Chapter 28

Perhaps the fault wasn’t entirely his. I should have realized Deon’s speed is not what it once was. He used to be swift on his feet. However, now that our lives are dependent on it, he could barely keep up.

The past several years spent with his head buried in books have resulted in him not keeping up with his daily training.

I could feel my weight bearing down on Deon as he panted out of breath. He tried to take some of my weight off by making me lean on him as he led us back to safer grounds.

The head of the Lycan, still latching onto me, was making a horrible sound. I could feel Deon’s fire grazing my back softly as he released his fire, trying to kill the sucker, but it’s head still latched on like a mother with it’s jaw locked tight.

I felt weak as my body lost a lot of blood, barely able to stand. Deon held me steady as my eyes started to blur. I could make out what looked like buildings starting to peek out over the trees.

“ Calenthe.” I barely got it out.

“ I am heading there, just hold on.” I started to lose consciousness and Deon let out a grunt as my entire body’s weight leaned on him.

“ Kaden, stay with me.” He growled. His body was no match for mine. The last thing I remembered was Deon screaming before connecting with the ground really hard.

When my eyes opened, I could see the outlines of a woman. She was crouching over me, she had short auburn hair as the sun slightly catches the red brownish color and enhances the shade to a brighter, more vibrant tone. She started to disappear. I knew that short hair very well. We made it to Calenthe.

“ Meara.” My voice barely came out as I pushed myself up onto my legs. I staggered backward as my legs wabbled. The Lycan was no longer attached to my back. It was the reason why I had lost so much blood and lose my consciousness. And just then I heard my own heart beating really loud as if lodged into my ear. I don’t know if it was by the lack of blood. I concentrated hard, but it didn’t even feel like it.

The sign I have been hoping for the past few days. A second heartbeat, which was beating faster than mine.

She was alive!

( Meara )

A few days ago, after the harvesting, Hezron, the king’s son came to my chambers to see how I was doing, which I knew was a lie. I still felt like he was up to something, like the old saying, Keep Your Friends Close, and Enemies Closer. I did exactly that.

He would return to my chambers and let me out and give me a tour of the castle. Now, I know it was a stupid thing to do, to accompany the devil in his own leer, but it was the only way I could get a better look of my surroundings and learn all the ins and outs if I ever need to escape. I need to make him think that I am warming up to him.

A part of me knew I shouldn’t get so close to him, but another part of me had no choice, because I wasn’t about to become the King’s Mistress any time soon, and I can only refuse him so many times before he is going to get fed up with it, and who knows what he will do to me then. I was lucky for this long because Kyrell the king is off on some hunt and Hezron was left to keep the fort.

There was danger around every corner, and Hezron and two of his friends caused most of it. The servants were terrified of them, except for Madam Windfield. She didn’t take any of their crap. She was like the head of the castle.

Cassie had also heard rumors spreading among the servants about Hezron going to betray his father, and she was kind enough to enlighten me on this new information. We have rather gotten close after the Harvesting, as we both felt equally disgusted over the reaping of the games and kept it secret. A secret we both shared.

Sleeping at night in this place was a luxury. I could never fall asleep for more than a few minutes. You never know when Kyrell would return through that secret door, or if his son decides to make an unexpected visit to my chambers, catching me of guard.

Kyrell’s son was definitely up to something, because he is way too nice to me, compared to the day of the Harvesting, and something tells me that Kyrell was going to learn it the hard way.

( Kaden )

“ What the heck are you doing?” Cassandra’s voice came out of the blue. “ Are you sleeping?”

“ No, I am not sleeping.” I said irritated.

“ Then what are you doing?”

“ I am tuning out.”

“ Tuning out what? Tuning out me?” She asked frustrated, as she huffed.

“ It’s something you wouldn’t understand because I barely understand it myself.” She sucked in a breath as Deon laughed at her display of frustration, so she chucked a piece of herb towards him.

“ Do you want my help in finding your mate, or do you want to seek the help of another witch?” she glared at us both. Deon put’s his hands up like he is giving over to her. She raised her eyes, and continued with the concoction she was busy brewing for us.

“ Since I was bitten by that Lycan, picking up on Meara’s heartbeat was getting easier.”

“ Are you sure it is her you are picking up on?” Cassandra asked sarcastically, unable to believe that Meara and I are able to share a mating bond because it was so rare.

“ Yes, it is hers. I can feel her. How is that potion coming along?”

“ It has to stay like this and simmer overnight. Once it has turned into a thick dark plum consistency, than it is ready.” The waiting makes me impatient, but I know Cassandre is going out of her way to help us, and making potions takes time.

I closed my eyes and tuned in again. My heart beat loudly in my ear, and then it was like music in my ears, finding hers was starting to get easy. She was alive.

( Meara )

Everyone was running down the hallway. When the chaos began, Cassie freed me. It was dark and a faint light dimly showed the way as Cassie dragged me behind her. When the scream came, chaos broke out. Doors opened, and servants ran down the halls toward it. It had Hezron written all over it. He loved chaos and destruction.

More screams came from servant’s. I didn’t even know where they all came from, because the castle would always seem so quite from my chambers, and when Hezron took me on that tour through the castle, I rarely saw servants wandering around. When we reached the courtyard, servants were comforting each other.

When Cassie and I reached the center of the courtyard to see what the commotion was about, we were shook to the core. Cassie bobbled over and threw up right on the spot. The sight was horrific. I cupped my face as the blood dripped from Morgan’s body. She was cut everywhere, and parts of her skin was completely ripped off. A strong scent of blood lingered in the courtyard, making me nauseas. I was used to the smell of blood from working at the vet, but this was something different. It was revolting.

Kyrell entered the courtyard from another entrance and the expression on his face looked dark and infuriating.

“ Hello, Father.” Hezron appeared from behind a pillar, close to Morgans body. “ Do you recognize your favorite Mistress?” Gasps rose in the small crowd gathered around Morgans body.

“ What have you done?” Kyrell growled at his son. Hezron gave a pleased smirk.

“ She didn’t want to fulfill her duties as a Mistress, so she paid the price like every other mistress who failed to comply.”

“ She was mine, and you know that no one fools around with my Mistress.” Kyrell's voice deepened as he spoke through gritted teeth, eyes gleaming with fury.

“ I thought you were done with Morgan, since you had your hands full with your new fire cracker over there.” He gestured to me.

“ You will regret this.” Kyrell barked.

“ Come now, Father.” Hezron chuckled before continuing.

“It’s not so bad. I merely followed your lead when a Mistress fails to follow through in the one thing she was made to do.” Hezron pulled out his sword.

“ Give the little fire cracker to me. You have no attention of breaking her in, so I will do it for you.” Hezron said, pointing his sword towards his own father.

“ You will never have her.” His father growled, both fists tightened at his side.

“ I want her now!” Hezron shouted like a little school boy throwing a tantrum for a new toy. Only problem was, I was the toy. It was sickening.

“ You are not even capable of taking care of yourself; what makes you think that you are ready for a fire ball like her. Now leave and clean up this mess before I lose my temper.” Kyrell said calmly, turning around, ready to leave when a blade pierced through is abdomen.