Chapter 250
~ NYSSA
The King cursed and sent me flying from my chair into the pool of blood left behind. It smeared my face, hands and clothes.
I coughed and spluttered, trying to spit out the piece of meat he shoved down my throat when a voice stopped me.
“If it comes out of you, you’ll eat it off the floor like a dog p>
The king snarled low, teeth bared and advanced on me only to be stopped by the sound of a chair scraping.
“Enough, father,” Allister said, his voice cold. “She does not know the rules. You cannot punish her for that p>
I looked between the two of them with unchewed food in my mouth.
Allister gave me a small, discreet nod and I forced myself to swallow, hating how it settled liken lead in my stomach.
To my surprise, the king obliged his son and stepped back, smoothing his hands over his clothes. “Very well then, you can ensure she finishes her meal or it will be you who bears the consequences p>
He walked out of the dining room, letting the door slam shut harshly behind him. Once he was gone, I whirled on Allister.
“What the fuck?” I hissed. “This was not part of the p>
“Shh,” he urged, finger pressed to his lips. “Just get up, shut up and eat your food p>
My eyes widened and I reared back as if slapped. “Excuse me p>
I stood slowly, letting the rage that settled over me serve as momentum to keep me standing.
“I was taken from my pack in the dead of night, shoved into a trunk and driven to the middle of goddess knows fucking where and you’re telling me to shut up and eat my food p>
He sighed and ran his hands through his hair. “I know what happened, but just.. you can’t leave until you finish that food. He has a thing, don’t ask me to explain it because I can’t. It’s not poisoned, trust me. Just eat it p>
It was absolutely absurd that he was acting as if things were okay. I wanted to stab the knife into his fucking eyes, but I was so fucking exhausted and that simple altercation with the king told me that there was no way in hell I was getting out of a fight alive.
With a huff, I lowered myself back into my seat and eyed the food warily.
I didn’t want to eat something the king had torn with his bare hands. It was not only disgusting, it was also fucking unhygienic.
“Have mine,” Allister said, reaching over to swap our plates. His steal remained whole and untouched, with a serving of mashed potatoes at the side. “I’m not your enemy, Nyssa p>
I snorted. “You’re his son. As long as I’m here, you’re my fucking enemy p>
We didn’t speak for the rest of the dinner.
The altercation left a bitter taste at the back of my mouth and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t enjoy the meal.
My clothes felt heavy from the blood, and I could feel it on my face, and on my hands, and it just served as a reminder that someone had died because of my mistakes.
As soon as I ate the last bite, Allister rose to his feet and gestured for me to follow him.
This time, I didn’t object. I just walked quietly behind him, silently mapping every turn we took and the massive hallways in the palace. I took note of the guards that stood in the corners as well, teeth bared as they watched us.
Allister led me back to the room from earlier where a new woman was waiting. Her hair was cropped short to her shoulder, and it was a beautiful shade of ginger. Freckles dotted her nose and when she looked up at me, her eyes widened.
“You’re covered in blood. Are you hurt?” she rushed over, trying to inspect me.
“It’s not mine,” I said simply, feeling uncomfortable by her worry until I remembered that her life was on the line as well.
“Give us a minute,” Allister said to her and she froze.
“But… the King said… if he knows p>
“Did I stutter?” he asked, head tilted to the side and eyes flaring. “Get the fuck out, now”
She bowed and scurried out of the room like someone had lit a fire under her.
“You didn’t have to be so fucking rude to her,” I snapped at him once the door shut.
He ignored my words and turned his attention to me. “That attitude… you need to fucking lose it. If you want t survive in here with your sanity, then quit the sassy shit and do as you’re told p>
“I’m not one of your father’s slaves p>
“No, you’re not. You’re going to be mine p>
I reared back, disgust etching over my face. “Are you fucking insane? For starters, we’re fucking related p>
He snorted. “Almost everyone in this palace is related. It doesn’t fucking matter. I don’t want you as much as you don’t want me, but if you want to survive p>
“How can I even trust you?” I asked, arms crossed over my chest. “We had a plan. You didn’t look surprised to see me in there so you knew your father was going to take me. Why didn’t you warn me p>
“Because he would have known I was working with you. He suspected me already. I had a call to make and I made it p>
I couldn’t help but scoff. “How convenient. For all I know you’re your father’s little lap dog p>
“Look,” he cut me off firmly. “I know you don’t trust me, and honestly, that’s the smartest fucking thing you have ever done. As it stands, I am your best bet. I am not a good man but I am a lesser evil than my father and he likes women with sass. He will derive great pressure in breaking you p>
My stomach churned. “I’ll kill him p>
“Then you’ll die too, and I don’t know much about mates but I know your mate will fall, as will your pack. So many preventable deaths he trailed off. “Think about it. I’ll see you at lunch p>