The Alpha King's Nemesis-Chapter 219: Distracted ()

"How is it?" Zariah asked Eloneth.

"You’re all healed... though there are scars, but they will be gone in time." Eloneth assured Zariah, helping Zariah put on her shirt.

Zariah hummed in response, putting on her outer robe over the satin shirt she had on.

"Ren tells me he is to head back to Fae territory with you to investigate more into the shard." Zariah said to Eloneth.

"Yes. My mother..." Eloneth began but trailed off, probably wary of how Zariah would react to the mention of Queen Heveneth.

Zariah passed a look to Eloneth, smirking in amusement. She got up to her feet and slowly adjusted her robes.

"Askel has a bone to pick with your mother, and rightly so, she harmed me. But I do not hold it against her. Queen Heveneth may not be my favourite person for putting Ren in a difficult position, however, I do not have the luxury to waste my grudges." Zariah said to Eloneth.

"That means a lot to me. I know my mother can be a lot sometimes...it also means a lot to me, how accepting you’ve been of me." Eloneth said sincerely.

Zariah smiled genuinely, she shrugged casually. Initially, she had been opposed to growing familiar with Eloneth, but living in close proximity this past month, it had just happened naturally. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Zariah could not say Eloneth was a confidant or was anything like Dionne or Kaileen to her, but she did not have anything against the fairy and she was willing to accept her as part of the Moonstone family.

"What have I said? You need only make Ren happy. If Ren is happy, then I am happy...Ren adores you, he has told me repeatedly, he is smitten."

"I see how close you two have grown in this time. I may look distracted and have decided to remain uninvolved, but I keep an eye on what truly matters...if my blood adores you, as do I. And if he loves you, then so will I..." Zariah trailed off for a moment.

"But if you cause him pain, I will inflict a hundred times worse on you. And if you hurt him, I will kill you. It is just that simple." Zariah added casually like her words were the most natural thing.

"I would never. I swear." Eloneth vowed solemnly.

"Darren tells me Queen Heveneth has some information on the shards but will only provide it in person... it is very much characteristic of Queen Heveneth to make everything a bargain, but that is fine...I believe she just wishes to see you, the price this time is one I can afford." Zariah continued.

"I have given my approval to Darren already. You may take him with you to the Fae domain, however seeing how the last visit to the Fae domain went, I will trust that you will keep Darren safe..."

"He can take care of himself, but from your mother... I believe you are the only one that can ensure nothing goes wrong." Zariah said to Eloneth.

"Of course, my mother will warm up to Darren when she sees how much he cares for me, you have nothing to worry about." Eloneth assured.

"Very well then, you may leave today. While you and Darren are away, I will return to the Ethereal Palace... that is Allen’s arrangement. I equally must see about some duties I have put off for too long." Zariah said, gesturing for Eloneth to take her leave.

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Zariah strode down the hallways of the Ethereal Palace, the looks she received from some of the Royal Lycan wolves going about their duties were not lost to her.

But Zariah did not pay them any heed, they had constantly stared for the past two days since she returned to the Ethereal Palace and at Zariah was already accustomed to it by now.

Zariah guessed the word about her situation with Caedmon and King Askel had spread to all ears in the Royal Lycan pack and it was no wonder that they stared at her with a mix of terror and fury.

While Zariah could only be accorded respect due to her status as the Crimson Alpha, it was also no surprise that she was seen as the common enemy by the Royal Lycan wolves.

Moving from being the head warrior to being the actual Alpha of Crimson Moon must have restored the deep sense of wariness the Royal Lycans had always held towards Crimson Moon,

As if that was not enough, Queen Sancia must have contributed a lot to tarnishing Zariah’s image amongst the royal lycans, Zariah knew this and so she had come prepared to face their scorn.

"Are you alright?" Nile asked Zariah from where he walked by her side.

Allen also walked with them but he did not say a word.

"Surely. I can bear to tolerate Askel’s fury, what does any of this matter to me?" Zariah asked Nile.

Nile sighed quietly but nodded his head in agreement, exchanging a look with Allen. Soon, Zariah, Allen and Nile arrived at the archives of the royal lycan pack where they retrieved some scrolls they needed for the peace accord.

Or more accurately, Nile did the retrieving while Allen sat at a desk, reading through a volume. Zariah just leaned against a bookshelf, gazing ahead blankly.

"Zariah..." Nile called Zariah, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Zariah glanced over at Nile with a raised brow.

"I have called you repeatedly... what is on your mind?" Nile asked Zariah in concern.

"Nothing, I am fine. Let us return." Zariah said to Nile with a shake of her head.

"No, Zari, you are not fine. You have been constantly absent minded these two days since you returned to the Ethereal Palace." Nile insisted, stopping Zariah from leaving with a hand on her shoulder.

"He is right, you have been distracted." Allen agreed.

Zariah breathed a quiet sigh, contemplating for a moment.

"I... I cannot sense Askel’s presence. And I know my senses are not as they used to be, but I could still always tell when he was in close proximity...I could just tell, somehow."

"But since I returned, there is not even a trace...it is like, he is not within this premises at all." Zariah admitted to the concerns that had been plaguing her.