CHAPTER 6

Darius’ POV

I could still see her at the back of my mind, clearly too, and it really made no sense.

I leaned against the tall windows of my office, arms folded across my chest. I rarely took this position, but right now, and with the many thoughts running through my mind, it was the only one I would recommend.

The late sun spilled gold over the courtyard below, catching onto the dark roots of the trees scattered around. Up until this moment, this particular view had never reminded me of anything, but apparently, all it took to change that fact, was one scrawny looking rogue.

I muttered under my breath. Her hair was the exact shade of the tree trunks below, and dare I say hers was a more beautiful color to gaze on. The strands framed her oval face perfectly, highlighting her hazel eyes and pink lips. There were a few cuts to the side of her mouth and face, and it was pretty normal, since I'd gotten word that she'd been saved from the riverbank. What wasn't normal, was the appeal it added to her.

For a moment, I found myself wanting to run a thumb over them, just to make sure they were no longer hurting, which was strange, because rogues deserved all the pain they got.

Rogues cared about no one but themselves, and I couldn't forget that, no matter how beautiful she was, or how innocent she looked.

My mind trailed back to the past hour and a frown made its way to my lips. She hadn't spoken her name and I hadn't asked either.

Names gave power, and alternately an avenue for weakness. Whether or not it was deliberate on her part, I wasn't sure, but I could bet it wouldn't be too long before the truth came to life. She wouldn't be the first rogue to sneak in here, and ultimately, she wouldn't be the last too.

When Davis and Hazel had informed me they'd picked someone up at the borders, she was the last thing I expected. Rogues had a certain rough and ragged look to them, and she didn't have that. They were treacherous and came with knives, but she'd come with beauty as her weapon, and a certain aura around her.

It pulled me to her, and just when I thought I couldn't be any more intrigued, fate just had to surprise me.

Mate.

A voice I had sworn was dormant over the years, suddenly sprung awake. I'd clenched my throat at that moment, not daring the words to get out.

There was no way it was possible. I'd also bitten back a low humorless laugh. I was exhausted. The days had bled into nights lately, and the past was slowly crawling its way up to the surface again, whether I liked to admit it or not.

This time of the year always did that to me. It'd been two years since I lost her. She was my first mate and the first woman who had successfully gotten past the armour around my heart, and the one I'd buried with my own hands.

I didn't speak her name anymore either. It barely helped with the pain, just reminded me of time in the past.

There was no way that rogue could be my mate. She could be a spy for all I knew, sent by enemies who knew how to bait my weakness. The borders had been quiet for some time now, so I wouldn't put it past them if this was a part of their grand scheme.

They were always plotting and….

“Sire?” Three knocks at my door was all it took to pull me out of my thoughts. I turned, just in time to see Davis walk in. “You sent for me?”

“And you're just coming now?” I arched an eyebrow, before settling into the seat behind my desk. I'd sent for him a little over an hour ago, right before I met the rogue even.

“Forgive me, your highness.” He bowed. “I was only trying to get an update before coming.”

“And?” I shot back. I'd never gotten this worked up over a tiny issue before, and it didn't sit right with me.

“She is indeed a rogue.” Davis's words confirmed she wasn't lying. I'd picked it up from her scent, but guessing on how faint it was, one could easily tell she hadn't been wandering without a pack for long. She probably hadn't had her first hunt either. “But there's a little problem, we have no idea what pack she's from.”

“Find out.” I let out through gritted teeth, and he nodded furiously. “I want feedback by the end of the week.”

“Of course.” He nodded again. A wave of silence settled between us, and from how he bounced on one feet to the other, I could tell he wasn't done talking.

“Is there anything you want to say?”

“Are we really going to keep her?” His question struck something inside me. “If his highness pleases, I don't have an objection. Its just, the last rogues that we run into,always end up in the dungeons, but you'd asked that we nurse her back to health.”

“Once she's all better.” He continued. “What next?”

I ground my teeth. I'd been thinking the same thing. It was dangerous to keep a rogue around, and even lethal when it was someone like her. There was something about her that I was yet to decipher and If I let her go, how would I be able to figure it out? Perhaps it was the strange feeling of the mate pull, but whatever it was, I'd decided to treat her with nothing but suspicion.

“She stays.” I muttered underneath my breath, much to Davis surprise. “Nor because I trust her, but because I feel there's more to her. I know there is.”

“Gather all the other rogues in our dungeon.” I let out slowly. “Starting tomorrow, they all have to prove themselves.”

If she was a threat, it would only make sense to keep her close and watch her every move. If she failed to prove herself, then she'd die with the sunrise.