would never touch another girl again.
W e stayed in the throne room, sitting on the floor for a little while longer. Every guard was dismissed, and we were left
alone. Grateful for the comfort he brought me in that moment until finally my breathing evened and my pulse slowed.
“You can let go now,” I said gently.
It took Nicholas a few seconds to register my words before he let me go. Standing with his hands out to me in offer, he
didn't look at me with pity and I was grateful. He lifted me off the floor then guided me to a small table tucked away at the side
of the throne room. Sitting me down on one of the chairs, he brushed his knuckles down the side of my cheek as his eyes
darkened again.
“I must take care of a few things, and get the doors replaced. I will send for my sisters to come and keep you company
while you dine.”
“Will you not join me?”
“Ornella, I am trying desperately to keep my rage within and not head straight to your lands and ruin your family for what
they put you through.” I was going to argue, but he raised his hand to quiet me. “But I will not, I know your siblings are
blameless. However, I believe the two people who visited you today may know more information and I do not wish for you to
be privy to what I must now do.”
He began to walk away, and I rushed from my seat to grab his wrist, falling to my knees. I knew what he meant.
“Please, don’t harm them. They are but servants to the crown and only know one way of life—that is to never overstep,”
Pleading with Nic, I hoped my words would work. “Hector is a master tutor, please, perhaps he could stay here and continue
my studies? He knows so much about your lands. And Kathlyn, send her to a mill, but please do not harm them.”
He didn’t release his arm from my grasp, even though I knew he could with one slight pull. His eyes slightly returned to
their blue shade as they dropped to my eye line, then a wicked smile ran across his face.
“I will allow your tutor,ifI find he had no knowledge of the abuse you were put under.” He licked his lips and his smile
grew cruel, “However, your handmaid, she will not survive. Yes, you may care for her, and I am sorry you will lose her. But if
she were loyal to you, my dear sweet, she would have sacrificed her entire family to save you. You were but a child and
deserved more.”
He pulled his arm from my hand at last and took a few steps away before turning back as I cried silently.
“Ornella, do not ask me to spare the lives of those who have wronged you. While I will give you almost anything you
desire, I cannot grant that.”
And with those words, he vanished in his shadows, leaving me to cry and wonder what torment he would put them both
under.