AWAIT TRIAL
AWAIT TRIAL
Chapter 45
ROYANNA
“Let me out of here!” I screamed for Goddess knows how long, but my voice just echoed back at me.
I pulled the chains binding my hands, trying to break free, but it was futile, just as it had been for the past three days. My strength was gone, and my throat was dry,my body shook gravely each time I strained myself to try and break free.
I had mixed emotions, confused as to how I got here. The only thing I remembered was going in search of Kithara, and then it went black.
Stuck here for three days after waking up bound by a chain, every attempt I made to escape was futile. The cold chains burned against my skin, leaving my hands so numb I could no longer move them.
At this point death was all I wished for, no one was coming to my side, rather they were eagerly waiting for me to die of cold and starvation.
I believe news of my death would bring joy to whoever chose to set me up. I couldn't think of anyone except Kithara, whom I had been worried about. If only I knew, I would have revealed my plans to Cleo.
My heart aches at the thought of the girls,they must be so worried, wondering where I am, especially Cleo. She would be crying her eyes out, blaming herself for not coming with me.
I snickered, a small smile forming on my frozen lips, but it quickly vanished at the thought of Saphena. She would be displeased with my disappearance and claim I tried to run away, she would try to punish my friends to get the truth out of them,she would have an excuse to resume her cruelty upon them. The rest of the warriors aren't safe either, and it saddened my heart, adding to my weakness.
“I am so…sorry Cleo…Jira…Benedict.” I whispered, my voice cracked and unrecognizable.
“I am sorry…Orphelia.” I failed to find the better life I promised you I would find for myself. I hope that when we meet in the afterlife, you will forgive me.
I wish I could apologize to all of them in person, but I would probably be dead when eventually found. All I wish and hope ,is that they forgive me and never blame themselves for my death.
Heaving a heavy breath that burned my lungs, I closed my heavy eyes, letting the cold and darkness take me.
Warmth, the feeling that evaded me for three days straight, was back clinging closely to me, not the gentle warmth of a fire across the room or heavy blankets piled on top of me. This warmth was… closer, the strong kind, It pressed against my back and wrapped around me like a living wall.
For a few seconds, I simply lay there, half asleep, enjoying the comfort, but then, gruesome memories of me freezing to death flooded my memories and my eyes snapped open, coming in contact with flesh.I am in bed with someone, a woman?
My mind raced,as I lowered my gaze, but there were no breasts ,all I saw was the heavily scarred and ripped chest of a man.
I sealed the lump forming in my throat, raising my eyes to have a better view of who was lying so close to me, but all I could see was a sharp jawline.
I tried to back away from whoever this is, but then I felt the large arm draped across my waist, the weight of it suddenly settling in my mind.
Goddess!!!
The hand resting against my stomach was huge, the fingers long and strong, holding me in a strange, intimate closeness that made my pulse stutter.
My heart pounded slowly in my chest, each beat louder than the last. My mind refused to process what I was seeing,this has to be my imagination.
I am dead, frozen in a hut, bound to the wall. I can't be in bed with a hefty scarred-looking man.
Regardless of this truth, I tried to move a fraction, to see who was holding me this close. I pushed my legs against the bed to aid my movement, only to hit my head against the man's second arm.
My body went rigid as the man stirred beside me,I didn't know what to do, so I just shut my eyes, pretending to be asleep.
For a while I heard nothing, no movement, no further stirring, just silence. My racing heart slowly calmed and I proceeded to open my eyes, only to be met with Golden ones staring back at me.
I gasp out, backing away, but his strong hands hold me back in place.
“A–Al– King…” I couldn't find the right words to acknowledge Alpha King Lir, who was actively staring right at me.
“You are awake.” He said, his voice booming into my head.
“No…I–I mean y–yes…” I swallowed, but my sore throat got stuck in my throat, forcing a cough out of my throat.
Yes Royanna, pull more attention to yourself.
I scolded myself, biting my inner cheek.
“Are you alright?” The king asked, and I nodded before I even realized. “Yes!” I replied, my tone, a bit too loud.
“Good. You can return to your quarters and await trial tomorrow.” He said, and I lost my breath.
“A–Await trial?”
The king didn't respond,he simply rolled away from me, releasing his grip on my waist. I didn't question any further, scurrying out of the bed and racing for the door, pulling it open there were no guards in sight. I ran off, recognizing a few familiar paths that led me back to the waters I shared with them.
Amidst the chaos that happened moments ago, a part of me was excited to see my friends again. Pushing the door open, eight pairs of eyes stared back at me, six of which were filled with immense joy immediately.
“Royanna!!!” They screamed in unison.
I ran into the room, my hand wide open, and the trio plunged right into my arms, almost hugging the life out of me.
“You survived!” Clio screamed in my ears, a mixture of pain and joy in her voice.
Pulling apart from the emotional embrace, the girls had tears in their eyes. I had cried so much in the cabin that I felt incapable of producing more.
“I can't believe you are here again,” Clio said, grabbing my hand and squeezing it gently.
“I can't believe it, either.” I smiled.
Jira held my shoulder, “We thought you were dead when the guards brought you in. You were completely frozen.”
“The king took you and we assumed the worst. Thank the Goddess you are safe.” Benedict added.
Lost for words, I could only keep smiling, while thinking of my rec
ent encounter with the king. His words seeped back into my head.
...Await trial tomorrow.