Chapter 199

Chapter 199
Citlali

Ashford circled around me slowly, deliberately, like a merchant appraising livestock at market.

His expensive boots made soft sounds on the filthy floor, and I tracked his movement with my eyes, my body coiled tight despite the weakness.

"Balric's daughter," he said, voice dripping with satisfaction. "That troublesome little bastard who was always causing problems."

He stopped in front of me, and I saw excitement gleaming in his eyes, the kind of excitement a cat shows when it's cornered a mouse.

"You know," I said, my voice cold and flat, "you've risen quite far, Lord Ashford."

I forced myself to meet his gaze, to not look away even though every instinct screamed at me to cower. "From a minor lord governing border villages to a minister with access to the royal palace. Quite the climb."

Ashford's smile widened, and he preened slightly, clearly pleased that I'd noticed. "Yes, indeed. War provides opportunities for those wise enough to seize them."

He gestured at his fine clothing, at the rings on his fingers. "I supplied the kingdom with vast quantities of silver from the mines in my territory. His Majesty was most appreciative."

His smile turned predatory, and he leaned closer. "So now I have the privilege of... enjoying certain benefits. Including access to this place."

Ashford straightened, adjusting his coat with casual arrogance. "By the way," he said, his tone conversational, as if we were discussing the weather, "you might be interested to know—your father is still alive."

Ashford continued, seemingly oblivious to my shock, or perhaps savoring it. "Though I must say, he's not faring particularly well."

He examined his rings, picking at an imaginary speck of dirt. "Apparently someone—or something—bit off his manhood. Can you imagine? The physicians were quite baffled."

His eyes flicked to me, sharp and assessing, watching for my reaction.

I kept my face blank, but inside I was reeling. Balric was alive. I hadn't killed him. The thought brought a confusing mix of relief and disappointment.

"He's been raving ever since," Ashford said, his voice taking on an amused tone. "Going on and on about how his daughter was a wolf. A shape-shifting monster, he said."

Ashford laughed, a sound without real humor. "Of course, we all thought he'd gone mad. After all, how could a peasant's daughter possibly be a wolf? It seemed like the ravings of a man who'd suffered a traumatic injury."

He paused, and his expression shifted, becoming sharp and calculating. "But now, seeing you here... it seems the old fool was telling the truth after all."

I said nothing, but my mind was racing.

Balric had told them. He'd revealed what I was, even if no one had believed him at the time.

Ashford's smile grew wider, more genuine, as if he'd just received an unexpected gift. "Extraordinary," he breathed. "You're actually one of them. A wolf hiding among humans all those years."

He circled me again, and I could feel his gaze crawling over my skin. "A wolf cub living right under my nose, in my territory, and I never knew."

"No wonder you were always so defiant," he continued, his voice taking on a note of understanding, as if a puzzle had finally been solved. "That wild, untamable quality. It wasn't just stubbornness—it was your nature."

His eyes gleamed with something darker now, something that made my stomach turn. "This makes it even more... interesting."

He stopped in front of me, so close I could smell the wine on his breath. "From a worthless bastard in my territory to a wolf bitch for my pleasure. What a delicious irony."

He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Fate has brought us together again, hasn't it? And this time, I'm going to enjoy breaking you properly."

Ashford's gaze shifted to Layla, who'd been pressed against the wall, trying to make herself invisible.

"Take the child away," he said to the guards waiting outside. "I need... privacy."

"No!" Layla screamed as guards entered and grabbed her arms. "Citlali!"

I lunged forward, trying to reach her, but the manacles held me back and my weakened body couldn't generate enough force.

The guards were stronger, easily pulling Layla toward the door despite her struggles.

"Citlali!" she sobbed, her small hands reaching for me desperately. "Don't let them—"

But they dragged her out, and her cries echoed down the corridor, growing fainter and fainter until they disappeared entirely.

The door clanged shut, and suddenly it was just the two of us.

Ashford turned to face me, and his smile was full of malice. "Now then," he said softly. "Just us. No interruptions."

Ashford moved closer, and his voice took on a tone that might have been meant to sound gentle, almost tender. "You know, I always remembered you. Even after all these years."

He reached out as if to touch my face, and I jerked back, pressing myself against the wall.

"Those eyes," he continued, undeterred. "That defiant spirit. Even as a child, you had something... captivating about you."

His gaze traveled over me slowly. "And now, look at you. You've grown into quite a beautiful young woman. The white hair, those silver eyes... quite striking."

"Don't touch me," I said, my voice low and dangerous despite my weakness.

Ashford chuckled, holding up his hands in a mockery of innocence. "Now, now. Don't be so tense. I'm not a barbarian."

He moved to sit on the edge of the filthy mattress, making himself comfortable. "In fact, I can be quite generous to those who please me."

"Better accommodations," he said, ticking off items on his fingers. "Better food. Clean clothes. Perhaps even your own room, away from the other... livestock."

He paused, watching my reaction carefully. "And there's something else I could offer you. Something I think you'd be very interested in."

Despite myself, I felt a flicker of curiosity, quickly followed by suspicion.

Ashford's smile widened, sensing he'd caught my attention. "I could help you find Balric. I know where he is. And I could arrange for you to... settle accounts with him."

The offer hit me like a physical blow. The chance to make Balric pay for everything he'd done, to look him in the eye and make him suffer the way he'd made me suffer...

Ashford saw the hesitation in my eyes and pressed his advantage. "I know what Balric did to you," he said, his voice taking on a sympathetic tone that made my skin crawl. "That crude peasant was never worthy of a girl like you. So... special."

He leaned forward, his expression earnest. "If you cooperate with me, if you're... accommodating... I'll have my men bring him here. You can do whatever you want to him."

"You could make him pay for every beating, every humiliation," Ashford continued, his voice low and seductive. "You could make him beg for mercy. You could even kill him yourself, if that's what you want."

The temptation was there, I couldn't deny it.