Chapter 6

Dorian's POV

I shouldn't be doing this. Every part of me is reluctant to go forth with the plan, especially my wolf who keeps purring and whining in discomfort. I couldn't even look her in the face, and that's unlike me. Or maybe it's because she already looks tired, broken and weak even though she hasn't been in the dungeon for long. So, who did that to her?

What in the moon's name am I doing? I am supposed to be a protector, a leader and a revolutionist, not a fucking kidnapper.

Heat was crawling under my skin, the damp passageway getting smaller with every breath I took.

Suddenly I heard footsteps behind me, but I didn't stop to look. I didn't want to see anybody.

"Dorian, hold up, can't you hear me calling?"

The voice had already broken into my thoughts, and the sight of Vincent's face soured my mood. He was the last person I wanted to see. I made a turn and stopped at the door of my room but he had already run up to meet me.

"Your grace," he panted. "What's happening now?"

"What do you mean?" I answered dryly, taking a step backwards.

"The silver-haired lady is she set to go? You said the X people told us to meet them..."

I took a closer look at Vincent, the excitement on his face could not be hidden. He was all smiles practically dancing as he spoke. We're finally getting money, and he doesn't care how.

"I don't want to talk about this." I finally said. "At least not now?"

"But why are you acting like this? Our dreams are finally coming true. Sovereign Howl Colony will taste development."

"And what about that girl?" I snapped back. "What happens to her?"

Vincent's jaw fell agape, shock written across his face. "Did something happen to you in there? What's that girl have to do with you?"

"This is not a joke. Something doesn't sit right with me, I can just feel it."

"The only thing you should be feeling is joy. We are going to be millionaires, and these people who look up to us for protection will have a better life."

Of course millionaires indeed, I rolled my eyes.

"And as for the girl, whatever befalls her is not our business. She is a tyrant's wife. Of course, people are out to get her. Remember that we only harm bad people, well this girl is one of them. The proof you need is before you."

But something doesn't feel right. My wolf has never been this apprehensive. With a deep sigh, I waved Vincent off and opened my door.

"We should be able to set out at dawn," I said. "They intend to meet us in the centre of the large forest. You will be travelling along."

"Oh, I am the number one traveller," Vincent said with a hearty laugh as he walked away. I stood there for some minutes, my door half open, my heart growing heavier. This was not the plan, I never wanted 100 refugees looking up to me, I never wanted to soil my hands with blood but what was I to do now?

Eventually, I stepped into my bedroom and closed the door behind me. The windows were closed and I found solace in the heat hanging in the atmosphere. I have never been one to feel guilt but I can't shake off the feeling now. As soon as I deliver the silver head lady, I'll receive the money, the Colony will be developed, the people will be comfortable but what about my conscience? How am I even sure this lady did something bad?

"Oh gosh, what is happening to me?"

"What do you mean by that?"

I didn't realise I said the words out loud until I turned around and found Reina standing by the window.

"I have done what you asked me to," she began, her tone stiff and unfriendly. "Your prisoner is doing well. Now are you going to answer my question?"

"I don't know what to say to you. Who even told you you could come in here uninvited?"

"You are not being fair to me, Dorian. You promised we would get married. This is the third year, isn't it?"

I took off my jacket, kicked off my boots and sank onto the edge of the bed.

"You are welcome to join me if you came here to rest," I muttered. "But there won't be a wedding until this colony can stand on its own feet."

"And what does that have to do with me?" Reina demanded. "Every single time it is the same excuse. First it was because we needed more food. Then it was because winter was coming. After that it was because another family needed shelter. Now it is because of the colony again."

She shook her head. "Do you even hear yourself anymore?"

I rubbed a hand over my face.

"One hundred people depend on me, Reina."

"And I have depended on you for years."

Her voice broke slightly before she looked away.

"I buried my father beside you. I buried my brother beside you. I watched you build this place from nothing with your own hands. I believed every promise you made because I thought one day there would finally be room for me in your life."

"There will be."

"When?"

I had no answer. The silence between us grew heavier than any argument.

Reina let out a bitter laugh.

"I went to see your prisoner."

I looked up.

"She cried until she couldn't breathe. She begged the Moon Goddess to save her."

My chest tightened despite myself. "That isn't our concern."

"No," Reina replied quietly. "It shouldn't be."

She took a step closer.

"But tell me something honestly."

I met her eyes.

"When was the last time you entered a prisoner's cell yourself?"

I frowned. "I don't remember."

"Exactly." She folded her arms. "You usually send Vincent. Or one of the others. Today you went yourself."

"It was just a job."

"Was it?"

"It was."

"You stood there talking to her."

"I questioned her."

"You listened to her."

"You are really starting to disturb me now."

A short moment of silence passed.

"I cleaned her wounds like you asked. Am I going to spend the rest of the week nursing her too? Like I nurse everyone in this place."

"What do you mean?" I sat up instantly.

"Unless you plan to drag her through the forest tomorrow. "She can barely walk. Her left arm is fractured, she's running a fever, and those wounds are already turning green."

"What!"

The scars and sores on the Luna's body flashed across my mind again and I shuddered. Aside from the chains I put around her ankles, I didn't manhandle her. So where did these injuries come from?

"Very well then," I said after a long silence. "We'll leave when she can walk."

Reina stared at me as though I had spoken another language.

"What?"

"You heard me."

"No, I don't think I did."

I rose to my feet. "If she can't survive the journey, there's no point setting out tomorrow."

"You've transported prisoners before."

"I have."

"And somehow that was never a problem."

"This one is different."

The words escaped before I could stop them and Reina's expression changed.

"So she's different?"

I cursed myself inwardly, what was I saying?

"I meant her injuries are different."

"No." She slowly shook her head. "That isn't what you meant."

She stepped closer until only a few inches separated us.

"You've known that girl for less than two days."

"It has nothing to do with her."

"Then why are you postponing the journey?"

I had no answer she would believe. And the truth is, I didn't have an answer at all.

She waited and then she laughed, though there wasn't a trace of amusement in it.

"You've spent years telling me the colony comes first."

Her eyes glistened with hurt, and I looked away.

"And now you're risking everything for the tyrant's wife."

"Enough."

"No, Dorian." She shouted back. "Not enough."

She pointed toward the door.

"There are children sleeping under leaking roofs tonight." Her voice trembled, her lips quivered. "There are mothers who skip meals so their sons can eat."

"And tomorrow, we finally had a chance to change that. But now you're asking them to wait because one woman has a broken arm."

Silence swallowed the room, and the heat returned again, burning my skin.

Every word she spoke was true, the reality couldn't have been more daunting. That was what made it hurt.

"I said we'll leave when she can walk."

My voice was quieter this time as if my tongue couldn't believe the words were rolling off it.

"You are joking with me."

"No, that's my final decision."

Reina looked at me for a long moment. I thought she would argue again. Instead, she gave a slow nod.

"I hope she's worth it."

Then she walked out, closing the door behind her