Chapter 28: The Milk Rite Betrayal

"That's great. You've to drown yourself without resistance, let the milk absorb you fully and I'll pull you out when the time is right." He explained.

Drown me in milk? Is that a tradition?

"I heard you clearly, but why will I drench myself in milk?" I inquired and the shaman looked at Lorien.

"And you said she's ready, your majesty. Is she ready?" He asked.

"It's fine if you don't want to do it, Seraphina, you can leave, but you'd be stripped of your status as my mate and leave this castle permanently," Lorien stated.

I was alarmed. Cast out of the castle? I don't think so!

"I'm ready." I declared calmly.

The shaman murmured some chants and placed his hand on my forehead. This rite was nasty but I had no choice.

Suddenly, he pushed me back, and I fell into the stuffy milk. I didn't resist and could hear gasps escaping people's lips as I sank into the milk. I held my nose instantly and closed my eyes, I could feel it seeping into my ears.

I tried to keep my cool for a few minutes, I had mastered the art of keeping my head in water in my real body. I had only done it for fun not knowing I'll need it for another time.

Suddenly, a fierce hand gripped me from the back. Is this part of the rite? I tried to break free but it pulled me down.

"How intriguing will it be if you pass away so grandly in the milk?"

That voice was familiar! It was the shadow the queen regent had sent to mess with my head. I struggled to break free but it was futile.

"Struggle all you want, the queen regent will be so proud if you eventually stop breathing!"

I immediately removed my hand from my nose and stretched my hand to push the shadow away, but it was an invisible force; I was just pushing the milk.

I opened my mouth to scream but it was of no use. The sour milk flowed into my mouth and nose, weakening me.

I finally became weak, releasing myself. If I passed away now, would I go back to my body? Or do I possess another person? What if my soul got stuck? Well, I have watched some movies like that.

As my body hit the wooden bottom, a strong arm reached out and pulled me out. I rested his arms as I opened my eyes gently.

"Are you okay Seraphina?"

It was Lorien. He looked worried as he pulled a fabric over my body.

"The queen-to-be has passed this round!" the shaman announced and I heard a round of applause.

"Leave her to us, your highness."

I could hear one of my maids say but I clung to Lorien tightly. I can't trust anyone except him, tears fell from my eyes gently as I realized how I almost died.

"I think I'll wash her up myself," Lorien said as he walked out of the tub. Eyes were glued to us, but I did not mind; I could not risk my life to anyone.

I sighted Queen Elara grinning at me, that evil woman! I felt like scratching her face out but I was too feeble.

Lorien set me down in his bathing tub and looked at me.

"I'm sorry that you had to go through that rite." He said.

"You think I'll keep resurrecting if you kill me over and over again? You and your barbaric rites." I answered back sickly.

"It's the marriage ceremonies….

"Oh fuck you and your ceremonies! Can't we get married at once? Is it my corpse you want to get married to?"

"What language is that? I don't know what it is but it sounds offensive."

He was referring to 'fuck' I then realized I had the chance to say any swear words in this era, I don't have someone to reprimand me.

"Whatever."

"Clean yourself up and change into the dress I picked for you. Meet me in the outside when you're done."

"Please don't leave, can you just turn your head as I get dressed? I'm afraid someone might kill me."

He must be thinking I was joking, but I was not; that bitch would do anything to annihilate me.

"Then hurry up." He replied as he turned his back to me.

A werewolf man standing in the washroom with his back turned to me was not what I pinned on my bucket list but desperate times call for desperate measures.

I could still feel the milk's taste in my mouth as I undressed and rinsed my body.

"Why were you struggling in the milk?"

I became stunned, how did he know? But the milk was not transparent, my movement must have given me away.

"Well… I saw a snake! It was huge….

"You were resisting something, it was not a snake. I inspected the milk myself, there was nothing like that. Do not lie to me, what was it?"

I was lost for words, he wouldn't believe it if I told him his stepmother was after my life. Even if I wanted to tell him, I wanted to have substantial evidence.

"Your shaman pushed me into the milk, and I tried my best to remain calm, but I couldn't; I did not want to get out without the shaman pulling me out by himself, as he said, so that's why it seemed as if I was fighting something. Anyways how did you know? I thought you'd remain with pride on your seat." I said as I stepped out of the tub.

"Pride? I am…

"Don't look back!" I screamed as he tried to turn his head.

"Forgive me, I had forgotten, but I'm the alpha, and it's a must for me to show off 'pride,' " He replied,d, exaggerating the pride.

"That's good."

"Why do you females take so long to get ready?"

"Take long? I'm not even using makeup and accessories. Have you seen Isolde get ready before?" I asked curiously.

"Are you that jealous?"

"Oh please. She's not worth my jealousy."

He chuckled softly.

"And what's so funny?"

"I can sense the jealousy lurking in your tone."

I got pissed. If only he wasn't the Alpha, I'd have put him in his place, but he had the power to protect me from my adversaries; I guess I'll just stay low and obey him till I get rid of my foes.

"Whatever."

I said as I walked past him.

"You did not tell me you were done."

"Well, you can see now that I am done." I retorted nonchalantly and we headed back.

I was not completely okay but I could still manage. But what if Lorien had not come to rescue me in the milk? I would have died. But the queen regent told me Caelum wanted me alive, why would she disobey him and use her evil powers to hurt me?

She had so many reasons to hurt me but I won't let her win.

We got back to the hall, and the guests cheered; I played along, waving and smiling. The queen regent was not present anymore; I wondered what happened; she was probably disappointed and decided to leave.

I tried to shake off the murder attempt and enjoy my day. The shaman sang and praised my name, announcing another rite.

I got many gifts from our guests and they blessed us. I wondered if a ceremony is like this then how will our marriage be?

After what felt like forever, we finished the rites and I was led to the throne room. I widened my eyes at the sight, it was a huge feast laid out on the table.

We took our seats and started eating.

"Are you comfortable?" Lorien murmured as he brushed his hand against my thigh. I looked at him, and he grinned.

"Seriously?"

"Eat up before your food gets cold." He replied as he took his hand off.

"Better."

A guard walked in and whispered into his ear.

I watched as his expression lit up with anger.

"What!"

"What's wrong?" I asked him silently as he stood up.

"Nothing." He made a gesture to the maids to move closer to him, and they obeyed; he said a few words to them and then looked at me.

"You have to go to my chamber now. I'll talk to you later." He said as he helped me up.

"Is there anything wrong? Why can't you talk to me now?"

"I'm commanding you as the Alpha to leave this premises and go to my chamber instantly." He said angrily and I shivered with fear.

I immediately took my leave, my gut telling me something was wrong. Is there another battle coming? My maids secured me to Lorien's chamber carefully. I could see the guardsmen scouring the castle keenly.

We got to Lorien's chamber and they locked the door. I could hear hurried footsteps at the entrance.