Chapter 36

"Let the lady go, Konarh," Kayel repeated in a very calm voice.

Nellie stopped struggling to free herself, she just stood there waiting for Konarh to obey Kayel. For some reason, she felt a very powerful aura emanating from him again, almost like he could compel these creatures to obey him if they didn't want to do it willingly.

He had not come alone, behind him Charlie stood with hands clenched tightly on his sword. He looked like he came not to bargain or talk, he just needed a call to strike. He wore a bored look on his face like he was tired of all the chit chat already.

"Lord Kayel, it's been a while" Konarh spoke to Kayel for the first time.

"Yes it is, I believe. It is good to see you again, now let the lady go" Kayel spoke again in a calm tone.

"I beg to differ, Lord Kayel. But I think you have been meddling way too much in my affairs already" Konarh had an angry scowl on his face now.

"I take it that is a call to war then?"

"I never said that, My Lord"

"I don't have all the patience in the world, Konarh. What do you want?"

"Exactly. I want the Lady. Your pure blood here has taken enough from me already, this will be my retribution"Konarh wore a satisfied grin now.

"You had the opportunity to take her and leave, but you didn't, which I am glad you didn't because you have saved us a lot of stress" Kayel still had his hand behind his back as he spoke.

He had brought no sword with him. To Nellie that was a rather foolish way of attempting to save someone, maybe the fact that he had no sword was the reason why Konarh was exchanging words with him instead? But what she didn't understand was why Konarh was referring to him with so much honor.

Earl on the other hand wore an expressionless face, he just stood there like he was tired of all the talking already, only two Zinns were holding him in place now, they would probably be the first to die, though.

Charlie looked bored already, he just wanted to go back home to the welcoming scent in his bed. Why was Konarh exchanging with this man!

"The evil you fail to destroy today might come for you tomorrow" Konarh was now saying, "I made that mistake years ago when I spared him, I will not do that again"

Kayel laughed heartily, a very throaty laugh at that, "You are actually right Konarh, but your stubbornness has cost you to disobey me, I hope you realize that?"

"I am sorry Lord Kayel, but Earl has to pay! He took Ina away from me and now he wants to have his own…"

"She was never yours, Konarh" Earl's voice was calm but the anger it held was unmistakable.

"And she was never yours either!" Konarh's voice was raised to a pitch now and his grip on Nellie's hands tightened.

"Enough! Konarh let the lady go now!" Kayel's tone was authoritative and it was a command.

"Lord Kayel, save your kind first before…"

It was a swift move and in a split second, a knife separated Konarh's hand from his body, the severed hand still clutched onto Nellie tightly, but not for long because it fell off as soon as Konarh realized what had happened.

Charlie didn't wait to be told, he drew his sword and made straight for the crowd of Zinns. Earl jabbed to two Zinns holding him down across the groan and their grip loosened, he picked his knives that were left littered on the floor and went at the Zinns angrily. Nellie was not an exemption, more Zinns came at her with angry faces like she was their predicament, she fought swiftly and angrily too.

In less than five minutes, the entire army of Zinns were lying on the floor, some groaning, others unmoving. Kayel wiped the small knives he had used on the cloak of one Zinn who was still writhing on the floor.

Moving to where Konarh lay still holding onto his severed hand tightly and gnashing his teeth in an attempt to stop himself from screaming.

"When you go through the pain of the healing process later, I hope you remember that your stubbornness and wickedness cost you that" Kayel stepped away from Konarh.

"Why don't you just kill him now?" Nellie whispered.

"I can't"

"But why?" Even when they heard him say the evil you fail to destroy today will destroy you tomorrow!

"Let us go home, Nellie" Earl said behind Nellie.

"The horses" Nellie nodded towards them, not wanting to bother Kayel anymore.

"Charlie here will bring them" Earl gave Charlie a look as if daring him to say no.

Charlie rolled his eyes and nodded.

"We are good to go then" Kayel spoke in a very calm tone.

Was he sad? Nellie didn't have time to ask him because the next minute she found herself inside the castle.
•••••••••••••••

As soon as they were in the castle, Earl walked briskly to his chambers, he totally ignored Charlie's calls and didn't even spare Nellie who stood in a corner, probably still shaken from what happened.

Charlie stubbornly followed Earl into his room, Kayel just nodded to Nellie before going after him too. On noticing they were trailing him, Earl increased his steps, ignoring his guard's surprised faces, he went in and banged the door shut. That did not stop Kayel and Earl from coming in.

"Why can't you all just let me be!" Earl shouted angrily.

"That is a good way to say thank you, you are welcome" Charlie spoke first.

"Thank you for coming so early" Earl returned in the same tone.

"Is that why you are angry?"

"No, as a matter of fact I'm so happy!" Earl retorted.

"We were there the whole time, watching" Kayel sounded like he had a field day, "I must commend, she is a very great warrior. Even without swords"

"You were watching the whole time?" Earl was shocked.

"Exactly. Kayel insisted we wait and watch"

"And when did you ever listen to Kayel?"

"Come on brother, it's not like you invited is to your little midnight picnic. I felt you might need a quality time with your beauty" Kayel took a seat beside the dressing table now.

"What are you implying?" If only looks could kill.

"Nothing. You both make a wonderful couple, two great warriors, she is beautiful" Kayel winked.

"Get out of my chambers, now!"

"You might need a little assistance to do that" Kayel crossed his legs and stretched out in a very comfortable position.

Charlie, tired of their incessant taunting, poured them all a drink. Earl finished his first glass in one gulp, Kayel just took a sip and held the cup as of thinking. Charlie stood stood with the bottle still in hand, Earl motioned for him to pour him more.

"Why didn't you just finish that bastard off?"

"You already know I can not kill him, Earl"

"He might kill me someday instead," Earl said silently.

"Never. I told you I'm always here to protect you brother" Kayel laughed in anticipation of Earl's response.

"I am not your brother!" Earl scoffed.

"But you are"

"You are clearly a demon, I am a…"

"Werewolf" Kayel reminded him.

"You both argue like kids, we should be thinking of ways to get Konarh off our backs for good" Charlie stated in annoyance.

"Konarh's time is not yet here. We can't kill him yet because it will only attract more enemies for you and I'm sure you have enough already"

"You have been saying that for 20 years already" Charlie retorted.

"You know how it is with Zinns, you are pure breeds. You don't stand a chance against them if they all came against you"

"And you? Surely you can do something"

"You know how my father reacts to these things, Earl.You know what happened the last time I did something to provoke him. The Zinns might be a lesser class compared to we demons but Konarh is older than I am and he is an acquaintance of my father."

Zayel's father was a very strict one, the last time Zayel had killed a Zinn to save Earl he had locked him and chained him for days. It was funny that at his age, his father could still punish him for crimes which was why Zayel preferred being with his uncle.

"One day, when it's time." Charlie nodded thoughtfully.

"I'll kill him myself, the next time our paths crossed. I promise him" Earl gulped down the second glass.

"That is the spirit of a warrior" Kayel smiled and raised his glass for a toast, Earl realized he had emptied his glass and pointed the empty glass at Charlie who understood and poured him another glass. That earned a chuckle from Kayel.

"Where is our queen?" Charlie asked in an attempt to soften the mood.

"Our king here left her standing in the hall, that is not a good trait for a gentleman"

"I am not a gentleman" Earl fired at them.

"Oh but you do agree you have a queen," Kayel added, gulping his own glass.

Earl's brows knotted in a confused look, "You have decided to join him now?"

"Come on man, you heard Konarh say it"

"Konarh was just being stupid and you know it, he wants everything I have or rather everything he thinks I have!"

"But we also know what they say about Zinns knowing the future" Charlie grinned.

"That's not the case here, just go already. I need to sleep" Earl sighed in frustration.

"You know I think you owe Nellie an apology, she was willing to save you in exchange for her freedom, she was willing to let Konarh keep her- have her. Body, mind and soul, that is. You really should thank her" Kayel's face was serious.

Something stirred inside him at the thought of Konarh having Nellie, taking her. "That bastard would have killed me anyway, she was just being stubborn"

"She was trying to save you, Earl" Charlie too was serious.

What was with all of them sounding all serious now? Earl scoffed, "Fine, but before then you both should just go" Earl nodded towards the door.

"You owe me one for disturbing my peaceful sleep" Charlie chided.

"Thank you for letting those bastards beat me to their satisfaction before coming, dear Beta"

Charlie scoffed and went out through the door, Kayel took the bottle of wine they had been drinking from and before Earl could say anything he was gone, vanished.

Earl sighed and fell back on the bed, long night indeed.
••••••••••••••

Nellie stood in the hall pacing back and forth, was Earl mad at her? He had stormed off as soon as they came in, had she annoyed him? She didn't go to her own chambers in fear of waking Ma'am Dodda or any other person.

She hoped Earl would remember he was outside and come for her, she could hear voices in the room and she knew the men were inside, she had seen them go in. It would be rude to barge in on them.

Their peace ride had turned sour, thanks to Konarh and his army of Zinns, the thought of him taking her back to his pack as his 'queen' made her skin crawl now. What if Kayel and Charlie had not arrived in time? He would have taken her and still killed Earl, so much for being an Alpha.

Nellie was still pacing the corridor, deep in her own thoughts when the door to Earl's room opened. She rushed to the door in relief, she was a bit disappointed to find Charlie standing there instead, had she been waiting for Earl to come out for her? That was very silly of her, she thought.

"You can go in now, My Lady," Charlie smiled.

"Is he angry?"

"No, he is fine" Charlie gave her a reassuring smile.

"Thank you, Charlie. For coming when you did."

"It's my job to protect Earl, Nellie, both as my friend and as the Alpha," Charlie took her hands and placed a quick on her knuckles. "I must commend you for being very brave out there, My Lady. You are a good fighter"

"I'm flattered," Nellie blushed slightly.

"I'm heading back to my chambers now, you should go in and grab some sleep too"

"Have a good night rest, Charlie"

"You too, My Lady"

Nellie stood for a while hoping Earl would come out but he didn't. She should have known better, the guards at the door readily opened the door for her, and she went in.

Earl lay sprawled on the bed, still fully dressed like he was earlier, a glass in one hand. It seemed he felt Nellie's presence because he sat up on the bed the moment she walked in.

"You are still up" He said in a sullen voice.

"I see" Nellie moved to the closet and began picking out the few clothes the maid had brought for her.

"What are you doing?" Earl said as he held her hands to stop her.

"What does it look like, My Lord? I'm sorry for the troubles, I need to pick my…"

"Just stop it, Nellie. I am in no mood for this unnecessary argument"

"Sorry, My Lord" Nellie bowed.

"Stop it already!"

"What do you want from me?!" Nellie yelled, Earl covered her mouth with his hands to stop her from continuing.

"You'll wake the entire house with your voice, what do I want from you? I want you to listen to me Nellie, I want you to listen and act like the lady you are and not a man!" His voice was low and harsh.

"Oh" Nellie mumbled, still in his grip.

"You could have gotten us killed earlier, that man would have killed me and still taken you" Earl was used to women obeying him but Nellie was a totally different case, Ina would have done the exact opposite of what she did today.

"And how was I supposed to know that he wouldn't let you go? He said he wanted me, Earl. I am not about to let you die for my sake" Her tone and anger matched his now.

"But I told you…"

"To hell with what you told me, Earl. Forgive me if I nearly got you killed and I'm sorry I urged you to take me out for a ride in the moonlight" Her tone was softer now, almost like she would tear up.

Earl immediately regretted raising his voice, he had never seen her like this, "I am sorry Nellie, I didn't mean it like that. I appreciate you wanting to save me, but sometimes you have to trust my judgement, please"

"Alright"

"Turn around Nellie, you are not returning to your chambers. Not today, not ever" Earl swung her around to face him now.

"And why is that?" That fiery fire was back in her eyes.

"Because it's not safe" That softened her eyes.

Nellie signed in exasperation, "Thank you, for helping me Earl. For keeping me safe and for taking me out, I appreciate and I'm sorry for the trouble… for almost getting you killed"

"Shhh… I actually enjoyed every moment of it with you" Be paused to study her face, the anger was completely gone now, "You are brave, Nellie. You fight well"

Nellie couldn't stop the smile that crept in her face. Earl stepped closer and pecked her on the forehead, her cheeks burned red and she looked immediately.

"You should go in and change so you can sleep before dawn" Earl stepped back and smiled at her.

Nellie could feel the butterflies dancing in the pit of her stomach, why was she feeling like a teenager who just got kissed by her crush before him? She hoped he was not hearing her thoughts.

"I'll wait here for you while you are at it" Earl said as if to add to her misery.

Why was he sounding like a doting husband? The thought of that only made Nellie's cheeks redder, she turned and hurried into the bathroom before Earl could see it.