It had been a day since they moved her to the storeroom.
Lyra stirred, her eyes fluttered open.
She had been in and out of consciousness several times, for some time she had felt her whole body burning then bone cold.
Probably, this was a dream, she felt someone wiping her body attentively. Something that had never happened to her before.
"Hey!" Tessa almost jumped in shock when she saw Lyra open her eyes. "Are you feeling better?"
Lyra didn't know the name of the girl tending to her diligently but she knew her face. Before she fainted she saw her running towards her calling out for help.
She felt her head so dizzy and her eyelids were so heavy but her throat was throbbing. She was so parched. "W-Water." Her voice was so hoarse.
"Yes, Let me get it for you." She announced before she rushed out the room.
Lyra looked around, the warm sunlight streamed down into the room from a very tiny window. It was fascinating to Lyra as the sunlight from that small window managed to flood inside they entire room. The room smelled old, like dust and damp wood, but the sunlight made it feel strangely peaceful.
Tessa came back quickly and handed the glass of warm water to Lyra. Tessa had even warmed the water for her. Lyra smiled weakly at her and thanked her. She looked so pale and fragile.
"You want more?" Tessa asked when Lyra handed the empty glass to her, ready to rush off to the kitchen.
"No. Thank you." She said her voice still hoarse.
"I'm Tessa. We were together at the garden. Remember me?" Tessa rubbed her hands on her skirt and gave a nervous smile.
Lyra wondered how she took care of her and even wiped her body when they weren't familiar with each other, "Yes... I'm Lyra." she murmured, her voice fragile. "Thank you for helping me."
"The breakfast is being served now," Tessa announced weirdly scratching her head. "Shall I get you some?"
"No, thank you, I can walk," Accepting help felt wrong, it would be like treating Tessa as a personal maid which didn't seat right with her. "Please help me up."
Tessa grabbed Lyra by her arm and helped her sit down on the mat before helping her up. On standing up on her feat, her head spun. She still was not fully healed and had just regained her consciousness but didn't have the luxury to seat and heal her wounds. She was a maid not a princess.
Walking to the Dining area designated for the maids was hard but with Tessa holding onto her made it easier. The other girls had already served their meals and were busy wolfing them down before they arrived. As soon as they entered, the room suddenly quieted down and cold stares were directed at them for a moment before...
"And when I thought she died..." a murmur was heard from the room which was followed by other mean jabs.
Lyra went and sat at the stone which was just left open after the girls scattered on seeing her approach them.
"Sit here. I will get your food." Tessa left as soon as she said that.
Lyra sat there silently. She felt her body weak and tired as if she ran the whole night or lifted heavy stones. Her fever was still there though rationed and not as bad as how it was before.
"Maybe she's cursed! Look at her hair." some girls whispered but audible enough to be heard by everyone.
"And her eyes. I heard witches have colored eyes." She even gasped at the end of her sentence.
The girls looked at Lyra, probably trying to figure what she is or finding more things to insult her about.
"Here it is." A voice pulled Lyra from her thoughts as a plate of hard bread and some corn was placed in front of her.
"Thank you Tessa." Lyra said a soft smile forming on her lips. It was good to know in a world full of cruelty there was kind souls like Tessa who existed.
Lyra broke her bread in three quarter and gave it to Tessa. She knew no matter how she tried eating it, she would never finish the whole thing let alone even a quarter and Tessa needed it. That was how she could repay her for her help. Tessa thanked her with a smile, her cheeks puffed.
"How fat do you want to be?" Rina asked loudly for everyone to hear, "Glutton! Are you not ashamed?"
Tessa kept eating, her eyes fixed on her plate, not even flinching at the insult. After her insult not acquiring as much reaction from Tessa as she anticipated, she continued with the mean body shaming remarks hoping to get something from her but to no avail.
"Did you eat your whole family? That's why you're here?" She continued.
"They are still alive." Tessa replied biting onto the hard bread. The girl looked wide eyed, she had not expect her to answer her.
Lyra heard the jab about family, she couldn't help but think about her grandfather. If he had gone back home and if he was safe. "Moon goddess please keep my Grandfather safe." She prayed silently. Tessa offered to do her garden chores for the day after escorting her back to the room. She reasoned that Lyra should get enough rest so she could recover properly.
***
Kross felt weird. The Ravager was gone. It didn't stir nor could he feel it. It didn't try to occupy and invade his mind as it used to. There was no reasonable explanation about the curse, the ravager and less of how to break it. It was impossible and for it to just leave on its own made it hard to believe.
"Alpha William sent another letter today, I burnt it" Noah told the Alpha.
Kross stayed silent for some minutes before he said, "Prepare to leave for the nightshade pack."
"What?" Ryan exclaimed. "Why?" He knew the Kael never explained anything but still he had to ask.
"Should I send a letter to the king informing him of your visit?" Noah asked
"No." Kross said.
"You know we have to pass through the capital city for us to arrive at the Southern," Ryan mentioned.
"Are you wagering a war with the royal?" Noah asked Kross rationally. Gaining no answer nor a glance from Kross who looked to be in deep thought, "At least inform me so I can prepare our men."
"After we leave, You should leave for the Blackhowl pack." He looked at Noah and informed him before turning to Ryan, "And you prepare for our departure."
It was reasonable for the Beta, the second in command to stay and be in charge of the Pack in the absence of the Alpha.
"We should leave in two weeks before winter starts. Snow will make it hard to travel." Noah announced.
"You choose a very bad time to travel." Ryan threw his banter jokingly earning a glare from Kael. "The animals will be going to hibernation so we'll have little attacks."
"Kross," Noah called out his expression turning a little grim. "The full moon is tomorrow."
Before Kross could respond, someone knocked on the door twice and ten entered the room without getting any permission. They knew who was so gutsy to do that. Seeing Isolde entering, though they had some more thing to talk about. They knew the alpha needed some private time with his woman. They resigned themselves but not without Ryan throwing a dirty look at Isolde.
"Alpha..." Isolde strode towards him and stood at the back of the chair he sat on, massaging his shoulders gently. "I will make you feel good tonight."
Isolde caressed his chest and shoulder. She knew they normally didn't do foreplay and if she tried that, Kross will not be turned on, he glared at her. He loathed anything affectionate. Their relationship was based on carnal desire only.