Chapter 39

( Meara )


The castle was deathly silent, as it often was in the dead of the night. I tossed and turned, trying to find a comfortable position in my bed, my body still aching from the bruises and wounds I had suffered at the hands of King Kyrell. He had been gone for days, and a part of me had started to hope he wouldn’t return anytime soon. But that hope was brief. I knew it was only a matter of time before he came back, and I dreaded the moment with every fiber of my being.

It felt like I had just closed my eyes when a sudden chill washed over me, waking me from my restless sleep. My eyes fluttered open, and my heart nearly stopped. Standing at the edge of my bed, hidden in shadows, was Kyrell. His piercing red gaze bore into me, his presence sending a wave of terror through my veins.

I shot up in bed, backing away until my shoulder hit the cold headboard. My heart pounded in my chest as he stood there, watching me with that wicked smile that I had come to fear. But tonight, there was something even darker in his expression—a evil hunger that made my skin crawl.

“ Good evening,” he said slowly, his voice low and dripping with menace. “ Did you miss me?”

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady, though every nerve in my body screamed at me to run. “ What do you want, Kyrell?”

He moved closer, his steps slow and deliberate, like a predator stalking its prey. “ I have been patient with you, my dear. Far too patient. You have been here almost two weeks now, and I’ve allowed you time to heal.” His eyes scanned over my body, lingering on the faded bruises that still covered my skin. “ But my

patience has run out. It is time for you to fulfill your purpose as my mistress.”

I recoiled at his words, my stomach twisting with disgust. “ I’ll never be yours.”

Kyrell chuckled darkly, and the sound sent a shiver down my spine. “ You think you have choice in the matter?” He reached out, his fingers brushing against my cheek, and I slapped his hand away.

Before I could react, he was on me. I leapt from the bed, but he was faster, cornering me against the wall. The cold stone pressed against my back as he loomed over me, trapping me between his towering frame and the unyielding barrier. I could feel his breath against my skin, his presence suffocating.

“ Don’t make this harder that it needs to be,” he hissed, his voice filled with a dangerous edge. His hands moved to grip my shoulders, but I twisted away, ducking beneath his arm just as his head lowered to capture my lips.

“ Get away from me!” I shouted, my voice trembling as I shoved him back with all the strength I could muster.

But Kyrell’s patience had truly run thin. He caught my wrist in a bruising grip, yanking me back toward him with a force that sent pain shooting up my arm. I gasped as I stumbled forwards, colliding with his chest. Scent of him—of blood and metal—filled my senses, making me gag.

“ Fighting me only makes this more enjoyable,” he sneered, tightening his hold on my wrist until I cried out. He pushed me back against the wall, his free hand coming up to grip my chin, forcing me to look up at him. His eyes, cold and unfeeling, searching mine as though daring me to resist him again.

I trashed against his hold, kicking and clawing, but he was unfazed. His fingers dug into my skin, pinning me in place. “ You’re mine now, little bird,” he whispered, his lips brushing against my ear. “ No one is coming to save you. You belong to me.”

I bit down hard on his hand, tasting the metallic tang of blood as his skin split beneath my teeth. He yelped, jerking his hand away, but his fury only seemed to intensify. In a flash, he backhanded me across my cheek, and stars danced in my vision. I barely had time to catch my breath before he was on me again, dragging me up by my hair.

“ You will obey me,” he snarled, his face inches from mine. “ Or you will suffer the consequences.”

I spat in his face, defiance burning bright despite the fear that clutched at my heart. “ I’d rather die than be yours.”

Kyrell’s expression darkened, and for a moment, I thought he might strike me again. But instead, his sinister smile grew wider as he loomed over me, his dark eyes filled with twisted satisfaction. My heart pounding in my chest, fear rippling through my veins. I could barely breathe, every second stretching into an eternity. This couldn’t be happening—Kyrell was going to take from me what I desperately tried to keep safe.

He reached for me, his rough hand grabbing my ankle and yanking me beneath him. I kicked and fought, but it only seemed to excite him further. His grip was like clamps, pinning my arms above my head as he tried to lift my dress. I screamed, but my voice echoed back, powerless and empty in the chamber.

His breath was hot against my skin as he taunted,

“ Scream louder. I want to hear you. I want everyone to know your mine as your screams echo through the castle.” His words sent shivers of terror down my spine. My dress was bunched up around my waist, his touch violating every boundary I had. I bucked against him, but his weight was crushing, his strength overpowering mine.

Tears streamed down my face, my cries mingling with his laughter. “ Please,” I gasped, chocking on my own sobs. “ Please, don’t do this.” My voice was a broken whisper, and I hated the way it sounded—weak, desperate. I was trapped, and he was enjoying every second of it.

Kyrell leaned down, his breath hot on my neck as he whispered, “ Beg louder. Beg for mercy that will never come.” He shifted his weight, his hand moving to tear open my dress and corset. The fabric ripped open, exposing my breasts. I felt the cold air on my bare skin, and my stomach twisted in horror.

I closed my eyes, wishing for this nightmare to end, wishing for some miracle to save me. “ Kaden, please,” I whimpered, my voice breaking. “ I need you.” The name slipped out like a prayer, a desperate plea to the only person who I had left, who called himself my mate.

Kyrell’s grin twisted into something more menacing. “ Whoever this Kaden is, can’t save you now,” he sneered, his mouth hovering over my exposed chest. His hand moved lower, down to my thighs, and I flinched, trying to twist away, but his grip only tightened.

“ Stop!” I screamed, using every bit of strength I had left, but it was like shouting into the void. He was relentless, feeding off my fear. I squeezed my eyes shut, willing myself to be anywhere but here. I tried to think of Kaden, of his fierce determination, of the way he made me feel protected, now looking back on my arrival in Valtor. He was never this cruel to me. But even those thought were slipping away under the weight of Kyrell’s assault.

As he lowered his head, wanting to claim what wasn’t his, I fought against him, twisting and turning as Kyrell's teeth grazed the skin of me breast. My eyes stayed shut, not wanting to see what was happening. I didn’t want this to be something I’d never forget. Just when I thought it was over for me, a loud thud echoed in the room, and the heavy weight of Kyrell’s body was gone.

I opened my eyes and saw Claire standing over him. Her hands were wrapped around a sword, its blade stained with blood. Spots of red were splattered across her dress, and her chest rose and fell as she tried to catch her breath. Her eyes were wide, and her hands shook. She looked scared and shocked at what she had just done.

I glanced down, seeing Kyrell’s lifeless body near me, his head lying a few feet away. It was real. He was dead. I looked back at Claire, my heart racing.

" We don’t have much time. Hurry!" Claire said, tossing a blanket at me to cover my chest. I pulled it around me, still stunned.

“ Where are we going?” I asked, my voice shaking.

“ I’m taking you to the barrier,” she said quickly, her voice urgent.

I hesitated. “ But what about you? If they find out you killed the king, they’ll throw you in the pit of the Harvesting.”

Claire’s eyes filled with fear, but she shook her head.

“ It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you get out of here. You’ve been their prisoner for too long.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me to the door.