Twist of Fate

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Layla

Today was the day their lives changed; for better or for worse, today changed everything.

It was the year 766, September thirteenth to be exact, the day of her wedding; the day her world changed; the day her life became fused with another for the rest of eternity.

Layla was still young for a vampire. At just nineteen years to the day, she was one of the youngest Queens in Fairy Tail's history. She wasn't ready to take the crown and become ruler over an entire coven all on her own. Sure, she would have the aid of her fellow Council members—she would get advice and suggestions—but for the most part all decisions would fall on her shoulders. She would make the final call on all official decisions, just as her mother had before her.

Layla was in the throne room, already clothed in a simple ivory gown that fell around her ankles with a silvery ribbon around her waist and another in her long blonde hair, pulling back the strands from her face. This was how Jude liked her hair; he didn't like the locks to get in the way of her delicate facial features, he'd said so on many occasions.

She needed to please him.

Layla's friend, Virgo, was tending to her makeup, just enough to accentuate her vivid eyes and smooth out the palette of her face, nothing more. She liked it this way, and Jude didn't mind if she wore makeup or not, he always told her she was beautiful no matter what she did with her appearance. It was one of the things she loved about him.

Love.

Perhaps that was too strong of a word.

Jude was a direct descendant of Mavis herself, as was Layla, which made the pair technically related, in some way. She wasn't exactly sure how they were related, but they each bore the name Heartfilia, and that was all that mattered. She needed to mate with someone who could help her carry on the name to a future ruler, her mother had instructed her. Another Heartfilia was the only way to ensure this feat.

Layla didn't love Jude, exactly. She'd entered into this marriage as a sort of mutual agreement between them as a way to carry on their bloodline. She enjoyed spending time with him, however. He was an excellent listener; he could stay silent for hours, just listening to her tell him stories.

He was a friend. Nothing more, nothing less.

Except, after today, he would also be her mate, her partner, and the father of her child.

Today wouldn't be a celebration. Layla and Jude would enter into a mating contract and be bound for eternity, there was nothing more to it. Tonight, once their Claim had been sealed, they would lie together for the first time. This would repeat this for three more days to ensure conception. Layla would become pregnant, and in some months, she would give birth to a baby girl, who would then become the future ruler of Fairy Tail coven.

Layla met with Jude before the Council of Fairy Tail, who sat in a line on either side of the great throne belonging to Fairy Tail's monarch—Layla's throne, the throne she'd been given just three short months ago, before she was asked to take a mate.

To the right of the throne sat Makarov and Porlyusica, to the left Laxus and Lilliana. In the throne as acting monarch, sat Mirajane Strauss, who would be the one to wed the couple. The others were there as witnesses to this exchange.

The ceremony was short and to the point. Mirajane invited them to step forward and join hands before the Council, then recited the words that would bind them as mates.

"We are here to witness the binding of these two souls," Mira recited effortlessly from her seat. Two identical silver bands sat on a velvet pillow in her lap alongside a small, sharp blade. "On this day, September the thirteenth of the year 766, Jude and Layla commit themselves to a lifetime of servitude, not only to each other, but also to their coven.

"Layla, our dear Queen, has agreed to enter into this mateship to carry on her legacy, to continue the work of our great first Queen, Mavis Vermillion-Heartfilia, the rock on which Fairy Tail coven was created."

At this, everyone took a moment of silence in respect of the late Queen.

"Layla, entering into this mateship will forever bind you to this man, Jude Heartfilia. Your souls will unite and your fates will become one in the same. For as long as either of you shall live, you will be entwined in soul and spirit, like two suns colliding.

"Jude," Mira turned to the blonde at her side next and repeated the words.

"Now, who was the one to lay Claim?" Mira asked them.

Layla averted her gaze as Jude stepped forward and gave a brief bow. "I was," he said. A flash of surprise crossed Mira's features but she quickly recovered and nodded to Jude to continue. "Ten days ago I laid my Claim on Layla."

Mira nodded. "Show me."

Layla stepped forward and brushed her hair to the side to reveal the mark he'd left on her left shoulder blade, something like a jagged 'H' next to a smaller 'x'.

"Very well," Mira nodded and Layla pulled her hair back to cover the mark. "It is time to place the bands."

Layla and Jude stepped forward as Makarov stood from his chair and picked up the two rings. He held one in each hand as he approached the couple.

"These rings represent the unification of two separate lives joining as one; two souls fusing together to create a whole.

"Layla, please take this ring." Makarov handed her the smaller of the two bands, which she held in her open palm. "Jude, please take this ring." He handed the larger to Jude, who did the same as Layla.

Makarov held his hands palm down over the rings and closed his eyes. A faint glow emitted from the space between his hands and theirs. The rings rose half a centimeter from their palms and the barest spark shot out between them like a tiny bolt of lightning.

"With these rings, your union is hereby sealed." Makarov moved his hands to his sides—the rings were now in place on the appropriate fingers. He took a step back and dropped to his knees before the couple. The others in the room followed suit.

Layla waited for the overwhelming sensation of pure joy and happiness and elation to come. She waited… and waited. Nothing happened. She wondered why the happiness wouldn't come. This was her wedding day. She was now officially mated. She should be excited, right?

She glanced up at Jude, who gave her something resembling a smile, though it didn't exactly touch his eyes. She looked back at the gathered Council before them. "All rise," she said.

They did, some with obvious tears of happiness in their eyes.

You are happy, she forced herself to smile. You want this. She was happy, so why did she have to force a smile?

"Now, we celebrate!" Mira declared, wiping happy tears from her eyes. Her excitement was contagious, Layla had to admit, and she found herself giving a genuine smile in return.

…

A celebratory party for the newlywed couple was in full swing. It was much too grand for Layla's taste, everything decorated in pure Mirajane style, complete with ice sculptures, crystal chandeliers, a chocolate fountain, and extravagant dishes she had absolutely no name for and no desire to eat.

Jude was nowhere to be seen—he was somewhere mingling in the crowd, she thought—and Layla was growing anxious with all the commotion. She wasn't one for parties in general, but especially parties Mira threw, which were always over-the-top. She had spoken with nearly every person in the entire coven by this point and was in desperate need of a break from it all. She understood why everyone wanted her attention—after all not only was she Queen but now she was a bride—but that didn't mean she had the emotional energy to deal with it all. So, she took the first opportunity she could find to slink away, claiming to a group of chatty women that she needed the ladies room.

She sighed in relief when she closed the door to the throne room behind her, shutting out the noise of her kin. She leaned against it for a moment and closed her eyes. She just needed a moment to collect herself…

Married. I am now married. I am a Queen, and a mate, and soon-to-mother, if all goes according to plan.

"Your Majesty," a hard voice cut into her thoughts and made her jump—she hadn't even heard them walk up.

"Erza," Layla blinked and felt moisture drip from her eyes. She swiped them away quickly, but not before the redhead saw.

"You're crying," she stated. Her expressions were always hard to read, Layla thought. It was nearly impossible to tell what this woman was thinking at any given time. She, like her mate, was a master at indifference. However, unlike Jellal, Layla had a feeling Erza's indifference was natural, and Jellal's had been self-taught years ago due to circumstances.

"I'm just…" What? She was what? This was her wedding day. She was elated! She was—

"Unhappy," Erza finished for her, face softening.

Layla blinked in surprise. "No, I'm not—"

"You are," she insisted. "Layla, I've known you for a very long time, since we were both young, I can tell when you are unhappy."

Could she really? Was Layla's unhappiness really so obvious? She thought she was doing a good job at hiding the fact, but then, Erza was right, she'd always been able to tell when Layla wasn't happy.

She sighed and leaned against the wall. "It's all so overwhelming."

"I can only imagine," Erza conceded. She stayed standing in the middle of the floor, arms crossed over her chest in her typical way, expression somewhere between stern and caring. "It cannot be easy to become Queen and then be married in a matter of weeks."

Layla looked away, unable to hold Erza's knowing eyes another moment. "Yes. It is… much harder than I anticipated."

"How could anyone possibly anticipate something like this?" Erza's voice was hard, but not unkind. "It's all so horrible, what happened to your parents."

Layla blinked away more tears. Yes, her parents had both died quite suddenly, it was why Layla had taken the throne at such a young age. Her parents had been attacked whilst on their way to a biannual VEC meeting five weeks ago. The only reason Layla's father had gone as well, was because this meeting was a special event for monarchs and their mates. This kind of thing was a rare occurrence and this was the first time it had happened in the nineteen years Layla had been alive. She wasn't even sure how often it was held, only that it didn't happen often.

Reportedly, while her parents were on there way to Kardia Cathedral to attend the meeting, a group struck out and killed them both. There were five accounts of this happening within a five-hour time period. Five Queens and their mates—dead.

"It's horrible," Layla agreed at last, "but I cannot be afraid." She glanced back up at Erza, determination in her gaze. "I will not let this bury me, Erza. I cannot stand down now, not when I have a coven to protect."

Erza smiled. "Of course, Your Majesty. No one expects anything less from a Heartfilia."

Layla nodded. Yes, it was her duty as a Heartfilia to take care of this coven. That was why she'd agreed to marry Jude just weeks after her parents deaths. She had a duty to her coven, but also to her parents. It was their wish for her to marry Jude, so she must honor them even in death.

"Your Majesty," Erza said slowly, "is there something else on your mind?"

How does she always know?

"It is nothing of importance," she answered vaguely.

"Layla." The name was a sharp command that forced the young Queen to glance up. "You do not have to hide from me."

She held Erza's steady gaze, the irises such an interesting mix of red and brown, with a brighter red circle around. Her gaze was strong and determined, but there was a softness in there too.

Layla sighed. "I'm nineteen, Erza, and since I've been mated I will never be older than this. I'm just afraid that no one will ever take me seriously with such a youthful appearance. No one is going to follow a child."

"Layla, my Queen, that will not be the case," Erza assured her. "The Heartfilia's have been a respected line for millennia, yes, but we also respect you as a person. You have always done your part to help everyone in the coven, no matter what it was. There is not a sole person in this place who does not respect you, and who will not follow you where you may lead us. We trust you, Layla Heartfilia. No one will think less of you for having a youthful body.

"Besides," Erza added, "you make the best damn strawberry cake this coven has ever seen, and that's something to be proud of."

Layla choked on a laugh at the redhead's serious tone. She wiped tears from her eyes and put on a genuine smile. "You're right, Erza, I do have something to offer this coven." Although, that thing wasn't her ability to create baked goods. "I will do my best with what I have. Thank you for talking with me. You've always been such a good friend."

Erza nodded. "Of course. I'm always around, if you need me. Jellal, too."

"I appreciate that." She looked back at the door with a resigned expression. "I suppose we better head back inside before people start to come looking for me."

Erza smiled. "Lead the way, Your Majesty."

Two Weeks Later…

"I just don't see the purpose of this endeavor," Jude argued for the fifth time that evening. "This is ridiculous."

"It is not ridiculous, and it is my decision to make," Layla insisted, not unkindly.

She was putting the last signatures to the paperwork she needed to finalize before they left. There was always mounds of paperwork that never seemed to come to an end. This particular stack was authorization for the groups that would be going to the surface that evening.

There would be three groups: Erza and Jellal would be going with Layla—by Erza's insistence—Mira, Alzack, and Bisca would make up the second group, and Gildarts had insisted upon making up his own group. Layla had agreed to it, mostly because she knew he was one of their strongest men, and also because no one had volunteered to go with him.

"It's not safe for a Queen," Jude continued to argue. "You should stay inside the coven where you can be protected."

"Are you going to tell me that Erza Scarlet-Fernandez can't protect me?" Layla raised an eyebrow at her husband.

He quirked something like a smile. "Perhaps so," he conceded, "but that doesn't mean I feel good about you going up to the surface. You're my mate now, I want you to be safe."

She gave him a soft smile and sidled up to him. "Do not worry, Jude. I'll be just fine." She reached up onto her toes and pecked his lips. "I'll be back before sunrise."

"You better be," he growled after her.

I will be, she silently promised.

…

Layla, Erza, and Jellal were on the western side of Fairy Tail's border, near the stretch of desert that spanned a good ten miles before the next coven border was reached. It was open territory right now, with no real purpose. Which was why, Layla realized too late, she had been assigned this particular post.

"This is a sham," she grumbled as she paced back and forth across the border between the forest and the desert. "I wanted to see some action."

Erza snorted a laugh. "You do have your ancestors fighting spirit inside you."

"I heard Mavis was quite the spitfire, too," Jellal agreed.

Layla ignored them. She didn't fight to come to the surface because she wanted to watch an endless stretch of dirt spinning across the landscape, she'd wanted to do something, to experience something. She knew it was childish of her, but she couldn't help it. She was Queen, but she was still young. There was so much she'd yet to experience!

"Don't be upset, Highness," Jellal told her gently. "This area is not always so quiet. Perhaps we will see something after all."

Layla pouted, which was unbecoming of a Queen but she didn't have the energy to care. She saw Erza and Jellal exchanging amused glances from the corner of her eye. She ignored that, instead focusing with all her senses on what was around her.

A soft breeze… leaves rustling in the trees… a bird's song from far off… water trickling in a river… and… what is that?

Layla focused harder, eyes pinched shut and ears perked. She dropped to the ground, claws digging into the earth.

"What is it?" Erza asked in a low tone, immediately catching on.

"I don't hear anything," Jellal murmured.

What is that…? It's like… pain. I can feel it. Someone is crying out.

I have to go to them.

Layla turned back toward the forest and flashed away from them so fast, they had a moment of stunned surprise where they just stared at the empty space of air she'd left behind before finally tearing after her.

I have to find them. They're crying out!

Where are you? Speak to me; tell me where you are!

She stopped abruptly in the middle of the trees, so suddenly Erza and Jellal flashed right by her. She was listening, feeling, waiting.

There.

She ran as fast as she could until she reached what used to be a stone building. It had collapsed completely in on itself, so it was only recognizable as a building based on the foundation below, and the red flag that still swayed proudly in the breeze.

Erza and Jellal finally caught up to her then and started to say something, expressions a mix of worry and irritation. She held up a hand to silence them and slowly approached the rubble. Something was calling out to her…

Finally, a piece of the stone moved, just barely, only enough for her to sense its vibration. She flashed to the place and immediately began removing the stone blocks.

"Help me!" she called to the others.

They were by her side in an instant, helping to move stone out of the way. There was a collective gasp when a figure appeared beneath the ruins. Dark auburn hair, pointed ears, a long, jagged scar running down one eye, bleeding profusely.

"Oh!" She couldn't help her shriek of surprise. The man was broken and bruised and beaten in so many places she couldn't even begin to count.

"There are more," Jellal murmured and began removing blocks from another place. Two more figures were revealed, each in similar conditions, though neither were as bad as the first. One had shocking white hair like Mira, and the other had dual-colored hair, black on top and white underneath. They were a strange looking bunch, Layla thought.

"Your Highness, how did you know where this group was?" Jellal asked. "I didn't hear anything from that far away."

"It wasn't so much a sound as it was a feeling," she answered. "I felt their souls crying out."

"Erg." The pointy-eared man groaned, calling back Layla's focus.

"You're okay!" she exclaimed, elation filling her. But… that cut, it was deep, deeper than any she'd ever seen, and based on the width of it, she could tell it had been made by a fang.

I can fix that, she thought. I can—

"Don't even think about it, Queenie," he hissed, eyes still screwed shut. "I don't need help from a damn fairy."

Layla rolled her eyes and reached down with one hand to pluck him out of the rubble. She laid him down on his back, watching as he winced in pain. "Silence, boy," she chided, leaning down to inspect the cut further. "Your eye—"

"Don't need it," he growled.

She ignored that and leaned down slowly—the man visibly tensed. She pressed her lips to the cut for a moment, then ran her tongue lightly across it to seal it. His hiss of pain soon turned into a relieved groan as she sat back.

"Not my best work," she observed dryly.

"Should've used more tongue," Jellal suggested helpfully. Erza shushed him.

"Why were you and your comrades left here to die?" Layla inquired of the man.

His good eye opened and narrowed at her in something like disgust. "The Asshole Council doesn't care about us," was all he said.

"Well, I care."

Surprise flickered across his features but was soon replaced with a scowl. "You're an idiot then."

"I'd like to offer you and your friends solace with me and my coven."

"Your Majesty!" Erza gasped. "You cannot be serious!"

"Tch. You obviously have no idea who we are, Queenie, or you'd never make such a ridiculous offering," the man spat.

"You are Erik of the Oración Seis," Layla answered immediately. More surprise registered on his face. "And your friends are Midnight and… Sorano? Or is it Angel? I can never keep up with all the name changes, it's quite tiring."

"Y-You…" Erik tried. "Why, then, would you offer us a place in your coven? Don't you know of the crimes we have committed? The Elite Council wants us destroyed."

"Is that who did this to you?" Layla asked in horror.

Erik avoided her gaze. "Doesn't matter. We got what we had coming to us."

Layla registered the movement of the other two, heard them groaning as they woke up, but decided to ignore them in favor of focusing on Erik.

"Erik, everyone deserves a second chance at redemption," she told him sagely. "Everyone deserves freedom and atonement."

Let me give that to you, she silently begged. Let me help you. I will guide you toward the freedom you seek.

"Tch, freedom. What freedom comes from living with flies?" the one called Midnight seethed.

"Shut the hell up," Erik snapped in his direction. "What's this gonna cost us, girl?" His one eye scanned over her quickly. "You look a little young to be Queen. Your mommy up and abandon her throne?"

"My parents were both killed recently," she said in a dead voice. "Vampire hunters."

Gasps.

"I want you all to submit to me," she went on. "Agree to become members of Fairy Tail coven, and I will protect you as my kin. You may pursue your own freedom, so long as you also swear not to harm any member of my coven, ever. Is that understood?" She spoke solely to Erik, even as she heard the two others protesting in the background. She held his wary gaze with her own determined one, pleading with him to see the truth in her eyes.

Trust me.

"...Alright," he agreed at last, "I accept your terms."

"The hell I'm going to live with flies, Cobra," Midnight growled.

"I would sooner be buried back under this rubble than submit to another Queen." Sorano said haughtily.

Erik shot them a hard look, instantly silencing them.

"You must keep your comrades in line," Layla warned.

"I swear. You have my word… my Queen."

Two Months Later…

Layla was ecstatic for the first time in what felt like years as she ran down the halls, twirling like a child, singing out in her soft, melodic voice. She passed a few others on her way to her destination, who all gave her amused smiles as she raced past them.

I am so happy! I can't wait to tell him! He'll be so pleased!

When she reached the door to her bedroom, she slammed into it in her haste to get inside. She squeaked in pain, then pushed the door open.

"Jude~!" she sang out. "I have news!"

She felt like a child on Christmas morning. She was certain she had never been so happy, not when she was crowned as Queen, not when she'd been married. This… this was special.

"What is it now, Layla?" came the flat reply. She followed the voice into the bathroom where Jude was showering. Now she could hear the telltale sounds of water running—she had been too excited before to notice.

"Jude, I have great news!" she spoke through the glass wall that separated them.

"Yeah, so tell me."

"Jude, it's positive." She could hardly contain her excitement. She was bursting at the seams, waiting for him to fling open the shower door and look down at her with wonder and happiness.

"What's positive?" he asked.

"The test, silly! I'm pregnant!"

"..."

She waited… and waited. Silence.

She frowned. "Did you hear me? Jude?"

The water turned off, the shower door opened, Jude stepped out. "Hand me a towel, will you?"

She blinked in confusion. "O-Okay…" She passed him the towel. "Jude, did you hear the news? We're going to have a—"

"Yeah, I heard," he said dismissively as he dried himself off. "Can you give me some space now, Layla? I need to finish getting ready."

Hurt. Rejection. Sorrow.

"Alright…"

He slammed the door behind her and locked it. Pain shot through her at his complete indifference to her news. She thought he would be happy to hear they were pregnant, it was what was expected of them, after all. They had to carry on the Heartfilia bloodline.

I don't care, she thought adamantly. He'll change his mind. He will be happy, too, I know it. And if he isn't… I'll be happy for the both of us. She placed a hand on her still-flat stomach. I'll love you, baby.

…

The next few months went by in a blur. Jude remained aloof, Layla continued to hold the hope that he would change, that he would learn to be happy. Her stomach grew more each week, but this seemed to only add to Jude's irritation. He no longer tried to touch her, to kiss her or hold her close at night when they were falling asleep as he used to. He'd grown cold; distant.

However, today was the day they found out the gender of their child. Today was the day everything turned around for them, Layla was certain. She desperately prayed to Mavis that she would have a baby girl—a daughter who could carry on the crown after Layla could no longer hold it. She had mixed feelings about this, though. On the one hand, she wanted to have a daughter desperately, for the purpose of the crown, but also for her own personal reasons. On the other hand… she didn't want this life for her child. She didn't want her child to have to carry the burden—the heavy weight—of ruling a coven. But, she also knew that if this baby wasn't a daughter, she and Jude would be expected to conceive again, soon, and she wasn't sure she wanted that, either.

I'm so selfish! she thought as she and Jude waited for the results to confirm. He'd come with her to this appointment, much to her surprise, but so far he hadn't said a single word, even when the doctor tried to ask him questions.

Porlyusica was the coven's doctor. She took care of all medical needs: illnesses, pregnancy, wounds, etc. Layla always thought she was a grouchy old woman, but she had a kind heart deep down—way, way deep down…

"Are you ready for the results?" she asked the couple. Her tone and expression gave away nothing. Layla wondered if this was something doctors had to learn—a sort of poker face—or if it was just a personality trait of the brash woman. Probably the latter, she decided after a moment.

Layla steeled herself for bad news and nodded.

Porlyusica turned her clipboard around to face them. One word was written in neat, even script: Girl.

Layla wanted to cry with both joy and terror. A baby girl, she'd done it. She had fulfilled her duty to her coven, to her husband, and to her bloodline. She would not have to conceive again except by choice.

The chair next to her creaked and she looked over to see Jude's hands clutching the wooden sides of the chair so tightly the wood splintered and cracked. Taking in the flashing red of his eyes—a murderous expression—she gaped and leaned away from him.

"Jude!" she exclaimed in horror. "Why are you so angry?"

He turned on her, eyes still flashing. "Why?" His voice was a low hiss. "If you have to ask me that then you really are as idiotic as my father claims."

"J-Jude!" Layla gasped.

"That is highly uncalled for, Mr. Heartfilia," Porlyusica chided.

Jude scoffed. "Uncalled for? Mind your own fucking business. You're just a doctor anyway. Don't worry about our personal matters." He stood to his feet and walked out the door, letting it slam shut behind him.

Do not cry. Do not cry, she coached herself. She felt the tears threatening, felt her whole body go rigid, but she couldn't cry, not now. It was her duty to be strong—for her.

"Your Majesty, Layla." The blonde looked up to meet the doctor's eyes. "You are a strong, capable woman, but that does not mean you must stay that way always. It's okay to break down."

Tears blurred her eyes. She blinked them away furiously, cleared her throat. "No, I can't. I mustn't. If I let the tears come now… I may never be able to stop them."

"My dear, tears are not a weakness."

"They are if you're Queen to a coven of this size!" she argued. "Porly, I can't be seen as weak, not when I'm just starting to gain credibility and respect."

"Layla, your family is highly respected. That will not change just because you're emotions aren't perfectly aligned from time to time." The elder woman patted her on the head—a little too roughly. "Go on, girl. Get out of my office. You'll be fine. Show that meathead of a husband who's boss."

Layla cracked a smile. "Thanks, Porly."

…

Five days. That was how long it took before Jude finally came back to their shared quarters.

"Jude!" She sprang up from the chair she'd been sitting in, trying to read over some documents. "Where have you been?"

"Out," came the blunt response.

"For five days you were 'out'?" she asked bitterly.

He turned a glare her way that was enough to make her flinch and back down. "Don't fucking worry about it, Layla. I had to get the hell away from you and…" a quick glance at her swollen stomach, "that."

"Jude… she's our daughter. Why are you so angry?"

"I never wanted a child," he spat at her. He bore down on her now, coming closer, forcing her to back up. "My father insisted that I marry you and bear children with you, but do you know what, Layla?" Her back hit the wall. His face was inches from hers. She could see the reds in his eyes flashing a warning at her. His voice was a menacing growl when he spoke again. "I never wanted you. Not even once. The only reason I even agreed to this ridiculous arrangement was because of my father's insistence and because you're a pretty little thing." He traced a finger down her jaw. She flinched away from it.

"How can you say such things to me, Jude?" she cried. "After all we've been through?" She turned back to him, pleading with him, searching for answers in his cold gaze. "We were always best friends. What changed?"

He scoffed. "Friends. Tch. I only pretended to be your friend so I could get closer to you, but I never wanted this," a tap to her wedding ring, "and I especially didn't want that," a hard poke to her stomach. "So just stay the fuck out of my way. Have your daughter. I don't want to have anything to do with her."

"Stop!" Layla shrieked, tears pouring from her eyes now. He looked ready to say something else, but she reached out a quick hand and wrapped it around his throat, nails digging in. His eyes went wide as hers focused on them. "I. Said. To. Stop." she growled, emphasizing each word. She'd had enough of that. He could play the dominant all he wanted, but she was the true predator here.

His pupils retracted as she forced his gaze to stay fixed on hers. "I know our parents forced this marriage on us," she said, voice now flat but edged with command, "but that is no reason for you to act like an arrogant asshole. I don't give a damn whether you want to marry me or not—this is our life now. We are mates. That isn't going to change because you start screwing around behind my back."

Surprise flickered in his eyes. "How do you know about—"

"I'm not stupid, Jude," she hissed. "I could smell her on you from a mile away; I could feel the blackness in your soul crying out. You aren't above redemption, Jude. You do not have to act this way."

He clenched his teeth. "I despise you."

"No, you despise feeling powerless," Layla corrected. She tightened her grip on his throat just enough to prick the surface of skin. "You hate that you will never be more powerful than me, no matter how much anger and hatred you throw at me. You will not treat me as some bug beneath your shoe that you want to squash. I am your mate, Jude, and your Queen. Treat me with some respect, dammit!"

She was seething, more angry than she'd ever been in her life. Layla wasn't an angry person by nature—she was sweet and kind and level-headed—but she'd had enough of Jude trying to overpower her. Now, he was just being an ass. There was no need for that.

Finally, she let him go and he dropped to his knees before her, one hand clutching his bleeding throat. Layla watched him for a moment, the way his body shook with rage and his free hand clenched into a fist at his side; he wouldn't meet her gaze.

Coward, she thought. He talked a big game, but he knew she could put him in his place, deep down.

"Am I making myself clear, Jude?" she demanded—the force of her tone made him look up. His eyes were full of venom.

"Yes, L…Queen." The word was spat at her like a curse, not a title.

"Good boy."

She ignored his scathing look as she turned on her heel and disappeared out the door.

About Eight Years Later…

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. There's nothing more I can do."

Layla had been bedridden for months now, unable to perform any of her duties around the coven. This sickness that plagued her didn't look like it was ever going to go away.

An incurable disease; untreatable; fatal.

That's what Porlyusica had told her, not once, but four times now. Four times in four months. Still, she came back per the doctor's request and tried to find some small bit of healing. Thus far, her condition only got worse, not better.

I have to pull through this—for her.

She absolutely could not leave her daughter with that man. She would never forgive herself if something terrible happened because she wasn't there to protect her. Lucy was her life now, even more so than the rest of her coven, she had to admit. She loved her coven and wanted nothing more than to protect them all… but this was her daughter—an innocent child. She had to be protected at all costs.

"What is going through your head, Layla?" Porlyusica asked. She still hovered nearby, face set in her usual scowl, arms folded across her chest. Somehow, this was a comforting sight.

"I'm worried about Lucy," she admitted. "I don't want my daughter to grow up without a mother like I did."

"I don't think that's the reason you're worried," Porlyusica accused mildly.

Layla sighed. "That's partly true, but…"

"You're more worried about leaving her with him," she guessed. Layla said nothing. "Yes, I understand. It's quite obvious the way he treats her."

"I don't want him to harm her…" Layla whispered. "I can't ever trust him with her."

"We will take care of the girl," Porlyusica promised. "Fairy Tail will keep her safe."

Layla gave her a weak smile. "Thank you."

"But don't even think about giving up, do you hear me?" The elder woman commanded fiercely. "It will be such an inconvenience."

Layla's smile grew just the slightest bit. "I promise," she whispered, "I will never give up fighting for those I love."

Lucy's Fifteenth Birthday… 4:30 A.M.

It was the silence that woke her, an ominous prickling sensation on her skin, like a sixth sense. Her eyes opened a crack, but the lids were so heavy, she couldn't open them more than that.

"Lay...la," came a voice, distorted and distant. It was familiar, but her sick brain was not quite able to put a name to it. "...know… am?"

What is he saying? His voice sounds like it's coming to me from underwater. I can't focus on it!

"This...last...day...Queen," the voice garbled. Layla tried to remember who the voice belonged to, tried to peel back her eyelids to see who stood before her. She could feel his presence near her where she lay in bed; could feel the blackness of his soul trying to wrap around hers; to smother her.

"N-N," she tried to speak, but words did not come.

"D...worry. Y…'ll be...ine now. Good...ight...la."

Her entire body froze as something seized it, paralyzingly her at once.

Her eyes flew open of their own accord—

—and landed on a familiar face.

"Why?" she croaked out through the pain that consumed her. She felt like her body was slowly deteriorating, felt skin and bone turn to rot in minutes.

This is not possible! she thought in agony. What is happening to me?!

"I have your soul now, Layla."

A/N: A little bit of a different chapter for you guys. And a loooooong one! I didn't intend for it to be this long, but there was a lot of information I needed to add in. I hope nothing was too confusing, but there are some parts that I purposely made vague because you all know how I am with cliffhangers and breadcrumbs *winks* Yeah, you all love it and hate it! Still, feel free to comment and ask questions if you need to. I MIGHT answer them, unless it's a purposeful cliffhanger thingy. Then I'll let you know!

Oh, thank you guys so much for the reviews last week! I know all too well what it is to be so busy you literally don't have the time or energy to do anything, so those of you who told me you've been busy, I totes get it. No worries! Thank you for being the awesome readers you are and continuing to support me and this story. It means so much to me. And just the fact that you take the extra time to read my A/Ns too shows me how much you care. You guys are amazing, and I hope to keep on giving you entertainment for a long time! Thank you all!

ThayetJade, Oh! I just moved recently as well so I know exactly what you mean! It's a lot of work and exhausting AF. I hope it all went smoothly! I'm doing very well lately, thank you for asking! I've been busy with Life, but getting through it! How have you been? How was the move? Getting settled in? And sorry that the POV change is a little confusing at times! It's something new I wanted to try, and for the most part it works pretty okay, but I feel you, it can also be confusing at times.

MnMAllyn, Not quite, but getting there! Maybe 20 chapters, give or take a few. The dual POV makes it longer, though! Otherwise it'd probably be done by now.