CHAPTER 92: IN THE CROSSFIRE

"About the last time, I’m really sorry. Something came up with my wo—" the urge to declare Jenna as his woman overwhelmed Rhane, but he corrected himself.

"Family... so I had to take care of it first." Rhane stood in front of the council with his hands behind him and his head bowed.

It wasn’t a problem to act humble in front of the old crooks, not until he got what he wanted, Rhane thought to himself.

"I made sure to give you all the rest you deserve, but if something doesn’t suit your taste then let me know. I’ll have it changed immediately."

The members of the council remained silent, some of them glancing at the table works like it had something more interesting than Rhane’s presence.

Rhane was quick to notice their countenance, but he pretended he didn’t. He’d noticed the moment he walked into the hall that something was wrong, but he just couldn’t place his finger on what it was yet.

"If you have nothing else to say to us maybe we can take our leave now," a council member, a man in his middle forties, spoke up. "I mean we’ve checked enough, we should return home now. What do you all think?"

The rest of them nodded, mumbling an agreement without raising their eyes to look at Rhane.

Something was definitely wrong. Rhane scanned their faces, "Well, if that’s so... I should set something grand for you all to—"

"No need! We’ve had enough to keep us happy for days." Another person chirped.

They were avoiding him, was the first thing Rhane said to himself. He needed to know what was going on to even understand what the situation was about. He’d never seen the councilmen reject wine and corruption. They always wanted it, a time with his maids and workers. More wine and gold, nothing ever satisfied their greed. A sickening act that made them unbearable. Now their restraint was even scarier than their indulgence.

Seeing that they outrightly rejected made Rhane worried. Whatever they were running from was bigger than their gluttony and lust.

"Very well, I’ll get the carriages ready for you," Rhane remarked with a pleasant smile. He watched the members stand up from their chairs, making their way towards the door. "I was hoping to share the rare goods that won’t go to the palace with you all."

Some of the council members paused in their tracks, glancing at each other, then they continued walking.

"But it’s okay, I’ll keep it safely until the next time we meet." Rhane threw the final bait, then turned around with his attention focused on nothing but space. He listened closely to the footsteps that were exiting the room. Rhane closed his eyes and sighed; if none of them returned, he’d have to go find out himself, but that would take longer. He wanted answers immediately.

"Excuse me?"

Just when Rhane had given up, he heard it. A footstep that walked in a different direction. He took in a deep breath, then slowly turned around to meet the woman’s face.

"Yes, Lady..." Rhane trailed, waiting for the woman to complete it herself. He barely paid attention to their names.

The woman waved her hand dismissively, "About what you said earlier, the rare goods. How sure are you it’ll be kept safe?"

Rhane rubbed the back of his neck, "That? I wouldn’t know... I’ll try to keep it, but sometimes the kings and—"

"I knew it!" The woman exclaimed, chewing her nails. "Any king might come to claim it... what do you say if I ask for mine?"

Rhane pressed his lips, giving the woman a small smile. "Well, for you... but what if others hear of it?"

"They won’t! Unless you speak." The woman suggested. "All I’m asking is my own share from it. I’m not stealing it, am I?"

Rhane hummed, nodding his head as if he understood. Then he sighed, "But I’m the only one giving, it doesn’t feel right to me, Lady—"

"Your father sent a letter!" The woman blurted, and hearing her own voice she covered her mouth with her hand.

Rhane raised a brow but didn’t let his emotions show. "He did? How come I didn’t receive any?"

The woman scoffed, "You’re with another man’s wife, aren’t you?" she asked, this time with a judging look.

"You should have laid down low until your family name and title are fixed. Provoking men in power, especially those that control half of the trades, isn’t wise if you ask me." The woman looked around to be sure nobody could hear her, then she continued.

"The Wilkes have withdrawn their seal, nobody to vouch for you anymore that you are upright enough to have a name. Also, as an adulterer with no name... makes it even worse. You’ve been good this whole time... you should have stayed that way, letting a married woman seduce you tch," the woman tutted, eyeing Rhane with a side-look.

Then she cleared her throat, "Now you see? I just told you a secret of mine. Nobody was supposed to let you know until the cavalry comes to take you and her away."

"Her?" Rhane asked, his eyes getting darker.

The woman nodded, "You think she’d be spared? A married woman with an unmarried man?! I know what she sees but..." the woman reached for Rhane’s forearm and she squeezed it, closing her eyes to feel his muscles.

"She shouldn’t have let it ruin her marriage. A little taste could have sufficed."

Rhane slowly pulled his hand away from the woman’s grip. He’d known Gerald was lower than a pig, but now the man crawled like a centipede, trying to drag Jenna down with him.

"So, where is mine?" The woman asked what mattered to her the most.

Rhane tried to keep his annoyance at bay, "Your what?" His stare blank and confused.

"The rare item, we can now have a secret together." The woman beamed, her mouth already watering over having her own share of The Scourge’s prized goods before others.

Rhane furrowed his brows, "Ah..." he nodded as if remembering something. "If you run out now you’ll see it... a spectacular view of the sun setting while it rains."

"What?"

Rhane nodded, ignoring the horrified look on the woman’s face. "Only kings see the view, I promise you... it’s a rare moment that you won’t want to miss."

"You are a sick filthy rat!" The woman spat angrily, storming out of the room in anger.

Now alone, Rhane sat down on an empty chair, with his head buried in his hands. He needed a plan to protect Jenna. He had been so greedy with what he wanted that he forgot she could be affected too. If it were just him, he wouldn’t be so worried. Jenna was placed in the crossfire and it was because of him!