Price of Possession

Chapter 6

The air in the castle was thick with tension. Princess Hera stood frozen, unable to believe the scene unfolding before her. The distant shout of one of the knights broke through her shock, his voice sharp and commanding: "That way!" He pointed towards a figure blending into the shadows near a wall. A figure she knew could only mean trouble.

Her heart skipped a beat as the knight rushed towards Lord Hellrune, who had just been struck by an arrow. “My Lord! Are you all right?!” The knight’s voice was full of genuine worry as he knelt beside their commander, eyes locked on the crimson stain spreading across the fabric of Lord Hellrune’s shoulder.

Lord Hellrune’s voice, cold and commanding, cut through the rising chaos. "Don't let him get away! Bring him back to me alive!" His words were laced with authority, a deadly promise that sent shivers down the spine of those around him.

Meanwhile, from his hiding place, the figure couldn’t hide his irritation. His eyes narrowed as he clicked his tongue in disdain. “Tsk...” With a fluid movement, he disappeared back into the darkness, retreating into the shadows where no one could reach him.

Princess Hera, her heart hammering in her chest, found herself stepping closer to Lord Hellrune despite the distance between them. “Are you okay...?” Her voice trembled as she spoke, the sight of the arrow lodged in his shoulder tightening the knot of fear in her gut. “Who could’ve... done something so reckless?”

Hera’s body quivered as she stared at him, her legs weakening beneath her. She couldn’t keep her balance. She felt like she might collapse at any moment. “Let… let me help you... We should... hurry inside. It’ll be safer there.” She tried to steady her breath, though it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep herself composed.

Her mind raced, her thoughts jumbled. I need to stay calm... If I panic, he’ll think this was an ambush planned by Seraphis...

"I had no intention of causing you harm, and—" Her words faltered, lost in the tumultuous thoughts swirling around her. Why would anyone... do something so reckless?

The chilling thought that this attack might be connected to Seraphis sent a shudder through her. This... this attack has nothing to do with Seraphis... The fear gnawed at her, gnashing its way through her fragile composure.

Lord Hellrune’s voice broke through her turmoil, low and firm as his strong hands moved to steady her, his arms wrapping around her small waist to support her. Her body stiffened at the sensation, but the weight of his touch kept her upright. She could feel the solidness of his muscles pressing against her. She swallowed hard, her face flushing as she looked up at him, unable to find the words she needed.

"You're the one who's hurt," Hera murmured, her breath shaky. Her voice was almost a whisper, but the concern in it was palpable.

“I know.” His voice was just as soft, but there was a strain in it that sent another wave of worry through her chest. “But why are you trembling... like you're about to collapse at any minute?”

She didn’t have an answer. She didn’t understand why her body felt like it was betraying her in the moment.

“Let’s walk back... slowly,” he suggested, his voice a whisper against her ear. She nodded, too overwhelmed to protest, as he carefully led her toward the safety of the castle.

Inside the castle, Lord Hellrune had been seated on a chair, the bandage wrapped tightly around his shoulder. He was wearing nothing but his pants, the starkness of his bare skin a sharp contrast to the regal aura he always carried.

Valrek, ever the one to mock, couldn’t hold back the sarcasm in his voice. “You were hit by an arrow?” His disbelief echoed in the room, the words almost too much for the seriousness of the situation.

Lord Hellrune, too ashamed to reply, simply glared ahead, his jaw tight with restrained frustration.

Valrek wasn’t finished. He leaned forward with a devilish grin, “So, you’re telling me... You, my Lord, were actually hit by an arrow? Truly?” The mocking tone behind his words made Hera flinch, but she kept her gaze fixed on Lord Hellrune, waiting for his response.

“That’s enough, be silent,” Lord Hellrune finally barked, shutting Valrek up with the weight of his command. His eyes softened as they turned to Hera. “Please, be seated. You still look as if you might faint.”

“No, I’m quite alright.” Her voice was still laced with concern, but she couldn’t let her unease show. “How severe is Lord Hellrune’s injury?”

Valrek sighed, shifting uneasily. “The arrow missed any vital spots, so it’s not fatal, but it’s deep enough to cause him pain. He’ll suffer from a fever soon.” Then he hesitated before adding, “If it was poisoned... it could get much worse.”

“Poison?” Ser Harold’s voice rose with shock, and Hera’s gaze dropped to the floor in shame.

Ser Harold quickly recovered, his voice urgent. “Seraphis guards are already in pursuit of the attacker. Even if it was poisoned, we’ll secure an antidote quickly!”

“Yes, the attacker will be caught soon enough,” Valrek said, his tone shifting. “But the one who put him up to this is a bigger problem.” He held up the arrow that had struck Lord Hellrune, the cruel symbol of their enemy’s intentions. “We’ve already signed the accords... And I’d like to think this arrow doesn’t represent Seraphis’s hidden intentions.”

The warning in his voice was unmistakable. Hera swallowed, her throat tight with anxiety as she struggled to keep her composure.

“What nonsense!” Ser Harold exploded, anger radiating from his every word. “Are you suggesting Seraphis lacks honor?”

But Hera, with a calmness that surprised even her, stepped in. “Ser Harold, that’s enough,” she said, her voice firm and full of authority. She turned to Lord Hellrune, her gaze steady and unwavering. “There may be those who oppose our union and my decision, but they do not represent the will of Seraphis. Seraphis desires nothing but peace. And breaking the pact of our marriage is not something we wish.”

Lord Hellrune’s eyes locked with hers, and for a long moment, neither of them spoke. The weight of their shared silence was heavy, full of unsaid words and raw emotion.

Finally, Valrek’s voice broke the silence. “There you have it, my Lord. Do you still wish for the same thing?”

Princess Hera held her breath, the moment hanging in the air, as Lord Hellrune’s gaze remained locked on hers. Then, in a voice as steady as the earth beneath them, he spoke the words that would define their fate.

“Yes… my wish remains unchanged.”

The words echoed between them, a promise that neither of them could break.