The Hidden King's Stolen Wife
Chapter 119: Lighthouse

Chapter 119: Lighthouse

Elowyn’s eyes lit up with hope. At the same time, Soleia looked down at her now-empty hand, suddenly feeling the cold of the wintry night air in full force. It had been warm just seconds prior, heated by Orion’s hold. But now, she was left alone once more while Orion reached for Elowyn instead.

Soleia couldn’t help but feel her heart fall into her stomach. Even without the influence of the amethyst, it seemed like Elowyn was able to pull Orion back to her side ever so easily. Just one drop of her tear, one reminder that she was with his child, and he was hooked, a sailor charmed by the melody of a siren.

In comparison, what did Soleia have other than their crumbling marriage to hold Orion Elsher down? She wasn’t with his child, nor did she have his heart.

Soleia was just debating whether she should step back and give these two people some space or if she should run and scream for Sir Ralph’s help, when Orion suddenly spoke.

"You are soon to be a mother of our child," Orion said, his voice a lot colder than Elowyn and Soleia had expected. "Since you still remember that you are with child, then perhaps you should be resting in your room, rather than prancing around at night in the cold."

Elowyn’s eyes widened, and so did Soleia’s. Both women wore matching looks of surprise.

"I understand," Elowyn said. "But before I am a mother, I am your woman." She reached forward and wanted to grab Orion’s hand, and Soleia’s eyes widened even further with alarm. "I just wanted to―"

Orion took a huge step back, nearly knocking into Soleia. He, however, stood protectively in front of her, and a look of hurt flashed across Elowyn’s eyes. Soleia wondered for a second if this was how she looked all those times Orion walked away from her in defense of Elowyn.

"Your Grace..." Elowyn trailed off, hurt and confused.

"You ought to know how important this wedding between me and Soleia is," Orion quickly said, cutting her off. "His Majesty is looking forward to this event. There are royalty of allied kingdoms invited― two of which are already residing in this very palace. Right now, our duty is to see to it that the wedding ends in a success."

Elowyn’s bottom lip trembled but Orion was far from done.

"I have promised to marry you, but not here, and not now. While we are in the palace, living with the King and his family, it is your duty as my soon-to-be concubine to respect the Princess. She is my first wife, and she is my duchess."

His expression was cold, but not as much as the next words he said.

"Know your place, Elowyn."

All of a sudden, Soleia felt as though she was watching a mirror. In Elowyn’s place was her — the version of her from weeks ago while they were still in Drakenmire — and she received all the nasty and unkind words Orion Elsher had to offer. Soleia’s heart twisted painfully, both in sympathy for herself, and empathy for Elowyn.

At least, until she remembered that Elowyn had resorted to dirty tactics to gain Orion Elsher’s heart in the first place.

Orion didn’t allow Elowyn a chance to reply. He reached back and held Soleia’s hand before tugging her forward. He didn’t stop, and instead, quickly walked past Elowyn. The sound of the wheels of Soleia’s trunk echoed in the air, along with their matching footsteps. Soleia couldn’t help but turn back and look over her shoulder at Elowyn.

She stood there, still as a statue, her hands clenched into fists at her side, even as Soleia and Orion turned a corner and she was no longer in view.

When they returned to Orion’s chambers and the door was clicked shut, Soleia pulled away from Orion’s hand.

"Why would you tell her such a thing!" she said, trying her best not to yell.

"Was it wrong to tell her that?" Orion asked, confused.

"Yes!" Soleia said, frustrated. "Now she will know that you’re definitely no longer under her spell."

"She knows," Orion said. "She definitely knows, even before this. You heard it yourself― we have hardly interacted ever since we separated ourselves, and every interaction I’ve had with her has been heavily watched and guarded."

"And how is this helping the situation?" Soleia asked. Goodness. She wanted to yank her hair out with how stupid this man was.

"It helps by warning her that this place has eyes, and the walls have ears, especially in the King’s property," Orion said.

He closed the distance between him and Soleia, his eyes practically glowing in the darkness.

"She will know better than to make a fool of herself here. One wrong step and she could lose both her and her baby’s life. The King will not spare her if she is the reason why our wedding fails to take place."

Orion paused, and a moment of silence fell between them. Then, in a quieter voice, he said, "We will not be able to hide this from her forever. She will figure it out sooner or later, and unfortunately, it will be before we find a way to dispel her magic forever. Besides..."

He reached down and gently held Soleia’s hand, holding it up to his face. He rested his cheek on her palm, his expression greatly softening.

"You will be able to pull me out whenever she keeps me under her lullaby, won’t you?" he said.

He reached forward and combed back her hair, his fingers brushing against her selenite earrings. For a second, Soleia wondered if Orion knew about her abilities, especially with how he had touched her ears right as he said those words. But quickly, she banished the thought.

"For some reason, whenever I am with you, I feel at peace," he muttered, his voice barely audible. "You’re the lighthouse that is capable of guiding me back home to you."

Soleia’s shoulders quickly relaxed as he spoke. It seemed like she was thinking too much about it.

"I cannot guarantee I will be able to steal her gemstone a second time, if she does enchant you again," Soleia said. "What happens then?"

"Then we make sure she will never get her hand on an amethyst in time," Orion said. "In your absence, the King has decided to host the hunt. It will begin two days later, right before our wedding."

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