186: Twisted alliances

Twisted alliances

You have the strength to walk out of here on your own two feet. She repeated inwardly, a desperate attempt to convince herself.1

"Varinthian cuisine doesn't seem to have agreed with you," Aldric remarked casually as he strolled past the crew, their formation mirroring the one from their initial welcome. The crew's enthusiasm for Adela remained unchanged, seemingly oblivious to the ordeal she had endured in the captin's room. "If you're feeling exhausted, I can carry you down," he offered, a half-smile curving his lips.

Her body visibly recoiled at the sight of his disingenuous smile. Clutching her dress tightly, she fought to conceal her trembling hands, aftershocks from his mistreatment still coursing through her. The smiling faces of the crew members presented her with two possibilities: either she was surrounded by morally depraved men or the room with the locked door possessed a soundproof quality. Both equally disturbing. 

Aldric pushed his hands into his pockets, gazing up at the night sky. He took a deep breath and advised, "Breathe in, Adela. Let the fresh night air invigorate you."

Against the expectations of her noble upbringing, she let out a creative curse in her mind as she treaded upon the desolate deck of his ship, her eyes briefly glanced at the somber crescent in the sky, barely illuminating her path. The meager glow of the torches added to the nauseating atmosphere, reflecting Aldric's inscrutable nature. Each step on the metallic ground resonated through her like the toll of an Emorian funeral bells.

Beside her, Aldric exuded a disconcerting confidence, adding to her feeling of being suppressed. The sensation persisted until they reached the gangplank, a manifestation of his magical power. The cold metal extended before them, guiding their descent from the ship to the harbor below. In the absence of sunlight, it emitted an eerie shimmer, visible in the pale moonlight. Her gaze followed its course, fixating on the point where her liberation awaited, and there, at the base, she beheld three figures who awaited her with expressions of bewilderment.

Her coachman knelt on the ground, trapped in the grip of an enraged Arkin. Standing next to them was Egon von Conradie, his arms rocking and chest heaving as if he had raced all the way there. Once again amidst Aldric's dark magic, she felt no pull towards her mate whatsoever, but the significance of their mate bond meant nothing to her in that moment.

He had come for her.

"A very interesting sight," Aldric muttered to himself, his eyes flickered down to Adela, his lips curved like the crescent moon above, hinting at a smile. "Your father couldn't have invited him on my behalf," he mused, his tone filled with curiosity. "...Or does Egon share that attribute with Andreas too?"

Without averting her gaze from Egon's body, she whispered, "Your words elude me."

"In that case, I shall take your uncertainty at face value," he sneered.

She no longer cared about Aldric, as her attention was consumed by the swarm of butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Egon's presence overshadowed any reasons or circumstances that had previously mattered. His genuine concern for her eclipsed the feuds and secrets that had plagued their families. In that moment, all that mattered was being with him.

"Take my hand, or else you'll stumble," Aldric interrupted her daydreaming as he leaned closer.

Adela instinctively flinched away.

His midnight blue eyes, black under the dim light, radiated with a perplexing combination of annoyance and amusement. "...I must say, your idea about weapon manufacturing caught my attention, Adela. However, if you've had a change of heart, I will pursue that alternative course we spoke about. Just remember, I am resolute in fulfilling that old promise I made the Oracle no matter what."

Reluctantly, she steadied her hand on his arm, her feet still unsteady beneath her. Despite her inner resistance, she found herself relying on him for support with every step down until they reached the firm ground of the harbor. There, her brother and mate stood, waiting impatiently. Avoiding their gaze, she kept her eyes cast downward, fearing the vulnerability that eye contact might bring.

"Why, hello Egon!" Aldric exclaimed, his tone insincere. He briefly glanced at Arkin, dismissing him without acknowledgment before redirecting his attention to Egon who remained silent, his focus solely on his mate. Aldric persisted, urging Adela with a hint of sarcasm, "Adela, I understand you're tired, but it would be courteous to greet our esteemed business partner."

"Hello," she murmured in a subdued tone, her eyes on Egon's chest instead of meeting his gaze. "Sir Egon and Sir Arkin," she added, her words trailing slightly behind.

"Did you know that tomorrow is Adela's birthday?!" Aldric suddenly exclaimed, his tone nonchalant. "I almost forgot to present her with a gift." He retrieved a velvet box from his pocket, extending it at eye level.

She fought the urge to scream.

"Noticing your fondness for ankle bracelets, I brought one for you," he continued, his voice oozing with false charm. "This metal is infused with my energy and can help balance a Healer's powers. Shall I assist you in putting it on?"

Arkin, placing a hand on Egon's shoulder, swiftly intercepted the box. "Your Holiness, as her knight, I must object. Touching her ankle exceeds the boundaries, I trust you understand,"

Aldric's gaze lingered on Arkin, his eyes assessing him once more. A satisfied smile curved his lips before he shifted his attention back to Adela. "I will eagerly anticipate seeing the bracelet on your ankle," he remarked, his gaze then flickered towards Egon. "As for you, Egon, my messenger will face consequences for failing to extend my invitation. Now that you've arrived, let us convene on my ship and celebrate together. What do you say?"

No! Her internal scream reverberated through her mind, her startled eyes locking with Egon's calm gaze for the first time since they descended. His composed demeanor could have deceived her if not for the fiery intensity of his red eyes which seemed to acknowledge her warning. Reluctantly, he averted his gaze from her face and returned his attention to Aldric.

"...I have unfinished business with my cousin. Once that is concluded, I will join you."

She desperately needed to find a way to persuade him otherwise.

"Come, Lady Adelaide," Arkin offered his arm to her. "We will accompany you to your carriage. It seems you are not feeling well."

She withdrew her arm from Aldric's, mustering a bitter curtsy before him, and eagerly took hold of her brother's arm. But amidst her longing for relief, she couldn't shake off the truth.

The real nightmare had only just begun.

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