Ella’s POV
“How is he?” I asked as the men came back inside from going to visit Kenneth in the dungeon.
That seemed to be the new greeting we give anytime someone comes inside ever since Kenneth had been captured during the war. I would have laughed at how bizarre our new line of greeting was if I hadn’t seen the looks on the men’s faces. They looked partly gloomy and relieved. Kevin looked like he had just lost ten pounds within the minutes he stepped out of the house earlier till now.
“What is the problem?” Caleb asked. “You all look like someone is dead but you are all complete. Three of you left and three of you came back so I don’t see what the problem is.”
I sighed at Caleb’s question, glad that someone had noticed what I had. I couldn’t help wondering what the problem was but I wasn’t left to imagine for long.
The three of them sighed, a heavy sigh that made me worry more but it was Damien that finally spoke and broke the silence.
“Kenneth is dead.”
“What?” We all perked up and shouted loudly at his announcement.
I hadn’t been expecting that. What had happened? Did they eventually kill him off so fast? I thought his death was meant to be painless. Why then did they look so gloomy as if the world they knew had just crashed down on their heads?
Liam seemed to read the questions in my eyes (which I was sure was what everyone here was thinking of) and was the one who explained further. “We didn’t kill him. We found him dead in his cell. Apparently, he chose to commit suicide than die by our hands.”
“That was messed up.” Caleb sighed.
“He was a messed up man.” Kevin said.
“How did he kill himself?” Dad asked.
“He bent and stuck his plate in his heart and then bled himself out with his claws.” Kevin explained.
Dad hissed. “That son of a bitch. I went through so much trouble looking for that iron plate, hoping to find something he wouldn’t hurt himself with. If I had known that he would eventually kill himself and make my consideration go to waste, I would have gotten himself a ceramic plate and served him with a fork and a knife so he would have had killed himself easily without much stress.”
I chuckled. “You wouldn’t have done that if you knew that would have been his choice. You are just talking this way because you are angry, dad. I know you would have served him with a plastic plate to prevent his death if you could.”
“Killing himself that way must have been painful.” Dad sighed.
“Whatever. All I care about is that the bastard is gone.” Damien hissed.
I was glad that he was gone as well.
“Don’t talk ill about the dead.” Caleb sighed.
Damien laughed. “That rule is for a dead person that needs to be respected. Kenneth was a bastard that needs to burn all the way to hell and beyond.”
I agreed but I didn’t dare nod in support of him. Kevin still looked oddly moody that Kenneth had killed himself and I didn’t want to show that I loved that he had killed himself if I wanted him to let me comfort him later
I didn’t even get to fight hard and use all the special skills that I had saved for the war but I had a feeling that I was still going to use it. No knowledge or training ever go to waste.
Damien turned to my dad. “Don’t we need to celebrate? Are we going to mope because of a guy who doesn’t even deserve a respectful one minute silence?”
“Damien!” Liam cautioned him, glancing at Kevin.
Damien sighed. Kevin caught the look between Liam and Damien and chuckled, his expression brightening up. I guess that was what he needed to cheer up at that moment and I was glad that he did because I hated the expression that had been on his face since they came in moments ago and announced Kenneth’s death.
“Don’t mind me. You can celebrate. Scratch that, we should celebrate.” Kevin said, a smile popping on his lips when he was done. “He is not even family. Why am I bothered that he is dead?”
“Because you are human.” I spoke up, smiling at him.
“Thank you.” He smiled back.
Dad got up from his seat. “I think this is my cue to get inside the kitchen. I’m afraid I can’t watch any more display of love between my daughter and her mate who don’t hesitate to rub their affection in our faces.”
“Dad!” I chuckled as I called after him, knowing that he was teasing me.
“I should join you in the kitchen.” Damien said as he followed my dad.
“Damien!” Kevin laughed.
Damien looked back at Kevin and shrugged. “Forgive me, my lord but I’m not teasing you. There are some meals I would love to learn from Zeke and I think this is a good opportunity to do so.”
Kevin laughed. “You are damn right it is.” He turned to the other men. “Can you hear him? He wants to learn how to cook.”
The others laughed and just like that, the atmosphere stopped being tense and got relaxing, becoming one that I loved and hoped to keep that way.