Chapter 4: Broken Promises
1102 Words
The dungeon smelled of blood and rust, and it was damp and cold. Rose shifted against the wall and the chains rattled. The restraints burned at her wrists. Her stomach was empty and her lips were parched. It was unclear to her how long she had been down here; it may have been hours or days. Here, time was of the essence.
From the corner came a low cough.
Slowly, she turned her head to see the dying servant. His lips were cracked and his skin was pallid. His side was saturated with blood. She recalled him. Mateo was his name. When she first arrived at the manor, he would bring her stolen bread scraps.
He was dying now.
"Rose..." He spoke in a feeble voice.
Ignoring the chains pulling at her ankles, she moved closer. "Mateo?"
"They misled you," he said. His wide eyes gave the impression that he was both afraid and anxious to talk. "Your parents weren't betraying you. The true Alphas were they. The real lineage. Luciana had them assassinated for that reason.
Rose felt a stinging pounding in her heart. "No," she said in a whisper. "No, that isn't possible."
She was afraid. of who you are. of what you might develop into.
Rose let the tears fall down her cheeks. She didn't even remove them. It hurt too much in her chest. "Why was I not informed?"
"They made an effort. Elena made an effort. However, they cut her off before she could continue.
"Elena..." Her throat constricted. "My real mother was her."
Mateo gave a slow nod. She spent years concealing the truth. She cherished you. died in an attempt to keep you safe.
Footsteps reverberated down the hallway before she could inquire further. Mateo sagged to one side and was silent.
Arthur entered the cubicle grinning smugly as usual. He didn't belong in this terrible environment since his clothes were too clean.
He eyed Mateo's body and added, "Touching reunion." "But there is no more time."
"What are you looking for?" Rose got up on her knees and asked.
His eyes scanned her face as he knelt before her. "I have an offer for you. Criticize Artemis. Inform everyone that he used his blood to bind you and influence you. Let's say that he killed Father. If you do that, I'll release you.
She squinted. "What if I don't?"
"You then rot here until no one remembers you."
His comments hurt, but not quite as much as the icy, avaricious, power-hungry expression in his eyes.
She didn't respond. She merely gazed.
Arthur got up. "Consider it, my love. There is not much time left.
He turned and walked away. Rose sat silently, her heart simultaneously scorching and shattering.
At morning, she was hauled out of the dungeon. She was marched to Ares' room while guards held her tightly in their arms. She was locked inside when the door slammed behind them.
The space was cozy and brimming with crimson and gold hues. Too ideal. Too phony.
Ares was standing in the center, holding a silver chalice without a shirt.
He said, "You want a place in this house?" "You're looking for safety? Next, swear allegiance. Have a drink.
Blood trickled into the cup from the cut on his palm.
Rose felt nauseous. However, something inside of her—the part that remembered Elena's severed head, the branding on her back, and the murder of her parents—told her to live. Even if it meant lying.
She accepted the cup.
Fire flared in her chest as the blood hit her lips. Her eyes were wide and her back arched. The cup broke on the floor and her hands trembled.
Over her heart, a bright crimson mark blazed through her shirt.
The emblem of Ares' assertion.
However, it didn't settle well. The mark throbbed. It bled into silver after that. She shrieked and fell to her knees, smoke streaming from her skin.
Angrily, Ares took hold of her arm. "What did you do?"
"I—nothing—I simply—"
He took hold of her throat. "You are now mine. Do you hear me? mine.
Rose, gasping for air, coughed. "I'm not anybody's."
Before he could say anything more, her body fell to the ground, unconscious, but his eyes sparked.
The agony was duller when Rose woke up, but it was still there. Her mouth was dry and her skin was heated. She moaned as she attempted to sit up.
In an instant, Artemis was by her side.
He pressed a moist cloth to her forehead and said, "Easy." "You're on fire."
She rasped, "What... happened?"
Ares attempted to compel you to take a Blood Oath. However, your strength turned him away.
She gave him a blink. "What brings you here?"
"Because I was unable to leave."
He put his hand on her cheek. Her eyes watered because it was so soft.
He said, "I can assist." "But everything changes if I do this."
She remained silent. couldn't. only seen him holding it to her lips while biting into his wrist.
"Drink," he said in a whisper.
She was unsure of the reason. Perhaps because she was in a terrible situation. Perhaps she didn't want to be by herself.
Everything blew up when his blood struck her tongue.
Fire. Ice. Thunder. A tie that fastened like chains across their hearts. Powerful, but not painful. deep. Actual.
With a gasp, Rose pushed his arm away. "What did you do?"
He whispered, "I saved you." "And I sealed the deal for us."
It shoved the door open.
Luciana's robe billowed like black fog as she stood there. She had wild eyes.
She cried out, "No!" "You have formed a bond with the incorrect son!"
Standing, Artemis protected Rose. "It's finished."
Luciana trembled with rage. "You weren't meant to be involved. I prevented the formation of your link by using a great deal of magic. And now everything is ruined!
Rose stood trembling as well. "Why?"
Luciana gave her a fierce look. Because Artemis becomes Alpha if you form a bond with him. Not Ares. Not Arthur. He. And I'm not going to allow that to occur!
Power crackled around her fingertips as she raised her hand.
Once more, Artemis moved ahead of Rose. "You must first murder me."
Luciana grinned icily. "That can be set up."
Behind them, the magic struck the wall. Artemis took hold of Rose's hand. "Leap."
They took off running.
Through halls, up stairs, past guards.
Rose didn’t know where they were heading.
But for the first time, she wasn’t jogging alone.
- Writer
