Elena’s patience for the witch frayed with every passing second.
She didn’t completely hate that Darius had given her the chance to choose a maid for the annex.
If anything, he had unknowingly handed her the perfect opportunity.
Now she could place one of her own people beside Aurelia.
Someone loyal to her.
Someone who would report every little thing the witch did.
She had chosen Lucia without a second thought.
“You won’t have to tolerate the witch much longer, my Sunbeam.”
The familiar voice pulled Elena away from her reflection.
She turned to find her father standing by the door with his hands clasped behind his back.
A smile found her lips as he walked into the room.
“I’ve found a way to get rid of her.”
One of Alpha Frisk’s brows rose.
“Have you now?”
“I just need a few of your warriors, Papa.”
He studied her for a moment before a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
He didn’t ask what she intended to do.
He never questioned her plans.
Whatever she did, as long as it put that smile back on her face, he would support it without hesitation.
It wasn’t long before Elena found herself standing outside the annex with Lucia by her side.
The maid held a woven basket filled with vegetables, herbs and a few cuts of fresh meat.
Snow crunched beneath their boots while the cold wind tugged at the fur lining of Elena’s coat.
She knocked three times.
A few moments later the door creaked open.
Aurelia stood on the other side.
For the briefest moment, before those grey eyes landed on Elena, there was something almost fragile about her.
Her shoulders were slumped with exhaustion, her face softer than Elena had ever seen it.
It disappeared the instant recognition crossed her features.
Her expression hardened into the same guarded look she always wore.
Elena gestured towards the basket in Lucia’s hands.
“Do you plan to starve yourself?”
Aurelia’s gaze flickered to the basket before returning to Elena.
She seemed to weigh her options for a second before reluctantly stepping aside, allowing the two women inside.
Elena’s eyes slowly swept across the annex.
Her jaw almost tightened.
The place looked nothing like she remembered.
She had specifically ordered the maids not to clean a single speck of dust before Aurelia moved in.
Yet every surface gleamed, flowers climbed along the walls in thick green vines, and the air smelled faintly of lavender and fresh herbs instead of mildew.
Those damned witches.
Elena forced herself not to dwell on it.
She hadn’t come here to inspect the house.
As Aurelia turned her back, Elena slipped a small pouch from inside her sleeve.
With one swift motion she threw the silvery powder into the witch’s face.
Aurelia staggered backwards almost immediately, coughing violently as she rubbed at her eyes.
“You horrid bitch,” she hissed, reaching blindly for the nearest wall to steady herself.
“What did you—”
“Save the curses for Hades, Aurelia,” Elena interrupted with a smile.
She closed the distance between them and buried a hand in Aurelia’s silver hair, forcing her head back.
The witch tried to shove her away, but the powder had already begun taking effect.
Her movements had slowed, her strength draining from her body with every passing second.
Lucia hurried forward without needing to be told.
Together they dragged Aurelia towards the door while she continued to struggle, her boots scraping uselessly across the wooden floor.
They dragged her across the snow towards the woods.
When they were deep enough into the woods, Elena finally stopped.
The towering pines swallowed most of the late afternoon light, leaving the forest eerily quiet except for the wind rustling through snow-laden branches.
She released Aurelia’s hair with a shove.
Aurelia stumbled forward before crashing onto the snow-covered ground.
The cold bit through her clothes immediately, stealing what little warmth she had left.
Her eyes settled on the witch.
Even now…
She still looked defiant.
Her silver hair had fallen loose around her face, her breathing came in uneven gasps and the powder had left her body weak, yet those grey eyes still burned with quiet hatred.
It was almost admirable.
Almost.
“You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this,” Elena said, taking an unhurried step towards her.
“Years.”
Aurelia slowly pushed herself onto her elbows, glaring up at her.
“I always knew there was something off about you.”
A small smile tugged at Elena’s lips.
“Off?”
She laughed softly.
“Oh, Aurelia…” Her smile widened.
“I’ve been waiting to stand beside Darius long before you ever existed in his life.”
Low growls echoed from the trees.
Aurelia’s eyes darted toward the sound.
Shapes began emerging between the snow-covered pines.
Large wolves.
Warriors.
They circled slowly, their yellow eyes fixed entirely on her.
Elena stepped back, giving them room.
“I’ve decided to be merciful.” She folded her hands neatly in front of her.
“I’ll give you a head start.”
Her smile would have been beautiful if it wasn’t cruel.
“Run.”
HEY there!