“I once asked for your forgiveness on how I spoke to you that day in the forest, but do not mistake my true intentions. I still meant what I said in having to sacrifice what I need in orderto get what I want." He looked intently into my eyes and then stroked my cheek, my jaw tensed in disapproval. He placed his forehead against mine and closed his eyes. "I am sorry for what I am. If it's a villain in your eyes, if it's a murderer you see. My pretty warrior, please know that I am unable to help what is in my blood and nature." My heart stuttered, and I shivered as he placed a soft kiss on my hair... his thumb rubbing onto the pulse by my neck. A heartbeat and he was here. The next he left through the door behind me and now... I was alone with his words still echoing in my ears.
I am sorry for what I am.
Chapter 28
Slumbering Feast
One of the many wives, with curly blonde hair, had come into my room earlier to drop off a dress just as I had finished wiping myself with the washcloth at the basin.
"From my husband. He truly feels you will look exquisite in the dress." I was about to decline but she had left before I could say anything. Dresses were not something I enjoyed wearing often, unless I had to wear them outside the arena. ‘The proper dress code for a lady.’ I rolled my eyes. I picked up the lid of the dress box for it to reveal white silk, matching gloves, and purple heels that seemed to match the lord's robe. Once I had looked in front of the mirror after changing, I was nearly blinded with rage. It looked close to a wedding dress. The purity of the whiteand the scandalous high slits on both sides of the dress made my legs tremble. It was too tight around the bust and hips, it made my cheeks flame hot red. This lord was playing a dangerous game here and it didn't help that this very manor made my insides want to hurl. I opened the door, stepping out and walked through the corridors in search of the wife that had given me the dress. If she could not give me one of a different colour or less revealing, I had no issue wearing my armour. It might be better suited for tonight, considering both Adrion and myself do not trust this lord. From the corner of my eye, I spotted curly blonde hair pass by, she continued to the right wing of the manor. "Miss! Wait." I held onto the silk of my dress and lifted it to follow her. The silk of my glove felt as smooth as water as it gripped the silk of the dress. I could hear her echoing light footsteps along the hallways. I turned, trying to spot her, hearing her eerie laughter, I must be getting close.
I opened a door that I assume she must have gone through, trembling in the damned heels I wore, trying to sprint down stone stairs that swirled in a rounded pattern. I had finally caught up to her, facing the back of her bright blonde curls.
"Haven't you heard me calling? I wanted to know if—" I tapped her shoulder and jerked back when she vanished, as if she was just a figment of my imagination. I took shaken steps back and observed my surroundings.
What in Nocturna is wrong with me?
Thousands of thoughts swam through my head as I looked around in more of a panic. A grim feeling enveloped me, causing goosebumps to arise. I had not even realised where I was walking...or being led to.I took a step back into the direction I had come from. The shadows in my body snarled in resistance. Something wanted me to stay here, it had brought me here for a reason. I walked deeper into the darkness, choosing to embrace it rather than deny it. It seemed like I was in a cellar.I had to hold my gloved hand to my mouth while looking into the darkness, the smell here was nearly a tenfold worse than rotting bodies. There was a torch light stationed along the walls, I decided against taking it, to not draw attention to myself. There was a large desk, filled with trays of animal parts with several blue orbs that glowed. And paper. So much paper that had drawings of pentagrams and skulls drawn next to it. My skin arose with goosebumps as I looked at all the drawings. Purple tubes of liquid, similar to the wine served earlier. I walked further and noticed my own breath against the cold—the temperature had dropped and I looked around, finding large square metal drawers. It was a morgue.
One of the drawers was open, which could have meant many things but why did a lord have a morgue in his home? I walked deeper into the darkness, leaving the coldness of the morgue until I saw a warm glow of orange light coming out of a room. I stilled the sound of my heels and walked closer quietly. It was only then that I heard the creaking of a bed. I peered over the door to see the lord naked. His purple gown discarded onto the floor. He had a woman beneath him, her hands fisted the sheets in front of her. I controlled my breathing, wanting to leave, but something kept me there. It was only then, that I had looked more closely at the woman beneath him. That chestnut hair, her thin body, her face lifted and came into view. Those haunting blue eyes I saw in my dream.
It was the innkeeper’s daughter.I held in my gasp.
She looked... happy. Considering the pain her body seemed to react in, as if she were in a deep trance of sorts. She no longer looked pale or sick anymore. "Come now, little wife, be a bit feisty. I want to prepare for the new one." He grunted and thrust faster. The innkeeper's daughter moaned and resisted the movement back to his hips. The lord, with a force slammedher back onto him. I winced at the sight and stumbled back. I couldn't control the gasp that left me this time.
The lord's head whipped to my direction. "Who’s there?" he snapped, face flaring in anger. I was already running away, through the darkness, back up the stairs. I sprinted as fast as I could in heels, nearly tripping over the white silk fabric of my dress until I had made it back to the twin doors that belonged to the prince and I. My head was pounding with questions. Something was wrong here... so very wrong and forbidden. I frantically knocked loudly on the prince's door.
No answer.
I pushed open his door to find his room empty. I breathlessly left his room and then stumbled into mine, my hair falling onto my face as I noticed a note on the bed.
"Waiting for you at the feast. Come down soon." His flourished writing was fit for a royal. I had to get to him instantly. To Red. To everyone. We needed to get out of here. I strapped my fire blades hastily onto my body and around my thighs. I held one in hand, no boot to fit it in. It would take too long to undress. I gritted my teeth in annoyance and left the room.
***
There was joyous laughter and Apollon men sprawled across plush sofas. They were incredibly drunk and drowsy. I pushed through the men and stumbled into the hall where everyone was sat at the banquet table. The prince raked his eyes over me, eyeing the tight dress and smirked at the blade I held in hand.
"Now, I usually do not allow weapons at the dinner table. But for you, an exception will be made," the lord spoke, looking at me with a dark look. Next to him sat the innkeeper's daughter. His other wives all stood around, serving food and smiling.
"Have a seat." It sounded kind, but one look in his eyes and I knew it was a command. I bit the inside of my cheek and took the only seat available. Next to the prince. Thank Nocturna.
"We need to talk," I said immediately when I sat down next to him.
"Not now, I want to get this deal over with," he said, gulping down his wine as if his patience with the lord had run out.
"Please, Adrion. Listen to me." It was the first time I had used his name. The first plea I had ever made with him. He looked to me then—startled. His eyes softening.
"Might I say, you look like a bride to be in that dress." The lord drawled out, popping a cherry into his mouth. He winked at me as he did it and then looked to the innkeeper’s daughter that sat next to him. Emphasising his disgusting innuendo.
He saw me... he knows about everything I had seen.
"As much as I agree, with how lovely my warrior looks, she is only mine to look at. And we have an important discussion that can not be prolonged." The prince's power surrounded the room.
The lord was nonchalant. "Yes, indeed we do." He leaned his chin forward on his fist.
"What is it that you want, in order to have Litara swear fealty and be under the command of Apollo." The prince cut to the chase, my breathing quickened. I looked to Inanov, who would usually be paying attention, but he was rubbing his face and blinking his eyes furiously. Red yawned beside him. Colfe was sprawled atop a distant couch, asleep. It was then that I noticed, all his wives had eerily the same look on their faces. Completely in a trance of their own.
"The answer is no." The lord smiled, but the prince smirked and chuckled.
