Chapter 6 Scarred Duke

• Ayra POV
• It was not so bleak when I was dragged out of the courtroom and back to my quarters. They didn't use force because I complied voluntarily, but they weren't gentle either.
• Punishment for lying came quickly, but who would blame me for trying to share the position among two brothers? My suspicions had been validated; Knight had ulterior motives. To think Selene gave him the throne...
• ' Capo,' the men had called him. He was the head of an organized criminal group. The group raided packs to acquire prohibited weapons, including silver cartridge ammunition.
• The group that killed Duke Martinelli.
• I tightened my lids against each other as it dawned on me.
• Knight killed his father.
• I gasped despite being alone in my simple room, consisting of a mirror and a narrow bed. If Knight murdered his father, what exactly would he do to me? My stomach churned; I wasn't sure I wanted to know just yet.
• I needed a bath—a deep soak in scalding hot water, scrubbing every imprint of his touch on my skin. It would be my last one before I died, and that occurrence didn't seem so far off.
• In the tub, I tried to empty my mind. But it was impossible; constantly, I stared at the wall, thinking about Thorstein. Was he alive? Had the gunshot killed him? What about Mel? And the pack?
• There was a high chance I wouldn't find answers before he came for me.
• But when evening came, and he still hadn't come, I gave up waiting and curled in a fetal position on my firm bed, listening to silent breaths and the footsteps nearing my door.
• And just when I was ready to shut my eyes, the knob turned, and as I straightened up in a sitting position, Lian walked in, stopping at the entrance and leaving the door wide open.
• "Lian, are you okay?“ I rushed to him, ” You should go if he hasn't found you. He took Thorstein and Mel. You shouldn't be here!"
• He says, "I just wanted to check on your well-being,"
• He doesn't whisper like I do, indicating a lack of concern for his discovery. "Did he hurt you?"
• I shook my head swiftly. "No, not yet; that's not important." You need to go before he finds out you're in the..."
• "Ayra, Knight..." he began, dropping his gaze to the floor. "Knight knows I'm here."
• There's silence,
• "What do you mean?" I tried to find my answers in the face he had hidden from me. "LIan..."
• The door crashed open, and a rogue poked his head in. "Connor has your money and departure ready." His pupils narrowed toward me. "You're gonna take her to him, or should I?"
• My ears rang. My body went rigid as I pulled away from him. "Oh goddess, Oh my..."
• "He had his plans already." Lian stumbled over his words: "Priestess, there was nothing we could have done to stop him."
• "So—so you betrayed Thorstein?" My breath burned, and the pain in my chest was almost physical. "You betrayed your pack.“
• He stretched out his hand to me, "Ayra...."
• "Please." I walked back and turned away, facing the wall so he didn't see my filled eyes. "Don't touch me."
• "Come on," Lian's tone became stronger. "You know how it is to have no choice; how can you even stand there and blame me..."
• "How dare you?" Hot tears dropped on my arm. "How dare you say that?!"
• "Ayra!"
• I dropped all concerns about integrity and veered around, blazing my way forward. "It's not the same, alright! You are a traitor."
• He recoiled, his face etched with pain. "I'm not a traitor," he replied, his voice heavy with emotion. "But you're right," he looked up at me. "It's not the same. I did it to protect you, but you ruined lives."
• It cut me straight to the heart, and for seconds, despite my tears, a painful smile remained on my face. I nodded.
• " Ayra, I didn't mean to..." He tried to retrace his words when the rogue poked his head in again. "Lian, I gave you enough time. "Take her to him, or I'll do it."
• "Just give me time; I will..." Lian began
• But I cut in, stepping forward to the exit with my hands outstretched to the rogue, "I'll go with you."
• The rogue was suddenly unsure of himself; taken aback, he explained, "Priestess, I never handled a woman before. Let Lian take you."
• "No," I said as I walked towards him, watching his confidence deteriorate. "Take me to Knight."
• The rogue looked at Lian, unsure. Then Lian sighed and muttered, "Just be gentle with her, Adrian."
• "Aye, aye, Capitan." Adrian mockingly saluted, then stepped aside and looked at me. "Come on, doll, it's best not to keep him waiting."
• I gulped in my terror.
• ***
• Another quick journey that I wished lasted longer. And like Lian had asked of the rogue, he was gentle. Not only that, he barely touched me except to help me up the stairs.
• As he reached a dark brown door, he sighed and turned to face me. "In case you never come out of there alive, I wanted to let you know you're pretty."
• "Oh." My voice was small. I nodded, wishing I had my veil with me. "Thank you." Just in time, I dropped my lashes to see him reach for the knob. "How's Thorstein?"
• "Who's Thorstein?" Before I could clarify that he was the one their disabled friend had shot, someone forcefully opened the door and gently pushed me in.
• It jammed shut immediately, leaving me in the eerie silence of a gray room—the Duke's room. The soft rug that had once spelled comfort now made my stomach churn.
• Months ago, the only reason I walked in here was to give the Duke his prayers to stop his madness, and despite being there when Knight took over, my body still went rigid, seeing scarred tattoed back bent over the window.
• For minutes, he did nothing except just stare out of the window, standing motionless like a statue, and all those times, my heart thudded.
• I wished he'd say something. Do something.
• "Were you entertained?" He breaks the silence.
• I find myself caught between my fear and trying to make sense of his statements.
• "I remember you being fascinated by everything I do." He veered around, planting his back against the windowsill, grays holding my browns captive. "Did you like the show, Ayra?"