“Nicholas had a special horse brought in for you. She's from another part of the valley. A beautiful mare, white as snow
with gorgeous blue eyes.”
“Nicholas got me a horse?” I asked, a smile sweeping across my face. He kept to his word.
“Yes, and he said you may name the horse yourself.”
I’d been given a horse by my father when I turned of age. The mare and I did not get along at all, to the point I never was
able to ride her. She ended up becoming a guard's horse in the end.
I was grateful when we reached the stables, the sound of screams had died down. Either Nicholas had stopped for a break,
or there was no life left to torture, neither of which I wanted to think about.
“He mentioned it's part of your wedding gifts and there will be more arriving soon.” Vanessa smiled back at me, and my
heart skipped a beat.
Chapter 24
NICHOLAS
Rubbing the sweat from my temples, my fingers smeared blood across my head. One of my guards stood watch over the
female as she sat slumped in the chair. I doubted she could get very far, but precautions must be taken. Blood still poured
from the slices on her wrists and arms.
I knew I should hold back. I hated hurting any female. But she’d betrayed Ornella, left her to be further harmed—and for
that, I lost control over my own mind and of the shadows that pleaded with me. They wanted me to destroy her life.
The female screamed and begged for me to end her life. One thing I would not grant. She would suffer for the rest of her
long life for what she had done.
Finally the female was now whimpering and shaking as nightmares took over, plaguing her mind, ruining her from the
inside out. She would be a shell once I was through with her and only then, would I send her to live within the temples.
She would not step foot within these walls again.
“My king, what of the man?”
Percy, one of my trusted advisors and friends, had stepped into the room at some point and it was only him who could pull
me away. We’d both grown up together and he was the closest thing I had to a brother. He was also the only other soul who
knew I went to get Ornella and vowed to protect her if I did not make it back.
“He will be next,” I muttered as I dropped my hands into some warm water to wash off the blood.
“Are you sure that is wise, my king? The princess may become upset and withdrawn if she finds out you hurt her tutor as
well as her friend.”
“I do not care if she is upset by my actions.”