Chapter 97 The Reckoning
"Ryker with me, we will cut through the forest while a few of our men will follow us the rest will stay back round up all the guards here and keep them in a cell" I spoke as I sprinted to the entrance. Upon getting there a horse pulled up to the door, making me stop in my tracks. On the horse sat one of the fastest riders from the castle.
He jumped down, bowing at the sight of me. I ushered him to his feet. "Speak"
"The castle has been taken over by Vandal and his men. Elder Azalia sent me here to inform you, your mate is in danger Your Grace" he finished.
I felt Phoenix wince and I knew it was bad. Adrenaline began to pump in my veins as I went for my horse and without wasting time I took off, riding faster than I ever had before.
I didn't care if Ryker or any of my men were behind me. If anything I wanted to kill all those bloody bastards myself and I would do just that. Pulling out my sword I cut down every branch and twig that stood in my way.
Not once did I slow down, feeling the wind rush through my curls, sweeping them into the air to trail behind me. I clutched onto the glove in my hand tightly, wishing, praying that she was okay. Images of her blushed cheeks as she handed me her white glove flawed behind my eyes. I wanted to see that color taint her beautiful face. I wanted her so fucking much and now she was in danger all because I wasn't there.
Without reducing my speed I picked up the paste, kicking at the side of the horse to make it gallop faster. The pads of the horse hit the ground in a rhythmic chant, crunching under it's feet branch after branch.
After some time I began to see the castle from a distance and I knew the battle was close. In a sudden rush I felt Phoenix take over and the moment we had escaped the forest I jumped off, running straight to the castle with my sword fisted tightly in my hand. I was out for blood and I wouldn't rest till it flowed.
I could see the fear that gripped the faces of the guards that stood at the entrance as they made futile attempts to run. Taking a large leap forward I swung my sword, cutting through the first guard as blood splashed against my suit. I didn't wait before driving my sword into the second guard.
I proceeded into the castle, cutting through any and everyone who stood in my way. Immediately I got into the maid halls her scent filled my nostrils, driving me mad when another scent mixed with hers. My nose sniffed through the air as my eyes shot around trying to pinpoint where exactly she was. From the distance I could see guards rushing towards me, their steps getting closer but that was not what drove me to them, it was the fear I knew they held and the terror that gripped them once they noticed the blood of their fellows that tainted my skin. They were soon to share the same fate. I charged at them, dodging the first swing and pushing my sword right into the first soldiers back and shaking off his body.
Moving forward I gripped the blade of the sword that was coming straight for me. Pushing it aside I dug my sword into the soldiers abdomen twisting it before cutting all the way through. The rest fell as easily, staining both myself and my blade with the blood of my enemies. I followed her scent to my quarters and the next thing I heard had me sprinting tmrigut for her changers.
"Stop" I heard a shell of a whisper followed by a cracked sob. I marched right to the room, kicking down the doors. What I saw in front of me made my blood boil ten times over. Vandal on top of Audrey while she sobbed underneath him, his hands were wrapped around her neck squeezing tightly. I pulled him off her, throwing him into the wall, satisfied as I heard the cracking of a few bones as he landed with a thud on the ground.
He tried to get up, coughing up blood all over. I walked over to him, my blade in hand. I waited till he glanced up at me, wiping at his lips he dared to grin. I wiped the grin right off his face by driving my bade right into his leg, cutting off the useless limb and leaving the bastard a cripple. His screams filled the halls and all I wanted to do was end him but I would wait, make it a long and extremely painful torture for him.
A soft whimper reached my ears and my head snapped to the source. She laid there, crying - her cheeks stained with tears, her clothes had been ripped off her and her skin tainted red with the marks of his fingers all over her.
I rushed towards her, wasting no time in discarding my sword to the side so I could collect her in my arms. I pressed her against my form as she slumped completely against me, her legs too weak to let her stand on her own. She cried into my chest and I held her, gripping her tightly I held unto her as she sobbed continuously. I heard footsteps behind me coming closer and closer towards the door.
"Your Highness" I heard Maximus behind me with a handful of our guards.
"Take him away" I growled and they obliged, gathering the bastard into their arms and marching off. "Keep him in the torture cell and wait for any further orders" I heard Maximus grunt in approval before walking off.
"Baby" I softly whispered. "My love I'm so sorry" I chocked, gathering her in my arms.