Chapter 39 “If you belong to my father, I’ll see him dead just to have you.”
Amarien's POV
Tears blinded me as I raced to my room.
How could I have thought otherwise? How could I have thought everything was going to be okay and I was finally safe and accepted in this palace?
The emperor’s sickness was a thing of concern to me, though frankly, I was grateful that he couldn't touch me because of it. But now this new realisation. This new revelation that he could be dead.
And if he is, then my life is over!
How did I not think of that!
The thought of being with Daevir had blinded me so much that I had lost track of my station and who I was.
I'm nothing but a lowly concubine. Who will be given no prestige, no mercy when the emperor is gone.
Tradition had stated that concubines would either join the emperor in his grave or be given away and forgotten in the nunnery. How could I not have thought of that!
I finally got to my quarters and rushed through the hallways to my room. Concubines lined the hallway outside my quarters, appearing as if they were waiting for me. Most hid behind their doors, peeking out but avoiding eye contact.
They thought I did it. They thought it was my curse that made the emperor collapse.
They didn't even need to say it to my face. I could hear their thoughts behind those cold gazes.
Quickly, I rushed to my room and slammed the door behind me, heaving deep breaths. My jade dress was stained with the wine that splattered to the floor when the emperor collapsed, and my hair was left in disarray.
I looked around the room, frantic. I wondered, perhaps this is my cue to escape. I'd rather die than be sent to that horrid nunnery. If I took off now, yes, it would raise even more suspicion, and the palace guards would trail me to the ends of the earth till they find me.
But isn't it better to die free than in captivity?
Then, just that moment, my eyes fell on the bracelet Theron gave me. I had totally forgotten I had it.
It was crimson and glittered with magic. I could feel the magic in my flesh.
What if…?
No!
Quickly, I shook my head. I can't call on Theron. I can't!
But then, he knew I was going to get in trouble. He seems to know a lot of things.
I looked at the bracelet again. My mind is considering the damning offer. But then, I couldn't.
Daevir wouldn't want this.
He will hate me for this.
Daevir will consider any alliance with Theron an act of betrayal. The last person I need against me is Daevir.
I looked at the bracelet, this time with disgust.
What was I thinking? I should never have let Daevir anywhere near me. I shouldn't have collected this bracelet from the enemy of the man I love and swore to protect. I shouldn't have collected this from the enemy of the human race. I shouldn't!
I wrung my hand around the bracelet. There has to be a way to take this off. I fumbled with it, careful not to snap it and risk Theron appearing, towering over me with the intimidating aura he carried.
But I couldn't. The bracelet seemed firmly tied, and any rough pull would snap it.
I had to take it off. I must! Daevir can’t see this with me! He mustn’t!
I fondled over and over…and suddenly something snapped!
A presence appeared in the room.
It was Daevir. He shut the door of my room behind him, his eyes fixed on the bracelet still in my hand.
“What do you have there?” Daevir’s eyes darted from the bracelet to mine. I've never seen him look at me so suspiciously.
Quickly, I hid my hands behind me. “Nothing, your highness!” I said quickly, tears filling my eyes.
Silence settles between us. I wished I could read Daevir's gaze. I couldn't tell what he was feeling at that moment.
“Is he dead?” I finally said.
“The emperor is still alive, Amarien.” Daevir lowered his gaze and sighed.
Silence settles in again, but Daevir's eyes suddenly whip at me, anger in them.
“I've been looking for you! Why did you run off the scene?!”
“I…I…” I spluttered. I didn't know what to say. “I was scared!” The tears finally poured. “I was scared it was all over. That the emperor is dead and I will be in the nunnery in no time…I…”
“What do you mean by nunnery?”Daevir pulls closer to me. “No one's taking you to the nunnery at my watch, Amarien.” He ran his hands down my chin, wiping my tears.
“It's tradition, Your highness.”
Daevir had my chin and pulled me to himself. “I will destroy every tradition and everyone who tries to take you for me, Amarien. You belong to me.”
“You will be wedded to Princess Catherine in days,” I said weakly. Daevir's touch gave me strength. But I didn't know how far I could hold on till I burst into tears.
“Amarien,” David searched my eyes. “It was an arrangement from the emperor. An arrangement I can't fight, though I wish I could. She will never be my queen. You will.”
“That's not possible, your highness.” I tried to fight off his grip. “I am your father's concubine. I belong to your father!”
“Don’t you dare say that, Amarien!” Daevir lashed out, shaking me. “Don’t you dare spit out such foolishness!” His eyes blazed with dark fury. “If you belong to my father, I’ll see him dead just to have you.”
I gasped.
“Why would you say that, your highness?!”
Daevir pulled me to himself, whispering in my ear. “Because I already did that.”
My eyes widened. What did Daevir just say?! What does he mean?!
“That's right, Amarien. I am the one feeding my father the red moon potion…I'm the one who wants him dead!”