Giselle blinked into consciousness, her vision just as blurry as when she shut them. The first thing she felt was the cold of the air; it was either morning or late evening she could tell, the air felt crispier like the dawn of a new day. She wasn't bare or poorly clothed. Looking down at her body she could see that Lysara, or someone at least, did their best to drape her in a thicker nightdress and cover her up in a soft woolen fur cloth. Still she felt cold, shivering when a fresh gust of wind blew into the room.
Glancing up to find the window open, a gasp caught in her throat. Reclining by the window was Fabio, her mate, his silhouette just as attractive as the rest of his body. Was this a dream? He looked as real as the wind felt. He turned back at the sound of her gasp, his face dark against the light but she could still see how blue his eyes were. Giselle knew he wouldn't hurt her, not physically anyway, but for a second his eyes seemed almost as dark as his face, like a demon lurking and waiting for the right moment to strike. He didn't speak for minutes, going back to his spot by the open window, his fur cloak whipping around in the wind. Outside was a maelstrom of grey clouds.
It was going to rain soon.
"What do you want?" Giselle's voice was hoarse from disuse but firm. Bonded or not, it irked her deeply that he would show his face here after everything he had done and still planned to do. The last thing she remembered after all was pain, like a broad jagged sword striking her abdomen again and again. He wanted to punish her, this she knew well. There was no love between them, only a bond forged by the moon. It was too bad that even this bond didn't stop him from despising her very existence.
The longer Fabio stayed silent, the more restless she grew. Her fingers bunched around the soft furs and her heart thumped erratically in her chest, its harsh sound bleeding into her ears. Memories of the pain flooded her mind, filling her mouth with a bitter taste. She felt like throwing up.
"Have you come to gloat? Was it not enough punishment to disown me publicly, to bed another? Must I be punished by seeing your cruel face as well?"
Her voice was steadier than she thought it would be but her hands were trembling violently under the fur covers.
"I have come to do neither of those things, omega." His back was still turned and his hair still whipped elegantly in the wind. Giselle wondered if he had finally lost it. Perhaps all this thirst for vengeance and bitterness at not getting his 'first love' as his wife and soulmate has driven him mad and he had come to take it out on her. "I have come to tell you that you've won, for now."
She cocked her head in confusion as he turned around and walked slowly to the edge of the bed. The wind continued unabated, blearing through the silk curtains. Outside was neither day nor light, just a mass of endless grey clouds.
It was going to rain soon.
"Won?" Her lips felt loose. Was this a dream? How did it feel so real?
"But don't think for a second I will go back on my word, Giselle. I won't stop searching for Genevieve and I won't stop hating you for taking her rightful place as Queen." Fabio was right beside her bed, his eyes glaring into hers. Her vision swam for a moment and his face distorted into something inhuman; for a moment she saw the head of a vicious wolf with gold pupils and large canines. A scream stifled in her throat and her breathing grew erratic. She sunk deeper into the bed. Fabio's eyes followed, "Gods, I hate every second of this. The universe must really want me unhappy for the rest of my existence to attach my soul with you of all people. The Moon herself must be laughing at her plan—"
"W-wh—"
"—and yet, it's all my fault isn't it? You're like this and it's all my fault. Why did it have to be you?"
He sounded so far away, like she was drowning in the ocean and he was on the surface staring down at her.
His face was the last thing she saw before sinking into a deep, dreamless sleep.
When Giselle awoke again, there was no wind, no open window and no endless mass of grey clouds outside. She rubbed her eyes, blinking herself awake.
So it truly was just a dream.
But how could it be when she could practically taste Fabio's scent of cedar wood on her tongue?
The door opened just then and a head of brown hair peeked in.
"Giselle? Oh, thank the Moon you're awake!" It was all a blur of hugs and murmured words of thanks to the gods after that. Lysara was brewing her a hot bath with damp cheeks, insisting that she wasn't crying at all. She walked around the room and opened all the curtains to "Let it fresh air, it smells like rotting wood in here!"
Lysara helped to the bathtub and sat beside her, scrubbing softly whilst babbling about how the entire palace has been simply boring without her and how she had gotten tons and tons of flowers some of which had wilted off and well-wishing letters from courtiers.
"How long have I been asleep?" Giselle interrupted her narration. Her face suddenly soured but she kept scrubbing, eyes downcast.
"Nearly a week, Gigi. You really gave us a fright. There was no fever or anything, just silence. I think that scared us the most, not knowing what we could do to help."
"A week?" her head was spinning. "Did Fabio come in here?"
"No, he didn't," Lysara said through gritted teeth, eyes flashing, "Not like anyone expected him to anyway. He may be the king but he's horrible in every way. How do you stand him?"
Giselle hushed her but couldn't help a smile. She knew that Lysara would be the type to curse out the king without a single hesitation in her, even though it landed her in trouble.
The door opened again and Grand Princess Leandra walked in, her face instantly lighting up when she saw Giselle.
"Thank the goddess for her mercies!" She exclaimed, pulling the younger woman into a tight hug. Giselle gulped in her familiar, candy-sweet scent and returned the hug with tears in her eyes. She'd come to the palace thinking she was doomed to suffer a loveless marriage all alone with no one beside her but she was wrong. Leandra's scent reminded her of her mother's; typically omegan but grounding and warm, like family and acceptance. It had been so long since she was held so lovingly in another's arms, the last time being when she was bid farewell by her parents before she started a journey into an unknown world. Thankfully, she found friends in places she didn't expect—friends who clearly cared for her deeply.
Leandra rang the bell above her bed, instructing attendants to bring breakfast. Lysara helped her up the bed and after a much needed bath, they sat on the balcony and Giselle tried to eat. With each rumble of her stomach, she hoped to at least be able to keep some food down after days without solid food.
The servants laid a lace tablecloth on the small table and one by one, wheeled out trays of delicacies; aromatic loaves of fresh garlic bread, steaming rows of braised sausages and pork, a bowl of oatmeal porridge (Giselle guessed it was especially meant for her, if she had trouble keeping food down) and of course a teapot of piping hot Earl Grey.
As delicious as everything looked—and smelt—Giselle didn't think she could stand the sight for even one more second. Lysara was already placing a plate in front of her and she didn't look like she was going to take no for an answer. She slumped back with a groan, clutching her stomach.
Lysara flashed an apologetic smile before piling even more food on her plate.
"I don't think I can keep anything down–" Giselle protested.
"You have too, Gigi! You have lost so much weight."
Leandra nodded in support.
"She's right, my dear. You have been through one of the most painful things an omega can face, right next to childbearing. I must apologize on my brother's behalf, Giselle. What he did was completely inexcusable." She said, "I would've gone to the Elders the second I knew of his plans–"
"–it's alright, Lea." Giselle took a small sip of tea, "The King doesn't seem like one to be easily stopped when he thinks he is in the right. I fear I have no choice but to survive."
"Starting today, you don't have to. We have already gone to the Elder Theon and I believe he has spoken to him."
"Yes, Fabio has been told the severe implications of his actions. We believe he has taken his advice." Lysara quipped.
Giselle recalled the shadowy broad figure with a build that was suspiciously as tall as the King's.
It's all my fault isn't it?
Why did it have to be you?
Was it not a dream? Did Fabio really enter her confines and tell her that or was it a figment of her imagination? Either way it didn't matter. It shouldn't matter if he had repented or not, they didn't marry for love. She didn't marry for love but to save her family and her sister's name no matter what became of her. No matter what punishment she had to endure.
After the attendants cleared off breakfast remnants from the balcony table, Giselle settled back on her bed to read and rest. Leandra went back to her duties and Lysara left her to enjoy some alone time, but checked on her from time to time, bringing water and small snacks. Giselle didn't know how she survived this cruel place with her loyal Lady.
The next time Lysara returned, she was holding two letters in her hand. "Letters for you, milady." She said.
Giselle traced her hand over the seal. Her family insignia was etched on it, these were letters from her parents. She quickly tore it open and read it. It was her father's handwriting but she could clearly see her mother standing beside him, telling him the words he should write.
Dear Giselle,
We greatly miss you, our beloved daughter. A day doesn't go by without us thinking about you. Once more, we must apologize for being terrible parents, for forcing you into marriage with the King without a choice. Perhaps if we had been truthful, his Majesty would have been merciful but it is too late now. We cannot imagine the trials you are going through, we can only hope and pray that your new husband is treating you right…
Giselle sobbed, tears dropping onto the paper. Lysara rubbed her shoulders as she read the letter to the end, wiping her face. She missed them so much and even though she longed for the day she could visit and see them again, Giselle knew that her life was at the palace now and her duty was here. She would not fail her family by backing out when things got difficult
After drying her eyes of tears and murmuring a word of thanks to Lysara, she examined the second letter. It was a plain envelope, unmarked and unsealed.
"It was addressed to you," Lysara clarified when she noticed Giselle's confusion, "It is protocol for the royal post to check all unsealed letters but it wasn't read."
The letter wasn't signed nor did the handwriting look familiar to her in anyway. In fact, it was completely bare except for a scrawl of words at the very bottom of the paper.
Giselle's eyes widened, squeezing the letter in shock.
"Who on earth…?"
Lysara was puzzled but didn't so much as glance at the letter's contents out of respect for her Lady. "W-what's wrong, milady? Is it terrible news?"
Giselle left the room without a single word, still holding on to the letter, her dress trailing behind her.