SELENE POV
A sharp sting burned across my throat. My body went rigid as a cold blade pressed against my skin, tearing it. My heart slammed against my ribs, each beat cried: How do I get out of this mess? "Ngh" I winced as his arm around my waist tightened like a rope. Does he plan to squeeze my intestines out?
"I don't like repeating myself," he threatened, his voice low and impatient.
"Mmm …I'm looking for someone" I managed shakily. "I don't...mean any harm."
He hummed in my ear, a soft chuckle rumbling from his chest. "Says the maiden caught snooping around the palace."
He was right. But it's not like there was another way. I have to explain before he separates my head from my body. "I swear, I don't mean any harm" I whispered as I tried to pry his arm away, which didn't budge at all.
"Who are you looking for?"
Silence.
Would he believe me if I told him?
If I lied, he might cut me down. And if I tell the truth he'd think I'm crazy. Who would believe I am my mother's daughter_ Mariam's daughter?
"I'm looking for _"
Ahhhh!.
A blood- curdling scream tore through the quiet of the night.
That sounds like Katherine.
She found her.
"Looks like you're not the only one tonight" the man muttered, his grip unfortunately never loosening.
Fuck.
"You haven't answered my question."
His hold constricted even harder, plunging every breath from my lungs. Blood trickled down my neck and soaked into my shirt. I didn't need a seer to know his patience is running thin.
"I'm looking for my Aunt" I gasped.
"Your aunt? Is she a maid in the palace"
"No, she isn't"
"Then who?" he asked, his voice frighteningly cold.
"Mariah Aelyn"
"The only person by that name in the palace is the Queen"
"Yes"
He chuckled, a low and mocking laugh escaped his lips, his warm breath so close, too close for comfort. "So you're telling me that you're the Queen's niece."
I swallowed, sweat beading on my forehead. "Yes" I mumbled, my voice barely audible.
"And you are"
"What?"
"Your name"
I hesitated, biting my lips, contemplating whether to say or not. I have already claimed to be the Queen niece, that's basically saying who I'm. There was no turning back.
"Selene Aelyn"
"Anyone that wants to commit treason can change their name" he said coldly.
What?
My eyes widened. It's treason just by having the same surname as the royal family. Do I look like someone that wants to die anytime soon?
Step. Step.
The sound of many boots running down the marble hallway.
I bet they're heading straight for Katherine.
I needed to get to her. Fast.
But the blade on my throat and that insufferable man's iron grip around my waist made that impossible. I clasped my hands into a fist, I have to do something, anything to go to Katherine. Struggling is not an option cause he can easily snap me in half . Then_
"Please, let go of me."
Yes, I'm begging. What do you expect me to do in this situation? Even a prey knows how to back down in front of a predator. And at this moment….I'm a defenseless prey.
"I promise I'm not going to cause any harm or treason" I pleaded.
The man holding me hostage in his arms didn't answer. His chest rose and fell against my spine, steady and annoyingly strong. The blade stayed perfectly still against my precious throat, as if he could hold it there all night. Deep down I felt he could.
Then, very quietly, he muttered. "Selene Aelyn"
My heart missed a beat.
Something about the way my name rolled across his tongue, the way a snake tested the scent of blood in the wind made my body feel electrocuted.
The footsteps running across the marble hallway like a stampede, and Kathy's scream has already died down into the distance. She was in trouble. Big trouble. And here I'm caged like a bird. A bird has more breathing space than me.
"Please" I whispered "My friend.. she's_"
"Woke up the entire palace" he cuts in, irritation sharpening his tone. "She must be inches away from death right now."
This bastard. That wasn't helpful.
I tried to wriggle myself out of his arms, but the knife pierced deeper into my skin in warning. Fresh blood sliding down my collarbone in a straight reddish line.
"I don't recall the Queen having a niece," he paused. "Relatives, believable, but a niece never heard of it."
I twisted my body. At this rate I might die, not by the sword, but by mashed up organs.
"Ngh" I hissed, trying to steady my breath. "I'm Mariam's daughter"
He went quiet for a second. "The crown princess."
Ahhh!
I screamed, thrashing around, my nails clawing his arm but that didn't stop his grip from tightening more around my torso. This son of a bitch.
I said between pants, gritting my teeth. "I'm telling the truth, you bastard."
The man behind me went completely still. Then he let out a slow, dangerous breath. "Mariam's daughter" he repeated checking the words. His voice had gone even colder, the room temperature dropping in rapid speed. "The missing crown princess daughter, interesting."
I didn't dare move or flinch. The only sound in this dark room was my ragged anguish breathing. The blade and the arm around my waist hadn't shifted an inch.
"You expect me to believe a girl, who sneaked into the palace at night, claimed to be part of the royal bloodline, and brought a screaming companion who's probably not your only accomplice.
I shivered to my bones.
"Right?" he asked.
His arm around my waist loosened. The knife pressing my neck was gone. I took a full breath, clasping my traumatized stomach.
Step. Step.
Footsteps.
His footsteps.
I turned.
Without sparing a glance to me, the girl he almost killed, he walked towards the window. I stared at his muscular back, strange tattoos and ugly scars etched on his skin. What could possibly leave all that scars on him?
I felt a pang in my heart. For no reason. It was disturbing and uncomfortable.
"Get out"
"What?" My hands gently touched my neck, it felt sticky.
"Whatever trouble you've brought to the palace isn't my problem. Leave"
I didn't wait to hear another word from him, I bolted through the door and ran like a flash of wind. Before he changed his mind.
I never even saw his face. The only thing I thought was getting as far away from that place as possible.
Katherine…
Katherine I'm coming.