120

After Sia leaves, I leave to go find Mila, except that I can’t find her anywhere. I ask the servants, the ones I could find roaming about, but no one seems to know where she is, or maybe they didn’t want to tell me anything regarding her whereabouts, simply because they despise me.

“Hello, do you know where I can find the handmaiden quarters, if there is such a thing?”

The maid only scurries off. I sigh, exhausted.

“I wonder why she’s looking for the royal servants quarters at this ungodly hour,” someone laughed. It just had to be Armaddan. She was seated along the hallway with some other women, all in their nightdresses. I think they’re Ruarc’s wives since they’re a total of six in number.

“Maybe she has finally realized that, that’s her rightful place,” one of them remarked.

Now I’m not the kind of person to stand around while people say shit about me.

“You know, if you’ve got something to say about someone, it’s best you say it to their face,” I tell them, standing poised before Armaddan.

She glares at me. “We were just wondering what you’re doing by this time, looking for the servants quarters.”

“You know, I was also wondering why the royal wives would be out here, gossiping instead of inside with their husband, giving him the heir he so desires.”

“Will you shut up?” the blondie that spoke before yelled. “You’ve got some nerve, insulting royalty.”

I roll my eyes. “Jewelry and nice dresses don’t make you royalty, blondie. Plus, I was only speaking the truth. Or do you princesses not like hearing the truth?”

Armaddan rose to her feet. “You will watch what you say, bitch, especially to me.”

I chuckle. “And if I don’t? What are you going to do, huh? Disturb my sleep with your forced moans?”

She slapped me. It stung. “There. Maybe now you’ll learn to shut the fuck up.”

“So the princess swears! How immoral of her!”

“You’re testing my patience, bitch.”

“I only speak the truth.”

She slapped me again, and I grab her wrist, twisting hard. She lets out a sharp cry, slashing at my face with her talons. Hissing in pain, I let go of her, holding my bleeding face.

“Aw, did I hurt you? God, I hope I touched a nerve.”

I glare at her, nostrils flaring. “Armaddan, when I’d have time for you, even your God won’t save you.”

…

“Good heavens! What happened to you?” Eloive asked as I walked into his room.

“Ask me that later. Right now, I need some paper towels. Anything really to help me stop the bleeding.”

He eyed me. “Shouldn’t that have healed by now?”

“I don’t know Eloive, okay? Wounds don’t heal quickly when you’re an omega.”

“You should have just gone to the infirmary.”

“I’d rather not, thank you. Where do y’all keep your paper towels?” I ask, frustrated. Gawd, it hurts like a bitch.

“It’s in the second drawer,” he replied. I take some out, pressing them gently to my face.

“There’s some brandy under the bed if you need it.”

“Why would you…You know what, I won’t even bother.”

I take out the brandy, douse some of the towels with it, and pressed them to my face. Fuck that hurts. I bite my lip to prevent myself from screaming. Today is not my day at all.

“Are you sure you don’t need a doctor to look at you? I’m no doctor, Crinka.”

“Yeah, I can see that. I’m fine, Eloive. I don’t need you babying me like you do Toreh.”

He froze. “Toreh? How do you…I’ve not been babying anyone.”

I snort. “Toreh tells me otherwise.”

He raised a brow. “Toreh? You’ve been speaking with Toreh?”

“You seem surprised.”

“I am. Nobody cares to interact with her, especially because she’s a slave.”

“I’ve known Toreh before she got that tag. She’s funny and smart, which makes me wonder why she’d be so stupid enough to let you kiss her.”

He looked away. “So you know.”

“Of course I do. Eloive, you need to end it, whatever you two have together, before things get out of hand.”

He arched a brow, looking at me. “You mean before I impregnate her.”

“I’m not sure you’re capable of doing that, but whatever. I’m only looking out for you, Eloive. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I’m already hurt!” he yelled. “Grandma wants her to tutor me, despite knowing how I feel for this girl. Now tell me Crinka, how do you expect me to take my lessons seriously when it’s the one I love who teaches me so?”

My eyes widened at his words. “You love her?”

He laughed. “I do. It’s weird, given that she’s not my mate, but I guess I can’t control my heart.”

“So it’s true then,” Thane said as he stepped into the room unannounced, eyes fixated on Eloive. “It’s true that you love the slave girl, yet you denied ever knowing her before the king! How could you, Eloive?”

Eloive raised his hands in defense. “Uncle, I…”

Thane butted in. “You made my daughter look like a fool! Now my sweet Waxlyn won’t talk to me or even look at me!”

“Thane, I know you’re angry, but…”

He turned to me. “You stay out of this, else I’ll disfigure you completely,” he said before facing Eloive. “All for what, boy? All for what?” he bellowed, wrapping his hands around Eloive’s throat.

“I love her, uncle. I did it all for love!” he vociferated.

That wasn’t the answer Thane wanted to hear. Enraged, he snapped Eloive’s neck, and the boy fell to the floor, dead.

“You...killed him,” I yelled, breathing hard. Thane eyed me. “Death would be too easy for him. He’s only unconscious, so don’t worry your pretty head for nothing.”

“How long will he be out?”

He remained quiet.

“How long will he be out, Thane?” I repeat, glaring at him.

“I snapped it a bit too hard, so yeah, there’s a broken bone somewhere. It would take him approximately five minutes to heal and another five minutes for him to wake up. You do the math. I’m going to bed,” he mumbled, heading for the door.

I pulled him back. “What did you pull me back for, woman?”

“You’re not leaving until he wakes up.”

He shook his head in disbelief. “You’re serious. You’re actually being serious.”

“Of course I am,” I admit, releasing him. “Now take out your phone and set the timer to ten minutes.”

“Well, nine now, since a minute has passed.”

“Just take out your phone.”

“I gave it to you, remember?”

“Don’t you have another one?”

“My phone, Crinka. Don’t tell me you’ve lost it.”

“I haven’t,” I muttered, whipping his phone out of my pocket. I always carried it with me but never used it. Mostly because I don’t know how to. “Here, take it.”

He took it from me and tapped the screen. Nothing. “It’s dead. Why didn’t you charge it?”

“Oh, sorry, I didn’t know I was supposed to!”

He gave me a look. “You don’t know shit about phones, do you?”

“I’ve seen one but never used it.”

“Why?”

“’Cause I never saw the point. I mean, what was the use of carrying a device about when you could simply mind link your pack members?”

“Well, for starters, it saves you from having to use your mind often, thereby saving you from a headache.”

Now it’s my turn to give him a look. “So you want to tell me that in all the years you’ve been with that thing, it has never given you a headache?” I ask, emphasizing the word 'thing.'

He deadpanned. “Do you want me to be honest?”

“Yes, Thane. Absolutely! I don’t just want you to be honest, I need you to be honest.”

“Well, the answer is no.”

I laugh. “No? You know I knew your answer was gonna be…wait, no? No? How can it be no? Surely that machine must have given you a headache plenty of times!”

“No, it hasn’t. It has only given me relief from all the ruckus that goes on around here.”

“Well, if it gives you relief, what does sex give you?”

He gave me a look. “I’m not discussing my sex life with you, Crinka.”

“Believe me, I don’t want to hear it. What I want to hear is you admitting the fact that that phone gives you a headache.”

“So you think I’m lying?”

“I know you’re lying, Thane. And someday, I’m going to teach you a thing or two about honesty.”

He laughed. “That’s rich coming from you.”

What the… “Are you talking to me?”

“Of course, idiot. I don’t talk to dead people.”

“So you’re finally admitting to the fact that he’s dead and you killed him.”

Thane swore. “He’s not dead, Crinka.”

“Then why won’t he wake up? It’s been ten minutes now.”

“Wow! How time flies!”

“Thane! None of this is funny! Why isn’t he waking up?”

“I don’t know, okay? He’s supposed to be up by now.”

“Maybe he can’t do that now because he’s dead.”

“He’s not dead, Crinka.”

“Then why isn’t he breathing, huh?”

“He might just be playing dead, Crinka. That’s how Eloive is. See, I’m going to wake him up now,” Thane said, pocketing his phone before kicking poor Eloive’s ribs.

“Thane! I said wake him up, not break a bone!”

“Trust me, this is the only way,” he said before kicking him again.

“Thane, stop!” I yelled, dragging him away, mostly because of what I saw.