Capítulo 70: Plan for Disaster. (Chapter 69)
They dragged him back into the hole and shut the heavy gates so I could no longer see him. The king made him kill a man. Damien was no stranger to violence, but cruelty, he would never. The king had his hand on my shoulder and it felt wrong, it felt unnatural. I didn't want to move, I didn't want to get his attention. I kept my eyes on the arena, the guards came to remove the lifeless body from the arena floor, leaving a trail of blood as he was disrespectfully dragged out of public view. I felt his glare shift to me, he removed his hand but he kept his placement, not bothering to move away from me.
"Karina" I heard. I turned around to Drake hanging half out the door calling me. "Lily isn't feeling too well, I think we should get back." He was giving me the look. The look to play along-not to question him. He was trying to get me away from the King.
"Yes I think we should go. Thank you for your hospitality King Azran but I think we should-"
"Nonsense." He cuts me off.
"I'm sorry?"
"You were invited to stay here, in my home, as my guests. You can't leave now, it would be rude." He says raspily before curling his mouth into a charming smile. It wasn't a smile, it was a grin that brought out a sadistic look. He clapped his hands and Adam came rushing out with two servers who were hardly dressed. Makeup smudged and hair messy with their parts half on display.
"Take the Nightslayers to their Quaters, and escort them to the dinner." They nodded in acknowledgment putting down their trays and waited for us to follow them.
"Really, I Thank you King Azran, but I think it's best if I take Lily back...."
He hardened his jaw, and looked at me sideways, his eyes were cold, unforgiving. His eyes didn't let me move, he moved closer to me, and just stood there, towering over me letting me sink in the unbearable silence. He smelt like burnt oak, and fresh mint leaves watered by rain. Demons have many forms.
"You're really as beautiful as they say Queen Karina, infact it may have taken me by surprise. In the presence of a beautiful woman, men tend to lose control." He whispered. His demeanor suddenly changed, "And control, is what I do best. I don't know what would happen if I lost it.. can you imagine?" I backed off from him to Drake slowly. He put his hand on my lower back, letting me know he is here. Azran's grin grew large from my reaction. "I insist that you stay-all of you. I would like our kingdoms to become friends.."
"Take them to their rooms." Adam said. We followed the women back into the party room, but I could still feel him lingering on me, and i felt filthy.
———————————
"Here is your room- If you need anything your highness please let me know." One of the ladies said before bowing and strutting away leaving us alone in a massive hallway. I opened the door and put one of Lily's arms around my neck helping her wobble to the bed. I placed her gently on the firm mattress making sure her head rests upon the many pillows carefully decorated on the bed.
Drake shut the door. Groaning at the gunk plastered on his clothes. "Dirty humans-ugh! What a fucking waste of food..and good wine." He grunted as Lily laughed.
"Glad to see you're feeling better." I said as I put the blanket over her.
"I Am. Everything was just a bit overwhelming. All the new smells the atmosphere. I'm gonna sleep it off. Don't mind me." She said before cuddling the thick duvet. Lily may of been second in command, but she was young. Talented none the less. The snoring started in a matter of minutes as I waited for her to drift off.
"Damien's here, he's alive and well-but! Now here is the real twist-he is a PRISONER of a psycho, and we are supposed to walk in here to well, STEAL HIM and walk out unharmed...easy." His back was turned to me, as he wiped the gunk off his clothes, trying to make the cruel remark sound casual.
"Wow you didn't tell me you could read minds." I provoked him. And it worked because his voice got deeper.
"Oh really?! It seems your husband likes his new home here in this fucking pit, maybe we should just leave him here, and you and the king can have a nice tea party!"
"Calm down Drake, Damien is fighting this just like we are!"
"Were you watching the same thing I was, because I saw him kill that man in the arena on some bullshit order by a handsy sick joke for a King!" Lily suddenly turned over deep in her sleep slightly disturbed by the noise. Drake pulled me across the room through a door which turned out to be a huge bathroom so she wouldn't be able to hear us.
The bathroom had an earthy feel. The walls were large format tiles of white honed travertine and the floor was made of dull brown tiles. The vanities were of a dark wood and the counters were a brilliant white marble fitted with massive sinks. There was a huge bath in the middle of the room with gold faucets. Drake marched over to the sink and began scrubbing his shirts and forearms with water trying to get off the smell of rotting food.
"The king seems to have his eye on you, you NEED to be careful kitty. He reminds me of Kion, and god help us if he is anything like him." He finally breaks the silence through the sound of the running water.
"He likes to be in control, he made that clear to me."
"So the plan is to take control away from him, see how he reacts?"
"No, no that's the eventual plan. We don't know enough yet. Right now, my only plan is to get through this dinner without declaring war."
"Dream big or go home right?"
——————————
When I came out the bathroom, drake was standing there with a silken gold dress in his hand.
"Someone dropped this off for you." He said handing it out to me. I went back in the bathroom and slipped it on, but I kept my dagger strapped on my thigh, didn't hurt to be prepared right? Lily had already left to be with the pack as I figured the separation anxiety was getting too much for her. Especially for a wolf. Being away from your pack can make you ill.
I came out the bathroom and there was a woman chatting with drake freely. But her body became tense when she saw me.
"Oh your majesty-" she straightened her skirt and put her hands in front of her. "I'm here to escort you to dinner." She have a fake smile and whirled around strutting out the door for us to follow her.
Drake looked back to me amused and I unintentionally raised my eyebrow. I followed her first and Drake was behind me.
We walked through the halls, I looked at the portraits and decor of the long hallway. But one thing that struck me was that it was so quiet. Back in Valtor the maids and soldiers would flood the halls and there would always be noise-life in the castle. But here was not a single soul here, except us. After a while of walking I began to be hypnotized by the sound of the footsteps. The maid suddenly stopped at the entrance of a massive double door, and knocked twice. The doors opened simultaneously and revealed a grand table stretched out to sit at least 50 guests. I saw The king sitting at his extravagant seat at the end of the table sprawled out with a massive selection of fruit in-front of him and a large selection of cooks and maids behind him ready to serve. He fiddled with the berries in his hand before carefully placing them in his mouth, chewing ever so slowly contracting the muscles in his jaw.
"How nice of you to join us my lady." The king said as he stood up. He motioned to the empty chair next to him, and I complied accordingly. Drake was close behind me and sat down in the chair next to me. Adam sat opposite Drake, stealing glances at him breathing heavy. His eyes were farting fast between me and Drake, he must've been tense. But there was another woman there who I did not recognize sitting opposite me. She looked dead at me, almost challenging me. She was small and had red hair. And was creeping me the fuck out.
"Queen Karina, may I introduce my sister Princess Yasria-"
"You look very familiar sir." She said to Drake interrupting the King, Catching both of us off guard. "Have we met before?" She asked firmly picking up her napkin.
"No my lady I don't believe we have." He gave her an polite smile and began to pick up his utensils. But she didn't budge.
"It's just, you look very familiar I just can't quite place it." She tilted her head to the side and intensified her look to the point where the king interrupted her signaling the staff to serve.
They served a large selection of food, but I was in no mood for an appetite. He was playing so much with me, I just wanted Damien back. Was it too much to ask for? I was afraid I was losing him, losing how he felt, smelt, like his connection was weakening. And with that I felt a part of myself disappearing. Time had been cruel and kept us apart. And I just wanted him back. I am tired of all the games and power struggles, but I had lost too much to not be with him. So I'll fight for him, I'll fight for us.
"Lets stop playing, what do you want in exchange for Damien?" The king didn't look at me, but his chewing got slower until he put down his spoon. Sat back in his chair and intertwined his fingers.
"I'd hoped we could have a civilized meal before we talked business." He said.
"I'm in no mood to be civil right now." He just smirked at me.
"Everyone leave the room!" He shouted in a deep voice that made the plates clack and the maids quickly scattered from the room leaving the two guards by his side. "What makes you think I want anything?" He said.
"Don't you?" I said in the most innocent voice I could muster. "This type of behavior usually starts wars..but I am giving you a chance to avoid that right now, if you just give him back to us." This man was a difficult read, he just looked at me, like I was nothing. I guess he couldn't read me either. But I was afraid to admit it to myself, he frightens me. And Drake was right, he is cut from the same cloth as Kion. But this one actually holds something over me. And I can't afford to lose.
"Oh Darling, you've spoiled all the fun now." He slightly looked to his left and the guard went to a door hidden in the shadow of the room. He opened the door, and two more guards dragged a man by chains into clear viewing.
"Damien." Escaped my mouth.
— Novo capítulo em breve — Escreva uma avaliação
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder