Chapter 20 We got caught in the act
Amarien's POV
“No way!” I spat back at Basgrid. “Leave my room, now!”
He must be out of his mind! My chest tightened with indignation. Fury burned hot behind my eyes. How could he think I would ever agree to this?
But Basgrid didn't look like he was leaving anytime soon.
“I'm not going anywhere till I'm done.” Basgrid shoved the door closed and locked it. His eyes bore on me with such sickly lust I felt I could puck.
This was what that unsettling flicker in his eyes was all about. It was nothing but lust!
“Come here now,” Basgrid lunged at me.
“Get away from me!” I shoved him off and ran to the door. Basgrid stumbled on my bed, laughing and laughing like a sick maniac.
I banged at the door several times, but there was no one to answer. Who could possibly answer when every damn concubine is in the imperial banquet!
“You think you can scuttle far from me. You're not going anywhere, you little mouse.” He lunges at me, holding me so tight I could barely breathe.
“Let go of me!” I screeched. But he wrapped my lips with his palm. I bit him hard and kicked, escaping his grip again.
I raced for the door, banging and banging. “Somebody help!!!” I screeched, but my voice only fell in failed echoes. There was no one here. Not even guards.
No no no no!
Before I could raise my voice for another hopeless shout, Basgrid yanked me off the door and threw me to the bed.
I beat and scratched, but it was all hopeless. He pressed his weight on me, threw his armour off, unbuckling his belt as he ignored all my beatings, pleas and cries.
“It will be over soon,” Basgrid's voice dropped with venomous lust.
I squeezed my eyes shut, tears burning, body locked in terror. All I could do was pray for oblivion; until suddenly, a shadow larger than Basgrid loomed over us both.me.
All I heard was Basgrid shriek. In an instant, Basgrid got snatched off me and slammed into the wall. The wall exploded with a crack.
I opened my eyes, shaken by the noise, and saw him.
It was Prince Daevir, in his wolf!
He stood there, heaving deep, dangerous breaths; his teeth were sharp and ready for a strike, and his amber eyes were lit with fury.
Basgrid stirred to consciousness, unsure of what had hit him. When he opened his eyes, he screeched. “Werewo…”
But Daevir didn't let him finish. He grabbed Basgrid by the beard, pulled him out of the broken walls and dragged him up through the rubble to the ceiling. Basgrid coughed up blood as his bloody head spun.
“Tell me why I shouldn't snap your neck?” Daevir's growl was like the voice of many in one man. It shook me up.
“Who are you?!” Basgrid coughed. “Why do you care?!”
Suddenly, I saw Daevir's claw extend and raise. He wasn't ready to show mercy to Basgrid. He was going to kill him right away!
As Daevir raised his hand, ready to strike one last time, I rushed up, standing between him and Basgrid. “No!” I screeched. “Don't kill him!”
“Get out of the way, Amarien!” He growled even louder.
“Please, Daevir.” Slowly, I stepped forward. “You're not the monster you think you are!” My hand reached for his claw, but he snapped
“Let me crush him to bones!” He growled.
I leaned in even closer. My hand reached for his claw again. “You're not a monster.” My hand settled on his claw, and slowly I lowered it.
As I did, his claw reclined, his tense muscles dropped, and I saw his gaze sweep from Basgrid to me. The fury melted softly to tears.
Slowly, he let go of Basgrid, sliding me back to the floor. Basgrid, who had peed his pants at this point, quickly stumbled out of the room, running for his life, wounded and covered in dust.
Daevir's eyes didn't leave me once. It was strange because, despite being in his wolf, I still felt that connection. That pushes towards him. I wasn't afraid. Not any more.
“Amarien…” he said, tears pooling down his cheeks. “I thought I lost you.”
I leaned in, pressing his forehead to mine. “No, you didn't.”
“I'm sorry…I ..”
“I know what you did.” My eyes met his. Daevir tried to save me from getting into trouble by accusing me of stealing from the Emperor.
“Please, forgive me.” He pulled me close to himself. So close I felt his silver fur brush against my skin, bringing sparks I've never felt before.
Tears pooled down my cheeks. I was safe again.
But not for long.
A quick bang on the door brought us back to the room. My eyes lowered to the feet of the door. There was not one, but more than a dozen boots standing by the door.
“Open the door!” we heard cry from outside. It was Basgrid.
He's back.
And he's not alone.
He's here with a troop of guards.
We’ve been caught!