Chapter 58

58. Stopping For A Hot Drink YILEYNA I felt numb. Over twenty-four hours had passed, but as he
said… he didn’t come back I spent the night before pacing the cabin, wanting to see him, to go to
him, until I realised I don’t hold that right…

I was a distraction, and one he didn’t need…

I didn’t sleep that night, unable to enter the bedroom after what had happened there just the night
before… His emotions… He… There was more to last night… I knew it… but where I thought he was
falling for me… he was actually saying goodbye… I ran my hands through my hair once more, staring
out at the blizzard. The fire in the hearth had died down yesterday afternoon, and the cabin was cold, but
I didn’t care… I don’t think anything felt as cold as it was inside my heart. Ten o’clock tonight. He said
he’d meet me… and although I was counting the minutes, what was I to do? Pretend to be normal?
When Theon himself told me it was over… it made clear all I was to him: A simple pass time. I couldn’t
just sit here doing nothing, but then why did I feel like I didn’t want to do anything but wallow? “Well even
if you want to! You can’t.” I told myself, sitting up and taking a deep breath. “I am Yileyna De’Lacor, and I
am not going to let a man make me lose sight of my goals.” 2

I had been played and used, regardless of whether there were emotions involved or not… I had to stop. I
really needed to stop letting him hurt me. Maybe tonight I’ll see how he is, but unless he says that he
made a mistake, I will not give him the time of day. 2

I will stop thinking about it, I will try to be strong and act like I am not affected. I missed him and deep
down I did want to see him again, but his actions would confirm many things tonight

For now, I would go and ask the Alpha for the proof of my parent’s crimes. Nodding with determination
and a sense of purpose, I quickly ate some food and then got dressed in white leather pants, a pale grey
shirt and a white corset belt. I picked up my empty dishes and carried them over to the sink, I was about
to place them in the sink when my eyes fell on the glass of vinegar.



“Oh shit!”

Thad forgotten it. I quickly split it in the sink, wondering if the vinegar had destroyed the metal. Turning
the tap on, 1 rinsed it off, before applying some washing-up soap to it and

giving it a good scrub with the sponge. Once I had scrubbed it thoroughly and rinsed it off with warm
water, I looked at the chain in

hand. My breath hitched; I wasn’t holding just a rusty, dull trinket. I didn’t need to take this to a jeweller
for confirmation that I was holding a precious stone in my hand. Something worth far more than a few
gold coins. 1

The jewel in the centre that had looked a dull brown under the layers of grime and dirt now dazzled a
gorgeous burning amber. I ran my fingers along the chain, where it had once looked grey and dirty, it
now shone a pale gold. I had hit a gold mine. Was it a stolen item? Or perhaps he had found it
somewhere? Obviously, he didn’t realise how pretty it was! I’m sure he would have tried to charge far
more.

I was about to put it down when I hesitated, if it was worth a lot… then I should wear it and keep it safe.

I dried it with a dishcloth and slipped the long chain over my head, tucking it into my shirt, letting it nestle
itself between my breasts.

Theon’s face flashed to mind, the memory of his touch making my body betray me. My stomach reacted
and that ache settled inside me once more. I took a deep breath, grabbed my coat and squashed the
thought.

Focus Yileyna.

I pulled open the door to the cabin and stepped outside into the blizzard, it took me a moment to keep
my footing as the wind pushed against me violently. Goddess the weather was getting worse.



It seems worse than usual, despite the cold not seeming as bad.

Locking up behind me, I slipped the key into my pouch and placed it into the large inner pocket of my
coat, then began trudging through the snow. The snow was deeper than yesterday too…

It took much longer to make my way toward the castle, but it gave me time to ponder over how I would
approach the topic with the king. I sighed heavily as I approached the busier streets of the city. The snow
was far less here, with lots of foot traffic making it melt away. However, this made parts of the ground
rather iced. I could feel the cold now. My legs felt rather numb too.

“Yileyna!”

I stopped, surprised to see Charlene standing there in a white fur coat and hat. The tip of her nose was
red but the relief, worry and happiness in her eyes made me concerned and delighted to see her all at
once.

“Charlene!” I smiled, giving her a big bear hug.

She hugged me back and I smiled, feeling a little better in her embrace.

But she was the future Alpha, I couldn’t really rely on her. The king indirectly made it clear he only
tolerated me because of Charlene. I knew for a fact that if I shared my problems with her, she would only
put herself in more trouble and take more stress due to it. “I was actually coming to see you, but I had
training with Madelia first.” She explained, taking

my hands in her gloved ones. “Goddess Yileyna! Why aren’t you wearing your gloves!” “It’s not that cold,
I’m ok” I said. “You will get frostbite!”

11



“I really won’t. So tell me, how was training? And why was I so lucky to have you come visit me?” I
asked.

She looked around, as if checking if anyone was listening. “How about we get a hot drink?” She
suggested with a smile.

But there was something worrying her… I could see it…

“Why not, we can go to Madam Marigold’s.” I suggested, it was always very packed, and you could have
a conversation there.

She nodded, and we both made our way down a side street before we approached the small café.
Steam was blowing out from the chimney, the promise of warmth and a hot cup of coffee was calling
Coffee… maybe not. We exchanged looks, a smile crossing both our faces before we hurried to the door.
Charlene skidded on the icy entrance, I grabbed hold of her as she yelped in alarm before we burst out
laughing “Oops, careful.” I giggled as I pushed open the door and we stepped inside. Instantly I was hit
with the smell of coffee, roasted walnuts, and so many more delicious scents. Music played in the
background, blending in with the hum of chatter. “Did you ladies not see the warning outside to be careful
on the ice?” Madam Marigold questioned, raising a brow sceptically. “No.” Charlene and I said in unison,
we hadn’t.

“Oh, that sign is long since covered by snow, Marigold!” Someone called out, making the woman roll her
eyes.

“Right, but I don’t need the king to be out for my neck if his daughter gets hurt on my premises.” She
scolded lightly before jerking her head towards the back. “Really?” Charlene asked, it was rare to get a
back room in here. “Yes, go. It’s too rowdy in here for pretty girls to be around. I don’t need the extra
drama!” Ah, perfect, we needed a place where we could simply talk, it was almost as if she read our
minds! Behaving ourselves, we made our way to the back, only one of the booths was empty and taking
off our coats we took our seats.



Zarian, the young fae man who worked here, walked over to us. He was probably a good few decades
older than us, but he looked as if he was not a day over twenty. Muscled, lean, beautiful violet eyes and
black silky hair that held a purple hue to it, that fell to his shoulders.

“And hello ladies, it’s been a few months. How are you both? Looking as ravishing as ever.”

“Hello Zarian, we are well, thank you.” Charlene said, as I smiled slightly. “Can we get two mugs of hot
chocolate?”

“Is that all? Are you sure the beautiful ladies want nothing more?” He asked with a small flirty smile.

I raised an eyebrow.

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