Chapter 32 Bonded
Chapter 32: Scarlett
As Luciano's demand echoed in my head, I did the first thing my disgusted brain could think of— I spat at him.
"You are sick!" I hissed, glaring daggers at him.
Anger that I couldn't define brewed inside of me as I watched him gently wipe his face clean and then lick the saliva from his fingers.
When he raised his eyes to meet mine, my heart skipped a beat. Rather than the equal amount of anger I expected from him, it was the opposite.
He looked sad, broken and... remorseful.
The emotions twirled so strong within him that I began to feel the guilt. The anger growing inside of me suddenly vanished and I realized I could have reacted differently.
"L—Luciano... I am sorry. I— I shouldn't have—" but just as I began to speak, his expression changed again and he began to laugh.
The laughter boomed against the walls of the cell, vibrating through the iron and sending off a chill that was nothing but evil.
I felt cold inside of me as my eyes took in every movement he made.
"Oh Scarlett, you are so stupid!" He finally let out when his evil laughter ended.
My heart cracked but my mouth stayed sealed as I continued watching him.
"I will deal with you..." He said, pointing a finger at me. "I'd deal with you so bad, you will regret the very day we met!"
The crack in my heart grew larger as it felt like his wicked threats were whips that hit right through me.
"I will make sure that you lose everything that you held dear and when that time comes, you will beg on your knees and lick my spittle just as I have done today! Stupid girl!"
His eyes became even darker and before my brain could think to say a word, he stormed out of the place, leaving me to my shattered heart.
My mind was numb and for a few seconds, I didn't even know where to begin. What to do or how to react. My body simply crawled to the closest wall and I held my knees to my chest, rocking back and forth.
It was then my brain resumed. First it was the tears, then fear. Finally anger and one fat question.
How was I going to get over this?
The only friend that could have helped me has turned against me. The only idea I had to defeat this game I found myself in was through him, now that it was all over, how could I get over it?
How could I protect my family, our lands and most importantly, myself?
Like a divine intervention, my thoughts suddenly formed a spotlight on one name. Bee.
Bee had continuously warned me about Luciano long before I even got an inkling of his true intentions. He had always encouraged me to trust Asher more and hope that things would get better.
According to him Asher wasn't a bad person and this was where we never agreed— I still didn't agree with him but he was the only person I could turn to now.
Quickly, I rushed to my feet and went to the metal rods that served as my door.
"Hello! Guards! Hello!" I yelled, rattling the rods as much as I could. "Guards!"
The main door to the room where my cell was held banged open and two guards stormed in. Their expression tight and ready for whatever violence that could be coming.
"What's the matter?" One asked while the other searched around the place for the invisible threat.
"I am sorry for calling you out like this but could I please be allowed to speak to someone?" I asked, clinging to the rods like my life depended on it.
The one searching for threats froze and glared at me. "The king specifically wants you isolated. No food. No drink. No visitors!"
My heart dropped to my stomach but I fisted my hands tighter around the rods and turned my neck to him.
"You allowed Luciano in here. Isn't that breaking the rules? What if I told your king that you both let Luciano in?! Or do you think the king— my mate— would be angry at me forever?"
The guards exchanged looks at my last statement and I saw the flicker of doubt I was hoping for.
"I only want to see my friend. It will be quick. No one will ever know that anyone visited me..." I whispered, lowering my voice. "Please, I beg you both."
They gave themselves signals and then moved to a far corner, communicating silently between themselves before returning to me.
"I know that you are innocent. And I know that you don't deserve this... That's why I am going to do this," the one who had been searching for threats said as he got to me. "Who is this friend?"
"Bee."
"Bee? That human boy is in exile! He can't be seen around these walls. Jason, we are going to be in trouble!" The other cried out.
But Jason took a deep sigh and then nodded. "I'll get him for you, my lady—"
"What? Have you gone mad?" The other cried out, pulling Jason roughly by the shoulder.
But Jason simply shrugged. "If anything happens, I'll take the full blame. Let's go!"
"Thank you! I'll make sure nothing happens. I promise!" I called out as they both left the room.
I began to pace, waiting for their return or outcome, forcing my mind to stay open and avoiding all sorts of negative thoughts. I didn't know how much time had passed but soon enough the main door opened once more and it was Bee.
"My queen!" Bee cried out as he rushed to the rods of my cells.
Tears of excitement filled my eyes and I hurried to hold his hands too. "Bee, I am so glad that you are here. I know I shouldn't have called you but I was so helpless... I am so sorry for being selfish—"
"No," he whispered, squeezing my hands gently. "You did the right thing calling for me. I heard what happened and I was already thinking of how we could solve this... I only had to see you."
The tears in my eyes dropped as my chest filled with emotions. "Oh Bee, I don't know how I could ever thank you..."
"You have done greater things for me, my queen. This is nothing." He insisted before straightening up. He pulled up a paper from his pockets and passed it to me.
Quickly, I stretched the folded paper and my eyes scanned through the content. But as soon as the words made sense, I had to stop to glare at him before continuing.
"Luciano did all of this?" I gasped, unable to believe the words I read.
"Yes, Luciano has been behind the terrible management of the city from the very beginning. And worse than that, he has been behind every punishment the King gave to you as well. His plan was to make the king hate you while hardening your heart as well..."
A lump formed in my throat and I squeezed the paper back up before turning to glad at the rods in anger.
"Luciano is such a monster! I can't believe I trusted him! Goddess how could he be so cruel?"
My head shook as the thoughts roamed in my head. It was clear that Asher was never the monster Luciano painted him to be... And our last night together, the pain in his eyes was prove that there was still good in him...
If I could make him trust me, maybe I could convince him to stop this war of revenge he has against my family. Maybe we could both finally get the happiness we thrive for!
"Bee, I need your help," I whispered with determination in my voice. "I need to find a way to win Asher's love once again..."
Bee smiled and squeezed my hands. "He never stopped loving you. He is just angry right now..."
I nodded, agreeing to his words. "A baby will solve this... I need to give him one."
My eyes faltered to the rods between us and I shook my head. "I only need to find a way to get out of here first... I need to somehow convince him to give me a second chance..."
My hands released the rods and went into my hair as doubts started crawling in. "Yet, I don't know... How can I do that when— do you think he can ever forgive me? Luciano lied to him pretty bad and I saw it in his eyes... Bee, Asher was truly mad at me. More than ever before..."
Bee gently pulled my hands off my hair and squeezed them. "Everything is going to be fine... Don't think too much about it. Just trust the Goddess and let her do her thing..."
I wanted to argue where the Goddess was when I got here but I decided to hold back my tongue.
"Listen, my queen... I am confident that King Asher loves you. The bond you share is something neither of you can just deny... So I believe that no matter what he would call for you, sooner than you think…”