Chapter 92 Compensation
AUDREY
My gaze swept behind Vandal to see the man I assumed to he his second in command. He looked a lot younger than Vandal but just as menacing. They had more guards than we did and they were all heavily armed and from the looks of them I was certain they had more weapons underneath.
"Oh Elder" he walked forward, taking her hand in his and placing a kiss to it, his gaze remaining on me. "I have come to discuss something important but I see His Highness isn't here?" He looked around like Darius would appear at any time.
"His Highness will be back shortly, he doesn't take much time when he's away" I answered with a sweet smile on my lips as I stared at Vandal. He fully turned to me seemingly so interested in me now more than before.
"And who is this who has granted me the honor to grace her beauty?" His gaze dragged down my form, leaving my skin crawling everywhere his eyes had scorched.
Elder Irene came forward, taking his gaze off me. "She is the King's mate, he is courting her" she replied, her strong gaze directed his way.
"Courting? I would have thought he'd already claimed her and put a ring on that finger. The king always did have too much patience" he remarked under his breath but loud enough for us all to hear.
I had to press my lips together to stop from replying. "Come now let's discuss this in the proper place" Elder Elfrid gestures towards the hallway that lead to the throne room. "Your weapons, please"
Maximus held out his hand for the men to place their weapons. All the humor disappeared from Vandal's eyes all of a sudden and I thought he was going to snap, "Of course, just a precaution" he smiled. "Men"
His guards gave their weapons to Maximus' hold and when they were done he walked off to drop them only he knew where. We began our little journey to the throne room with me safetly tucked between the three elders and the palace guards but all the while my gaze kept fixed on Vandal. So far everything was going okay, despite the uneasiness his arrival brought I could only hope things got better from here. Once we reached the room Vandal's guards were stopped from entering but before they could complain he ordered they stand down and they obeyed. He stayed calm as the doors were closed leaving the elders, Vandal and I in the throne room.
"Vandal, please tell us what beings you here?" Elder Elfrid asks, grabbing his wandering eyes from my direction.
He walked up to the large windows that had the view of the palace gardens and grounds, his back facing us "The king had taken my land from me years ago. He gave my land out and they were not my people and I came to be compensated for my loss. When our land was taken from us so was a large part of my holdings" he turned around, an evil glint in his eyes as he began walking towards us. "So elders, compensate me"
I could feel the three elders go rigid in their spots once they had heard him. I myself was left feeling uncomfortable. How did he want us to compensate him, "We will give you gold in the weight of what you lost" Elder Azalia answered, her narrowed gaze on him.
He chuckled darkly, shaking his head "Gold is not what I lack dear elders. I have enough gold, more than enough" his eyes drifted to me. Just then our guards were pushed into the room, Vandal's guards overpowering them as they held weapons over their heads.
We looked between ourselves, panick rising in my chest at the look of fear on the elders faces. Our heads snapped to Vandal's direction as a sinister grin settled on his lips. "I'm taking this castle till my needs and that of my men are met"
The guards called, pulling our guards out of the room. My wide eyes met with Vandal's and he winked at me, making me almost shiver in disgust.
"You can't do this" I refused but he only chuckled once more as if mocking me.
"Oh but I can gorgeous. Just as his highness invaded and laid waste to my land I will do same to his precious abode and maybe have a little fun while I'm at it" his eyes wandered all over me and I shrunk back.
"You're choice is unwise Vandal. When his highness finds out that you have invaded his home he will not take to it kindly and we know the King's wrath is something to not be trifled with" Elder Azalia said, her expression calm and calculating. I didn't know if she intended to scare Vandal with her words but we all knew she was telling the truth.
"I am not stranger to the tales of the King's anger but I am no fool either. You see dear elders I will not rest till I am content and compensated and you will do well to fulfill whatever want I may have if you want to ensure the safety of all the inhabitants of the castle" there was a hidden message in his words like he was daring us to not comply.
"My needs will be met and don't try to reach out for more of your guards. The majority were taken along in the King's envoy and the rest have been locked in the cellars. I've heard the famous palace cellars were made of pure silver, impenetrable by wolves. How interesting don't you think?" He smiled sadistically.
There was no way we could fulfill his demands. Vandal knew what was at risk, he knew the odds were in his favor so he could ask of us whatever he wanted and we would have no other choice but to agree. This was bad, really bad. To make matters worse I had no idea if Darius had made it safe or if he was in some sort of danger. No one knew what he was riding into.
'Goddess please protect Darius and save us all'