Chapter 39 How it should be
Ruel’s POV
The seer moves first, stepping into my room. Her gaze slides across my walls, the only shelf, the window, the far table where I hide my weapons.
I hold my breath when her head turns to the bed.
Can she smell her? Does she know? My mind races with a billion possibilities but then her head turns back slowly, like she is only taking her time.
I stand still and let her look. I don't give her anything that'll reveal Ira. Instead I train my breathing to stay even.
When she glances at me, my face is cold. If she sees beyond my facade, I know Ira wouldn't leave here alive.
But isn't that how it should be?
Isn't that the justice I've spent my whole life fighting for?
I will still have Ira's blood, but not now, not until I've severed the bond between us.
"That's a lie an you know it. We'll find a way around it. Death is not an option." Krist growls in annoyance.
Maybe, but I just can't get over the fact that immediately I'd shown a little sign of defense against the alpha king's aura, Gestrid had asked me if I've found my mate.
Maybe it's unrelated but I can't ignore how random that was. What if finding my mate has something to do with how I've been feeling lately?
The strange glow of my eyes that day, the resistance to alpha King Andre’s pheromones.
It's silly, I know. And a part of me knows I'm just looking for an excuse to keep myself from executing Ira like the law commands me to.
Gestrid drifts closer to my desk and runs a finger along the surface. Tiny dust particles follow her finger. She studies the smear like it carries a hidden prophecy.
Then she turns, walks past me, and shuts the door with her own hand, letting the heavy wood fall shut with a dull thud.
The sound settles in the room.
“You look different,” she says. I internally roll my eyes, recognizing that tone. I'd expected her to be over this already. What's wrong with her?
I keep my arms folded. “You said you wanted to see around the base but if that is all you came to say, then I believe we are done here.”
A small smile curves under her veil. From the black net the expression just looks demonic. “You did not deny fucking the Alpha King’s gift. That means you owe me.”
My jaw tightens. “You are the Alpha King’s only child. My head would be on the ground before my body even understood what happened if I touched you.”
She chuckles. The sound is low and sharp, like a blade dragged across ice. “Oh Ruel, You forget the things I can do.”
Her fingers slip upward. She grips the edge of her veil and carefully lifts it away from her face.
I look aside immediately as heat crawls up my neck. Not desire… but pure disgust.
Her eyes are stone cold. Literally... Ashy. They are dead-looking. Every time she exposes them my skin crawls with disgust. I do not wish to react like that but her attitude doesn't make matters better.
“Cover yourself,” I mutter, my voice coming out harder than I plan.
“You are the only one I have ever allowed to see my nakedness,” she answers, stepping forward. “You should feel honored.”
She says it like we've ever been intimate. The insinuation infuriates me.
“I never asked for that honor.” I shoot, stepping away from her.
Her expression twists, as if my words genuinely hurt her.
“Stop pretending you do not find me attractive.” Gestrid snaps, yet the frustration is only in her facial expression as her voice remains calm, her body relaxed.
I hold her gaze, ignoring how awkward her eyes are. “My loyalty is to your father. And you are his daughter. You walk around acting like this and you'll drag his name into the mud.”
She steps forward, her face stoic. Before she lifts her hand, I already know what she's about to do but I don't move away.
Her hand flies and the slap cracks across my face. Pain burns along my cheek while she steps back, her breath shaking with rage.
“Fuck you,” she spits. With trembling hands she drops the veil over her face again, jerking the fabric down like it is suddenly filthy.
I inhale deeply, my hands in fists beside me as I watch her body tremble. Finally her voice breaks open but the bitterness in her tone is unexpected.
“My so called father did this to me. He covered my face. He hid me... He's still hiding me. No one knows I am his child, so do not lie to yourself. Do not pretend he would care if I carried your pups.”
I stare at her.
“You are a coward. I can feel it you know. The change around you. There's someone. And you are too much of a coward to tell me to my face!” she spirals.
“I don't owe you an explanation or a update on my life. And you might want to check your powers again because there is no one. I don't need someone else to reject you. You and I will never work. Not in this life and never in the next.” I spit out.
“You better stay mateless till you die, Ruel,” she hisses. “Because without a doubt I will waste whoever tries to snatch you from me.”
Without looking back, she storms out.
I inhale deeply, waiting until her steps fade down the hall before locking my door and freeing Ira.
Ira comes out immediately. Soaked in sweat, her hair sticking to her forehead, her eyes snap straight to mine with a death glare so intense my stomach drops.
“Stay here.” I order, fighting the urge to wipe the sweat from her neck.
I shut the door before she can argue and stride out, moving quickly down the corridor.
Gestrid is already halfway down the long passage. Her steps are light, but her presence feels darker than before.
“Gestrid, wait.”I call just as I catch up to her near the bend.
She keeps walking, ignoring me.
“Talk to your father,” I say. “Tell him to look into the problems at the base. That is all I ask.”
Still nothing.
We reach the wide entry of the hall again and I open my mouth to speak but before I get another word out, she turns to me with a glare.
“Do not worry. Scarface has the king's ears now. You are nothing but expired medication. Only worthy to be thrown away and trampled on.” she spits, storming into the hall.