Chapter 13: Her Heartbreaking Plea

𖤐••{AZRÆL’S POV}••⛧

The moment I open the door and lock eyes with Rhiannon and Nayeesha, both of them go completely still.

They’re sitting close together on the bed with their hands intertwined. Rhiannon’s eyes are wet with unshed tears, while Nayeesha’s cheeks are already streaked with them.

For a few heartbeats, the three of us remain frozen in place, simply staring at each other. Then Rhiannon pulls away from Nayeesha, crossing her arms over her chest and averting her gaze.

I clear my throat. "Nayeesha."

"Yes, Your Majesty?" she replies.

"I’d like to speak with Rhiannon alone," I say.

She gives me a nod. "As you wish."

Then she rises to her feet and walks toward me. When she stops by my side, her amber eyes search mine for the briefest moment before she leans close.

"Be gentle with her," she whispers in my ear.

She walks past me without another word, then a few seconds later, I hear the doors shut behind her.

Now it’s just the two of us.

Rhiannon refuses to look at me, her eyes fixed anywhere but on my face. And the tension between us is so suffocating that even my lungs feel as if they’re struggling for air.

Even though she’s trying to act stubborn or indifferent, I can tell from the frantic beat of her heart that she’s still frightened by my mere presence.

Slowly, I begin walking toward her, careful not to step into the sunlight.

"I see you’ve met Nayeesha," I say.

"She seems nice," she replies, still refusing to meet my eyes.

"She really is."

I stop just before her bed, leaving some space between us so she doesn’t feel cornered.

Finally, after a little while, Rhiannon turns to face me.

"Who else knows?" she asks.

My brows pull together. "What do you mean?"

"Nayeesha knows about my blood," she answers. "So who else knows?"

She’s trying to sound calm but her voice gives her away. I can hear the fear threading beneath it.

"I told Nayeesha about you because she’s my personal advisor and my most loyal servant," I say. "I trust her more than anyone else in this castle. And I haven’t told anyone else if that’s what you’re worried about. I can’t risk that information falling into the wrong hands."

A small breath of relief leaves her lips. "Alright then." Then her tone shifts, turning harsh. "Why are you here?"

"I came to see you," I answer gently.

"Why?" she demands.

I take one step closer. "It came to my attention that you attacked and killed several of my servants." I pause for a heartbeat. "Don’t do that again."

She stands up so suddenly that I nearly stumble a step back. Her face is so close that our noses nearly touch, and every breath from her ghosts over my lips.

"Or what?" she hisses, her blue eyes blazing with anger.

My throat bobs... and for a moment... I lose my ability to speak.

She’s too close for her own good.

So close that I can hear that precious blood rushing through her veins.

The second I catch myself leaning in, I take a step back before I do something reckless.

"You should rest," I say, my voice coming out harder than I intended.

Without another word, I turn and start heading for the door.

"So that’s it?" she asks.

This time there’s no anger in her voice.

Only pain.

I stop and glance back over my shoulder to find tears already gathering in her eyes.

"Is this my life now?" she asks, her voice trembling. "You’re just going to leave me locked up like a prisoner?"

I turn fully to face her.

"Rhiannon, you’re not a prisoner," I say, my voice softening without me even meaning to.

"Then let me go," she whispers.

My voice hardens again. "You know exactly why I can’t do that."

Rhiannon closes the distance between us and drops to her knees before me. She takes my hands and holds them tight, then rivers of tears begin streaming down her rosy cheeks.

"My father must be sick with worry," she whispers. "My brothers... my sister... I can’t even imagine how they’re feeling. Please, Azræl I beg you... let me return to my family. Let me go home."

I feel terrible watching her cry and beg at my feet.

It wounds me.

And with every tear that falls from her eyes, I feel an ache in my chest as if there’s a hand wrapped around my heart, crushing it slowly.

But I know what’s at stake.

I know what would happen to her—what would happen to the world if she leaves these walls.

I crouch on one knee, gently grabbing her arms.

"Rhiannon, get up," I say, keeping my tone gentle.

Her blue eyes search mine for a few heartbeats.

"Nayeesha told me you’re a good man," she says quietly. "She told me about how you saved her life... rescued her from persecution. Please, I beg you. Show me just a sliver of that kindness."

She folds her hands together as if in prayer.

"Please," she whispers. "Just let me go."

"No," I say without hesitation.

For a long moment, she goes completely still. Even the tears stop coming.

"Then leave," she says finally, her voice cold as ice.

The patience in me starts to thin.

"Rhiannon, I’m not keeping you here for selfish reasons," I say firmly. "This is for your own good. Let me explain why—"

"I don’t want to hear anything you have to say!" she screams so hard I nearly flinch.

"Get out!" she points at the door, her entire body shaking with rage. "I’m tired of looking at your disgusting face!"

I slowly rise to my feet, and my gaze lingers on her for a brief moment before I turn away.

The moment I reach the door and my fingers brush the handle, Rhiannon speaks again, but softly this time.

"I’m going to escape," she says. "And before I do... I’m going to kill you."

Without sparing her a glance, I open the door and slam it shut behind me. But even as the sound echoes through the corridor, the image that refuses to leave me is Rhiannon on her knees, begging me to let her go home.

And even though my blood burns hot because of her cruel words, it still pains me to see her broken.

꧁ ✧༺ ❦ ༻✧ ꧂

••{RHIANNON’S POV}••

Azræl might think I said it out of spite, but I meant every single word that came out of my mouth.

My father is not a man who will sit idle while his daughter has been abducted. He is a man of action—swift, decisive, and relentless when pushed.

And this?

His daughter, taken on her wedding day?

His daughter, dragged from her family and thrown into a nest of monsters?

He is most likely rallying the armies of Astragarde right now, preparing our strongest soldiers and knights for battle.

He will come to rescue me. And when he does—before I’m taken home—I will kill Azræl Bloodbourne.

For Cyrus.

The ache that’s lived inside me since that day throbs awake again. I lie in bed, crying until the tears run dry and exhaustion drags me under.

In my sleep, I dream of home. Of my father’s voice and my siblings’ laughter. I feel safe, warm, and loved. But whenever I open my eyes and remember where I am, I begin sobbing again till I fall asleep.

I don’t know how long I lie in bed, but when I wake up for the fourth or fifth time, it’s already night.

Suddenly a knock sounds at the door.

My heart starts pounding against my ribs as I sit up.

Who is it this time?

"Come in," I call out.

The door unlocks with a soft click then two maids step into the room.

"Good evening, Your Highness," they greet, lowering themselves in a deep bow.

They approach me with a dark red gown draped over their arms. The fabric catches the moonlight, causing the rubies scattered all over the gown to shimmer.

"Your Highness," one of them says softly. "His Majesty requests your presence at dinner, and he wishes for you to wear this."