CHAPTER 47: HIS SCREAMS

(Amaia)

I spent every second I could with him so he wouldn’t experience the pain he had just gone through. His possessive words ring in my mind repeatedly, and I know he means what he has said.

"I can go unconscious anytime. It’s part of my curse, don’t worry," he informs me when I come to sit with him after cleaning another cell.

That explained why he couldn’t detect my scent earlier or why I didn’t hear him when I arrived. He must have woken up groaning in pain when I discovered him.

"When will you wake up again?" I question, ignoring the pain in my back and arms. All this scrubbing and cleaning has me tired.

"I don’t know but I hope I will be awake when you leave." A broken smile remains on his lips as he leans against the wall with his arms resting on his bent legs.

I wonder if it’s because his captor doesn’t have to feed and visit him daily. Maybe he finds some peace when he goes into an unconscious state.

"Do you feel pain when you are gone?" I find myself asking and he slowly shakes his head.

"No, I am at peace. Mostly." His revelation brings a smile to my lips. That’s more than comforting to hear that he finds peace in this hellhole.

The lantern flickers, casting its shadows. "I am glad." We just sit there giving each other company.

"Where did you get this pendant?" He asks, pointing at my necklace.

I lower my head and stare at it for a while. "It belonged to my mom, she gave it to me." The memory saddens me as I touch the crystal wrapped in the silver chain.

"Where does your family live?" His words have me raising my head.

"They died from a bandit attack," I sadly tell him and his lips flatten.

"My mother was taken from me too. Now I have no one left in this world."

How words are spoken softly but such sadness they carry.

"You have me now," I assure him making him sadly smile.

He reaches around the tattered sleeves of his arm and tears off a long piece of cloth like a ribbon and he begins to twist and turn it in his hands.

"I wish I had jewellery, fine clothes and flowers to give you but I have nothing except these rags. But I want you to hold onto this flower for me." He makes a small black rose from the ribbon.

"Extend your arm," he gently asks and I obey, presenting him with my left arm.

Lovingly he ties the flower around my wrist. "Just assume it’s a white rose."

My fingers touch the tiny rose he has created and wound around my arm. It’s the most unique gift a man has ever given me.

My thankful eyes lift and I watch him. "Thank you, Rigel. This is the most beautiful flower." I lean closer and place a kiss on his cheek and he just holds me to him with a smile.

"Conside me your family."

Just like he had predicted, the following night, Rigel goes unconscious. His head tilts to the side falling on his left shoulder. Before he can slump to the ground, I catch him.

Carefully, I lay him down, placing my crumpled outer coat under his head so he would remain comfortable.

He rests like a baby. Serenity mellows his sharp features and he seems at peace. I sit with him, watching him sleep for a while before turning off the lantern to preserve whatever fuel I have left.

I place my head on his waist. His body keeps me cool in the sweltering heat.

My mind wanders towards my mates and others. They must have fought the Antrodias by now. Which team must have successfully defeated the creature?

The endless thoughts spiral in my brain before sleep consumes me.

The next day I spend alone, Rigel doesn’t wake up nor does he stir. He just lies on his side and sleeps.

I do wonder who he is and how he knows my mates?

Is he probably from an adjacent kingdom, who must have visited Orion as a child?

But who could have imprisoned him here and why?

Yanna brings me food, soap and some extra fuel. I am not sure if she has taken pity on me or if Alnilam has allowed her to bring me extra stuff.

She even fills up my lantern with fuel so it can last me a day and I won’t be plunged into darkness.

"I will come to fetch you tomorrow morning. You have done a good job," she says before departing.

I pick up the plate containing rice and a large piece of roasted beef before returning to Rigel’s cell. Sitting beside him I begin to eat.

He begins to stir and awakens slowly.

Dazed and dishevelled he opens his eyes and I see terror reflect back at me. The rice in my mouth turned to dust seeing that look.

Something is terribly wrong. Painfully he drags himself up and sits. The chains drag along the hard ground, making that sickening sound.

"Amaia, you need to leave my cell. You have to go, hide in the other cell. If anyone sees you, don’t tell them that you can see me or speak to me. Never under any circumstances are you to reveal that you are my mate." He leans in and urgently grabs my shoulders. The fear widens his scarlet eyes and I know it’s more for me. His hands are icy cold and the temperature around us has dropped by many degrees. I think it’s because of Rigel’s mood.

"Is your captor returning?" I ask and he just nods before urgently saying.

"Go, Amaia. Please. And remember no matter what you hear, you won’t return here." The underlying meaning behind his words makes my blood run cold. Frozen, I am unable to move as I stare at him with my mouth open.

"Go, NOW." His anger spills out, his eyes almost glow. The shadows on his skin turn frenzied, covering his face entirely.

"I am not leaving you. I will fight whoever it is."

I am not sure what I am up against but I can’t leave him to suffer.

"No, you have no idea. Please, for my sake. Just go. I won’t be able to live with myself if something happens to you. Please," he pleads, his eyes mirror the desperation.

"Fine, but I will return for you and I won’t rest in peace until I have gotten you out of this hell."

With desolation clinging to me I grab the lantern and my plate. He grabs my outer coat and wraps it around my body. His steely arms go around my chest, hugging me. A desperate kiss he places on my temple while murmuring in a heart-warming whisper.

"Thank you, Amaia, for blessing someone like me with your light."

His head whips towards the left and I know he can hear something which I can’t because of his heightened senses. The revulsion that descends on his face tightens every muscle.

"NOW!" He hisses and I just sprint out of his cold cell. I am almost propelled forward by some unseen force as I rush towards an empty cell. Huddling in a corner I lift the chimney glass of the lantern and blow out the flame.

Something malicious enters the dungeon. I can sense the hatred, danger and pure evil swirling in the air all around me. Foggy mist descends, turning this place into a cold, desolate pit of vileness where depravity festers.

I can’t breathe properly, I can’t see, but I can feel that his captor is no ordinary being. It’s someone with an immense power, beyond anything I can even imagine.

No wonder he worried about me. I wrap my coat around myself, shaking and remaining huddled in a corner. The cold seeps into my bones, and the fear makes my teeth chatter.

And then I hear him. I hear his torturous screams and my whole being shudders at the prospect. His harrowing screams make my soul tremble.

"Rigel!" His name falls through my trembling lips as I try to stand and make my way towards his cell. But my legs shake so violently that I fall to my knees.

Another heart-stopping scream comes, and I will myself to crawl on my hands and legs, desperate to reach him.

Every muscle in my body aches, every cell wishes to reach him, comfort him, protect him.

But an invisible barrier halts me. My head bangs on it, throwing me back against the wall, hurting my back and head.

I don’t give up, I crawl again, ignoring the throbbing in my head.

My magic painfully rises from me, turning into that blueish silver streak but before it can strike. I am hurled back with such a force that my head violently hits the wall again, and a blinding pain along with blackness follows, and I lose consciousness.