Chapter 8 The Curse Price

• Lyla’s pov
• From my hidden position behind the door frame, I watched Kiara– one of Lorenzo's many mistresses – go into my room while the others waited for her from a distance.
• She filled my tea with a clear, thick substance. With a contented smirk on her painted lips as she tucked the crystal vial back into her bodice, allowing it to catch the candlelight.
• The pearl necklace, the blue silk outfit, and even the way she hummed quietly as she stirred the poison into my cup, were all just how I had imagined them to be.
• My footsteps were purposefully heavy on the wooden floor as I waited for her to finish before making my presence known.
• "Kiara, oh! What a welcome surprise.” I said excitedly, as I approached her.
• She regained her composure immediately after being shocked, and her welcoming grin was a result of years of courtly training.
• "Lady Lyla! I was only trying to find you. Where have you been?" She asked as I gave the tea service a sharp look.
• "How thoughtful of you to bring refreshments." "Yes, I..." She pointed to the cup that was steaming.
• "I figured you could use some chamomile to aid with your sleep." More like, to help me sleep forever.
• I smirked, as I took a step closer while still projecting a sense of innocent curiosity.
• "That is really thoughtful. However, I'm shocked that you know that I like chamomile.” I said,
• "Really? I just figured you might like it, guess I’m really great at guessing games," she smiled with ease. "Please, you must try it while it's hot."
• As I picked up the cup, her gaze followed every step I took. I held it out to her rather than bringing it to my lips.
• "You really have to give it a try first. As a token of appreciation for your consideration,” I insisted, my chin stayed firm and unwavering.
• Her face was devoid of color. "Oh, I couldn't possibly—"
• "But I insist." With an unwavering smile, I took a step closer, not giving her the chance to say another word.
• "After all, you went to such trouble to prepare it specially for me." She retreated, her hands shaking a little.
• "I've already had my tea—" she explained as she ‘accidentally’ knocked against the tea tray as I made my purposeful approach.
• When the poisoned cup fell, its contents splattered all over the floor and onto her pricey dress's hem. Kiara shrieked and leaped back.
• "Oh, how awkward of me!" I exclaimed, watching the liquid seep into the floorboards.
• "I do hope it hasn't stained your lovely gown."
• As soon as our eyes locked, I felt something in her eyes, it was as though she knew that I caught her red handed.
• I knew this would not be her last try, and she knew I had seen her.
• Lorenzo seemed to be surrounded by a curse that turned friendship into treachery and love into poison. I ought to be aware.
• That exact curse had befallen me in my former existence. Kiara left right away,
• “I have the maids to clean this, I’ll be back. Or perhaps I should prepare another tea for you?” she asked hastily as she reached for the door .
• “I’m fine at the moment, I’ll let you know if there's any need for any. Thank you.” I responded with a smile — a fake smile as I slumped in my chair.
• Memories weighing me down, I had barely survived the last attack against my life and Kiara is here, trying so hard to send me back to the moon goddess.
• Made worse by the fact that she actually wanted me dead for a man I cared less about. Sigh
• Then it all flashed back again, my husband and my closest friend, Lucia, were the ones who killed me the first time. Even though I now had a new life and a second opportunity at life that I never requested, the betrayal still seemed new.
• The curse. Lorenzo's curse was my biggest problem, if he’s weak how can we defeat Jason?
• I had been looking for answers for weeks, reading old books in the pack, buying gossip from maids, and even trying to find the witch that cursed him herself.
• However, every path grew dark and every lead became icy. The origins of the curse were lost to time, and it remained a mystery. Eventually, sleep came, but it didn't bring me any calm.
• Amid my nightmares, I saw myself standing amid a forest of dead trees, with their branches extending toward a blood-red moon like twisted fingers.
• A woman of unfathomable beauty and terrifying power stood in front of me; her eyes were filled with decades of hatred, and her hair like a blazing flame. She said,
• "The twice-born returns," and I could feel her voice echoing in my bones. How courageous of you to stay in Lorenzo's sphere of influence. after what happened last time."
• "You're the one who cursed him?” I asked, but It wasn't a question. Something in me made me know that she was the one.
• Her chuckle shattered the ice.
• "I merely gave him what he deserved – a heart that corrupts all it touches, that turns love to ash and loyalty to treachery."
• The air became frigid as she drew nearer.
• "But even my greatest works have their limitations."
• "What do you mean?"
• "Time grows short." Her grin was as cold as the snow.
• "My gift becomes irreversible if he is unable to break free from it quickly. His soul's poison will crystallize, permanent and eternal. Her touch was like frost as she ran a finger along my jaw.
• "And you, little Lyla, will have died your first death for nothing."
• "How can he break it?" I insisted.
• "What needs to be done?" However, she had already begun to fade, her laughter resonating through the dream.
• "Better hurry, twice-born. Some curses, once set, cannot be undone..."
• My heart thumping against my ribs, I jolted awake. The sky was being painted in gold and violet hues as dawn was barely breaking.
• A church bell tolled in the distance, each ringing as if to reinforce the witch's warning that time was running out. The floorboards were still soiled from last night's poisoned tea, a somber reminder of how vulnerable I was.
• The curse would guarantee that Lorenzo's mistresses will try again. And I might not have enough warning from my visions the next time. As I made my way to the window, I saw the sun rise over the pack. I found myself in Lorenzo's infamous orbit once more, but this time with a new mystery to unravel.
• What did the witch mean when she said that the curse would last forever? And why did I sense, deep down, that my resurrection was somehow connected to breaking the curse?
• Something was visible in the garden below in the morning light: Kiara and another of Lorenzo's mistresses were strolling together, their heads down together talking. They gave my window a quick glance, and I knew without a vision that they were already preparing for their next move.
• The witch had warned that time was running out. However, for whom?