Her King Of Shadows

Chapter XXIX.

When she opened her eyes again, she was lying on the floor. The room was in semidarkness. But it was the same room of horror. She felt the taste of blood in her mouth. She moved her right hand slowly, feeling the pain in her shoulder. The pain was all around her. And the worst pain was deep inside her body. She tried to stand up but her hands were too weak to carry her weight. Her long hair fell on her shoulders and back. In contrast with her pale skin. She managed to sit up feeling pain in her shoulders and legs. Some parts of her body were covered in her own blood. Her hands were trembling. Her neck was sore. Pieces of her clothing were spread all around the floor.

She pushed her hair from her face trying to stay calm. Trying to see what she can do. She wanted to cry but she wouldn’t do it. It wasn’t her way. Slowly she came closer to the doors which led to the terrace. She opened them, letting the cold air inside the room. She pushed herself outside into the cold stone. It was snowing. Not having the power to stand the pain and stand up, she lay down on the stone looking towards the sky. Snowflakes were falling on her face. Completely and perfectly white and light. She closed her eyes, feeling them on her cheeks and eyelids. There was so much pain inside her. For the first time in her life, she was tired of living. She was tired of the pain. Is this how her mother must have felt? Is this the end coming closer?

Shana enjoyed the coldness of the stone floor, feeling so heavy. Feeling as if she can fall asleep and never wake up. It was impossible to survive such pain. She couldn’t do it. Because it was coming from him. From the warrior, she wanted to see after all this time. Why did he hurt her in such a way? Her shoulders shook in a sob but nothing came out of her mouth. No sound. No tears on her face. Darkness was coming closer. It was coming for her again. Coming to take her away. She could smell him coming closer. She closed her eyes and gave up. She will not survive this. She didn’t want to survive and carry this with her whole life. His hands touched her but she didn’t move. Her heart was not within her anymore. And he felt it. He had heard it breaking.

-Let me join my mother.-he heard her whisper.

-Somebody send me a healer!-there was a scream. But it wasn’t him. She was wrong. She knew this voice. Victoria lifted her head with tears on her face. She saw it all. The scratches, bite marks, bruises, scars. Her thin body. Who knew when was the last time she had food? Her heart was breaking at the sight in front of her. She grabbed a blanket from the bed and covered her. -Shana.-she called her name, but her eyes were still closed. Her breathing was still shallow. -Einar! Seth! Get me anyone here! She is not going to make it!-she screamed again with pain in her voice. She fell to the floor next to her trying to lift her up. Get her inside. Einar stood at the door not being permitted to come inside.

-Healer is on his way.-he said.

-Don’t look!-Victoria ordered him. He turned his back to the room.

-What happened to her?-he asked furiously.

-I'm not sure.-Victoria said. But she knew very well. It was all clear to her. She knew his scent on her. -Go get Araphel here.-she ordered again.

-He is closed in the library. He doesn’t want to be disturbed-he couldn’t do that. Victoria nodded her head. He had left her there to die. She managed to put Shana back on the bed. And then she saw the red mark on the sheets. Her blood started to boil. Not here. Not in her family. She grabbed the sheet in her hand and pulled it off the bed. A moment later, a woman came into the room carrying a bag of supplies. Without any questions, she started checking on Shana. Victoria backed away knowing she couldn’t help anymore. It was out of her power. She stepped outside of the room.

-Stay here and don’t let anyone in except the healer. And I mean no one. Our Eandil has been attacked.-she said with hate in her voice. She will find him. She would kill him. She run away still carrying the bloody sheet in her hand. Victoria couldn’t control her rage. Not after seeing Shana in such a condition. In a few minutes, she came to the library. Not bothering to knock, she stepped into the darkness. He was sitting in an armchair with a glass of spirit in his hand. She noticed his shirt was unbuttoned. There were red marks on his neck. Shana managed to fight even if she was weaker than him.

She threw the sheet on the floor in front of him.

-Are you happy now that you know the truth? Is your demon calmer since you have made sure that she belonged to no one before you?-she spat the words into his face. He calmly looked at her.

-I see Shana has been talking already.-he noticed coldly. Victoria stood to his dark eyes. She will not back away this time. She didn’t care if he was her leader. She didn’t care if he was stronger. They didn’t do such things. Not in her family. Not ever.

-She can not even speak, you animal! I found her on the floor almost dead! What did you do to her? Did you even realize that she is of this world only? She doesn’t have our strength or power? Your poison is killing her at this very moment just because you forget she is only a young girl! I'm going to kill you if something happens to her! I don’t care who you are, Araphel! You hurt Shana, you hurt all of us!-she screamed at him in fury. Araphel listened to her. Truly listened. His gaze lowered to the sheet in front of him. The redness on the white fabric. It was him. He did it. But when he left her she was still alive on the bed. But then he remembered her begging him to stop. Her screams. Her spasms. She was very young. His hand touched his collar bone. She bit him there. But he was already healing. She will not heal as fast as him. He stood up like waking from a dream. He had hurt her. Letting his rage get the best of him. He had hurt her so much. He picked up the sheet and put it on the fire in the fireplace. Watched as it burned away. All the evidence of his crime.

-Is she still alive?-he needed to know.

-Barely.-Victoria whispered. He wanted to go past her but she stopped him. -Do not come close to her!-she warned him. Dark eyes looked at her.

-Do you really believe that you can stop me?-he mocked her. She raised her hand to push him but she was slammed into the wall. And he didn’t even touch her. -She is mine. And she will always be mine. Do not stand between us. I will destroy you. I will kill you!-he slammed her again after each sentence. Just with the power of his voice. And he left her there lying down on the floor.

His heart was beating fast as he was coming up to the chambers where he had left her. Einar was standing in the hallway. Only one look from Araphel and he let him pass. But he stopped by the door. He couldn't take another step. He just couldn’t. He had done this to her. There was no escape. She was lying on the bed while the woman was busy tending to her wounds. Her hands were shaking from the cold. Long dark hair was hanging from the edge of the bed. Smelling of her. Her eyes were closed as if she wasn’t there anymore. And he would give anything just for another look from those black eyes. What had he done? Just because of Rishon's words of hate? What had he allowed himself?

-How is she?-he had to know. The women turned to him. He saw on her face that the news was not good.

-I can't stop the bleeding. She doesn’t want to fight. She is not even trying. She will bleed to death soon.-For her, Shana was a lost cause.

-Get out.-he ordered. She ran away from the room knowing that he was serious. Araphel found the strength to come closer to her. And he saw his own marks on her small body. What had he done to her? All the bites, bruises, and red gashes on her wrists and neck. She had given up. There was a red stain spreading on the lower part of her body. He put his hands on her back and neck and lifted her from the bed. He carried her inside the bathroom. He gently placed her in the bathtub and let the warm water wash over her body. Her body was completely relaxed as if she was sleeping. The water was turning into a deep red color. Araphel wasn’t ready to let her go. He bit his own wrist until it started bleeding. He pushed his hand to her mouth. Slowly the blood dripped to her throat. He waited ten minutes, making sure she was accepting him. He will do this for her. He didn’t care about anything else but her. When the water started to get cold he wrapped her in a large towel and carried her back to the room. This time Victoria was there watching him anxiously. She saw his hand and knew what he had done. There was fear in her face. She never expected he would do such a thing. He was the leader of the world of shadows. And now he had given his life to Shana. He had given his all to her.

-Order them to tidy the bed and get the fire going in the fireplace. It's too cold for her.-he said. He sat in an armchair holding her in his lap. Her head was placed on his shoulder. Smelling her hair, he placed a protective hand across her shoulders. She will be his. Only his. -You can't escape me anymore, Shana. No matter where you are hiding. What you are doing. How hard you will hate me after this. You are not done with me yet.-he whispered in her ear. And that was the truth.