All Chapters of The Lost Royal: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

The walk back upstairs was in silence, the people around us once again avoiding Saxon's stony face. As we headed all the way up to his rooms again, I couldn't help but feel unsettled by the situation. Not just by the threat of potential war, or there being another Royal, or even of the possible reactions the pack may have to me being one. It was deeper than that, harder to pinpoint at first, but as I finally put words to the feeling, I sighed heavily. Haden noticed, looking at me with concern, but I only shook my head. It was too hard to explain, that as much as the idea of me being their Luna was absolutely terrifying.. I still hated that it would happen not because I was worthy, or ready, or somehow miraculously accepted by their pack, but simply because they needed the power from my blood. The moment we were alone in Saxon's rooms again, Haden reached out and pulled me close, cupping my cheek with his hand. I shifted uncomfortably as he studied me with his beautiful green eyes,

It was hours later when I woke, finding myself still naked in Saxon's bed, only with Saxon himself curled tightly around me, and Haden nowhere to be seen. I yawned, stretching out, and Saxon grunted in response, pulling me tighter against him. I laughed softly and tried to free myself from his arms, but he only held tighter, until I complained that I needed to use the bathroom. He reluctantly let me up, grumbling incoherently in a state of partial sleep, and I headed straight for his ensuite, shutting the door behind me. I used it, and took a moment to notice my reflection as I washed my hands, then froze. My hair. My roots had begun to grow in, I realised, and there was no mistaking the obvious flame-red colour of them. The dull brown that Mama had used to hide the true colour for as long as I could remember, now only seemed to make the red stand out even more. I suddenly felt sick. I wouldn't even be able to hide it until the Luna ceremony. One glance would be all it would take

I must have dozed off without realising, as comfortable as I was, snuggled into Haden's chest. Opening my eyes as I felt him gently shaking me awake, I yawned sleepily, stretching myself out, then froze as I saw the look on Haden's face. "What's wrong?" I asked, immediately feeling a deep sense of dread, as I studied his pale, uncertain looking expression. "Another attack," he said quietly, as he lifted me off his lap and got to his feet himself. "You should dress quickly, we need to go and help. This one.." he paused, taking a deep breath as his voice began to tremble, "It was.. worse than the last. A lot worse."I stared at him in horror, feeling frozen in place for a moment. "Now," he insisted, "Please, we should hurry," and the urgency in his words seemed to snap me out of it, sending me rushing over to the wardrobe. We dressed hurriedly, and I began heading towards the doors, but Haden paused, seeming hesitant, then more decisive, as he walked over to a large, heavy looking c

Haden looked frozen in place for a moment, the expression on his face more troubled than ever. "Do you think..?" I began, and he shook his head, sighing deeply. "I don't know," he said heavily, his voice sounding as troubled as he looked. "We need more information, before we begin making assumptions that could only make things worse."I nodded understanding, "Aerin?" I suggested gently, "She might have heard.." Haden nodded and began moving before I could even finish the words, looking over the list from Nera as he walked, his other hand clasping mine tightly. I could feel the tension in his usually calm grip, and it was deeply unsettling. "Your Mother used herbs, didn't she? Would you recognise any of these?" he asked, handing me the list as he led me back towards the doors at a brisk pace. I looked it over quickly, recognising many of the names, though some I noticed were regional alternatives to those I'd grown up using. "Most of them," I said with some degree of uncertainly, "T

We continued through the darkness in silence, until we reached the next junction, and Haden hesitated, turning towards me. Just like before, a faint floral scent wafted from one of the passages, and just like before, Haden seemed oblivious to it. I frowned, but nodded towards the scented one, picking out another small, crushed stem from the corner of a beam this time. Haden seemed just as confused as before, yet with no other guidance, we continued to follow the way they led us, and I desperately hoped it was Aerin, or someone else we trusted, who was leaving them behind. The silence stretched out, as the words we'd heard played over and over in my head, almost making me miss one of the scents. At this one, there was no junction of passages, but a gap in the wall to our left, that only led straight up and down. I turned back as I noticed the scent, staring at the dark opening with a growing sense of apprehension. Haden turned when I stopped, moving beside me, seeming every bit as