Reroll My Fate

Chapter 5

What did you say?”

Elara’s voice came out broken, sounding two pitches higher than normal. Her hazel eyes widened and I watched the color drain from her face until she looked almost ghostly under the harsh sunlight.

I gave a small smile but she only looked like I had slapped her across the face. “What did you just say, Arewen?”

Her voice was filled with hope like she was expecting me to call it a joke or something but I wasn't in the mood to argue or give her any sort of attention.

Instead, I turned back to the auction, my fingers tightening around the bidding paddle until my knuckles ached.

My heart was still racing from the question I had thrown at her, but Ryan; the man standing bloodied and chained in the arena mattered more right now.

The auctioneer’s voice boomed over the crowd, full of exaggerated excitement. “Ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes on Ryan Smith! Once a noble of the Smith family, now forged in the fires of hardship."

My jaw clenched at his words. This was all my father's fault, sure his father might have committed treason but I saw no reason in ruining the lives of innocents.

"Look at that strength! That power! This is no ordinary slave. He is a warrior, a fighter, a specimen of raw masculinity!”

He listed Ryan’s qualities like he was selling a prized horse. Going on with his strength, power, intelligence and of course, looks.

The crowd leaned in, especially the women, their eyes hungry as they took in his tall, powerful frame, the black hair falling to his chin, the striking grey eyes that scanned the crowd with quiet defiance.

Even covered in dirt and blood from the fight, he drew every gaze. Some wanted him as a s*x slave. Others wanted a bodyguard to show off. Some probably wanted to break him for sport.

To them, he wasn’t a person just an object. Some sort of prize. The thought gave me a headache and I raised my paddle again, my lady-in-waiting announcing my bid in a clear voice. I couldn’t let him fall into the wrong hands. Not again.

The guilt from my previous life sat heavily in my chest as the memories of his imprisonment, the torture Caspian ordered filled my head.

I had never meant for any of it to happen, but my investigations had helped lead to his death. I carried that weight every day.

Elara was still staring at me, her face flushed with anger now. “Arwen,” she hissed, stepping closer. “Answer me. How dare you accuse me of something like that?”

I ignored her completely. My focus stayed on Ryan. The bids climbed higher and higher. My anxiety grew with every number. One million dollars. Then more.

My father was sick, but he wasn’t stupid. An expenditure like this would reach him eventually. He would ask questions.

Especially about Ryan — the same man he had helped ruin in my last life. I had no good explanation ready and the last thing I wanted to do was hasten his death.

So with a heavy chest, I lowered my paddle. This seemed to excite Elara and she gave me a competitive smile raising hers higher.

The price kept increasing but she didn't seem to care, putting up her paddle every time. Her jaw was set, eyes hard with determination. It no longer felt like she was simply buying a slave. It felt like she was fighting me.

The numbers kept rising from two million to two points three. The buyers slowly reduced but Elara wouldn't stop. My eyes knitted in confusion there was no way she wasn't going off her budget.

Finally, the auctioneer slammed his hammer down. “Sold! To the Vain family!” The crowd applauded and Elara turned to me looking pleased with herself.

Rage filled me and I looked away trying to push back the tears. The attendants moved toward Ryan, loosening some of the heavier restraints.

I watched the chains rattle as they fell to the floor and guilt pressed down on me until I could barely breathe. I had been given a second chance, and I had still failed him.

The attendants began leading him toward Elara. One of the workers reached for the main chain, ready to hand it over.

“No, no,” Elara said suddenly, waving a hand and we all paused, staring at her with confusion.

I nodded to myself that she probably didn't want to touch him because he was dirty but then she turned to me with a smile. "Oh I'm not the owner"

I blinked in confusion, my gaze darting between Ryan and her. "What...do you mean?"

Elara ignored me and turned to Ryan, "This is your mistress." She said pointing towards me and my eyes widened in shock.

Even the attendants looked stunned. Ryan lifted his head for the first time and I froze at the sight of those grey eyes.

Guilt, relief, confusion, and something deeper I couldn’t name swirled inside me all at once.

One of the attendants stepped forward and offered me the chain.

The metal felt cold and heavy in my palm; the symbol of ownership. Ryan now belonged to me. I stared down at the chain, my fingers tightening around it as the weight of what had just happened settled over me.