Chapter 04

Zorina's pov

He directed me through a path, clear of fog and beasts. I could see clearly and I could return safely. 

I had made it over the barricade and back into the border where my father and the patrol guards stood. He was teary eyed, I wondered why.

"Father....." 

I called out, stepping cautiously towards him.

His eyes were wide, almost like they didn't expect me to make it out of No man's land alive. Well I almost didn't.

My father spread his arms out, and I went to hug him. But before I did, I was slapped.

Gasps echoed across the courtyard. Father's slap rang in my ears, it was deafening.

I fell to the ground, grasping for quiet because my eardrums were vibrating. 

"How dare you, Zorina." He grabbed my chin. "You made a fool out of me, how could you attack your husband to be? And then you run off past the borders?!"

I yelped as his fingers pressed firmer on my chin, my eyes glazing over with tears. 

This was the first time he had ever hit me. 

"Say something you despicable child. You are a beautiful one, but apparently you lack the brain you should've inherited from me." He pointed around. "Can you see Dame's father around, or Dame?"

I shook my head, fear, an obvious reflection on my orbs.

"Of Course you can't, because they left, Zorina, they left."

For a moment, I was happy. I felt relieved. My actions had chased Dame away, it meant I wouldn't have to-.

Another slap,

This would surely leave a mark because it sent me straight to the ground.

I was dragged to my feet by two guards.

My father didn't even spare me a glance. "Take her to the grounding tower," he said coldly.

"Father, please-"

"You will be married by dawn, Zorina. Whether you're willing or not. I will make you stand at that altar in cuffs if I have to."

My knees buckled, but the guards didn't slow down. 

The further I went the louder my screams became, "I'm not marrying Dame!"

"You have no choice!" he barked.

"I found my mate!"

The courtyard stilled.

"What did you just say?" My father turned, his boots pounding against the stone as he stepped back toward me.

"I found my mate," I repeated, breathless. "I felt the pull. I saw him. He touched me, and I felt it. My wolf responded."

"You're lying." His tone was colder now. "You're desperate to evade the wedding."

"If you don't believe me, check the cuts on my skin. The cuts are still fresh. I was trying to run. Two wild boars chased and nearly caught me. I would've been slaughtered if not for him."

He narrowed his eyes. "Who is he?"

I was suddenly nervous,

"Hamid," I lied at first. Then I looked straight at father. "No. Lux. Lux Argevent."

He froze.

The silence was thunderous. My father didn't move.

"Do you even know the name you just uttered?" he asked slowly.

"I do," I said, my voice steady despite the tremble in my limbs. "He's the half-demon. The rogue outcast. But he saved me. He shielded me. He wants me."

"You foolish, foolish child," he muttered. "Lux Argevent is not a man. He is a monster. A killer. A beast. You want to marry that?"

"He didn't seem like a beast to me," I whispered. "And if he is, I'd still take him over Dame."

He exploded.

"Enough!" he roared, and before I could speak again, he pointed to the tower. "Lock her up. High floor. No windows low enough to climb out. If she escapes, it'll be your heads that I'll show off in the courtyards."

The door slammed behind me minutes later. I beat on it with my fists until they ached. "You can't do this to me!"

But he could. He had.

And if I still refused, he would do much more.

~

The night was heavy like a dark cloak. The moon offered no warmth, not even the littlest comfort. 

I sat on the cold floor, my arms wrapped around my knees, the hem of my gown pooling like wilted petals.

"Miss, eat." A servant pushed a tray through the door slot.

"No."

"You'll need strength for your wedding."

"Tell father that Dame can go to hell."

Footsteps retreated. Then there was silence.

Like I was obviously being ignored.

~

I think I had fallen asleep, deep into a frustrating slumber. But my eyes snapped open when I heard noises below the tower. 

I stood up from the ground and went to the tiny window to check. 

Guards were lined up from below with my father standing in front of them. Panic was obvious in his expressions.

There was a small army standing outside. I first of all assumed that it was Dame's people. But when I squinted my eyes, I recognized the person leading them.

Lux.

He was unmistakable even in the dark, his dark hair catching the moonlight, his cloak blowing like smoke around him. He stood still, tall and defiant, his red eyes glowed faintly beneath the hood of his cloak, locked on the tower.

On me.

I staggered back from the window, my heart was suddenly thudding. The bond was pulsing. 

He came for me. He actually came.

The guards below were tense, weapons drawn but hands shaky. My father yelled something I couldn't make out, gesturing at Lux. But Lux didn’t move. He didn't need to. One of his men stepped forward, holding a scroll.

A declaration.

I moved closer to the bars, my ears angling to listen.

The scroll was read aloud, something about honor, tradition, and the right of a mate to challenge a forced action. My father's shout cut through the speech, loud enough to reach me.

"You don't get to claim her, outcast!"

Lux stepped forward now, alone. 

"She is my mate. Mine." He barked.

His people roared behind him, feral, strong, preparing to shift at his instruction. 

"You have no right to claim her," my father growled. "She's to be wed by dawn."

"Then I suggest you cancel the wedding. Because I will rather spill the blood of a hundred men that let my mate be bound to another by force."

The two sides stood frozen, seething hostility, and I held my breath.