Chapter 18

I had woken up early with Xander to go find Leo. Xander had given me a blanket and asked me to wait in the hallway before entering the room. Once he called me in, I lifted my hand with the oil lamp and entered the darkness. Through the flickering flame of the light, I noticed the small boy lying naked on the ground.

I curiously looked around and noticed deep bloody scratches in the stone walls. There was a small table and a single chair. I guessed it was for Xander when he came over to stay with the boy through hard nights.

Xander had explained that since wolves respected Alphas and he was naturally stronger than most shifters, Leo’s wolf never attacked him. He did have to restrain him with a shackle around the neck and one leg when Leo became a danger to himself, though.

When I reached the boy, I placed the light on the ground and pulled the blanket over his tiny body.

Xander slid a strong arm under him and lifted him. We brought Leo back to his room, where we cleaned and put him to bed.

I removed hair strands from his tiny face and laid my hand on his rising chest. He looked utterly exhausted from last night’s change. I couldn’t even imagine what Leo endured when his shiftings occurred.

“I love it when you have that look in your eyes,” said Xander, kissing my head.

“What look?”

“That one—full of love and acceptance,” he said, smiling at me. “He’s lucky to have you watch over him when I’m not here.”

I smiled at his words.

We stayed with Leo until Xander had to leave for work. He had business in the city with one of the factories. Once he left, I decided to go to the library to continue searching for potential areas where I might find books on magic.

I had hit many dead ends, but I refused to abandon hope of finding something. Xander had brought me archived scrolls, which could hold the information I desperately needed.

A small “ahum” brought my head up, and my eyes went straight to a footboy gazing at me. He wore the same clothes as Leo when he worked on the floor.

“Yes?”

“Miss, Duke Kestrel has requested your presence in his cabinet.” The boy answered.

My heart slammed in my chest.

“Of–Of course! Let me make myself more presentable for the lord—” I started to say, but the footboy quickly cut me off.

“He requested your presence at once.” I could see the uneasiness on his face, and I knew better than to keep Duke Kestrel waiting. From what I learned from the maids who worked in his apartments, the duke was very callous.

I cleared my throat and nodded curtly. At least, I was pleased to have dressed in one of the new dresses Xander had commissioned for me. It was a simple high neck, buttoned front deep blue dress with a slightly tight bodice that showed my curves. I had worn my mane in a messy bun on the back of my head and had tiny ringlets of red hair that fell unevenly to my shoulders and back. Xander had mentioned he preferred redheads, so I kept my hair in its natural colour… but now I was second-guessing if it was a good idea.

I rose from my chair and followed the boy to the elevator. He led me through a series of corridors before knocking on an imposing door.

I heard a muffled “come in,” and the footboy gestured me inside, promptly closing the door once I passed the threshold.

Duke Kestrel stood at the end of an enormous oval table. His hands were splayed palm first on the smooth surface, and he seemed to be studying a map.

Highbacked chairs were neatly placed around the table, and the air smelled of men sweating like pigs debating politics and strategies with their lord. In any case, it was clear that ladies were rarely welcomed in this space—if they were even allowed in the first place.

When he heard my shoes click on the floor, he righted himself and studied me, his thumb and forefinger placed under his chin.

I could see how Xander had passed as his son and heir. Although he did not resemble his father, Duke Kestrel had the exact imposing figure. He towered over me with thick, powerful arms and legs and a large chest. His dark uniform was decorated with many military medals. He had light brown hair that contrasted sharply with his piercing ocean eyes.

The eyes frightened me the most. It was like they saw right through me, through my lies and secrets, which made the hairs on my nape stand up.

I lowered my head in respect, as was etiquette. I also didn’t want him to examine my face too much in case he recognized me.

The silence in the room was uncomfortable. Eventually, the duke extended his gloved hand, and I hesitantly placed mine in it. His hand was big enough that my own looked like a small child’s.

“Miss Ida, it is a pleasure to meet you in person.”

His voice was deep and gruff, and his statement seemed cold and insincere. It was my first time seeing him since they sold me to his estate.

The knots in the pit of my stomach were twisting again. I had a feeling that the duke’s pleasantries were just a facade.

“I must say, you really are quite eye-catching. I can see why my son is so enamoured by you.”

He moved us to the end of the table where I had found him upon my arrival and pulled himself a chair. He did not offer me one, so I stayed up with my head down, my hand still locked in his tight hold.

“The only reason I am even entertaining the idea of this disgraceful engagement is that my son has not once shown any interest in marrying a girl in over twelve years. You are a complete mystery. I must admit that I was curious to meet the young woman who changed everything, especially given that she arrived only one year ago to work in my estate. How fascinating… and convenient.”

The duke looked at my left hand and stilled. His brows knitted together in confusion, but as quickly as the reaction came, it was replaced with a smug expression.

“I see my wife has already given her consent; otherwise, she would not have given this ring to our son for his future bride. The ring on your finger is one of her most prized possessions. She had refused to take it off after we were married, insisting that she wore it with her wedding ring.”

Was it a ring that Markus had given Lucia?

Duke Kestrel was quiet for some time but eventually rose from his seat and pulled me closer to him.

“Now, I have been more than truthful with you, and I expect the same in return. I will ask this once, and if I am satisfied with your answer, you will be free to leave. Do we have an understanding?”

“Yes, milord.” I nodded.

“Who do you work for?”

I did not understand his question and found the query rather strange. I lifted my eyes to search his face, to maybe glimpse at what he wanted me to answer, but he looked impassive, and his mouth was set in a grim line.

“I worked as an indentured maid for you, milord, for High Hill Estate. Lord Alexander gave me my freedom only a short while ago.” I answered truthfully.

Xander’s father brought his other hand over mine and exhaled deeply. He gave me a soft smile before twisting one of my fingers sideways.

I heard a pop and snap, then searing pain ran up my arm. My phalange had been displaced, and my finger was horribly bent, my nail almost facing down when it had been up a moment ago.

My knees gave out, and I fell, choking on a scream. Duke Kestrel still gripped my hand in his and took another finger. I started sweating from the pain and instinctively circled my left hand over his wrist, trying to free myself from him.

 “Let’s try this again. Who do you work for?”

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I tried to answer. The words didn’t want to come out. I couldn’t breathe.

He bent my finger incorrectly, and the pain skyrocketed again. I clawed at his wrist, desperately trying to get away. It was as though someone had placed a red-hot poker on the nerves of my hand.

“P-please!” I cried, “I don’t know what you want me to say!”

“Were you sent by those rebel dogs to infiltrate my establishment and get your hands on information that could help with their rebellion against King Osprey?”

“N-no! I do not even know what you are talking about! I don’t know of r-rebels or a rebellion. I’m just a maid. I’m nobody!” I pleaded with him.

I wanted him to stop. I knew nothing of what he was accusing me of.

Duke Kestrel pinched a new finger and broke it in the same manner as the two before.

I screamed.

The pain was so intense that black spots were blurring my vision. I hoped I would faint. At least I wouldn’t have to feel this raging agony.

There was a crash in the room, and my hand was freed within seconds. I fell to the ground, rolling myself in a ball on the stone-cold floor, cradling my injured hand.

The familiar smell of pine and earth enveloped me, and I was soon lifted from the ground. Xander was holding me in his arms. I fisted the fabric of his shirt, trying to feel if he was real or if this was a cruel joke my mind was playing on me.

His eyes were the blackest I had ever seen them. I could barely find his whites.

A surge of emotions—Xander’s feelings, hit me. He was enraged, but he was also scared. His fight-or-flight instincts kicked in. He had to calm down, or he would give himself away to his father.

I slid my left hand up to his face and caressed his jaw. I hoped that my worried stare would make him understand this.

“What is the meaning of this!” Xander roared at his father. He kept his eyes on me, probably unable to calm his Lycan side.

“Alexander, understand that I had to do this for us! They have infiltrated our network. I know it! This bitch probably works for the rebels attacking our defences and stealing state secrets! She could be using you. You know where our loyalties lie.”

Xander’s teeth were now bare. I could almost see his sharp canines growing. He was getting ready to attack.

“Please, don’t do it,” I whispered so only he would hear.

His face contorted in a snarl at my request. I sensed the raging storm lessened slightly, but he struggled significantly from within.

“If she is a spy from the resistance, I will deal with it myself. Nevertheless, I am confident that she is who she says she is. With this said, if you ever come near her again, so help me Faiths, there will be hell to pay.”

Carrying me tight to his chest, he turned on his heels and exited his father's cabinet by kicking the door wide.