I Give You Two Nights

I Give You Two Nights
Adrian's POV

I knew what awaited me even before I traced into my study. I knew I might die, or worse, start another bloody war.
Cassian snatched me by the collar, and his thick fingers folded fast around my neck. He squeezed tighter on my neck, strangling me. He glared at me so hard and murderously that I spied every inch of the whites of his eyes. “Where is she?” he demanded, his nostrils flaring.
“I am afraid I don't know.” I answered. And the next second, his fist crashed hard against my face. I staggered in his hand as the immense force pummeled every inch of my head. My skull seemed to vibrate. I almost fell, but he grabbed me hard and threw me against the reading desks in my library.
A massive wave of agony radiated through the whole of my back after colliding against the table, splitting it in two. I was thrown onto the cold floor between the halves. Splinters of wood dug into my arms and body, making every part of me itch with pain.
Though, I could feel the intense pain radiating through my body. I could feel the agony consuming me whole from the inside. I didn't groan or even whimper as I struggled from the bed of wood splinters. I wasn't immune to pain. I could feel it as much as everyone. But unlike everyone, I had only learned to endure it, learned to live with it, to the extent that though I could feel it, at the same time I couldn't. I have made it a part of me, a living and breathing force inside of me. Pain is me, and I am pain.
I raised my bloodied face to Cassian once again, and he growled so loud the whole study shook, every inch of the place vibrated, pulsing with a breath of its own, cowering from the fear of him.
He charged at me again, snatching me from the floor like I was some tiny toy, his fingers lacing around my small neck again.
I could have traced away, or I could fight back. But this was the best way. If he could kill me, then everything gets to end with my death—my pains, which live inside me rent-free, the loss of our bride, and his loss of the throne. Then there would be no war, and I can finally get the peace I crave.
I swung my arms in the air, submitting myself completely to him. His fists kept pummeling my face, sweeping my face left and right. Pain squirmed with excitement inside of me.
I smiled while he still kept running his fists on my face, on my body, on my ribs, and on my head. I could taste my own blood, feel it rushing out of my throat, the coppery tang coating my tongue. I was numb now, every part of me throbbing, aching, yet a wave of calm was settling over my hurting chest.
I smelled death. I felt its cold tendrils curling over me like a cloak. Finally, everything would be over, and I could have my peace.
Suddenly his fists stopped, and I crashed against a wall. I opened my bloodied eyes back to him, ignoring the pain shooting fast to every inch of my skull. My vision was tainted by my own blood as I looked upon the murderous snarl on his face.
His fists hung in the air midway for my face again. “Why the hell did you trace away with her?” He demanded.
“She has the right to choose to be with us or not. And since she said she doesn't want to be with us, I just helped her out.”
His fist eventually crashed against my face, sweeping my head to the side. He jerked me against the wall, snapping my head up and my face back to him. “It is you she doesn't want and not me. And you have no damn right to make such stupid decisions on my behalf.” He growled into my face. The noise of his growl drilling like a pump down my ears.
“Perhaps I shouldn't have done that,” I conceded, too tired to talk. I raised my neck to him, leaning forward in the way of his claws. “Why not finish what you have started, Cassian? Kill me, and you can go after me and chase her all you want. Kill me, and then you wouldn't have to share her with me or anyone anymore.”
He grunted with the whole of his face. The snarl on his face tightened. “Death is too good for you, Adrian. I won't give it to you.” He shoved me against the wall, dropped my neck, and stepped back from me. His lips still curled up in the snarl that laced his face. “I give you two nights, Adrian. Two fucking nights to get her and bring her back to me. Else, I would give you what you dreaded the most. I would give you war.” He paused, his eyes deepening with more hate. “This time, I won't be merciful. I would make sure to make you watch as I burn and slice down everything and everyone you hold dear. And still I won't give you the death you crave. I will keep you alive until you finally get the courage to do it yourself.” He said, and then he disappeared.