Chapter 48
Kierans P.O.V
“Get here, girl!” I raged, feeling the blood coursing through my body, while a red mist descended over my eyes. “Guards, bring that filth here!”
A smaller scream echoed out as the guards jumped up and caught the young girl before she managed to leave the room. My eyes narrowed as I watched the small servant girl being dragged on her knees towards me in amongst the shiny metal. With a loud thump, the guards threw the girl towards me at my waiting feet, as I stood in front of the table. Anger and hatred coursed through me and all I could think about was causing this girl so much pain for even daring to harm my Mate. Growling furiously, I leaned over and grabbed the young girl, who was now sobbing uncontrollably. With one hand wrapped tightly around her throat, I lifted her high up into the air, only to be met with shocked gasps from the watching audience and small choked squeaks from the young girl. Interestingly, she was turning to a pale shade of blue as her body became deprived of oxygen.
“Kieran! Stop it!” begged Elena loudly, jolting to my senses. “You’re choking her! She can’t breathe!”
Snarling, I released my grip slightly but continued to hold her up in the air while I surveyed the petrified girl’s face. A dainty, pale, tear-stained face stared back down at my own furious, bearded face and that’s when I realised this girl was only young. Eight or nine at the most and she wasn’t a servant that I recognised? I wouldn’t dream of having them this young in the Palace. Feeling my own wolf begin to calm down in surprise, I released my grip and let the girl fall into a heap, gasping for breath on the hardwood floor.
“Who are you? Who sent you here?” I snarled angrily while glaring down at the sobbing child. “Do not lie to me otherwise it will make your punishment so much worse. You don’t belong up here in the Palace! Where have you come from! Answer me!”
“Please, sir! It wasn’t my idea, I promise!” the young girl sobbed while glancing nervously at Elena. “I was paid good money to bring the food up to the Palace. I snuck in through the servant’s entrance like I was told to do. Please, that’s the truth! I promise! Please don’t kill my family!”
“Why would I kill your family ?” I retorted hotly, scratching my chin in thought. “Who paid you money? How much were you given? Tell me now, or I swear to god, I will kill you right now on this very spot, using the very poisoned food that you tried to give the mother of my child! Did you know it was poisoned?”
“Y-yes, the man told me not to eat it, unless I wanted to die a very painful death,” stammered the girl quietly. “He told me that it had to give it to Miss Elena directly and that I was to keep my head bowed. He said that if I didn’t give Elena this present then you would come and kill my family. He gave me ten gold coins sir for the trouble!”
“What is your name, girl and how old are you?” I questioned, a little more gentle this time but still full of sternness. “Do you know this man? Have you ever seen him before?”
“No, Your Highness. I’m afraid not. He wore a dark cloak and kept his face hidden. He grabbed me while I was playing on the streets with my friends.” the girl replied, wide-eyed. “My name is Dionne and I am nine years old, sir!”
“Pity!” I replied scathingly. “Seems a shame to waste such a young life. But I cannot and will not let this slide. Trying to murder my Mate and the mother of my child brings an instant death penalty. Such a shame. Guards! Bring me a piece of that chicken. Now!”
“Kieran! No!” pleaded Elena desperately. “Please think about this. Dione is just a child. She was paid to do this! The poor girl didn’t know what she was doing! I didn’t eat the meat so all is well. Please, Kieran, let the little girl go. Let her go home. She is just a baby!”
Looking up, I watched as Elena hobbled over to us and placed a hand gently on Dione’s shoulder while looking at me desperately. Deep down, I knew that she was right. I couldn’t murder a child. It was just my anger and pain getting the better of me. Someone out there wanted to kill my Mate and they had hired an innocent child to do their dirty work! It was them that needed to be found and punished. Not a child. Closing my eyes, I breathed slowly and nodded.
“Elena is right. I cannot be angry at this child,” I agreed slowly. “Guards, take this child back down to the city and take her home. While you are down there, find out if anyone else saw this cloaked man! I want every alleyway, shop, and home searched if need be!”
I watched silently as the guards marched toward Dione once more, but this time, gently helped the young girl up, before walking her slowly out of the dining hall. Groaning in exasperation, I covered my face with my hands and moaned loudly. It was just one thing after another lately. Was nowhere safe for my unborn child and the woman I loved so dearly. Groaning I lowered my hands and glanced over at Elena sadly. Maybe she was safer If I did send her away but then how could I keep a constant watch on her if she wasn’t by my side.
Feeling a gentle hand on my arm, I glanced down and peered into Elena’s dainty face. Silently, she rested her head on my arm, before gently placing a soft, warm kiss on my skin before looking up at me and smiling gently.
“Kieran. Thank you. Thank you for sparing the child!”