262- The Price of Betrayal
POV Aldren Valmorin:
The act was swift and brutal.
Justice, in its most primitive form, was carried out.
The beast roared, satisfied, while Felibér’s body hung limp, his brains striking the ground.
In that moment—between the silence that followed and the putrid scent of death filling the air—I understood that my beast was willing to cruelly murder any human, shapeshifter, or mystical being who hurt our female…
The tragic part was that I not only agreed—I longed for it.
With my beige coat entirely splattered with blood and cerebral matter, I ordered the sentinels to bring Kehin from the northern prison to the southern one so he could see with his own eyes the fate of his accomplice.
When Kehin appeared in the dark corridor, lit by only a few candlesticks fixed to the walls, I could hardly believe how quickly his appearance had deteriorated. His once-strong body had withered, his eyes had sunk in. The skin that used to be smooth and vibrant now resembled the cracked ground of a drought-stricken land.
Dragged in shackles by the sentinels, dressed in rags, he did not direct a single glance at me and did not seem startled at the sight of Felibér’s remains.
I nodded for them to leave us alone. They threw Kehin’s body inside the bars. He fell hard onto the ground, landing on his ass in the blood and fragments of skull.
Only then did he lift his chin and look at me with red, expressionless eyes. It seemed there was no soul left inside—only what remained of the body.
“Were we ever truly friends?” I asked, leaning against the inside of the bars, looking down at him. “To think I was training you to inherit everything that was mine, Kehin.”
He let out a weary sigh before answering.
“On your side? No, Aldren. You’re just an egocentric man who only tolerates those who worship you. You never considered me.”
I pressed my lips together in mild confusion and touched my own chin.
“Funny. You used to say I was your greatest inspiration—that you feared you’d never be as good as me. Very funny.”
“I lied. I knew I would be far better,” he revealed coldly, proving the theory that today’s flatterer can be tomorrow’s traitor.
“You think you’re so clever, and yet here you are, wallowing in filth. Did you enjoy your grandmother’s visit?” I offered a vengeful smile.
I allowed her to see him not only out of regard for her—but because I knew he would hate being seen like that.
His blank expression twisted with rage. Bracing himself on his cuffed hands, he rose unsteadily to his feet.
“I hate you, Aldren Valmorin. Letting my grandmother see me like this was too cruel—even for you.”
I crossed my arms and stared at him with disdain.
“Is that how you thank me for fulfilling one of her wishes?”
“You miserable bastard…” he muttered angrily. “I can’t wait to sense your downfall.” He swallowed heavily, as if savoring the thought of my ruin. “Even if I’m burning in hell, I’ll feel it when you fall, you bastard.”
“You sound so pathetic I almost feel sorry for you, Kehin.” Even weakened, he let out a hoarse roar until he choked on it.
“But there’s a way to prevent your fall… Let me see Elowen. Bring her to me, and you’ll have the names of all the traitors.”
I held back the laughter rising in my throat.
“You think Elowen wants to see you, stupid male?”
“I think she does,” he snarled.
“You are terribly mistaken.” A smile slid to the corner of my lips.
Kehin clenched his teeth. A brief silence crossed his desolate gaze.
“You manipulated her into staying with you, didn’t you? Just like you did with the others.” The disgust in his tone was almost tangible.
“Elowen was my prisoner, and now she is my female. Deal with it.”
“Bastard…” he growled through his teeth.
I used my speed to kick him back to the ground and return to my place. The crash of his body against the stone echoed along with his murmurs of pain.
“Don’t worry. I’ll honor my word—you’ll have a dignified death, even if you don’t deserve it. Come to think of it, I should even thank you.”
“Thank me for what, you piece of shit?” he shouted, lifting his torso from where he lay on his back.
“I sincerely thank you for capturing and bringing to me the future queen of Valmorin.”
(...)
POV Elowen Grimwald:
Even if I tried to erase from my memory the image of Aldren arriving in our room devastated, covered in blood, I wouldn’t be able to. He kept repeating that everything was fine and didn’t push me away—he let me take care of him—but I sensed that something had gone wrong.
It was my birthday, and I spent the entire day without him, sniffling in corners, worried. Our nights were always warm, but the uncertain days struck me like the frosts of the approaching winter.
Even with my heart unsettled, I tried to believe the night would end well.
What could possibly go wrong?
I was about to see Eldoria and meet my little round-bellied one.
We had agreed on elegant attire for dinner, and Valmorin’s artisan made me a white dress fitted to the body, with a somewhat revealing slit.
Nerin was my guest of honor. I wanted to bring Mrs. Korlina as well, but Aldren gently asked me to give up the idea. I understood—it might be too much for him, since she was Kehin’s grandmother.
I helped Nerin get ready and was finishing my own preparations, applying a layer of lipstick in front of the bathroom mirror. I looked at my reflection, and the shining necklace at my neck stole the spotlight.
If it had returned to me, there had to be some purpose.
Besides being beautiful, it matched my dress. What harm could there be in wearing it?
I caught my male’s scent, and my skin prickled. Right after, an enraged growl sounded through the room:
“Get out of here!”
I ran to the room, startled, feeling my heartbeat pounding in my ears.
“Aldren, what—” The words died in my mouth the moment I saw him.
Hair combed back, beard shaved. He wasn’t wearing his usual boots, but black leather shoes, like the rest of his formal clothing. He smelled so good it made me dizzy. In his hands was a giant bouquet of roses the same color as my dress.