The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 223: Chapter 223

Brigid had seen everything. That time Toran shot Arianna from the sky—in hindsight, she had wanted to stop him. She didn’t want Toran to have Arianna’s blood on his hands. But she had frozen... and watched everything happen.
Everything fall. And now, it all came back to haunt her.
But nothing could have prepared her for this twisted shock. Toran hadn’t been hallucinating when he said he had seen her—the devil who came to hunt them.
Arianna was alive.
Or perhaps she was hallucinating too.
"How...?" A broken whisper left her lips.
"The heavens saved me," Arianna replied, stepping away from the shadows.
The slow echo of her boots mingled with the soft cry of her child.
Brigid didn’t move. She couldn’t. The power froze her. Emotions swirled inside her, crashing and breaking the parts of her she thought had long gone numb.
"Aria..." she sobbed. "I'm sorry."
"Save the apologies. That’s not what I’m here for," Arianna said, crouching to her level.
Those eyes held no warmth like they did seven years ago. She hadn’t aged a bit. Instead, she looked powerful. Youthful. Terrifying. Vengeful.
It felt as though she were staring at death itself.
Well, this woman had survived death many times since they’d last met.
"Aria, I never wanted this. I’m really sorry. If I could go back in time, I swear I’d never... I... I didn’t want this, Aria. I was confused. I was manipulated. All I ever wanted back then was love, and I... I did everything wrong. Everyone died because of me. It's all my fault. I’m sorry, Aria."
Arianna just stared—unreadable.
"I deserve everything that’s happening to me right now. And I promised myself that if I ever got the chance, I’d try to make things right. When I heard your body wasn’t found, I prayed to the gods—day and night—that you were safe and alive," she fell to her knees pressed against the cold floor. Her face soaked with tears. "I’ll do whatever you want. I’ll pay for my sins. Help you. Do anything to earn your forgiveness. Please. Please, Aria."
She lowered her head, fists clenched tight. Voice broken. "I’m so sorry."
Memories of when Arianna was still a slave flooded in. They had spent time together—until the king took interest. And even though Arianna had grown busy, she still tried to visit once in a blue moon or sent her regards.
"Like I said," Arianna deadpanned, "I’m not here for your apologies, Brigid."
Brigid slowly looked up, lips quivering.
“W-why did you come to see me?”
She remained silent. Her dead, empty eyes sent a chill down Brigid’s spine.
"I have one question for you." A beat of silence. Unbearable. "Are you in love with Toran?"
••••••••••
Ravenhood Pack..
"Huh?" Nyra's eyes widened. "You are going to make Brigid the caster? And Toran the sacrifice?"
Arianna nodded once, handling the scrolls she had stolen from the palace. The unattended ones, which she was handling now, since the fools in seats were still focused on killing her.
Well, she had given them the news they wanted but she knew that wouldn't last long.
"Whoa! What a twisty sweet revenge right there. Toran sacrificed his family; now he is going to taste his own medicine. And Brigid, even though she might see this as depressing, might finally be set free."
"Free?" Arianna looked up from the scroll. "What do you mean?"
Nyra shrugged lightly. “I mean… she’s been chained to him. Toran broke her, bent her into something she wasn’t, and kept her that way. Her soul has been caged. If this ends that tie, then maybe, just maybe, she can finally breathe.”
Arianna didn't respond immediately. Her gaze lingered on Nyra. "Why do you sound like I'm doing her a favor?"
"You're the kindest soul I've ever seen, my lady. Even your wrath feels..." Nyra placed a hand on her chest dramatically. "Sweet."
A beat.
"Are you that happy to see me that you've forgotten the real reason why I'm here? Revenge."
"More like redemption," Nyra squealed.
“I’m not doing it for her,” Arianna muttered. “She’s just a means to an end.”
Nyra's smile widened. “Whatever helps you sleep at night, my lady.”
"You're dramatic." Arianna returned her attention to the scrolls. "And I can't have a good night's sleep. Not until I break that damn coffin. I can't believe my powers can't shatter the damn chain. Nothing is worse than seeing that dark mage still alive, roaming after all he's done."
Arianna had roamed, trying over and over to break the coffin. She threatened the mage, but he still insisted the shackles could only be broken with the ritual.
It was infuriating.
So far, she had tangled herself into helping the realm get back in place. These scrolls had been helpful in identifying where help was needed and whom to destroy.
Thanks to her Ashen Step ability, she was able to take food from the devious and feed those who owned it.
"So when is the ritual?" Nyra asked.
"In a few days. The full moon," Arianna said. "Before that? I'll have to save as many packs as possible. There are sick groups I'm targeting. These ones don't need to be talked to; they need to be burned alive."
Before Nyra could speak again, a knock sounded before the door creaked open.
Falcon and Eryz walked in.
Just like every time, Nyra froze, her heart fluttering as their gazes met, but she quickly averted hers.
When she realized Falcon was alive, she had been so happy that she ended up hugging him in front of Arianna and a few others—an action that suggested they might have something together.
Since then, Nyra had tried her best to avoid him, despite Arianna's urging to tell him how she felt. She wasn't even sure of her feelings herself.
Arianna, however, let out a breath of relief. Finally, she was heading out to spill some blood and cool off her temper.
She walked out with both of them; darkness clouded the night. The breeze cooled against her skin.
"Valoreth might see through our lies soon. We might need more men from the dragon realm," Eryz said. "We need something to scare them as well. Like your dragon, my Queen."
"Fear won't make them bend the knee, Eryz."
Arianna sighed. So far, the progress had been slow. She couldn't burst into the court without knowing what really happened to Duncan.
"And since you have the king's true heir, that could be the best way to win the court over," Falcon added.
"Are you saying I should shoulder that responsibility onto my son?" Arianna shot him a glare. "I'm not bringing Rheal into a fight like this. He is a child. My child. Not a pawn for court games."
Falcon lowered his gaze apologetically. "That wasn't what I meant, my Queen. I only—"
"I know what you meant. But Rheal will stay hidden. Away from politics. Away from the crown."
"Yes, my Queen," Falcon nodded.
Then Arianna took a deep breath, wandering her eyes to the Lunaris Citadel.
She'll be there by full moon.