Tortured

Stefan

I’m not sure what is happening, but something feels wrong. I’m unable to understand what; however, everything feels different, and I reject Harlyn.

Something isn’t right, but I’m not sure. I feel like I’m in hell, and there’s not much I can do. Darkness descends, and I feel relief. Then, I’m right back there, and I swear it’s like it’s on replay.

That isn’t possible, though. Yet, something feels different, like I’ve already lived this part of my life. I feel like I’m being tortured but still confused by everything.

I close the door, and my body runs cold as I hear Harlyn shouting my name. I almost reopen the door but realise it’s in my mind. How?

Harlyn?

The words are thought in my mind rather than me speaking them, which makes no sense whatsoever.

Wake up, it’s not life, Stefan, it’s a memory, wake up!

My body relaxes as I hear her. Wake up? I’m not asleep, am I? I whisper the word sorry from my lips.

Wake up, remember Stefan, this isn’t real, the pups, remember them.

Wait, the pups, Wayne, this isn’t real. She’s right, and I need to wake up. My mind fights to bring up a memory after I rejected her, as everything slips into darkness, and I feel my body relax.

Samuel

I face the former king. “Your Grace, I suggest we utilise my father,” I say. His eyes widen. “I know he’s not been doing well lately, but without the King, we need more force, and my father will it. If I’m at one weakness or part, what happens at the other?” I ask.

He nods reluctantly. “Fine, someone fetch him,” he says. I stand and plan where each team will go. “I hope you have considered the consequences of this. You’re stronger than your father he managed to battle the attacks alone,” he says.

I nod in understanding. “Those were all attacks by rogues, small armies of men. We have no idea if Wayne will come with a few or his entire town,” I explain. I know I can handle it, but if he comes with too many and they split, one of the walls will be weaker without me.

“My son is right. I will go to the wall you least expect them to come to, even if there is a chance nothing will happen,” my father says as he walks in.

“And if the entire mob comes at once in one place?” The former king asks, looking at us.

“Then we move and get to that location as quickly as possible,” Father replies, and I shake my head.

“No, Your Grace is right,” I sigh. “Wayne will know he has one chance, so he won’t split up. He was here and knows that the east is the weakest, so we all go there. Except we don’t stay in sight, so he watches, sees it is weak, and attacks. Then we show ourselves,” I explain. Knowing that Wayne will think he’s tricked us, we will have the element of surprise.

“So how many men do we take there?” the former king asks.

“Wayne’s place, I found out, had one hundred and fifty betas and such. With us three, we would need maybe another fifty to be safe. We also send more men to the other walls and keep enough around the palace.” I don’t want the risk of anyone getting past and coming here to hurt my family or Lucy.

“The attack will happen tonight, maybe even early morning. Wayne won’t wait, he won’t want the risk of Stefan waking,” my father speaks and I nod.

“Uncle Samuel,” I turn and see Thorin.

“You shouldn’t be here,” I move and kneel ahead of him. “Go back to your mum, please,” I say, and he glances behind me.

“Mummy isn’t with us,” he says, and I glance around the room.

“Where is she? I thought she was with the pups?” I ask, why wouldn’t she be with them?

“Where’s your wife, Your Grace?” my father looks at him.

“I spoke to Lucy, they had plans together, and alone, so she isn’t with them,” I explain.

“Your mother?” the former king looks at me.

“Still at home, Your Grace. Harlyn wasn’t there,” my father explains, glances at the door, and says, “She went to the king.”

My head shakes. No, the queen had told her it was dangerous. We walk out and go through, and sure enough, Harlyn is with Stefan. Saying her name, I shake her, but she doesn’t wake.

“Someone get the Viscoutess please, she should be here.” the former king looks at the maid and she walks out.

“Why would she do this?” the former king stares shocked. We don’t move or speak, and I want to believe she will help, but if she fails, then what?

“I heard,” the queen rushes in.

“This is your fault. If my daughter dies, it’s down to you.” My eyes widen when I hear my father.

“Father, don’t. She did nothing wrong,” he can’t start a war right now.

“I apologise. I did tell Harlyn it was foolish and a risk, one we shouldn’t take,” she explains.

“Look, right now, we have too much happening to argue,” I say, watching as my mother walks in. Her eyes go to Harlyn, and she walks towards her.

“How long has it been?” She looks at me.

“I have no idea, Mother. If she came straight here when we returned, then hours, but there’s no way of knowing,” I explain.

“You men focus on the walls, the incoming attack. I will have everything secure around here and keep you updated on their conditions,” the queen looks at us.

Nodding, we turn to walk out, and I stop. “It worked,” I point towards Stefan’s arm. It’s not spreading anymore. I watch as everyone relaxes. At least now I can focus on the attacks and not on whether Harlyn will survive.

Back in the board room, I look at my father. “Give her space, you apologising won’t make a difference, let her geet settled before you even try to speak to her father.” I have a feeling he’s going to try to get her attention, which won’t go down well.

Reluctantly, he nods, and I draw everyone’s attention back to the plan.

“I take Wayne,” Father looks at me. “He’s used me to torture Harlyn and win, so I take Wayne,” he says again.

“Let your father do as he wishes, you focus on his brothers,” the former king states, nodding I give in and agree. Either way, they are all dead.