CHAPTER 106: A SLAVE OR HIS BELOVED

"Drop your weapons or she dies..."

Rhane’s voice vibrated through the grounds and ears of everyone gathered. It wasn’t a twist any of them expected, from fighting for a woman to holding her as captive.

The confusion on Master Brown’s face was enough to speak for the soldiers that stood confused.

"I thought he was smitten by her?" one of the council members asked.

Kali paused in her steps and turned, holding a soldier that had tried to attack her at an arm’s length.

"Keep it down, you’ll die now or sooner," she muttered to the confused man that struggled to stab her. "Brother, are we dropping them or not?" Kali asked with a serious look on her face.

The entire place became still, everyone’s attention now on Rhane and Jenna. It was art come to life, It was a tableau carved in shadow and fire, a tragedy caught mid-breath.

His large palm circled around Jenna’s small neck and he tilted her chin up, while making sure her body pressed against his. Jenna’s gaze was one of surrender mixed with seduction. She let her whole body melt into Rhane’s hold while she watched the crowd ahead.

Rhane’s free hand held the blade that pressed on Jenna’s side.His stare burned through the crowd, fixed on his father. There was possession in his look, protection twisted with dominion.

From afar, Rhane could be anything. A captor or a shield, and Jenna, a slave or his beloved.

The ryes swayed to the side and the willow tree whistled. Cool breeze from a sea nearby pulled a strong scent of nature. If it wasn’t a long night drenched in blood, it’d have been a cool night with lots of dreams.

"Son, what are you doing?" Nikolai’s sharp voice broke the beautiful silence. "Will you now kill the woman whom you fight for?"

Rhane dropped his hand that was around Jenna’s neck, down to her chest. His lips curled when she shuddered at the little contact.

"If I cannot have her in life, then we can meet again in hell."

Jenna bit her lower lip, squeezing her palm tightly. She needed to remind herself that Rhane wasn’t going to bend her over and take her from behind while spitting things from his mouth that made her legs quake.

This is death’s hour, Jenna! She lashed herself internally.

Kali pushed the soldier she had been holding then kicked him far away from her. "Well, that’s my brother." She grinned, walking towards Rhane but halted. She noticed that Percy was standing at the other side.

"What is that fool doing?" Kali gritted her teeth.

Percy stopped in front of Master Brown, with his hands still over his head. "My Lord," he bowed.

Brown narrowed his eyes at the servant, "Who... Percy?"

"Yes, My Lord... it is I. Lady Jenna-" before he could finish Brown had already kicked him in the knee.

"It is you? Yes! It is you who should be there, why is it my daughter?!" the man barked.

Percy swallowed his scream of agony, the rim of his eyes bloodshot.

Brown returned his attention on Rhane, "Look you fil-" his jaw tightened, his sigh dragging through his teeth. "I know our first steps together were blood-stained."

"And stabs, to be fair," Kali corrected, now resting her weight on the sword she dipped into the soil.

Brown closed his eyes and exhaled tiredly, then continued. "We can yet mend this folly." he began, "You will not slay the woman you claim as yours that would be madness."

Seeing that his words weren’t moving Rhane, Brown decided to take another route.

"I vow to hear your grievances, just let Jenna go." Brown hit his chest, promising Rhane listening ears.

Rhane leaned his face almost touching Jenna’s own and he muttered. "Your father must take me to be an idiot," his warm breath brushed against Jenna’s neck and she inhaled sharply.

"He tends to think everyone thinks like him, I’m sorry," Jenna said in reply, only after clearing her throat.

Rhane’s grin spread slow, his thumb grazing the soft skin of her throat. "I’m lucky you didn’t inherit his brain then."

Jenna blushed, her toes curling on their own. "We need to show them you’re serious," she suggested, turning her head to the side.

"No." Rhane shook his head, "This is serious enough. Spare me the madness stirring in your mind."

"Please, it’ll be dawn soon. Let’s put down our daggers, have a proper conversation." Brown continued trying to appeal to Rhane, "Don’t you think so too, Nikolai?"

Nikolai, who wasn’t sure how far his son was willing to drag having Jenna, nodded apprehensively while his mind plotted on what to do next. He turned to a councilman beside him.

"What happens if he kills a noble blood?" Nikolai asked, with his eyes narrowed.

The councilman gave it a thought for a moment, "His whole bloodline will answer before the crown. Beheaded and left to hang in the village square."

"Hmm," Nikolai hummed, "His family including his distant family?"

The councilman glanced at Nikolai, "If you’re asking if you’ll be involved. Yes, because you have sworn for him along with Gerald. Rhane has always used your seal..." The man trailed.

"But... killing a noble shouldn’t be the only thing added, we can push in threat and theft in there. Who knows? Maybe all that stands here may be granted to you in recompense."

Everything! Nikolai’s eyes bulged with a sickening glint of greed.

Meanwhile, Jenna licked her lips. She wanted to heed Rhane’s warning but at the same time she knew she had to push her father to the wall.

"I’m sorry, Rhane."

"Wha- Jenna wait!"

It was already too late, Jenna slipped out of Rhane’s hand and started running. It wasn’t a race to escape, it was one to trigger. She could hear Rhane’s heavy boots pound the earth, and it shook her body knowing he would catch up with her any second.

"My daughter is free, attack!" Brown screamed out of excitement and fear, his palm covered in sweat.

Percy cocked his head to the side, wondering what was going on.

The thrill, the rush of being chased by Rhane. Jenna basked in the feeling and just as she had expected before she could move another leg, she found herself lifted from the ground. It was enough! Rhane would show more anger and her father would take him serious.

Using one hand, Rhane lifted Jenna to his body. He was fumed with vexation, his hands trembling as he pinned Jenna to his chest.

"I swear to heavens, Jenna, I am going to kill you."

Jenna winced when the rough, coarse voice threatened her, his arm holding her up effortlessly. When he dropped her to the ground, his dagger now stayed on her neck.

But Jenna’s big idea was nothing compared to the greed of man. Nikolai had a better plan, to provoke Rhane. Even if everyone died that night, he could have all that belonged to Rhane.

"Arrows, get ready."

"Aim."

"Fire."