A Prisoner

Ayris growls menacingly, tucking me behind him as he stands, glaring with a maddening fury at the poor soldier stood several feet away from us. I place a hand softly upon his forearm, trying to calm his outburst, which seems excessive even by Ayris’ standards.

“Forgive me for the intrusion, Commander, but one of the patrols has detained a prisoner”.

“A prisoner?” I ask, stepping around Ayris to address the man myself. I can feel Ayris’ gaze upon me as I sidestep him, a low rumble vibrating in his chest. Low enough to suggest that its for my benefit. I try to force down my irritation at his excessive display of possessiveness and focus my attention on the guard before me.

“Yes, Lady Laurel. Perhaps you would both like to follow me?”

“*I* will question the prisoner” Ayris interrupts, not even waiting for my reply. My irritation grows at his behaviour.

*How is this the same male who shared a tender moment of vulnerability with me just moments ago?*

“Both* of us will accompany you, please lead the way”.

I don’t even wait for Ayris to respond as I walk in front of him, but I’m stopped by a large, warm hand enveloping my elbow as Ayris turns me toward him.

“*Laurel*” He growls out. His tone is laced with warning *do not test me*.

I huff in annoyance.

“What has gotten into you?” I hiss, freeing my arm from his grasp. “You’re being ridiculous”.

Ayris looks almost wild, his eyes wide and assessing, the muscles in his jaw feathering as he grits his teeth in temper. I can’t work out what has brought such a dramatic change in him. I know his Lycan instincts can override his sense of reason sometimes, especially where my safety is concerned. But the soldier has already said that the prisoner is detained. They wouldn’t be a threat to me, or anyone else.

Ayris says nothing, appearing to try and relax himself as he drops his shoulders, and his eyes fall to the ground.

“Lead the way” is all he can manage to say to me, so I do as he asks and walk on.

The prisoner is sat on a rock, arms bound behind their back, long cloak dishevelled and hair unkempt. But even so I still recognise the silhouette of the woman sat before me.

“Asha” her gaze whips toward me, eyes wide. She appears delirious, attention darting between Ayris and I, heavy dark circles line her eyes, and her cheeks appear sunken. Despite her betrayal I can’t help but feel sorry for her. For the woman she was *before* she betrayed me.

Ayris snarls and darts in front of me, shielding me from her gaze.

“*Do not so much as look at her*” he growls, his stance curved like a cat ready to strike, as he assesses the sad figure before us. The woman we both once called friend and who held our trust.

The violet light which blazed from her eyes when she attacked me in the night has now dulled. She hangs her head in shame, unable to meet my eyes.

I notice Brunella stood some distance away, regarding her Asha with distaste and curiosity.

“I have given her tonic. It has inhibited her magical abilities for the time being” Ayris nods in thanks.

“How the tables have turned” Ayris comments as he steps toward her, still unable to prevent himself from shielding me with his muscled frame. “That is how you allowed my mate to be captured by the king, was it not? The tea you gave her that would dull her magic”.

Asha says nothing, her gaze on the ground, hair wild and dirty. She looks as though she’s been surviving out here by herself for god-knows how long. Despite what she’s done I still can’t help but pity her now.

“Ayris. Please” I place a hand on his shoulder, and he instinctually leans toward me, allowing me to rest my hand on his chest, which appears to soothe him to a degree. “Let us hear Asha’s explanation first, before we make accusations”.

I kneel down several steps away from our prisoner, desperate to know what would have caused her to betray me so cruelly. Ayris growls and takes a step forward, but I raise a hand to halt him, growing tired of his overly protective shift in temperament I huff in annoyance.

Asha tilts her head to look at me, and for the briefest of moments I think I can see the woman I first met back at The Veil Barter. The woman who offered to help my mate and I for nothing in return.

“The commander cannot help being protective” Asha smiles.

“Any Lycan would lay down his life to protect his fated mate from danger. Especially when she carries his pup in her belly”.