Chapter 43

Flora’s P.O.V

One of Andre’s soldiers was stationed outside of Ezra’s room along with one of Malachi’s men. Both of them gave me followed me with their eyes as I came to knock on Ezra’s door, wearing the robes of the Moon Goddess.

Ezra opened the door almost instantly and I went inside, only to realize exactly why the guards had been looking at me suspiciously.

Daphne, Emma, Rosa and three other Maidens who I only knew briefly in passing, had gathered in Ezra’s room and it looked like we were about to have a meeting. Although it was normal to have this many Maidens at Ezra’s door, these weren’t exactly normal times. We were under an enforced lockdown, a prison of sorts where we weren’t allowed contact with anyone. Andre might not be allowed to interfere with what happens in the Shrine, but he was bound to get suspicious.

“We have arranged for the bones to be delivered every day by the kitchen staff.” I informed Ezra in a low voice. “They will hide it in the food stray and I had specifically told them to provide smaller bones.”

“I’ll collect some willow or oak leaves in the morning while collecting flowers,” Emma joined in. “And I’m good at wood-carving, so I have some carving tools in my room. I’ll make arrowheads for all the Maidens from the firewood and have them delivered inside the Shrine within the flower baskets.”

“Good.” Ezra gave us thankful looks. “Always keep your moonstones with you; it will be a part of the rituals from tonight onwards.”

“Yes, Shrine Maiden.” We all spoke collectively and I went to take a seat beside Emma on the sofa.

Ezra went to stand in front of her fireplace instead. “The reason I have called the seven of you here is because of a very specific reason. All of you here are my most trusted Maidens and I have a task that only you will be able to fulfill.”

“What would you want us to do, Shrine Maiden?” Rosa asked calmly.

“Learn archery.” Ezra said, much to our surprise. “And I know you have the ability to do so because you are all descendants of warriors.”

“Archery?” I whispered. It wasn’t that I was against the idea; I actually found it very helpful and reassuring that we were taking offensive training, but… “Where would we learn?”

“Mostly inside the bathing chamber or in your rooms.” Ezra said. “Those are the only two places safe enough so no one notices. Flora, you have prior experience, am I correct?”

“Yes,” I nodded, remembering my short session with Clay back when we were still at ReedStone. “But I’m not very good at it.”

“All of you have a month’s time to practice. And I will help in the initial training, but from then on, it is your responsibility to follow through.”

Ezra took a key out of a small box on top of her fire mantle and then unlocked an ornate mahogany trunk that was kept at the side of the room. From there she took out seven half-sown handkerchiefs and handed them to us.

“Take this with you to your room.” Ezra instructed. “There is a needle inside all the handkerchiefs and they are actually tiny keys to open a similar box on top of the mantle of your fire place. You’ll find a trunk under your bed that holds a bow and arrows. Keep them hidden well and practice whenever possible.”

“Ezra...why are there weapons in a trunk under our beds?” One of the three maidens, Valery…I think her name was, asked her suspiciously.

“Because of emergencies such as this.” Ezra gave her a sad smile. “This isn’t the first time Lindersay has been under attack. The first time, we had been unprepared and even though we won in the end, it came at a great loss. Half of our packmates were dead. That’s why we have built weapons boxes inside the Maiden’s rooms to protect them from harm. This will be the first time we use them voluntarily.”

“We understand.” The other maidens stood up, holding their handkerchiefs, ready to leave, so I stood as well.

“Flora, can I have a word?” Ezra stopped me. “The rest of you can go, but be very careful with your behavior once you step out.”

“Yes, Shrine Maiden.” They all put up smiles on their faces, discussing sewing techniques as they went outside, to act as if they had been given sewing assignments. Ezra shut the door and came to sit beside me on the couch, taking my hand in hers.

“Are you sure you’re alright, my child.” Her voice was gentle as she searched my face and neck.

“Yes,” I lowered my eyes. “The bruises are gone.” But they had left behind mental scars.

Never in my life had any man ever hurt me like Andre had. Not even my mom had ever raised her voice at me, let alone raise a hand. I had always been the cherished princess; even Clay had treated me like his Queen.

Andre’s words and his physical assault had been a wake-up call and an extremely rude awakening. I had been stupid to think that he would act civil after I had rejected him. But assault? I hadn't even imagined it in my dreams. Only I knew how I had picked myself up from the floor after Andre had left and how I had returned to my room. I had been the one wronged and yet, the stares from the other soldiers had felt like I was the sinner.

Thankfully, Samuel and Emma had both left by the time I had reached my room, because I had been feeling ashamed to face them, even though it hadn't been my fault. But then, only a few minutes later, Ezra had arrived and caught me off-guard.

“Not all scars are visible.” Ezra said now, cupping my cheek with her hand. “You are a very strong woman, Flora. I’m so very proud of you.”

I shook my head instantly. “I’m hardly strong enough, Ezra. But you on the other hand…how do you do it? How did you have the strength to stay away from Malachi for centuries? I can’t even imagine staying away from Clay another month…where did you get the strength? Especially since he was in front of you all this time?”

Had she watched Malachi take a lover? Did she have to watch him hold another woman’s hand, even if it were for one night?

“It was easy,” Ezra said with a warm smile, breaking me out of my thoughts. “Malachi had never taken a lover, not even once since we had been separated. If I had been celibate for over the past three centuries, so has he. So I never had to worry that his love for me had faltered even for a second.”

The revelation was something completely unexpected and yet…completely wonderful. To have that kind of willpower…especially for an Alpha who were supposed to have higher drives than other male wolves…It was the kind of love that not everyone got to experience. A love where all you saw was your soulmate, not the one chosen for you, but the one you chose yourself.

But somehow deep in my mind, I knew that Clay and I would do the same if we were in their place. I could never imagine being with someone else and I knew Clay felt the same. We had both rejected the mating bond, the bond that the Goddess had decided for us. And we had found each other once again, despite the odds and were still standing. Our love was still new, still growing, but I could only hope it aged just like Ezra and Malachi’s love had. A love that was truly eternal.

“I know you are not bound by the mating bond,” I told Ezra a bit hesitantly. “But you are still bound by the bond of the Alpha and you had been bound for centuries. Then…can you…”

“Feel if he’s still alive?” Ezra finished the question before nodding her head. “Andre won’t kill him until the Blood Moon, so yes; I can still feel him in my bones. Malachi is alive but he is weak. He doesn’t seem to be inside the castle, however, because the bond seems like it’s being stretched. He’s around us, but somewhere we don’t know about. Since we can’t go out any longer, we can’t find where he is. Our best bet is the Blood Moon ritual itself.”

“But what are we to do then?” I asked her. “How will we find Malachi on time before the rituals?”

“There’s only one way for us to do that now…and you’re not going to like it.”

I knew from the tone of Ezra’s voice exactly what she was going to ask of me and every fiber of my being rejected the idea. But at the same time…I knew there was no other choice.”

“You have to agree to become Andre’s mate.”