Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Viktor POV

“Minerva, you may go,” I said. She looked at me with a sad expression on her face.

“But.. but I just got back. I was hoping we could spend the day together.” She said. I shook my head.

“I have business to take care of,” I said.

“What? Like your slave?” She growled. My eyes met hers and I snarled.

“You have no business speaking of my slave.” I snapped.

“Viktor.. we’ve been best friends for years. Before you were.. captured.. we talked about killing that girl almost every day. Why haven’t you done it already? Why do you treat her so..” I cut her off.

“So.. what? She’s a slave. I don’t treat her like anything but that. Not that it’s any of your concern.. she’s not your slave. She’s mine.” I said.

“Have you even broken her in? I see her walking around all the time with a smile on her face. From what I can tell you don’t treat her like a slave. I mean.. you allow her to speak to others!” She snapped.

“Who have you seen her talking to?” I growled.

“That girl.. and the man in the gardens.” She said.

“What man? Loren?” I asked. She shook her head.

“No, he’s one of the garden workers. I saw them not too long ago. He was talking to her and following her.” She said. I slammed my fists on my desk and growled.

“Get out, Minerva.” I snapped.

“But..” she stammered.

“I said, out! Obey your king or I will make you pay.” I growled. I was on the verge of shifting and ripping apart this castle. She quickly stood up and made her way out of my room.

“Loren, in here now.” I snapped through mind link.

“Where is she?” I growled as soon as he entered.

“She’s in the clinic with Ms. Beatrice.” he shook as he replied.

“What’s this I’m hearing of Violette speaking to a man out in the gardens?” I asked.

“I.. she.. I’m sorry my king.. I don’t know what you’re talking about. This is the first I’m hearing of it.” He said. I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Find the guard who was watching her. I want answers.” I said. He nodded his head and quickly left the room.

I stormed out of my chambers and down the hall. He’s hiding something, and I will figure it out. I made my way down the corridor, servants bowing their heads the moment they felt my presence.

I could tell something was wrong with her. And what angered me the most is that Loren is very clearly not telling me everything. I could’ve forced him.. but he’s a friend and I’d hate to have to do that.

Once I reached the clinic, I followed her scent. I could smell the pain mixed in her scent. It was unnerving to say the least. Whatever her pains are.. they’re worse than what they were before. I opened the door to the room I knew she was in, and the girls went still as soon as they saw me.

“M-my King.. we weren’t expecting you..” Beatrice said in a worried tone.

“What’s going on?” I asked. I looked at the bed to see Violette passed out. Her maid friends held her hands and leaned on each other.

“Her pains are severe today,” Beatrice said. The maids looked at each other as if in relief. What was she not telling me? They are all very bad at hiding information from me.

“Someone is hiding something from me. I urge you to tell me what you know.” I said.

Beatrice looked at the girls and sighed heavily.

“The wolfsbane we’ve been giving her wasn’t enough. She.. she’s a lot stronger than we anticipated, I believe we need to increase her dosage.” Beatrice said.

“I thought we’ve been giving her enough. I get she was a Princess and is stronger than most wolves.. but the dosage you’ve been giving her was weakening her.” I said.

“She’s grown a tolerance to it. It’s not affection her anymore,” Beatrice said.

“How do you know?” I asked.

The girl named Sylvia stood and spoke out of turn.

“She’s stronger than you think.” She glared at me.

“Excuse me?” I took a step forward and she took a step back and gulped. Even with the bed containing Violette between us, she knew it was barely an obstacle in my way if I felt the urge to kill her.

“You’re killing her. You need to release her. She’s not meant to be a slave.” She said. Lillian grabbed her arm and pulled Sylvia towards her.

“I’m not killing her. She’s been treated far better than a slave should be.” I said. Sylvia shook her head.

“Sylvia, stop,” Lillian whispered.

“No! This is wrong! I can’t stand to see her like this. Maybe he will let her go.” Sylvia said. I let out a snort.

“I’m never letting her go.” I snapped. Sylvia glared at me, her anger flowed off of her in heavy waves.

“Look. I’m sorry she’s in pain. But I’m not causing that. I have treated her better than any slave has ever been treated. She’s very lucky.” I said.

“And why have you been? You took her as a slave.. Stole her chance of being with her mate. She’s done nothing to you. If anything she’s the reason..” Lillian’s hand clasped over Sylvia’s mouth.

“Don’t say another word, Sylvia. You’ll only make this worse.” Lillian said. Sylvia sat down but didn’t stop glaring at me.

“She’s the reason for what?” I asked, pushing further to get answers.

“Nothing, my King. Sylvia just speaks nonsense when she’s feeling emotional. Isn’t that right, Sylvia?” Lillian asked as she glared at Sylvia. Sylvia didn’t speak a word, but instead nodded.

“We.. found out what’s causing her pains. I don’t know how I didn’t realize this sooner.. but I believe with my whole heart that it’s the cause for her pains.” Beatrice said, quickly changing the subject. Lillian snapped her head to the side and looked at Beatrice worriedly.

“Go on.. what is it?” I asked, ignoring the look on Lillian’s face.

“Her mate is being unfaithful.” Beatrice said.

Her mate is being unfaithful? How could any mate be unfaithful? The bond is the strongest thing in the world.. it’s almost impossible to ignore it and hurt your mate in such a way. I would never ever do a thing like that to my mate.

And to Violette? How could this mystery man be unfaithful to a woman like Violette? She’s so..

Stop, Viktor. Get a hold of yourself. You’re doing far too much.

Goddess there’s something severely wrong with me. I need to take a few steps back. I need to quit looking at her like I do. Quit talking like I do.. quit thinking like I do. She’s my slave and nothing more. She never will be anything more.

“My King, I’ve retrieved the guard.” Loren spoke through mind link.

“I’ll be there shortly.” I replied before I cut the link.

“Keep giving her whatever herbs help with her pain. And up her wolfsbane dosage. Keep me informed.” I said before I turned for the door and left.

Once I arrived back at my chambers, I opened the door and let the guard in.

“So, I’ve heard the slave has spoken with a servant I’ve not permitted.” I said. His eyes widened in shock, maybe he was worried he was in trouble for not telling me. He should be.

“O-oh.. my King, there’s a misunderstanding.” He stammered nervously.

“Then, please. Do explain.” I said as I crossed my arms. I could tell Loren was listening in on the conversation but I didn’t care. I wanted him to know what happens when you disobey my orders and allow things that you shouldn’t.

“She didn’t speak to him. I was watching the entire time. He walked up to her and helped her with a fallen vegetable. He kept talking to her and she kept ignoring him. He wouldn’t take the hint. She looked like she wanted to run away and hide, so I stepped in and informed him that he was speaking to the Kings slave and to leave her be.. so he did.” He explained without missing a beat. I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Are you certain you’re not leaving anything out?” I asked. He nodded his head.

“Yes, my King. I am telling the truth. Your slave obeys your orders religiously.” He said. I nodded my head in approval.

“If that is everything, then you may go. Thank you for clearing it up.” I said.

“Thank you, my king.” He said. Before he left I stopped him.

“And thank you for speaking up for her.” I said. He looked at me curiously but nodded anyways.

“Any time.” He said. And then he turned to leave.

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