When we reach the top of the steps we head for the main hall room. After passing through the kitchens I hear a commotion rising near the throne. As soon as we step into the room I notice Deidre being questioned by the matriarch, who looks stern and annoyed.
"You said she came back with you so then where did she go after you got here?" The matriarch asks her.
"I don't know, I went to bed- I'm sure wherever she is she's fine…" Deidre tries to calm her down. In the group of people I notice Emmeline, Peter, Felix and Laura. Emmeline is the first to notice William and I walk in and as soon as she does, she scowls at me.
"What's going on?" I ask the group. The Matriarch breathes a sigh of relief as she sees me and Deidre speaks first,
"See? I told you she's here." She places her hand on her hip. My eyes meet Peter's; he looks concerned.
"Lena, darling- where were you?" The Matriarch asks me with a raised brow. I open my mouth to respond but I'm cut off when Cassiopeia looks between William and I and smiles.
"Oh, I see." She crosses her arms, smiling deviously. Some of the Veela present begin to giggle. I glance to William who runs a hand through his hair with a smirk, before looking back at Cassiopeia. I then come to realise what they must be thinking and quickly take a few paces forward, away from William.
"No- it's not what you think…" I begin, raising my hands in defence. Emmeline storms out of the room; I look to Peter and he glares back at me with a furious expression. I then glance over to Felix and Laura; Felix is looking at me with a hurt expression and as soon as Laura notices she grabs him by the collar and drags him out of the room. I sigh and roll my eyes; when did everyone become so dramatic?
"Lena. Where were you?" Peter asks me sternly. I look over to him with wide eyes.
"She spent the night with me in the wine cellar." William says, sounding triumphant. Peter takes a half step forward and his knuckles go white from the tightness of his fist.
"Lena?" Peter asks me, the anger predominant in his voice. I slowly exhale and try to focus on rejecting the tension that's building in my body. I stare back at him with a cool expression.
"I almost turned, Will- Aetius helped me." I glance back at William, who is still caught in a challenging staring match with Peter.
"You know this tension is so thick I could cut it with a knife." The Matriarch says, unbothered. "What's got you boys so riled up?" She adds.
"I think its Lena." One of the Veela says in an amused tone.
"Quite the little heartbreaker, aren't you my dear?" Cassiopeia says as she places a hand affectionately on my cheek. She then walks up to her throne, waving us away with her hand as she speaks.
"Just remember, if you boys hurt one another you'll both be kicked out." She pauses before she sits.
"And Lena if you insist on pitting these boys against each other at least sleep with them both so it's equal." I bring my fingers to my temple, in an attempt to quell my budding headache. Peter walks to my and takes a firm grasp of my arm. He drags me off in the direction of the corridor as he continues to glare at William over his shoulder. William returns the glare, his jaw is set.
"I suppose I'll see Lena later for her bath then." He calls to us. This makes Peter stop in his tracks and turn around to look at William again. He clenches his fists even tighter and he looks like he's about to implode. I then take this moment to push him in the direction of the corridor. He moves to my touch but continues to eye off William. Once we leave the main hall Peter turns and places a hand on my back to lead me away. He walks with me to the closest room that he knows will be private and we end up in my bedroom. As soon as he shuts the door behind him I cross my arms and walk over to lean against the dressing table, ready to face his yelling. He doesn't look at me though; instead he does a few paces back and forth. I raise my eyebrow at him and suddenly he takes a hold of a vase near him. He hurls the vase at the wall and it shatters and crumbles into pieces. As he throws it he lets out a grunt. I jump at the sound of the vase breaking and look back at him wide-eyed.
"Just why do you hurt me like this?!" He asks, his voice angry and uneven. I blink at him and he continues. "I try to do everything you want and still- you choose someone else over me. Just what can I do to make you happy?" He stares at me with a mixed look of anger and desperation. I try to find the words to respond to him and in my mind I beg for the dominant, cool Veela voice to speak- to give me guidance. After my silence he continues.
"Do you even know what will make you happy?" He asks. I blink at him some more before looking to the ground. He sighs and grips his hair in stress.
"After the ball tomorrow night I'm leaving. The Lost Boys and I are clearing out for good." He says simply, before walking out of the room. I stare over at the shattered vase on the ground and drum my fingers on the dressing table. I then turn around and look at myself in the mirror. I can barely recognise the girl staring back at me anymore. I don't know what it is about that ritual that made me feel more beautiful and confidant and devious. And I don't know if I would choose to go back to my old life. I tilt my head at the pretty – yet slightly dishevelled looking – girl in front of me. What do I want? As I consider this question I'm surprised once again by a buzzing sound coming from a pile of my old clothes in the corner. I walk over to retrieve my ringing phone and see Jeremy's name pop up on the screen. I sigh and hit the answer button, moving the phone to my ear and walking over to lie on my bed.
"Lena? Oh thank god I haven't heard from you in days. I've called you a lot; where are you?" Jeremy asks.
"Hello Jeremy, I'm staying with some distant relatives in Oklahoma. How are you?" I ask, coolly.
"What? Um… I'm fine. When are you getting back?" He asks with confusion.
"Who knows? I could live here, I haven't really decided yet."
"You're going to live in Oklahoma? Won't you miss New York?" I take a moment to consider this.
"Yes, I do miss it. But I think it's best if I stay here for a while. I've got a whole mess of problems to deal with here. Jeremy… I think it's going to be a long time before I see you again." There is silence on the other end.
"… Well what if I come visit you?" He asks.
"You can't. I have to go Jeremy."
"Wait, Lena…"
"Good bye." I hang up, tossing the phone at my pillow. I sigh, running a hand through my hair. A small part of me feels bad for the doe-eyed guy I left behind. And that same part now appreciates him for his good looks and devotion to me. But right now I've got other men in my life to deal with, and one of them might be leaving soon. I just can't have that.
After a quick shower I fix my make-up and hair and change clothes, before walking back to the main hall to join Cassiopeia in sitting at the throne.
"What's brings you here, Lena?" She asks, inspecting her nails.
"You need an elevator." I say bluntly. Cassiopeia looks up at me with a raised eyebrow and blinks a few times.
"An elevator?" She inquires.
"You know- one of those things that goes up and down-"
"- I know what an elevator is." She cuts me off. I take a breath and continue,
"Those steps are archaic. How can people easily get in and out of they have to do a trek to get here?"
"Well the point of this place is to keep people out…" She says slowly.
"Well maybe it shouldn't be. You seem so worried for the well-being of the Veela that you seem to have forgotten that you can transform into a huge fire-shooting beast whenever you want. You don't need guards, you can protect yourself." She taps her chin, seemingly interested.
"Hmm, I see. And why would we want people to be able to easily get here?" She leans on the arm rest.
"To meet with and network with the other magical beings and people in this world. Get more allies against the witches. Or better yet- try and forge an alliance with the witches themselves again."
"Now why would we want to do that? In fact, why would you? They killed your mother."
"And that's off-putting, but if we look at the big picture, I've never met my mother. Or when I did know her I was too young to remember now. I know it sounds awful but I never got the chance to build up a trusting, loving relationship with her. We need the witches on our side because they're powerful. And if I can move past what happened with my mother then so can you." Her expression turns to a stern one.
"No, I can't. I loved my sister and they took her and her child from me. The witches are cruel, jealous and evil. I do not trust them and neither should you." I lean back in my seat and stare ahead.
"Lena, don't get me wrong- I love that you're getting all these big ideas. And I will consider your elevator proposal. But let's not talk about the witch business any more. How about we talk boys?" She leans forward in her seat.
"Ugh, no please skip to the next topic." I roll my eyes.
"Well at least tell me who your date will be for the ball. We've got Veela and Nyx coming from all over the world to be here. It's a great networking opportunity." She insists.
"Oh aunt, I'll be more than happy to just be in your company for tomorrow evening." I flash her a sweet smile and she pouts, clearly not buying the act.
"Well why not attend with dear Aetius then? He's more than eligible; and he's quite charming."
"Jesus, why don't you go with him then?" I roll my eyes.
"Young lady, I'll remind you again that I'm your matriarch."
"Yes, I'm sorry I didn't mean that." I look at her with regret. "I'm just done with all this drama. And I do care for Peter. Part of me always has, no matter how hard I try to crush that feeling."
"Oh Lena… please don't tell me you love him." She rolls her eyes at me. I look to my hands to see that my fingers are knotted together and I can't help but smile at the thought.