Chapter 242 TEIGEN LXXII
At the far end sat her father. The Grand Duke.
He didn’t stand. He held a cup in his hand, his posture heavy. He looked at her for a moment, then looked away.
That hurt more than anything.
For all his faults, he was still her father. But he couldn’t even face her. Fowler stood beside him, still and watchful and near the center stood Sawyer.
Waiting.
Dressed in black and red, he looked pleased. His eyes followed her as she approached, taking in every detail.
Her stomach twisted. They led her forward until she stood beside him.
He leaned close. “You look perfect,” he whispered. “Just as you should.”
Elara said nothing. Her hands tightened beneath the gloves.
Sawyer turned toward the Duke. “Shall we begin?”
The Duke finished his drink and set the cup down. For a moment, he hesitated. His expression shifted, just slightly. Elara saw it, doubt. But then Fowler leaned in and spoke quietly to him. The moment passed.
The Duke straightened. “Bring the contract.”
Elara’s breath caught.
A tray was brought forward. Paper, ink. A final step. She stood there, silent, waiting for something to change.
Nothing did.
~
The dungeon was cold and damp.
Ryker sat against the wall, chains tight around his wrists and ankles. The metal burned against his skin, the poison in it making every movement harder.
He tried to rest, but he couldn’t.
Elara was all he could think about.
He pictured her standing in that hall, dressed in white, forced into something she didn’t want. The thought made his chest ache.
Footsteps echoed, the door opened.
Two men walked in: Marcus and Jonas. Ryker recognized them instantly. Marcus looked the same as always, strong and serious. Jonas looked uneasy, his movements tense.
They didn’t meet his eyes as they unlocked his chains. “Marcus,” Ryker said weakly. “Jonas…”
“Don’t,” Marcus muttered.
“They’re going to kill me today,” Ryker said. “While she’s being forced to marry him.” He swallowed hard. “Please. Don’t let it end like this.”
Jonas looked like he wanted to say something, but he didn’t. Marcus pulled him up. “Move.”
They led him out, through the corridors and into the open air. A wagon waited with a cage fixed to it.
They pushed him inside. Locked it.
The wagon started moving. People watched as they passed. Whispering. Staring.
Ryker gripped the bars. “Marcus. Jonas. Please.”
“Quiet,” Marcus said.
But he didn’t sound as hard as before.
Jonas glanced back once, his eyes full of conflict.
The wagon kept going until they left the crowded roads behind. The path grew empty. Quiet.
The horses slowed. Marcus let out a breath. “If we do this, we can’t go back.”
Jonas nodded, his voice shaking. “I won’t let him die like this.”
Marcus turned to Ryker. “If we free you, you disappear. You never come back. You never look for her again. Do you understand?”
Ryker grabbed the bars. “I swear. Just let me live.”
Jonas looked at Marcus. “Please.”
Marcus closed his eyes for a second, then climbed down. He pulled out his dagger and broke the lock.
The cage door opened. “Go,” he said.
Ryker hesitated. “Thank you—”
“Run!” Jonas snapped.
Ryker ran.
His legs hurt. The chains slowed him down. But he kept going, pushing himself forward into the tall grass.
Behind him, he heard Marcus already raising his voice, preparing their story. “He escaped! Overpowered us!”
The cage slammed shut again. Ryker didn’t stop. He ran as fast as he could, ignoring the pain, ignoring everything.
He ran for Elara, hoping he wasn’t too late.
The fields swallowed Ryker as he ran.
Dry grass cut against his skin, slowing him, tripping his steps. The chains around his wrists and ankles clanged with every movement. His breathing was uneven, sharp with pain. The wolfsbane still burned inside him, making every step harder.
But he didn’t stop.
He saw Elara in his mind. The fear in her eyes. The way she had held onto him before everything fell apart.
“Hold on,” he whispered, barely able to get the words out. “Just hold on.”
The ground changed beneath his feet, turning rough and rocky. Without boots, every step tore at his skin. Blood marked his path. He stumbled, nearly fell, then forced himself forward again.
The sun burned overhead.
Sweat ran down his face, mixing with dirt and blood. He dropped into a shallow dip in the land and hit the ground hard, his chains scraping against stone.
He grabbed at them, pulling, twisting, trying to break free. The metal didn’t give.
“Damn it!” he shouted, slamming them against a rock.
Nothing.
He leaned his head against the stone, breathing hard, trying to push back the pain.
Elara filled his thoughts again. Her laugh. Her touch. The way she trusted him, hw forced himself up. “I’ll reach you,” he said, his voice rough. “Even if it kills me.”
He looked down at the chains cutting into his skin. Then something stirred inside him, heat.
The same heat he had always feared.
“No…” he muttered. “Not like this.”
But there was no other way. He pressed his wrists together, closing his eyes. His hands shook. He remembered losing control before. Remembered the fire.
The damage it caused. But every time doubt crept in, he saw her again.
Elara.
He clenched his jaw. “This is the only way.”
~
The grand hall was silent.
The contract lay on the table, clean and final. The quill rested beside it.
Sawyer stepped forward first. Calm. Certain.
“Let’s not delay,” he said.
He signed his name without hesitation. The sound of the quill scratching against the paper echoed in the quiet room.
Then everyone looked at Elara.
She stood slowly. The weight of the dress pressed down on her, making it hard to breathe. Her fingers curled tightly as she reached for the quill.
But instead of writing, she looked at her father.
Her eyes pleaded. Just once, see me. For a moment, everything paused.
Then he looked away. The silence broke inside her. Her hand shook as she bent and signed her name. When she finished, it felt like something inside her had been taken.
Camilla cried softly. Phillipa turned away. Winnie wiped her tears. The Duke stood and took the quill. His signature was quick.
It was done, then he coughed. A harsh sound, wet. He swayed, gripping his chest. Another cough came, and blood hit the table.
Gasps filled the room. "Father!” Elara rushed forward.