Chapter 8: Leaving
855 Words
-Amber-
“You want to repeat that?” the king inquired, talking to me in a way that ensured I knew I was stepping on dangerous territory.
“Bite. Me.”
I was prepared for whatever he sent my way, but instead of storming toward me, he groaned, rubbing his eyes.
“I had a very effective way to make my little mate listen, but I can’t really use that on you,” he mumbled as he went to sit on a chair not far from me.
He appeared exhausted as he leaned back before he turned quiet, tilting his head a little to the side. Was he studying me?
“I understand you don’t like me,” he began.
“Good, then I don’t have to spell it out for you.”
He narrowed his eyes slightly. “And I know you didn’t want this either.”
“No, so let us just reject each other.”
“Even if we do that, I can’t let you go. The world isn’t very safe for our kind. And while I know you have been able to stay hidden, rumors will be spreading, and soon everyone will know you exist,” he pointed out.
“I have stayed hidden for almost one hundred years. I think I can manage.”
He shook his head, not believing me. “As I said, people know you exist now. That changes everything.”
I knew he had a point, but I remained quiet, not willing to give in yet.
“So, I think it would be best if you stayed,” he said.
“No,” I replied.
“Little hybrid, you don’t really have a choice.”
His words angered me. “You don’t think I know that!” I growled at him, showing my fangs in the process, so he knew how agitated I was.
“I’m not the enemy!” he reminded me.
“You are to me!”
“I’m offering you a place to stay. Food. Security!”
“You are dooming me!”
He growled, his annoyance clear. “I’m trying to keep you safe!”
“I didn’t ask you to!”
He rubbed his eyes again, clearly growing tired of my stubbornness. But instead of continuing the argument, he drained the rest of his glass and stood.
“You want to go?” he asked.
I nodded and to my surprise, he walked to the door and held it open. “Then go.”
I stared at him, caught off guard. Was this a trick? I wondered. But his expression stayed serious. Still, I didn’t trust him, so I took a cautious step back.
“What? Now not so sure?” he taunted.
I didn’t answer him.
“This isn’t a trick,” he promised.
But I still didn’t trust him, and he seemed to realize his anger wasn’t helping. Forcing himself to relax, he began to look less threatening.
“You’re free to go. I’m not here to keep you prisoner. But if you try to leave, you know as well as I do that others will bring you back to me. I won’t even have to come looking for you myself,” he said.
Having already spent days, if not weeks, in captivity, I knew he was speaking the truth, and that made me hesitate, uncertain what choice to make.
“But if you stay, you will have a place to feel safe, a bed to sleep in, and food. I will make sure you are never hurt again, as my warriors will always be around. Really, running will do nothing for you. Staying would be the smart choice,” he told me.
Though his offer was tempting, I knew staying would lead to one thing. Either our bond got to us or the pressure from society did.
“I don’t want anything from you!” I snapped.
“Then go.”
Determined, I did as he ordered, not believing he was truly serious. But as I reached him and tilted my head back to look at him, he merely stared back. Turning toward the hallway, I checked to see if anyone was nearby, waiting to stop me. But when I poked my head out and glanced both ways, I saw and heard nothing.
“No one is there,” he assured me.
I didn’t listen to him but continued to survey my surroundings.
“I will tell my warriors not to stop you, but I can’t control what others might do,” he warned.
Starting to accept we were truly alone, I looked up at him and replied, “Okay.” Then I turned away and took a step out into the hallway.
“Others might not want to hand you over, though,” he continued.
I froze.
“They might want you for themselves,” he explained.
A shiver ran through me, but it wasn’t news to me. Still, if I stayed, I knew my fate was sealed, but perhaps out there I might have a choice.
“Maybe, but I will take my chances.”
- Writer
