BOUND BY FATE: ENTANGLED WITH MR HELL

Chapter 21: Shadows in the Mirror

Matilda's POV

CRASH!

The sound of shattered porcelain echoed through my chambers as the second vase slammed into the wall. Flowers and glass exploded across the marble floor like confetti at a funeral.

My funeral.

No… her funeral.

My chest heaved with rage as I paced barefoot across the cold floor. My palms were clenched, and my nails had dug crescent-shaped cuts into my skin. My eyes stung, but I refused to let the tears fall. Rage burned hotter than grief.

> "Your Excellency!" my maid burst in, her voice thick with worry. "Are you okay—?"

SLAP!

Her head jerked sideways from the force of my palm. The sound rang louder than her foolish question.

> "How dare you ask me such a stupid question?!" I snarled, my voice trembling with fury. "Do I look okay to you?!"

She immediately bowed in fear. "Forgive me, Your Excellency…"

I turned away from her, my breath ragged as I stormed to the mirror. My reflection glared back at me—cheeks flushed, hair wild, and glowing eyes that had shifted into the gold of my wolf.

I didn't even try to blink it away.

> "No one takes Bryant away from me," I whispered, venom dripping from every word. "No one."

I stared deep into my own eyes, willing the truth to settle like fire in my gut.

> "He's mine. He always has been. He will be."

"That girl… that commoner... will regret ever stepping into this palace."

"I was born for that throne. I trained for it. I've bled for him. If he won't come back to me…"

I trailed my fingers across the mirror, smearing a faint line of moisture from my trembling hand.

> "…then I'll make sure she is erased."

My lips curled into a wicked smile. A slow, poisonous kind of grin.

> "I know what to do."

The room fell deathly quiet, only the wind rustling the curtains from the cracked window. I turned slowly to my maid, who was still knelt and trembling on the floor.

> "Prepare the carriage."

Her head lifted slightly. "Where to, Your Excellency?"

I smirked, adjusting the gold chain around my neck.

> "I'm going to the Temple."

I turned toward the mirror one last time, brushing a finger across my reflection's lips.

A sly glint lit up my eyes.

> "Let's see what the moon goddess says… about removing obstacles."

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