Chapter Six: Shadows
1022 Words
Chapter Six: Shadows
"Betrayal, Betrayal." The crowd's chanting grew louder, their voices like relentless drumbeats.
Akira was dropped on the cold ground as her gaze met King Thrain.
Her hands were chained to her back. She was badly bruised to the extent that her eyes barely opened.
"You stand accused of treason. How do you answer these charges?"
Akira, on her knees, coughed out blood. When she opened her mouth to speak, her words came out choked.
"I asked you a question," he repeated his patience thin.
"I didn't have a choice," she whispered, her eyes pleading for mercy.
King Thrain's veins twitched as his eyes turned bloodshot red, his face twisted with disgust. "You worked with the vampires. Do you deny it?"
"I didn't have a specific mission. He wanted me here in case he needed me to do anything. I swear it," she cried. "They have my brother."
Ayla's spirit dropped like a stormy sky, shattering her heart as she watched tears stream down Akira's face.
It became worse when the guard standing close to her brought out a sword.
Akira's eyes widened in terror. "Please," she begged, her words choked in blood. "I deeply regret it. I swear, I haven't brought any harm to the people or the Kingdom. I just wanted to save my bro…….." Those were the last words she could get out before the sword sliced through the air and landed on her neck, cutting her head off.
Akira's head rolled away, her body slumping forward her blood.
King Thrain watched in satisfaction as the whole crowd fell silent.
Breath caught in Ayla's throat as her heart crumbled from the inside, her eyes widened in sheer panic. He killed her. The glint of the sword in the guard's hand was wet with Akira's blood.
She winced as a tear coursed down her cheek. Before she could stop it from happening a sob left her throat.
The attention of everyone in the room shifted to her. With a gasp, she left the room as tears fell from her eyes uncontrollably.
……………..
King Thrain hosted a dinner in which he invited Ryker, Ayla, and Kaida.
Ryker sat beside Ayla. Everyone there chatted and laughed, except Ayla. Ayla still felt the pain of Akira's death. Akira wasn't only her maid she was her friend.
The high councils glared at each other. There was some kind of hostility between them.
"What a courteous Luna you have Ryker," one of the high councils, Alpha Drew said. "Such a beauty, your father chose well."
"Hmmm," Ryker replied.
Ayla heard it, the kind of acknowledgment that Alpha Drew gave her. She had no clue if Ryker was pleased or not.
Alpha Drew returned his attention to Ayla. He suggested. "If Ryker ever mistreats you, my dear. So you know I am still…..unmated."
"There are other women to flirt with Drew," Ryker said.
For a moment, Ayla thought the surrounding air thickened. She suspected the sudden change in Ryker's mood.
Ryker quickly guided Ayla away from Alpha Drew and introduced her to other guests.
Ryker put a hand on her back and introduced her to another high council, a woman who appeared to be in her fifties. "And this is Luna Lyraea. The Crypt Librarian."
Ayla had once heard rumors about the crypt librarian, a woman who knows and hears everything including the whispers of the night.
Ayla saw Luna Lyraea's eyes glisten at her. As she extended her to greet her, she took it and shook it.
Luna Lyraea smirked in Ryker's direction. "You lucky bastard. King Thrain favors you in every way. He found you a young and beautiful mate,"
Hearing Luna Lyraea's words, Ayla's heart fluttered at the compliment that was given to her.
After greeting the visitors, Ayla and Ryker returned to the table where everyone sat. They strolled to the end of the table where King Thrain was seated.
With his head down, Ryker said. "Your majesty, thank you for gracing us with your presence."
Ayla also bowed. "Your majesty. It is my pleasure to meet you."
"Ryker, don't you think I chose well for you?" King Thrain said. He turned to Ayla and asked. "Is Ryker treating you well, child?"
Ayla smiled and cautiously replied. "Yes, Your Majesty. He's been kind to me. Aldergrove has been very welcoming."
She purposely turned to Ryker and their eyes met. Ayla could tell her answer surprised him.
"Good," King Thrain proudly said.
Ayla turned to Kaida who was beside King Thrain.
"I am Kaida, Ryker's twin sister." Kaida introduced herself to Ayla with a smile on her face.
Ayla smiled back. "It's an honor to meet you, Your Grace," she replied courteously trying her best to not offend her. She didn't want conflict early on.
King Thrain's voice cut through the air. "You may sit."
………….
Everyone was enjoying their meal except Ayla, she looked uncomfortable like she never wanted to be there. She became mindful, she was surrounded by influential figures, not only King Thrain's company. She barely touched her food as they all discussed court politics.
"Let us have another council meeting next week," King Thrain declared. "There are matters of recent attacks that bother me,"
With a sigh, King Thrain turned to Ryker asking, "Ryker, how in the world are our enemies finding their way to Elyria, the elf's clan? Didn't we secure the clan?"
"It appears someone is guiding them," Ryker responded. "If I may say, Your grace, the details of the south were only made available to the councils."
"The elf's clan is working with our enemies." Alpha Drew commented.
"They are the vampire's first victims, their clan had suffered many losses. I don't see a reason for them to help the enemy," Ryker pointed out.
"In any case, Ryker look into that," King Thrain ordered.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Ryker replied.
King Thrian redirected his gaze to Ayla "Ayla, child we are sorry to discuss war in the middle of dinner. It must be uncomfortable."
"Please don't mind me Your Highness, the kingdom's security matters more," Ayla responded cordially.
"Your Majesty, If I may?" Ayla asked.
- Writer
