Chapter 122-Bet on you

Chapter 122: 122-Bet on you

"You’re a lost cause, Lumi."

Zolani sighed right after seeing Lumi remain unchanging. She was tempted to reveal Maisa’s identity. She knew inside that once the truth came out, not just Lumi but the whole vampire nation would hate Maisa.

However, the image of Maisa being hunted and brutally killed by angry vampires appeared in her mind, and despite her anger and the hatred growing in her heart, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

Maisa noticed the distant ache in her expression. It was a complicated pain that she couldn’t put her finger on. It hadn’t been there before, but before she could examine it, Taratoya walked toward Varitreya.

"Allow me," Taratoya’s voice pulled her attention away from Zolani.

Taratoya reached for Varitreya’s hand and helped her down from the blood horse.

Varitreya looked at her cousin suspiciously. Taratoya wasn’t one to show up out of the blue, and with all the chaos that ensued, she was confident that the palace called her back.

And working on that theory, she was sure that Taratoya was summoned for one reason; to bring back the working order and keep her and her council in check within the approved lines.

Taratoya smiled innocently. "Maisa saved my life, Vari," she said.

The entire group went quiet. None of them could bring themselves to believe that Maisa could save Taratoya. Taratoya Dundragon was everything. A damsel in distress wasn’t one of them. So believing she was saved by Maisa seemed like one of her plots.

Varitreya’s gaze moved toward Maisa. She didn’t question the story or comment. Now wasn’t the time to get to the bottom of Taratoya’s arrival.

Taratoya continued talking like she owned the entire conversation, and no one interrupted her. "I owe her..." she paused. "And I might have given her my word that you’ll compensate her with whatever she wants."

Varitreya slowly looked back at her cousin. There it was, the charm in the water to draw her out. The expression Taratoya wore gave half of her intentions away.

Taratoya was hiding something. She could feel it. Varitreya knew her too well, and she understood that Taratoya never did anything without purpose, never.

If she had encountered Maisa by coincidence, it would be the greatest coincidence in vampire history, and Varitreya didn’t believe in coincidences. Especially not when Taratoya was involved.

Since Taratoya targeted Maisa, she was even more convinced the palace sent her, and the primary subject of her visit was their relationship with Maisa. It meant thar the important vampires in important seats were wondering what their ties with Maisa was, and they wanted the truth, and they’ll leave no stone unturned to get it.

Still, the princess merely raised an eyebrow. "For saving my cousin," she said calmly, "what do you want in return?" she kept her tone casual and gave nothing away of the feelings in her heart.

The question hung between them. Everyone looked at Maisa. The ball was thrown in her court, and they all waited to hear what demands she’d make.

With Taratoya backing her, whatever she asks for, she’d get it without any hindrance. It was a one in a lifetime opportunity. Now, they waited to see if Maisa recognized the chance and grips it tightly with both hands.

Maisa swallowed. There were countless things she could ask for: protection, money, a home in the vampire world, a place to go when she wasn’t at school. Perhaps even request a place in the student council, but none of those were what she truly wanted.

She wanted something far more important, her mates. The four bonds inside her had become unbearable lonely lately.

Varitreya and Addessa had been pulling away due to pressures of expectations from their families, Zolani had already walked away from her and she didn’t know the reason why, more Lumi was being dragged between friendship, family and fear.

Maisa was exhausted from constantly fighting against forces she couldn’t control. She was tired of holding back and being on the losing end evert time.

She stepped toward Varitreya. Then, before anyone could react, she wrapped her arms around the princess.

The entire field went silent. Varitreya froze, startled. Her eyes locked on Taratoya, who was eating up the moment, and every reaction like an active recorder for the powers thar sent her over. She wanted to push Maisa away but held back, waiting to see what the redblood was up to.

Maisa felt her body tense in surprise, but Maisa wasn’t hugging her simply for comfort. Her fingers brushed against Varitreya’s bracelet.

The instant she activated it, an invisible barrier formed around them. The world outside vanished into silence; no one could hear them, no matter how close they stood to them.

Varitreya’s eyes widened. "What are you..."

Maisa leaned closer. Her voice became barely more than a whisper. "You asked what I want. I’m return for saving Taratoya, right?" She asked, "I want... I want..." she hesitated as though deep in thought. "I want to pursue my mates without outside and inside interference," she finally let out.

Varitreya’s expression changed. The request wasn’t for power or wealth but them. Maisa wanted them, all four... and their world wanted them far away from her. They had received countless warnings, demerits, and punishments for the times that they stood with her and for her.

Maisa continued. "And if anyone gets in my way..." she tightened her arms around the princess. "I want you to personally take them to task."

Silence engulfed the two of them. Even within the privacy of the barrier, Varitreya seemed unable to immediately form a response.

She had expected almost anything but not that. A favour or even an impossible task, perhaps access to the royal archives.

She had not expected Maisa to stand before her and demand the right to pursue the four women bound to her heart.

Varitreya slowly looked into Maisa’s eyes. "You want me to protect your pursuit of your mates?"

Maisa nodded. "Not just protect it," her voice was firm. "I want you to make sure nobody interferes with it."

Varitreya’s gaze sharpened. "And if one of those people interfering is someone you care about?"

Maisa hesitated before she answered confidently. "Then I still want you to stop them."

For the first time since they had arrived at the hacienda, Varitreya looked genuinely stunned. She saw her downfall start at that moment.

Outside the invisible barrier, everyone was watching the two females standing impossibly close together, unable to hear a single word.

Addessa looked suspicious at the closeness. She had a feeling that Maisa had found a way to flip the tables and earn the princess back to her side and thar worried her.

Lumi looked curious. She visibly sensed that something about Maisa was different from the way the girl was before. She was debating whether she liked the changed or loved it. Either way, she felt it working for Maisa.

Kayden looked amused, but Saif was nothing while Zolani looked uneasy.

And Taratoya? She remained quiet. She watched the interaction with a calm expression. ’I’m placing my bets on you, Maisa. Don’t let me down.’

Inside the barrier, Varitreya finally spoke. "You really have no idea what you’re asking me to do, do you?"

Maisa met her gaze without blinking. "Actually..." her expression hardened. "I know exactly what I’m asking."

Varitreya stared at her. And somewhere deep within Maisa’s chest, beneath skin and bone and the dead heart that should never have beaten again, four invisible petals stirred actively. The emotions in them were complicated, but they were there.

For the first time in days, the pain eased, only slightly but enough for Maisa to realize that going on effensive mode might be the only way to ensure not just her survival but good life.