Chapter 121 Release the Sempyr!
Ruel's POV
Alpha king Andre lifts one finger,the brief motion enough for Omar and two of the king’s guards to turn at once, unsheathing their swords.
Even if I get to Ira first, how do I protect her, where do I take her that will be safe? My mind races as I step back, closer to the exit.
But more men unsheath their swords, surrounding me immediately. Their boots hit the stone together as they march in unison, closing the circle bit by bit.
Fear consumes me, it burns hot and bitter in my chest.
“Stand back, Ruel.” Alpha King Andre's voice thunders, his eyes darkening.
His order hits me like a shove. But it barely does anything. I should bow, I know, but my body refuses to. Because submitting to him suddenly feels as repulsive as licking my own vomit.
The hall falls quiet. I notice how some warriors and guards shiver at his voice but they all end up watching me in surprise… probably wondering why his pheromones aren't affecting me.
I also wonder. But if there's any time I need to be immune to his control, it's now.
“RUEL XUARU!” He growls in fury, his golden eyes turning red. “Release the Sempyr!”
My hand moves and before I can talk myself out of it, I draw out my sword. The sharp noise that accompanies the act echoes loudly in the suddenly silent hall.
“Commander Ruel,” A broken whisper meets my ears. When I turn, Cortis and some others have their fearful eyes on me. Elric barely shows any expression.
“Over my dead body.” I hiss at the alpha king. There's no point denying it anymore.
Gasps ripple through the hall. Omar frowns in confusion, perhaps wondering why I've chosen to protect one of our worst enemies. But then his head snaps away from me when another sword gets unsheathed, the echo of it even louder than mine.
Stunned I stare at Elric who now has his sword in his hand. The fool then makes his way to me.
“Elric, no,” I whisper angrily, dropping my stance in shock.
He steps beside me anyway, only stopping when our shoulders touch. The warmth from him seeps into me, instantly reminding me of our training days.
Elric has always had my back. But this time I don't deserve it. I don't deserve the risk he stupidly thinks is wise to take.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I grit out, my fear doubling.
Keeping his jaw tight, he completely ignores me.
Tears sting my eyes when I realize that I do not deserve this loyalty. Not when I couldn't even trust him with the very information he's willing to defend for my sake.
I do not deserve you risking his life because I fell in love with the wrong woman.
Alpha Andre nods, clapping sickeningly “Oh, so Ruel isn't in this alone I see. That makes two dead bodies then.”
“Stand down!” Omar’s voice shakes with anger. I don't think I've ever seen him this worked up. “This has nothing to do with you!” He points at Elric.
Elric says nothing, only moves closer until he's standing right behind me, protecting me from behind.
Alpha King Andre looks at us like we are filthy pigs. “You dare raise your blades against me?”
My heart pounds so hard it hurts. Every beat screams at me to kneel, to apologize to him, to beg.
I cannot win this fight. I know that. But louder than the fear is the memory of Ira sleeping against me last night. Her white hair spilled across my arm.
Her cold fingers held my shirt like she feared I would vanish. And this morning she smiled at me like I was her safe space.
I cannot let them reach her.
I hold my sword steady. “I protect what I must protect.”
Andre’s hand tightens on his hilt. “Last chance, Ruel. I will forgive you for this insanity if you drop your sword.”
I remember Ira laughing, how she whispers my name in the dark like it is something fragile.
When neither I nor Elric move, Alpha Andre snarls. “Whatever it takes… get me the sempyr!” He commands.
The first warrior lunges from my left.
I catch the first strike and sparks jump between our blades as I twist his sword down and drive my elbow into his throat, not hard enough to crush anything but enough to make him choke and stagger back.
His eyes meet mine with a quiet apology even as he drops to one knee, groaning and feigning a greater injury.
Another man comes at me from the right with his blade raised high, and I strike low before snapping my sword upward, forcing him to leap back so fast he nearly loses his footing, retreating toward the wall while his swings grow weaker and hesitant, like he is praying I will knock him aside so he does not have to hurt me.
Behind me Elric lets out a rough grunt as Omar’s blade crashes down against his. The clash of steel rings through the hall while they circle each other in tight steps.
Suddenly Omar lunges forward, grabbing a fistful of Elric’s hair and yanking his head down hard as he snarls into his face.
“You idiot!” Omar shouts. “Why are you doing this? For him? Huh?”
Elric’s gaze drops to Omar's lips and he scoffs. But what takes me by surprise is how confidently he grabs Omar’s waist with a grin.
What the f…
“FUCK!” I groan as a sword runs through my chest.
Elric twists, kicking Omar off him and running to me whilst brutally striking everyone on his way.
I groan, blood spilling from my mouth when their sword is yanked out of my chest. Feeling strong enough, I swirl, aiming for my attacker's head.
Scarface's bloody sword clashes against mine.
“I've always wanted you dead.” He growls, striking again but I swerve out of the way and swiftly bring down my sword on his face.
“AHHHHH!!” He screams in agony, grabbing his bleeding head and falling backwards.
“Ruel!” Elric's shout causes me to turn around. That's when I see the alpha king and some guards hurrying past the exit.
“Ira,” her name leaves my mouth in a frightened whisper and I take off, running without sparing anyone on my way.
To my surprise, reaching the exit is easier than I'd expected. But when I look back, I understand why.
Cortis, Ben and some others fight in my defense, keeping the Royal guards occupied while we run off.
My chest aches with the knowledge that these people are choosing to defend me even after knowing the truth.
“I'll hold them up, you get to your room now!” Elric shouts above the noise.
We break from the worst of the fighting and I run, taking a different route, one that the alpha king is sure not to pass.
The corridor blurs past me as I move faster, blood soaking my shirt from the stab wound that Krist is already using up a lot of energy to heal.
Ira is waiting. And I will reach her before they do.