Chapter 46: chapter 46

The tent where Ivar was held reeked of blood and damp earth, the air heavy with the stench of suffering. Flickering torches cast long, jagged shadows across the walls, deepening the sense of dread.Ivar’s body was a tapestry of pain—his skin bruised and torn, his eyes dull but still burning with defiance. His arms were stretched above his head, wrists shackled by thick iron chains that cut into his flesh. More chains bound his ankles, keeping him immobilized. An iron net wrapped around him like a serpent, pressing against his wounds, searing him with its cursed touch.Yet despite it all, he remained silent.The king had tried everything—beatings, whips, fire—but Ivar refused to break. He hadn’t uttered a single word about the Blood Stone, not even through gritted teeth.Now, past midnight, another visitor arrived.Caspian stepped into the dimly lit chamber, his expression unreadable. He stood before Ivar, studying him for a moment. Ivar looked lifeless, his body sagging against his restraints. But Caspian knew better. There was still fight in him.He took a step closer, lowering his voice. "Where is Amelia?" he demanded. "Tell me, and I will free you. I promise."For a moment, there was silence. Then, Ivar let out a low, raspy chuckle. He slowly lifted his head, his lips curling into a smirk despite the pain. "Forget about her," he murmured, his voice hoarse but laced with venom. "And go hide behind your father… because I am going to kill you both."Caspian's jaw tightened, his fingers clenching into fists. "You are in no place to say this," he said coldly.Ivar's smirk widened, though his breath was labored. "And yet, here you are. Desperate. Afraid."Caspian’s heart pounded, but he forced himself to remain composed. He had anticipated resistance, yet the weight of Ivar’s words unsettled him."Look at you," he said, his voice laced with anger. "My father will kill you without hesitation. Think carefully—this may be your only chance."Ivar chuckled, his tone dripping with disdain. "Your father is so obsessed with the Blood Stone that he’ll think twice before killing me." His cold gaze met Caspian’s. "Why don’t we strike a different deal? Let me go now, and I’ll free you from your father. You could be king."Caspian’s jaw tightened. "How dare you! I won’t release you until you tell me—where is Amelia?"Ivar’s piercing gaze locked onto Caspian, his expression unreadable. "Why are you even looking for her?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity. "Is there a specific reason?"Caspian took a step forward, his fists clenched. "You have no right to meddle in human lives—you’re not even one of us. Hand her over. I’ll keep her safe."A smirk tugged at Ivar’s lips before he let out a quiet, mirthless chuckle. "Not human?" He tilted his head, studying Caspian with something close to amusement. "I’m more human than your father will ever be." His expression darkened as he leaned closer, his presence radiating an almost otherworldly power."You can’t have her," Ivar said, his voice cold and resolute. "Not as long as I draw breath. So do yourself a favor—forget about her. Listen to your father. Go live your life in peace. Marry some princess, have children, grow old, and die in your bed surrounded by loved ones." His pale blue eyes burned with something unreadable—contempt, perhaps, or warning. "I have nothing to do with you, Caspian. So don’t meddle in my affairs." His voice dropped to a chilling whisper. "Or I will kill you."Caspian’s eyes burned with determination. "I will find her no matter what," he declared, his voice unwavering.Without waiting for a response, he turned sharply, striding toward the tent’s exit. But before he could take another step, Ivar moved with inhuman speed, hooking his foot around Caspian’s ankle and yanking it out from under him.Caspian crashed onto the ground, the impact knocking the breath from his lungs. Before he could react, the chain around Ivar’s ankle rattled as he moved, snaking around Caspian’s throat like a serpent. With a sharp pull of his leg, Ivar dragged Caspian closer, forcing him to face him."You’re persistent," Ivar murmured, his voice smooth yet laced with menace. "But persistence alone won’t save you." He tightened his hold slightly, just enough to remind Caspian of the power he wielded. "Do you really think that you can take her from me?"Caspian struggled, his muscles tensing as he fought against the restraint. "I don’t care who or what you are," he ground out. "I will get her back."Ivar’s lips curled into a smirk. "Then you’re a fool," he said, his voice almost pitying. "Because you don’t even understand what you’re up against."The thud of bodies colliding and the scrape of chains against the floor sent a ripple of alarm through the camp. The guards, stationed just outside, exchanged wary glances before rushing into the tent.What they saw made their blood run cold.Caspian lay on the ground, his face contorted in pain, Ivar’s chain coiled tightly around his throat like a viper ready to strike. The dim lantern light flickered over Ivar’s sharp features, his eyes burning with an eerie intensity."Unlock me," Ivar commanded, his voice like rolling thunder. "Or your prince dies where he lies."The guards hesitated, their hands gripping their swords, but the sheer power radiating from Ivar froze them in place. One step too close, one wrong move, and Caspian’s life could be snuffed out in an instant.Caspian struggled against the chain, his breath shallow, but his glare remained fierce. "Don’t listen to him!" he managed to rasp. "He’s bluffing—"Ivar pulled the chain tighter, cutting off his words. "Do I look like I’m bluffing?" His voice was dangerously low, the weight of his threat hanging thick in the air. His gaze flickered to the trembling guards as his lips curled into a smirk. "Choose wisely. His life depends on it." He tilted his head, eyes gleaming with amusement. "If anything happens to your precious prince, I doubt your king will take it lightly."He let the words settle, savoring the way the guards stiffened at the mere mention of their ruthless king. The flickering torchlight cast shadows across his face, making him look almost inhuman. "So," he mused, his smirk widening, "what will it be?"One of the guards hesitated before stepping forward, his hands trembling as he reached for the shackles around Ivar’s legs. The metal felt ice-cold under his touch, as if it carried the very essence of the man bound by it. His breath hitched as Ivar’s pale blue eyes flickered toward him—sharp, watchful, like a predator waiting for the perfect moment to strike.Caspian, still gasping for air, managed to rasp, "Don’t… do it…" but his voice was weak, barely more than a whisper.The guard swallowed hard. He had no choice. If he hesitated any longer, their prince might not survive the next few seconds.With a shaky exhale, he unlatched the first shackle. The heavy chain rattled as it fell away. Then the second.The moment the last lock clicked open, Ivar moved.In a blur of motion, he kicked the chains aside and launched himself upward, his speed inhuman. The guards barely had time to react before he spun past them, slipping between their outstretched arms like smoke. In one fluid motion, he reached out and snatched a sword from the belt of a passing soldier. The man barely had time to gasp before Ivar vanished into the night, The guards snapped out of their stupor, lunging forward, but Ivar was already gone.Ivar moved like a phantom through the camp, his bare feet barely making a sound against the cold earth. The flickering torchlight cast long shadows, but none of the soldiers saw him slip past—it was as if the darkness itself bent to his will, concealing him.The king’s tent loomed ahead, larger and more ornate than the others, its golden embroidery glinting under the moonlight. Ivar didn’t hesitate. He leaped, landing atop the tent with catlike grace. The fabric dipped under his weight but held.With a sharp flick of his wrist, he drove the sword downward, slicing through the thick fabric. The canvas tore open with a whispering rip, moonlight spilling into the chamber below. Without a moment's pause, Ivar jumped.He landed in a crouch, his sword glinting as he straightened. The room was dimly lit by a single lantern, casting eerie shadows against the richly adorned walls. A thick fur rug muffled his steps as he took a slow, deliberate stride forward.The king, startled by the sudden intrusion, sat upright on his lavish cot. His sharp eyes widened as he took in the sight before him.Ivar smirked, resting the sword against his shoulder. "Good evening, Your Majesty," he said, his voice laced with mockery. "I believe we have unfinished business."