Her King Of Shadows

Chapter VII.

While he was lying in the semidarkness of his tent he remembered the last time he was in this place. This wasn’t the first time he had come to Boris' home. It wasn’t the first time they had discussed the fate of his family. As if they were destined to always meet in memories. While his head rested on the pillow he could feel the same hate burning as then. Not only because of the reputation of his family. He was disappointed with the choices and the future which came. He felt betrayed by the actions of a person who came to destroy everything she ever had just because of a hurt ego.

He knew so little of Boris before. But now he tries to find out everything. His first wife passed away young, leaving a son and all her wealth to a husband who cared little about her broken heart. Nobody knew about Boris before she came into his life. Maybe him and Alexandra had that in common. They desired to be recognized. They dreamed of having power and reputation. Boris spent years patiently gathering people and family around him. Believing that all it took was to have a couple of loyal souls to call him a leader. He didn’t even realize that even the smallest families took centuries to make. He didn’t even dream of becoming a leader by going from war to war. Creating alliances and killing enemies. A leader had to look into the darkness and make a path towards the future that awaits him. He had to anticipate each strike and know each step if he wanted to survive. It took tens of generations of loyalty and thousands of members to create the smallest family in their world. And they didn’t even know all this. So, the first time he came to this place, the fort seemed like now. Surrounded by a swamp and ancient forest.

He raised his tent in the same place, aware that he would make several visits. Alexandra was at his home now. Ever she had a lack in her character. Even if he looked for vain darkness in her eyes, the leader in him couldn’t leave her at the mercy of her weaknesses. If she was arrogant, it was up to him to bring her back. If she was proud, it was up to him to teach her humility. As he should have done years before. Going along with her demands has brought her to her ruin. And she wasn’t there alone.

His loyal warriors interrupted Boris at his work. Showed him that he had no other choice but to follow them if he wanted to stay alive. Araphel never forgot that look full of hatred when they finally saw each other. That warrior was everything he despised. He never cared for honor. He never followed the rules. He thought he could take whatever he wanted. He used Alexandras arrogance to win over enemies he could not defeat any other way. But this would not be his defeat. The future will show how wrong they were.

He stepped closer to him while they stood in front of his tent. Boris was so sure of his own strength and his guards that he could not even imagine that another leader could be on his land without his approval. And he has been there many nights already. They kept silent. Araphel just nodded his head as if he recognized him. His short chestnut hair was much thicker than before. Grey eyes are colder and more determined. He couldn’t see what attracted Alexandra to him. He was nothing special after all.

Araphel didn’t want to play games that night. He wanted to be completely honest.

-We both know you don’t feel a thing for her.-he said it as a fact. It was the truth. And it hurt him that Boris didn’t deny it. Maybe he pretended not to hear. Or a part of him knew that lies would not be his friends that night.

-Alexandra is in my home and no one can change that. I know you have been talking to her. I know you have been trying to talk her into coming back to your family. But that is not possible any longer.- He was so proud of himself. He could see as much in the grey eyes.

-You may have welcomed her into your home but she still carries my name.-he reminded him quietly. That meant nothing to Boris. For him, this was a game of power. He won members of his family to his side. It has never happened before and he will not miss his chance.

-She has nothing of yours.-he said with contempt. Araphel continued to look at him as if he was deciding his destiny. As if he could see all his heart was hiding in this quiet moment. And he found only arrogance. Envy. Hunger for power. What a bad combination it was. They were going to their doom together. Was it upon him to stop them?

-If you care about her, why not defend her honor? She is in your home as you willingly say. But you do not follow the rules of our people. You have not asked her life from the darkness. Do we behave like that to the people we care about? Why didn't you offer her the protection of your name from the first night? Now everyone has the right to say her name and spread rumors. Don’t you hear them mocking you when your backs are turned? Soon her name will not be precious anymore for you to be proud of.-he tried to play to his honor.

But Boris knew too well what he was trying to do. Maybe he didn’t have enough honor to measure himself to a leader as the one in front of him, but he felt his deceit.

-Just because she is in my home nobody would think they could have her.-that was enough for him. And it made Araphel even more disappointed. Do we do that to the person we care about? Are we so desperate because of the feelings of our heart that we are ready to do anything to destroy people we care about so no one else would think them perfect? He wished to kill him at that moment. Emerald eyes looked at him calmly.

-Send her back. Tell her you had a change of heart.-he ordered. Boris was too ready to refuse.

-That wouldn’t be the truth.-he said. Araphel came one step closer. There was so much threat in such a simple move. So much danger while darkness rose around them.

-Send her back. Tell her that the family is ready to forgive her mistake. Sometimes its better to have a broken heart than to die from love.-he said it as advice. But this time Boris didn’t want to understand his motives. He had a member of a world of shadows in his home. Nothing could make him give her up. He waived his head noticing rage in the emerald eyes turning into hate.

-If you kill me she will never forgive you. If you kill me, everything you are trying to accomplish will be destroyed. If you have doubts about her honor being damaged, what are you going to think when I tell you that she is expecting my child?-he believed those words would hurt him.

He didn’t know the leader standing in front of him. He didn’t know how much it took to create a leader who was ready for everything to defend each member of his family. He was ready to give his honor to defend hers. So let him say his name if it was enough for Alexandra to be safe from the trap she found herself in.

-Tell her that I am ready to take her and the child back. They will both be safe under my name and in my home.-he stopped making sure that Boris understood this was his last effort. After this, nothing will be the same. -Tell her that you don’t love her anymore. Tell her you don’t want to see her again. Send her back to her family. It is better to leave with a broken heart but to still live.-he repeated loudly. Boris understood that many things were left unsaid. He understood that darkness was hiding much more than he and Alexandra could see.

-Never.-he whispered, but with a much weaker voice than before. He stayed with his decision. But with much less certainty in his heart. Araphel turned his back to him as if deciding what his next move would be. As if imagining in which way he would end him. He was disappointed with their meeting. He was disappointed with events which could have been easily avoided. Everyone has to take responsibility for their feelings.

-We are not so powerful as you to be able to rip our hearts from our chest and survive. Many of us have no other choice but to feel.-Boris tried so hard to hurt him even if he knew it was in vain.

-What could someone like you feel, Boris? You chase your first wife to her grave. How long is this one going to last you?-he said without any mercy, leaving him.