CHAPTER NINE
The room was silent but heavy, like the air had turned to iron.
Ronan's wrists were bound to the cold stone wall, the metal cuffs digging into his skin, his head slumped forward. He had lost count of time. The silence gnawed at him louder than any scream could. Then-footsteps. Slow, deliberate. Echoing.
Lady Vierell stepped in like a shadow given form-elegant, poised, and dangerous.
"You're quiet now," she murmured. "Not so arrogant anymore."
Ronan lifted his head slowly, jaw tight. "What do you want from me?"
Her lips curled into a smile. "Oh, Ronan. I already have what I want. You." She moved closer. "But I'm considering... more. Your friends. Eira. I wonder how long they'll last without you."
Ronan's eyes widened. "Don't you touch her."
"I could," she said, circling him like a wolf. "She's so... breakable. One word from me and her heart could stop beating. And those boys you cling to like brothers? I could erase them."
"No," Ronan growled, pulling against the chains. "Please-don't hurt them. Don't touch Eira. I'll do anything."
Lady Vierell stopped.
"Anything".
"I'll do anything," he said suddenly, brokenly, the words tearing out of his throat. "Anything. Just... leave her alone. I'll obey. I'll stay. I'll be whatever you want-just let her live. Let her breathe."
"There it is," she whispered. "The fire turns to ash."
Lady Vierell froze, her breath catching slightly at his desperation. Then she smiled slowly, with sick satisfaction.
He closed his eyes, pained. "Just promise me she'll be safe. Tell me she's safe and I'll-"
She was suddenly in front of him, her fingers grazing his cheek. "You were always stronger than the rest. So proud. But now look at you. So desperate. So... loyal. It's adorable."
Her lips brushed his.
Ronan tensed, his eyes flying open in shock.
He tried to turn away, but her grip was firm. The kiss was brief, cold-more of a claim than affection. Tears streamed from his eyes involuntarily, as if his soul recognized the violation even if his mind resisted it.
She smiled at the tears. "Don't worry. You'll get used to me. I'm offering you choices, Ronan. You either obey... or you lose everyone."
He was silent. Breathing shallow. Trapped.
Laxton stormed into her chamber, his dark cloak swaying with fury.
"Stay away from Nahila."
Lady Vierell turned, arching a brow. "And hello to you, too."
He advanced. "I'm not here for games."
"Then you're in the wrong place." She sipped her wine, unbothered.
"I mean it, Vierell. If you touch her again-"
She smirked. "Why so protective? Don't tell me you're in love?"
Laxton's jaw clenched. "Stay. Away. From her."
Lady Vierell blinked at him, amused. "Why so serious, Laxton? She's just another girl."
"She is not just another girl. You will not lay a finger on her," he snapped.
Vierell chuckled darkly. "My, my. So many people falling in love with things they can't protect." She glanced back toward Ronan. "It's adorable."
"This is your last warning," Laxton growled. "You lay a hand on her, and I won't care who you are. I'll end it."
She studied him for a long moment, then raised her glass. "As you wish...My Lord"
But after he turned and stormed off, she whispered into the darkness
"I never said I'd use my hands.Things are better broken from the inside."
But her smile lingered long after he had gone. A dangerous smile.