Cameron's breath hitched as Rory's words echoed in his ears.
" Your sanity." The air felt heavier, the stakes higher. He glanced at Morven, her wide, glassy eyes locked onto his, pleading silently for something, anything, to make sense of this twisted exchange. But Cameron knew better.
Rory didn't offer gifts without strings attached, and this one was laced with venom.
"What is he planning?"He wondered.
He knew he had to be careful, he can't just jump into the offer, he have to make Rory think be isn't interested in the girl.
"What do you mean, exchange?" Cameron asked, his voice steady despite the unease curling in his gut. He kept his hands by his sides, careful not to let Rory see the faint glow still lingering beneath his skin.
"Weakness is a weapon in Rory's hands," he reminded himself. Don't give him any more ammunition.
Rory smirked, his dark eyes gleaming with a predatory glint. "Oh, nothing too demanding, brother," he drawled, circling Morven like a wolf sizing up its prey. "Just a… small favor. A task that only you can perform." His tone was smooth, almost casual, but Cameron knew better than to trust it.
Morven shifted uneasily under Rory's gaze, her long hair falling in disheveled waves around her shoulders. She kept her eyes downcast, but Cameron could see the tension in her posture—the way her fingers twitched as if she were fighting the urge to run.
"And what task would that be?" Cameron asked, his voice low. He didn't miss the way Rory's lips curled into a sly smile at the question.
"I need you to retrieve something for me," Rory said, stopping inches from Morven. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face with a mock tenderness that made Cameron's stomach churn. "A little trinket hidden deep within the Northern Ruins. Legend says it's guarded by creatures even I wouldn't dare face." He chuckled, the sound cold and hollow. "But you? You might just have a chance."
Cameron's jaw tightened. The Northern Ruins were a death trap, a barren wasteland teeming with feral beasts and ancient curses. Few who ventured there ever returned, and those who did were never the same.
"You expect me to walk into that hellhole for her?" he said, his voice laced with bitterness.
"Yes, you can, you don't want to keep a woman?"Rory asked, as he studied him Keenly.
"I don't even know her, I can't pass through such hell just because of her,"He suddenly said, and he could feel the tightness in Rory's heart.
"But I can do it for you Rory,I can do it so I can gain your trust,"Cameron said and Rory's face lit up.
Rory shrugged, his smirk widening. "Such a bold move, Cameron,"Rory said. "And trust me, if you can come back, I will give her to you as a free token,"He said .
"You'll do it because you want to keep her safe, don't you? Because you care." The word dripped with mockery, as if caring were a weakness Rory couldn't comprehend.
Cameron's fists clenched at his sides, the faint glow in his hands intensifying for a brief moment before he forced it back down. He hated how easily Rory could manipulate him, how quickly he could twist his emotions into a weapon against him. But he couldn't deny the truth in Rory's words.
He cared.
"And if I fail?" Cameron asked, though he already knew the answer.
Rory's smile turned into a sneer. "Then she becomes mine—wholly and completely. And lastly, say bye to your libido, I'll make you worthless and more pathetic than you already are," The threat hung in the air like a blade poised to fall.
Morven's eyes snapped up to meet Cameron's, and for a moment, she saw the fear in them—raw and unguarded. It wasn't just fear of Rory; it was fear of what both of them might become if Cameron didn't step up. Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but no words came out. Instead, she gave him the faintest nod, a silent plea for him to agree.
Cameron swallowed hard, his mind racing. He didn't trust Rory, not for a second, but he knew he had to do as he say,he needed to ask Movern so many questions,so many questions in his life that needed answers.
"Fine," he said at last, the word heavy on his tongue. "I'll do it."
Rory clapped his hands together, the sound sharp and mocking. "Excellent! I knew you'd see reason." He turned to Morven, his tone softening in a way that made Cameron's skin crawl. "You should be grateful, my dear. My brother has a habit of playing the hero, even when it costs him dearly."
Morven didn't respond, her gaze fixed on the floor. But Cameron could see the way her shoulders tensed, the way her hands balled into fists at her sides. She wasn't grateful; she was terrified.
"Leave us," Rory ordered the guards, and they obeyed without hesitation, filing out of the room in silence. Only Cameron, Rory, and Morven remained, the air between them thick with unspoken tension.
Rory stepped closer to Morven, his presence looming over her like a shadow. "You'll stay here with me until your hero returns," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "And if he fails…" He trailed off, letting the implication hang in the air.
"This isn't over," he thought as he watched Rory played dirty with around.
"I'll have to make it back, no matter what," He assured himself.
Rory chuckled, the sound echoing through the room like a taunt. "Go on, why don't you hurry up before it's too late,"
As Cameron turned to leave, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was walking into a trap—one that Rory had meticulously set for him. But for Morven's sake, for his own sake, he had no choice but to play.
Immediately Cameron stepped out, Rory called the guard's as two came in. "Yes, your Highness,"They chorused.
"Lock her up!"He commanded, and Movern was dragged out without Mercy.
"Archer..."Rory called, Archer, who seems that have lost in thought.
"Yes, your Highness"Archer replied.
"Release the Kraken Demon into the forest!"Rory said.
Archer was startled. "Your Highness, the....."Archer wanted to complain but he shut him up immediately.
"Now!"He commanded.