Kidnapped and Claimed(14)

Ramentha grew in the vines on the tall trellises. The blade-like leaves were lush and in the shade of deep green. Its flower looked like little bells, white and very fragrant. Ramentha fruits grew in abundant clusters. The goose-egg-sized oval fruits turned reddish orange when they were ripe. Sweet, tangy, and tasty.

We chatted as we picked ramentha. I couldn’t resist sampling one as I filled up my basket. Ashanie laughed when she saw me doing that. She commented about my claimers and something else, I wasn’t really paying attention. Ramentha was the most delicious fruit I had ever tasted in life.

I was wondering whether I should have another one when I heard the ear-splitting shrieks. Ashanie and I traded gazes.

“What was that?” Ashanie paused.

“It’s coming from up there.” I looked at the sky and was startled. There was a giant eagle soaring in the sky. The beast lurched toward us.

“Merciful goddess, run!” Ashanie grabbed my hand.

We made a beeline towards the gate. Before we could reach it, something grabbed my arms and I was airborne in a heartbeat.

“Ashanie!”

“Elyra!”

The eagle flapped its enormous wings and spirited me away from Aesterneum.

*

It was almost dark when the giant eagle dropped me in the middle of a clearing, right in front of my brother Erodan’s scowling face. I sprawled on the ground. My arms were hurt and deeply bruised from the eagle’s talons. Beside my brother stood the Jakael hunters with matching scowls.

The eagle soared away, leaving me alone in front of the people who wished me dead. I quickly stood. Panic rushed within me.

Erodan’s face flashed with disgust as he examined my appearance. I was clothed in the Khimerian fashion; the savage people my kin always looked down on.

His nostrils flared. “Look at what you have become. Running away from your honor-bound duty and consorting with the beasts. Whore.”

He backhanded me. My cheek stung from the blow. I willed myself not to cry. “I don’t want to die,” I said in a shaky voice. “I didn’t know the duke and I didn’t love him.”

“A Drorknar doesn’t run from duty. A Drorknar upholds his honor beyond everything else. You have tainted our clan with your insolence.”

“Please,” I sobbed. “Don’t force me into the duke’s pyre. I want to live.”

“Silence!”

Erodan hit me again. I fell on the ground.

My brother gestured to the hunters, barking orders. “Tie up this whore. We shall ride home at once.”

*

We rode for a day and a night before we entered the stronghold of Thiebes, the duke’s homeland. The servants, guards, and staff of the castle gathered in the courtyard when we arrived. They regarded me with dark glares as I dismounted from the horse. Here I was, the traitor. I ran away from my duty as my lord husband lay dead waiting for the pyre. My sin was unforgivable.

Among the spectators was Duke Gavin’s family. Erodan bowed his head and addressed them. “Lords and ladies, from the bottom of my heart, I sincerely ask your forgiveness for what my sister has made you suffer. Nonetheless, she is here and the long-delayed pyre can commence so we are able to send Duke Gavin into Paradise.”

The sea of people parted as Erodan dragged me into the mourning chamber. With a glare of hatred, he slammed the door on me.

I coiled on the floor, looking at my surroundings. Cold stone walls. Cold floors. All windows were shut.

Weeks ago, I came to this place as a bride. I didn’t know Duke Gavin, but people said he was a nice and honorable person. Later, I found out he was old enough to be my father. Nevertheless, I accepted my fate without a protest. The duke was an influential person. And my clan would benefit from this alliance. Four days after my arrival, I was a widow. The guards escorted me into this mourning chamber to be burned on the pyre with my husband.

I was so scared to be burned alive, I ran.

And now, I was back here again, waiting for my demise. I thought of my little hut in Aesterneum. I thought of Ronen and Callarn. The prospect of not being able to see them again devastated me. I had grown to love them. Would they miss me?

The door opened and my maid Neney entered. I saw Erodan had placed two guards to watch me. It seemed he didn’t want to risk me fleeing again.

“Lady Elyra.” Neney bowed. “Look at you. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.”

Neney studied my face. “Did he hit you?”

“He’s an ass.”

Neney looked at me with tear-filled eyes. “You didn’t deserve this. The wedding. The funeral. It’s all a sham.”

“It’s my fate. There’s nothing you could do. What brings you here?”