Six: Troublemaker

AEGON

I'd have gotten mad if it was anyone else, even Kairel. But it was Wendeline, and she'd not been in my chamber in what seemed like years. 

I spared Sin one last glance as she crawled into a corner of the room and wept into her hands. Why was she so pathetic yet brave? It was a kind of combination I hadn’t seen in a while.

It felt like a game. I needed to break her— completely. Regardless, I rushed to the door and opened it. “And what do we have here?” I tried to find a cheer in my tone. “Quite the unexpected visit, my dear.”

Wendeline offered a small smile and the most generic smile as she slipped past without looking at me. She was unable to.

“I heard that you…” Her voice thinned, and she paused, standing in the very middle of the room. Her dark hair was heavily slicked back then adorned with clips, and she donned a dark, lacy dress that covered her shoes.

And her mask, short, had the same imprints as her dress. Wendeline remained as beautiful as always, and I was happy that she’d come, though I knew she wouldn’t have it without an agenda.

From the corner of my eyes, I could see Annora staring at both of us, confused, crossing her features. Wendeline sniffed the air. “There’s someone else in here. Who?”

Guiding the small of her back, I helped her into a seat. “Returns of a successful conquest,” I responded as she sat, dropping her cane by the side of the chair. “It’s finally over, Wendi. Finally.”

Though she couldn’t see me, I could almost see life in her eyes as she looked up at me and I felt my eyes squeeze. The Stormbringers were conquered, now I was the only problem left.

“Aegon. W-what did you do?” She asked in a firm voice, though a quiver laced her last syllable. She had the same defiant tone when I told her my plans for the attack.

Wendeline was against it, but it was even better that I had a rotten heart. 

My head snapped to the girl at the corner of the room who listened, not batting an eyelid as my eyes met hers. Her snowy hair and pale eyes made her an oddity, and she knew how to use them to her advantage.

Well, till I made her beg. 

I want to make her beg. 

“Excuse me,” I muttered to Wendeline as I charged toward Sin. “Get out of here. Step out, and the maid will have you in a place to lay.”

Her gaze continued to pierce through me, hardened and hateful. And she didn’t budge. I would hate for Wendeline to listen in on this conversation. “You…” I bit my lip. “Get out, now.”

And ever so unexpectedly, the little thing yelled right in my face. “Or what? You’re going to have me walk on spike-boards?!”

Oh, fuck! The urge to crush her skull with my bare hands was more than overwhelming. It was a need. 

I yanked her hair, and she squealed in response, to my delight. “I hope you know what you’ve just gotten yourself into!” 

“You monster!” 

She put up a fight, trying to get away from my grip as I pulled her towards the door. 

“Don’t you feel bad for your blind wife!?” Annora screamed, her voice hoarse. “You don't even deserve her! You lock up girls in your dungeon and make them strip, yet you act so faithful in here! You scumbag! Your Alpha is nothing but a scumbag! He doesn’t deserve you, Luna Wendeline!”

Such a troublemaker. Barely two hours in Devil’s Den, and she thinks she knows it all, or can she pitch Wendeline against me?

I shoved her into the corridor and signaled to one of the guards on standby. 

“I changed my mind. Back to the dungeon. Close all windows, no blankets,” I instructed and was met with a sturdy nod. “Also. Fragile goods. She must remain untouched by anyone.”

The guard led struggling Annora away until she suddenly began to sprint. Fortunately, he caught up with her and hefted her over his shoulders.

How can one Omega be this much work? When I turned around, Wendeline was already on her feet, waiting for an explanation.

“Who’s that one?”

“A survivor.” I shrugged. “Collateral damage.”

“From the Stormbringers?”

“Yes, Wendi.”

“That collateral damage had a lot to say. Why did you bring her here? What do you plan to do with her, Aegon?”

A sigh pressed out of me. “I haven’t decided yet. She just needs to suffer enough for what her family did. That's what justice is all about.”

“It is not justice if she’s innocent.”

“Why do you get to define what justice is?” I was losing my temper and fast. I didn't want her in here questioning my actions. The Stormbringers were deserving of this and more.

I hope it rained fire on them in every life. 

Wendeline threw her arms. “I am not defining it. It just doesn’t make sense. Do you think this is what they’d have wanted? This…barbar—”

“Do not bring them into this,” I growled. “I’m done with this conversation.”

“Of course! What did I expect? You never listen to me or anyone! You doing this makes you the same as all of them! How can you, of all people, not understand this after all these years?! You are doing the exact same thing! Our parents wouldn’t want this! At all!” 

It seeped right into my chest like a butter knife, except it was scalding hot and melted right through me. My blood boiled, and that blistering anger lingered, turning and churning in my chest.

“Return to your chamber, Wendeline. Just go.”

“Does Kairel know about this, brother?”

“Why don't you go ask him yourself, considering that little shit is his fated mate.” I sat. “A silver lining for the lover boy, no?”

Wendeline paused, obviously in shock. “Kairel…found his mate?”

“The slave from earlier is.”

She looked like she had a hard time processing it before heading towards the door very silently. Watching her go was another stab to the chest.

It was my fault my sister was that way, stuck in an abyss of complete blindness. It killed me every day.

I swallowed the strangling bile in my throat and asked, “Do you want me to walk you back?”

“I’m blind, not stupid. I’ve lived here for years, Aegon.” She slammed the door.

I sank into the chair but had barely taken a breath when an urgent knock met my door. I snapped my head up, thinking perhaps Wendeline had forgotten something. “You may enter.”

A guard burst in. “Alpha Aegon.

There’s trouble in the villa.”

I jumped to my feet. “What?”

“The slave girl. She stabbed someone.”