Her King Of Shadows

Chapter XXVIII.

She was watching from the window of her chambers most of the leaders leaving the next few days. Their job was done. Peace was not interrupted but most of the work has been postponed for another assembly. They were free to go back to their families. Before Boris left, he gave her a small letter from her brother. She opened it and read it so many times. It was just as she knew it would be. He was sent away so not being able to meet with her. Father always did that to separate them. He wished her well. At least he was happy to know she was alive. He gave her his number to use in case of any emergency. But she knew that Davon's power could not measure with Araphels. If she ever used that number, she would put him in danger. He has informed her that he has put a small fund of money each month at her disposal. It was so typical of Davon to take care of and think of everything she might need. It brought a small smile to her lips.

She dared to leave her chambers feeling safer when most of the assembly had left. She wondered when they would go and where, but she had no one to ask. Einar and Seth have left as well. They had told her that Victoria should be here. And she was happy to see her. She had known her since she was a child and she would be easy to talk to. Victoria has always been friendly and protective of her. She walked the halls going down to the lobby. She wanted to go out to the shore. The north side of the castle had a pathway that led to the stone beach. It was windy and cold but Shana needed to think. She needed to give herself some time alone. She wanted to assess her position and her future. She took a deep breath of sea air when she finally made her way out of the castle. The sky was cloudy and grey. Rain will be coming soon. It was only an hour before sunset.The wind was playing with her black hair and her long black dress. She hid her hands in her pockets because it was cold. But these were the only clothes she had. She walked faster, resisting the strong wind. For the first time after she left her father's home, she actually felt free. Maybe it was the power of the ocean. The waves crashing down on the shore with such force it made her feel stronger. More powerful. She stepped as close to them as she dared and stopped watching the white foam and the sounds of the wind. A part of her wanted to cry. Mourn for everything she had lost. Despite every hurt and pain, she survived. The black eyes were full of tears. She dreamed that one day she would leave the desert. She will come back to her world. With her head held high. Because she had fought. She had refused to surrender. She had refused to bow to other warriors. And she took her punishment each time in silence. But still trying and resisting. And now she realized it was in vain. It meant nothing. She was still considered a traitor. Or even worse. What did she fight for? What did she accomplish by having her bones broken and her blood spilled in the hot sand? Everybody ended up hating her anyway.

There were steps behind her but she didn’t look. She was focused on her thoughts. It wasn’t until she felt a hand on her shoulder that she turned in fear. And her heart started beating faster. Rishon was in front of her. He had seen her come out. There was nowhere to hide this time. Nobody to protect her. She wondered if the name of Araphels family was enough to stop him. He knew what she was thinking. There was a bitter smile on his lips. Blue eyes were still mocking her.

-Is this what you have been fighting to keep the entire time?-he asked. -A name of a warrior without honor or loyalty. You have sold yourself so low, Eandil Shana.-he had spat the last words. She had remembered how many times he would ask her who her warrior was. How many times he would promise her everything in his power for just a simple name. And she had to wonder if only once she had said the truth would her life be any different. Would she still be standing here if she accepted his promises? She took a step back, not knowing what to say to him. But Rishon got there with a question. He went there wanting to know her reasons. -Why him, Shana? Why did you always choose him? I was ready to give you anything, to do anything. I have never asked for your heart because I knew it would never belong to me. But you will not give it to him either. What makes him a better choice?-he almost screamed at her. But the wind made those words lose their power. The wind made them weak. The black eyes looked at him with such sorrow.

-I have promised…-she started with her usual answer but he raised his head.

-Just for once tell me the truth. I deserve it after everything.-he demanded. She looked back at the crashing waves. Should she tell him? Should she admit it? The truth was she was very close to accepting him. If she had stayed in the desert she would betray herself. She would accept him just to save herself from further pain. But there was one thing she could not let go of.

-I already had one warrior in my life whose heart is so far away from me that I am nothing to him. I didn’t need another one. You have never offered me what I really asked from you.-she stopped looking at him. This time without any wall to protect her feelings. She wanted him to see her as she was. Vulnerable. Alone. Looking for someone to hide in. Looking for a warrior that would feel for her, not hurt her. And that made him even angrier. That the truth was so simple. That he had done everything but left out the most important thing. He had lost her. There was a bitter smile on his lips now.

-You will never be happy with him. I will make sure of that. I will hurt you just to show you who Araphel is and what he is doing to those around him.-he promised.

-Shana!-there was a thunderous voice behind her. She turned in fear her worst nightmare coming true. Araphel saw them. He was coming for her. In a few seconds he was already there. Pushing her behind him and looking at Rishon while his dark eyes shone in revenge. The two leaders looked at each other. Araphels was taller and stronger than Rishon himself. And with the death of the sun, his pale skin started to show black markings. They shone like silver under the pale light of the rising moon.

-Stay away from her killer!-he warned him with a whisper. There was endless hate in him. Rishon didn’t step back. He just kept observing him.

-You see what happens when someone spends time in the desert. I have called her and she is still coming to me. What does that tell you, Araphel? Do you think she is still your Eandil?-he was spilling poison from his mouth. Araphel didn’t react.

-She is not for you!-he reminded him his voice fighting to control his anger. -She is not anymore. But both of us know that I had her. She can't hide it. She was mine.-he said, looking over his shoulder to Shana. She stood silent. There was nothing she could have said to defend herself. Nobody would listen to her. -She tasted nice. I'm sorry to let her go. My guards will miss her too. They enjoyed her after I was done.-he continued with his horror. Shana closed her eyes. She didn’t want to cry in front of him. This was the last thing he could do to hurt her. The last attack she had to endure from him. Araphel lunged forward, grabbing his neck. Maybe they were both leaders, but he was so much stronger. His hate ruled over him. He would have killed him. There was a knife in his other hand. But the voices came. The elders were running. Rishons guards were coming. And Araphel knew he had to choose between revenge and banishment. He pushed Rishon to the ground standing over him.

-I will kill you. Your life is lost.-he said it as a promise that would come true very soon. He looked at Shana standing behind him. A voice in her heart told her to run. To run and never stop. Because what was coming for her was not from this world. She saw in his eyes what he would do. Darkness ruled him. He was back in the world of shadows choosing a perfect punishment for her. And every step he took towards her promised her all the pain in the world.

Araphel grabbed her by the hand and started walking back to the castle. She didn’t dare to resist. He nodded to the guards at the gate and they let them inside. He pushed her towards the stairs, following after her. Each time she wanted to stop or slow down, he would put his hand behind her back and push her forward. When they were away from the guards on the top floor, he threw her on the floor of his chambers. Shana prayed that he would just yell. She prayed that she would just rage over her without touching her. But that didn’t happen. She heard the doors slamming shut and his steps came after her. Before she knew what was happening, she was being pushed from the floor and slammed against the wall. His face came closer to hers. His hair was not tidy anymore. He was the king of shadows now.

-You belonged to him, didn’t you?-he screamed at her. She wanted to speak but there were no words. All her senses were replaced with fear. -Answer me!-he slammed her one more time. She felt pain in her back. He grabbed her by the neck, squeezing the life out of her. -Do you think I will allow someone in my family with his scent? With his dirty hands all over you? Tell me!-he couldn’t stop himself anymore. Shana dared to shake her head because she couldn’t speak. His hand let go of her. She silently slid to the floor trying to catch her breath.

-Please, he was lying. It never happened. I never did anything.-she finally spoke. He turned his back to her.

-Are you going to say you were never alone with him? Did he touch you? Did he defend you in front of everyone? Did he carry you in his arms?-he was asking in a calmer voice. And that made her even more scared. She couldn’t answer him this time. Not without ruining herself. She pulled away towards the wall. Hoping that someone could come and take her away from this room. Hide her from him. But there was no one. Einar and Seth were gone. She was alone with him. And he felt what she was thinking. -What happened, Shana? Why are you silent now? This is your opportunity to defend yourself? Tell me. I deserve to know. Did he summon you to his chambers in the middle of the night?-he continued. Her heart was telling her it would be better for her to die. It would be less pain if she just crashed through an open window to her death. She watched him as he started removing his uniform. The black coat. The black shirt. Showing his upper body full of black marks. Shining on him. Turning him into a demon looking for revenge.

-Please don’t do this. It will be too late. I have done nothing.-she begged him in a whisper. His now black eyes looked at her. It was too late to push him back from the path he had chosen for them. He came a step closer. Bowed down to her. Dark eyes could see her fear. Her longing to leave him. To run away.

-You were ready to go with him, didn’t you? You were planning to leave me all this time? But not anymore, Shana. I will make sure that you can never leave me. Do you understand? I will do everything so you never belong to another warrior again.-his voice was cold as ice. He took her hand in his. He did it almost gently. A tear ran down her face. She allowed herself that much. Only one tear. She could have begged for mercy but it would be in vain. There was a silence before the storm. One moment of affection before destruction. He pulled her from the floor and pushed her onto the bed. Shana tried to pull herself away from him. He grabbed her by the leg and pulled her back as if she weighed nothing. Before she could try again, his hands were on her. Ripping her clothes apart. His strong fingers touched her skin. Not caring if they hurt her. She tried to hit him. She tried to bite him. But each time she was pushed further back into the bed. Her body was on top of her now and she couldn’t move. She couldn’t breathe. She smelled him. She felt the touch of his skin on hers. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. He bit her shoulder until it bled. After the shoulder, he bit her right thigh. Shana cried from the pain. She put her last effort into trying to get up from bed. She pushed his shoulders away from her and that is when he laughed. With that voice from the other side of the world. A voice she couldn’t bear to hear. He reached a hand at the back of her neck and wrapped his fingers around her hair. He pulled her hair so hard she didn’t have a choice but to look him in the eyes. And that is when it happened. The pain. The searing pain in her body that she thought she would die. And he wanted to watch her while he did it. He wanted her to know that he was the one she would give herself to. She closed her eyes, refusing to do as much. She stopped fighting. It was over now. Fighting will only make it hurt more. It would hurt her more. She felt herself disappearing into the same darkness that took her away from her mother. The pain was still there but Shana was gone. The light in her had died. To be replaced by grief.