Chapter 9: CHAPTER 9

ASLAN’S POV

I was walking close behind Tyson and Aurora when I was obstructed by an invisible barrier. Tyson turned around and smirked at me. The next moment the barrier was gone.

“What was that?” I asked, catching up with him.

“I had a very powerful witch cast a boundary spell around this palace. The boundary is linked to me. So, no one can enter or leave without my wish.”

“Does that mean we all are your prisoners now?” I asked him incredulously.

“Don’t waste your time on unnecessary details. We have a trial to conduct.” He said as he trotted ahead of us.

I stole a sideward glance at Aurora. Her face was pale and her steps faltered slightly as she walked.

I fell into step with Aurora and said, “Are you alright?”

She let out a long, deep sigh and replied, “I don’t know, Aslan… but thanks for asking.”

She had demonstrated immense courage by risking her life to save my brother. The least I could do is show some gratitude.

I held her hand and said, “Thanks for saving my brother’s life. We owe you one.”

She withdrew her hand instantly and crossed her arms saying, “Your brother doesn’t seem to share that feeling.”

That was so like Tyson. If anyone showed him even any affection, he would push them away. He must have done the same with Aurora.

“I know my brother can be difficult but he has a good heart.” I tried to explain but she cut me off in between. “Who are you kidding, Aslan? I doubt he even has one.”

I led her to the courtroom in silence after that. Her jaws hung open as she craned her neck to take in her surroundings. Her face was lit up like a little child inspecting a candy store.

My heart melted seeing her smile. I realized that this was the first time she had smiled after I kidnapped her. I let out a deep sigh and pulled her to one of the corners.

The dragon shifters, witches, and the residents filed in one by one and soon the room was teeming with people. Tyson sauntered in completely dressed in ceremonial clothes. There was no sign of pain or exhaustion on his face but I could see the tornadoes waltzing in his eyes.

“Let me get straight to the point. Our security was breached and I wasn’t even warned. The person in charge has to be punished. Miss Raina step forward!”

My heart skipped a beat. No, not her….

To my horror, the one that stepped forward was MY Raina. We had kept our relationship secret from Tyson for obvious reasons. He would only use her against me.

“My liege, I had to go… my daughter was sick…” She bowed and said in a shaking voice.

“Why wasn’t I informed? Why were arrangements not made?” Tyson’s voice boomed in the room.

“My liege, she had informed me. It is all my fault. I forgot to inform you.” I said, stepping forward.

“I don’t remember issuing a decree that permitted my brother to release the subjects from their duty. Raina will be injected with Lifandi Mratro.”

“No!” I screamed and trotted to the front. Tyson could punish me for this but I didn’t care at this moment.

“Mercy, my liege. Kill me but not this… please…” Raina begged.

“Now, what use will that be to me? Lifandi Mratro is perfect to ingrain the importance of vigilance in Raina.”

“How can you do this Tyson? You know what Raina has…” I started protesting again but Raina grasped my hand and shook her head.

I could see the fear in her eyes. It was not right to oppose Tyson in front of the courtroom. I had barely digested this information when another blow struck me.

“The next culprit is Aurora. She defied my direct order when I was injured. She will be locked in her room for the next ten days!”

I stole a glance at Aurora. She didn’t even protest. It was as if she had already expected this. My heart cried out at the unfairness of this. I couldn’t restrain myself from screaming at him, “Are you crazy, Tyson? How can you do that? She saved your life for God’s sake…”

Tyson didn’t pay any attention to me rather he had me thrown out of the courtroom. Aurora was right. He didn’t have a heart!

AURORA’S POV

Here I was locked in this stupid room. It was five days since the attack and the effect of Tyson’s blood were diminishing. Sudden pangs of cramps would assault me now and then.

My only link to sanity was Caleb. The moment he saved me from the bullet became one of the defining moments in my life. The fear and concern I saw in his eyes changed me in ways I couldn’t imagine.

My heart ached to talk to him, to hug him but I knew that wasn’t possible. If only I had met him under normal circumstances.

The door swung open drawing my attention to Tyson standing in the doorway. I crossed my hands and raised my eyebrows waiting for him to spew nonsense.

“Caleb has taken Aslan. He has asked me to send you alone. My men will go with you. They will stay hidden and rescue Aslan while you keep Caleb distracted.”

“And why would I do that?” I asked, shaking my head.

He didn’t seem fazed by my defiance rather his face lit up with a smug smile as he walked menacingly towards me. He stopped mere inches away from me.

I flinched as he moved his hands along my arm before slipping a phone into my hand.

I broke out in cold sweat as I saw the footage. Michael, Edmund and Rosetta were tied to a pole and a timebomb was tied to their waists.

I shuddered when he whispered in my ears, “They don’t have to get hurt now, do they?”

Tears flowed down my cheeks. I could never live with the guilt if something happened to them. I gulped the lump that had formed in my throat and nodded my head in acceptance.

My mind was numb with shock. I couldn’t see or feel anything. I wasn’t told what their plan was and I was too exhausted to try to figure it out.

Following the instructions, I got into the car mechanically. Before I knew it, we had reached the destination. I was led inside by the bodyguard at the entrance.

My heart started beating erratically the moment I entered the den. I kept staring at my feet too afraid to look at Caleb. What if my eyes betrayed me?

Every pore of my body came alive as I sensed Caleb closing on me. Tears flowed down my cheeks. I bit my lower lip, hoping that it would keep my sobs muffled.

Caleb held my chin and lifted my face forcing me to look into his eyes. His eyes flickered with worry and panic seeing my tears.

I couldn’t restrain myself and I threw myself at him. I buried my head in his chest and burst out sobbing.

He held me in a tight embrace and kept rocking me as I let all my pain, panic, and fear flow through my tears.

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