Chapter 27

Cassia’s POV

My back arched to a frazzling pain. Same goes for my feet, I had tried to condole through out the night but it persisted till it gradually pulled me out of slumber, then into a new new day, one I wasn’t prepared for but had to endured, I stretched my hands on the bed, hoping I felt Hadrian but he wasn’t there.

Perplexed, I searched the room, just to find him at the far end, with a scroll on his hands, leafing through several scrolls with so much the chair looking through some scrolls, with so much attentiveness he didn’t notice me behind him.

A sudden yawn caught up with me, which pulled his attention towards me, “ oh cassia” he turned abruptly, his eyes darting back at the bed, then me, “ good morning,you woke late” he said, late?I stared at the window, the sun stood high up in the sky, bright and galant.

How long have I been asleep?.

“I told Ariel, he could wait, till you are up, before your training begins” he said, reaching for my hands, his lips coax’s then with gently kisses, “how was your night” , his voice warm and dainty, I had almost forgotten how harsh my training days were, today held another bag of mystery.

“Thanks I will get dressed" I said walking to the bath, I took my bath, then back outside my training attire was neatly placed on my bed.

He barely noticed my presence, even with so much noise I made in the room, it wasn’t enough to pull his attention towards me, what kept him engaged, I dressed in my clothes then walked up to him, trying to see what he was so engulfed in, on reaching there he notices then closed it immediately.

“Come, I will take you to him ” he said

Taking me by the hands he led me out of the room, then towards Ariel chambers, it was the first time seeing where he starre. Just like expected,his room reflected his personality, it was coated with dark paint with weird enquipment hanging on the wall, it almost looked like a dungeon with a bed.

“Why does his room look like this, why are there chains?”, I whispered curiously to Hadrian.

“We all have our sexual fantasies, Ariel just have a different taste for things”

What does he mean by sexual fantasies, why does it involve chains and cuffs, my intrusive thoughts were cut short but his sudden presence.

Ariel walked out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist and two ladies naked beside him, he halted at the sight of us, anger flashed in his eyes “ I can see you have decided not to give me any privacy”.

•••

It was time for horse racing training, it would be my first time racing on a horse alone, I couldn’t help but feel nervous at the gigantic horses before me, he had two horses, both dressed in padded leather skirts, he climbed on its stirrup, then into the horse in a swift mood, I could barely counter his moves.

“Well hop on '' he said, I gazed with utter dismay, I had no knowledge about a horse, not even how to climb, but with the way he stared at me, I could tell I wasn’t given the luxury to have backend’s experience. With great effort, I climbed the stirrups holding its horn, gently, I wiggled and I found myself back on the floor, just as expected.

Even the horse felt irritated by my presence, it lounges in the air, sending me off guard, I scampered backwards.

“ What is it?” Ariel asked.

“ I dont,” exasperated he climbed down from his horse, gently coaxing the horse, stretching his hands, he helped me back into it, “don’t be slow, watch me” he added, striking the horse by the foot, it raced further I did just like he had told me and soon I was trailing behind him. With my hands holding unto its horn, trying hard not to fall.

We strolled through the valley, then out of the alpha palace, we had our faces covered in scarfs, as we strolled the town, and like I remembered, it was busy, everyone had their chore of some sort, little children playing, ladies trading.

We went further, exploring buildings and forest. This was by far the most prosperous park there was. Hadrian had outdone himself by bringing different parks together into one of the largest. It hurts to know they hate him for it, they hate him because of me.

The feeling of guilt found its way back in my heart, I slowed my pace, which pulled his attention , “what do you think will happen if Diego wins the battle” I asked, Ariel came to a halt, narrowing his eyes at me, “ no one beats a god never in the records of combats, they would have to require special strength” he said.

But why would a wolf want to fight a lycan, with such knowledge if they weren’t backed up, “ what if they have someone?”

“Well, if they do, and I find out, dare penalties would be exacted on their families and accomplices” he said, his words reignited my worries, how severe the punishment was, and how fast it’s going.

“ Come we have to go back to the castle” he said, striking his horse again, but soon came to a halt, as a cry caught our attention, my searchy eyes darted around for the source of the loud cry, but we were deep inside the forest, anyone could be here.

It resounded again, this time much more pleading, a lady like tone echoed in the forest, scaring the birds away, Ariel who had his eyes searching through the wood came down from his horse, removing his swords from his patch, he nudged at me to come stand behind me, which I did immediately, my heart thuds even faster as reached the source of the noise.

The sight of a rock caught our attention. Whatever was crying was hiding behind it, Ariel signaled I stayed, while he walked closer to it, his swords pointed before him, “ please, please i mean no harm” the voices sounded in a whimper, Ariel halted for a moment, the voice sounded too familiar.

He proceeded again, this time standing before the threat,, “ please save me, Ariel please!” She screamed clinging on to him, he took her by the knees, holding her on her body.

It set my heart on fire, as I dreaded the possibility of who it might be, I found myself in a daze, one I wasn’t so certain I would come out of, her clothes were covered in blood , and her skin bruised by the possible threat.

She began to sob in his arms as Ariel walked toward me, he coaxed her, trying to calm her down, but she kept muttering words that weren’t audible, I stood on a spot watching her charade when her eyes met mine, her lips crease up in a slight smiles before she closed her eyes.

Alisia?