Chapter 21 It's over for you, Amarien.
Basgrid POV
“Open the door, or we're barging in!” I slammed hard against the door, nursing my bleeding head.
How can I wait when there’s a wolf in the palace?! And he's in there?!!!
I would rather die hunting him down than run off like a coward.
I am not a coward!
They were right all along. All of them were right! The girl is cursed! She’s a beast who must be wiped out of civilisation!
"Open now or face death!" I hammered the door.
Only silence answered.
My patience gone, my frustration boiling over, I turned to a guard shaking in his boots.
“Break down the door!” I commanded.
He stared at me, fear and disbelief etched across his face, as if I had just asked him to commit suicide.
“B…but sir. The wolf!”
“Shut up, coward. You think I brought you here to knock politely at a concubine's door? Break that damned thing down now, cunt!”
Every guard in the troop adjusted themselves as if bracing themselves for death. The last time that wolf was in the palace, chaos exploded. Most of them would have lost their lives if not for my intervention. I lost to that damned wolf then, and I swear on my bald head that I will never lose him again!
Who gives a damn about their lives? I want the wolf’s head!
And when I'm done, I'll bring that cursed concubine to her knees begging for her life. I watch them torture her naked and helpless, and I'd enjoy it.
Wham!!
The guards slammed a giant log of wood into the door.
"Again!" the leader barked.
I watch with full satisfaction how that door will soon shatter into pieces.
It's over for you, Amarien.
It's over for you, Wolf!
With the final slam, the door broke down to rumbles. I couldn't wait for the air to clear. I stormed in, sword in hand, ready to battle that beast to its death.
But…there was no beast. Only Amarien, wrapped in silk, was lying on the bed.
Her shrill expression, wide eyes and tense mouth showed she'd been waiting for us. A strange stillness in her gaze unsettled me.
Despite the knot of dread twisting my stomach, I held my ground, refusing to show even a flicker of doubt.
“Arrest her!” I screeched. “She's cursed. She's a demon!”
The guards stared at me, uncertainty and unease in their eyes, as if doubting my sanity. No one moved.
“Sir, it's just a concubine,” one of the guards said. “We must have disturbed her sleep.”
I whipped around and shoved my fist into his face. He stumbled on the ground, spewing blood.
“There's a wolf in here, and she knows it!” I screeched at him.
My gaze returns to Amarien. “I've got no time for jokes, little girl.” I snatched her hands. “Where is the wolf?!”
“Right here.” A voice in the room shook me to my core.
I whipped around, and it was Prince Daevir standing there, his hands crossed behind him. Everyone in the room quickly bowed.
“Y…your highness!” I fell to my knees and lowered my head.
Prince Daevir stepped up to me, and all I saw were his shiny boots fixed on the floor and his gleaming robe floating softly in the breeze.
“Basgrid.” Prince Daevir said in his calm, chilly voice.
“Y…your highness!” I bowed my head even lower.
“Look up at me,” he said.
I did.
“You're under arrest for attempting to force yourself on the emperor’s concubine.”
What?!
What's going on here?! How did he…?
Every guard in the room exchanged glances, like this wasn't an outcome they had expected.
Before I could protest, Prince Daevir's calm voice shut me down. “I was a witness to it.” He said. His gaze whipped to the guards. “Take him out!”
I froze
Sweat dripped down my face like rain in the forest.
No! No way! No way this is turning on my head!
I sprang to the Prince. “It's not what you think, your highness!”
He kicked me down and turned to the guards. “Are you all deaf?! Get him out or face the wrath of the emperor as his accomplice!!!”
The guards suddenly shook themselves off their hesitation and lunged at me, pinning me to the floor.
“Your highness!” I protested over and over. “It's not my fault! It's the girl! She's cursed! She has a wolf in here somewhere! There's a wolf in the palace!”
But I wasn't given the chance to say my truth. Not when fifteen guards mount head-on on me, twisting my hands behind my back and shoving a cloth to my mouth.
I kicked and screamed.
I am the great giant of the palace!
The emperor’s faithful!
He'd never believe such accusations against me!!!
This must be a conspiracy!
A conspiracy!!!
That damned girl! That wrench! I'd get you, Amarien! I'd get you! I promise, I will even if it's the last thing I do!
Amarien's POV
Seeing Basgrid kick and yell through that cloth in his mouth was terrifying. His bloodshot eyes were fixed on me like he was cursing me out.
His protest only made the guards angry. They slammed him against the wall, all fifteen of them. And with this, they shoved him out, pulling him out of the room like a mad dog being tamed.
I shut my eyes until it was over, and the door slammed.
“Amarien…”I heard Prince Daevir’s voice.
Suddenly, he collapsed onto the bed.
“Your highness!” I pulled him to myself, my eyes sweeping all over him. He was shivering all over, and his face was pale as snow.
He must have shifted back to human too fast. He did that to save my life.
When Basgrid slammed against the door, I thought it was all over. Daevir held me close and told me to trust him. I nodded, though everything within me was falling apart.
He told me to settle on my bed, wrapping myself up in the sheets while he walked into the silk curtains and waited.
I didn't know what to expect or what he'd do next. Daevir facing this troop of guards would be brutal. They all want his head, but I know he won't want to hurt them.
He can’t escape, or they’ll catch him. They won’t relent this time. There had to be another way.
I couldn't think of it.
Not when I thought I might die any second.
I couldn’t imagine he’d shift so fast or rescue me while so hurt.
“Stay with me, your highness!” I braced him to myself, wrapping him up in the sheets so he would get some warmth.
I saw Daevir force a smile at my attempts. “You're always so scared for me, Amarien.” His voice was weak, yet in a low treble.
“I can't watch you hurt, your highness. You're my friend!”
“Friend?” He chuttled quietly. “I thought we were more than friends.”
His weak eyes found mine. I felt my heart jump in my chest. Quickly, I lowered my eyes.
What does he mean by ‘more than friends ’? Why look at me that way?
“Y…your highness…I…”
“We can't be friends, Amarien.” He finally said.
I froze. Tears welling up in my eyes. “But your highness…”
“We can't be friends...” He repeated. “...not when you mess up my mind.”
Mess up his mind? I’d never do that!
My lips trembled. Quickly, I fell to my knees on the bed and bowed, “Your highness. I will never do such things to you. If I had done any of that, it was my mistake…I apologise! Please forgive me, your highness!” I bowed and bowed seeking mercy.
Daevir chuttled again. “Silly girl,” he said as he began to shut his eyes slowly.
Yet, his lips kept moving in whispers, like he was in a dream world. A dream world I couldn't reach.
“I want you all to myself, Amarien.” His lips whispered wearily.
Tears well up in my eyes.
“You will always have me, your highness!”
“Shhh”, his finger held my lips close. “Shut up.” He said.
“I hate my father for getting you before I do.” He whispered softly. “I hate him for making you scared. I hate him for trying to touch you. I hate him for wanting you.”
Tears flowed down my cheeks. My heart ached. “Your highness…” I whispered back.
“I was made to love my father since I was a child. But I’d do the unthinkable. I’d kill him to have you all to myself.” His palm found my face, wiping my tears.
“I want you all…to…my…self…” With these final words, he collapsed into my arms.