Chapter 4

The Price of Freedom

Delphine's visiting hours concluded the moment Achlys left the room. It was frightening to think about just how much power he had to have to dictate what happened inside a maximum-security prison.

After she returned to her cell, she spent hours in silence, finally reflecting on all the madness she had endured that day. So much had happened that she didn't even know what to feel.

The news of Jenna's engagement took center stage in her mind because it was the one weighing heavily on her chest. Of all the men she could choose to marry, she chose her mate.

Nathaniel was Delphine's lover first; he marked her first, but it seemed to mean nothing to him if he could move on so easily, and with her little sister at that.

The day he broke off their engagement and rejected her as his mate was the day Delphine lost all hope. Before then, she still had faith that he would fight to get her out of jail, but alas, it did not come to pass.

The only thing that gave her peace all those years was knowing he hadn't moved on with another mate. Though it sounded selfish, it was what helped her sleep at night, but from then on, it seemed she wouldn't sleep anymore.

Delphine had already experienced heartbreak once, but the recent news completed the pain. She no longer had anything to look forward to in life.

As she lay in bed feeling sorry for herself, Delphine remembered that her sister's engagement wasn't the only shocking thing she had heard that day. Achlys' absurd offer came to mind.

Delphine still couldn't believe that her first visit in 8 years would be from Achlys. The last time they saw each other was when they were teenagers, and their fling ended abruptly because of her. His return to her life after so many years wasn't just strange; it was suspicious, too.

Even though Achlys explained his reasons for seeking her out, she couldn't help but feel like he had an ulterior motive because he always did.

Delphine sat upright and stared at the wall in front of her.

From the moment she had first met him, she could sense the darkness dwelling within Achlys. Despite this, she did not reject him when he sought her out because, though the danger was evident, so was her attraction to him.

They created many fond memories together, which led Delphine to consider marking him, but she decided against it once she learned who he was affiliated with. It was regrettable, but evidently for the best.

Achlys' dangerous connections aside, there was also the dark aura that followed him everywhere he went. Delphine had witnessed some terrifying incidents where she saw his fearsome side, yet he never harmed her.

Thinking about their chaotic past together, Delphine wondered if it was enough reason to bring her such an offer, and so long after they had parted ways.

Becoming someone's mate was as serious as it sounded. Accepting such an offer meant she would be bound to him for life, and for what? Her freedom?

What good was being free if she had nothing? The man she loved had moved on, and she had no right to her inheritance. Moreover, people had already soiled her name. There was nothing for her outside those prison walls.

Delphine was so preoccupied with her thoughts; she did not notice that Gabi had woken up.

"Hey... you're still awake?" she asked drowsily

"Hmm? Oh... yeah, I'm not sleepy," Delphine replied

Gabi looked at Delphine for a moment, then sat upright like her.

"Is it because of what you saw on TV?"

"How did you know?"

"Just a feeling, since you looked so stunned. It was either that or whoever visited you."

"It's both"

Gabi's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"Who was it? Who came to visit you?"

Delphine sighed. Since she wasn't considering the offer, it couldn't hurt to tell her most trusted ally.

"A... friend"

"You still have those?"

"Surprisingly. We go way back"

"What did they want?"

"To get me outta here"

Gabi blinked once.

"A friend came to visit you after so many years, and they're offering to get you outta here?"

"Yup"

A brief silence followed Delphine's blank response. Gabi looked at her cellmate in disbelief.

"Clearly I'm missing something here..." She leaned forward. "Your friend is offering to get you out of this hellhole, but you're not happy about it? Why?"

"Because it's not an 'offer'; it's a business proposal"

Gabi raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"

Delphine took a breath, then responded

"He wants to get me out, but I have to become his mate in return"

"That's... strange. What kind of friend would do that?"

"The kind you've been romantically involved with in the past"

"Oh! Now it makes sense"

The proposal sounded weirder being discussed with someone else.

"So, is your friend icky?"

"Icky?" Delphine repeated

"Yeah, like... do you regret being involved with him?"

Gabi's question caught Delphine off guard. She had to think about it for a moment before responding.

"No... not exactly"

"Then why aren't you considering his offer?"

"Are you kidding me? What kind of offer is that? Who the hell makes an offer to someone who has nothing to give in return?"

"I don't know, but if he came all the way here to make it, and after all these years, it must mean he's thought about that, right?" 

Gabi wasn't wrong. Delphine understood this, but questions about his authenticity lingered in her mind.

"It doesn't matter if he thought about it or not; the proposal is weird. Besides, what would I gain? Freedom?"

"Duh!"

"What good is freedom to the forsaken heiress? No family, no mate, and no money. I don't want to leave this place just to become someone's mate."

Sitting on the edge of her small bed, Gabi locked eyes with Delphine, catching her off guard.

"Any place is better than this shithole, and you know that. Do you really want to stay in place for 4 more years? 4 years of bloody battles to survive, cause the moment you slip, you die"

"I've survived this long; what's 4 years?"

"And what happens after your 4 years are up? You still have to leave, right?"

Delphine paused; she hadn't considered that fact.

"Exactly. You'll be free one day, so why not sooner rather than later?"

"But... I can't just become someone else's mate."

"Why not? Your ex did it"

Gabi's words were blunt but true.

"You won't get another opportunity like this; take it while you can. You can figure out the rest later"

Talking to her cellmate gave Delphine an entirely new perspective on the offer. One day she would gain her freedom, but by then she would truly have no one. Wouldn't it be wise to consider Achlys' offer? If it truly is only about business, then she could get something out of it as well.