watching me.

Stupid.

Did she really think a maid like her could be with Prince Finnian?

Still, I didn’t let my face show anything. I wore the perfect mask of empathy.

She continued. “And now she’s trying to win him over. She knows. She sees it. And she still does it. Like she always has to take everything.” Her voice trembled, lips pressed tight.

I chuckled.

A full laugh escaped before I could even stop it.

She blinked.

“Did I say something funny, Your Grace?” she asked, confused.

I stopped laughing, my eyes softening as I leaned forward.

“No,” I said in a sweet, low whisper. “Not funny. Just... interesting.”

She tilted her head slightly.

And I smiled.

A smile that meant danger.

Let the games begin.