His eyes lowered and he bowed. “I would like to apologise for the way I acted in the morning.”
“Rise.” I said and then when he stood up, punched him.
He stumbled back a little and worked his jaw to get the shock out. I didn’t hit very hard anyways. Just enough to let him know how to address his King.
“I deserved it.” He muttered, wiping the blood from his lip.
“And you’re forgiven.” I told him.
“Do you know where Avalyn is?” He looked worried. “I can’t find her.”
“I don’t know.” I lied smoothly. He’ll be a bother if I tell him.
“Are you sure?” He pressed. “She was with you the last time I saw. I’m worried she might do something stupid.”
I sighed. The boy’s heart was in the right place. And I appreciated him for taking care of her all the damn time, especially when I couldn’t. And he will continue to do so when I won’t. I respected him and his loyalty. “She’s still in my office. She’s not going to do anything stupid. But she won’t come out. And you can’t go in.”
“Why?” He asks too many fucking questions.
“You’ll know by the end of the day.” It’s been slightly over nine hours. She’s holding up well. But it’s only three in the afternoon. She should be done by six, at the most.
I went to my bedroom and wore one of my most prized possessions and then I decided to make a special someone a visit. It’s been a while. And I could use a rag doll to remove my frustrations on.
When I reached the dungeon, I placed my hand on the circle and the door slid opened and then slid shut when I entered.
“You know she will hate you right?” He asked when I walked in. “She will hate you if she comes to know you’ve been holding me captive here.”
“Do I look like I care?” I asked lazily as I looked at Gabriel. He was sitting on the floor, his back against the wall.
“No. But then again, you don’t care for anybody else.” He snorted
“Stand up.” I ordered and against his will, his feet pulled him up. All thanks to the Taaffeite collar he had worn and the matching ring on my finger.
“Come here.” I ordered again and a snarl left his mouth as he walked to me.
I punched him hard, making him fall down with a scream.
“Stand up.” I ordered again and then punched him again, making him fall down, again. He was unconscious now.
I kicked him lightly and he rolled over with a groan.
“You will not pass out.” His eyes snapped open at my command. “You will take everything like the bitch that you are.”
And then I kicked him a couple of times, breaking and bruising his ribs. I smelled blood and I knew he was bleeding internally. But I’ve just started. I need to change tactics.
I whipped out my claw.
“How many times have you fucked Avalyn?” I asked.
“Nine.” He wheezed out. What the fuck? They were together for four years. How is this possible?
Regardless, I slashed his body nine times, making deep wounds. He was crying and sobbing like a bitch by the end of it.
“Do you love her?” I circled around him.
“Yes.” He coughed blood. I really, really fucking hated this guy. And not just because he was Ava’s mate. I just didn’t like him as a person. His vibe threw me off. He appeared all nice sometimes and then in front of me, he grew all extra smart. Nat didn’t like him either. And she was a good judge of character, just like me.
I grabbed him by his throat and threw him against the wall. His head cracked open as it hit the stone wall and he bloodied the wall as he scraped down the wall.
“Did she love you? Did she say the words?” I am a masochist.
He groaned and coughed. “No.”
A deep sense of satisfaction filled me. I am the only man she has ever loved.
“S-she might have not said it. But I am a b-better mate than you. I -I never made her c-cry. Or upset her. O-or fought with h-her.” He gave me a bloodied smile.
“It’s still not you whom she begs to fuck.” I growled and his smile dropped.
“You’re l-lying.” He wheezed.
“You wish.” I snorted. “And nine times?” I chuckled as I mocked him. “We had sex more than that in a single night.” I used to at least.
I hiss left his body. “Whore.”
I growled as I stalked towards him and picked him up by his throat and held him against the wall as I punched his face repeatedly. “Don’t.” Punch. “Fucking.” Punch. “Call.” Punch. “Her.” Punch. “That.” Punch.
I dropped him on the floor when his face turned blue and his heartbeat slowed down.
I looked at the bloody mess that his face had become. His eyes were both swollen shut and his nose was broken and bleeding and his front tooth was missing as blood dribbled out of his mouth. He still had the audacity to grin. He’s a psycho. That’s what he is.
Avalyn
I closed my eyes and focused on Nikolai.
He was my anchor. He was my strength. He was the source of my power.
And it was only him whom I love and do anything for. No one else. No one else made me feel like he made me feel. I don’t even know why I was ever even confused between him and Gabriel. It has always been Nik, since day one. I don’t even know what I was thinking.
And I will do anything to win him back. Even if I have to spend the rest of my life begging for forgiveness. I’ll crack him. One day, I will.
I watched the moon in the dark sky. A smile formed on my face. I know he expects me to give up. But if he thinks I’ll ever give up on him, he doesn’t know me. I’ll stay like this, kneeling for as long as he wants. I’ve spent almost a decade in this position. And while it’s been a very long time, this still felt natural. It was like… swimming. Once you know how to stay afloat, you can’t drown, once you learn how to swim, you can never unlearn it or forget it. This was like meditation for me.
I sat there in the same position as the sun rose the next day.
My legs were numb and so was my back. But I didn’t dare move. This was the test of my life and I intended to pass. Nothing will make me fail. Not even Eli or Dimitri or Nat who had come to the door and knocked, pleading me to open the door and let them in.
The only person coming in was Nikolai.
And the only way I would move was when he asks me to.
The only thing worried me were my kids. But then they hadn’t come here once so I knew they had been told something and they were fine. That’s all I wished for.
Well that and for Nik to love me again.