Chapter 106 [Bonus Chapter] Soldiers And Slaves
Morava didn't know what shocked her more. The presence of Tania in Eltanin's bed, the fact that she escaped even after such tight security, or that she practically stole her place in every possible way.
For a long time, she stood silent, speechless and almost shaking. She had woven perfect lies about her to the Draka king and she was sure that Eltanin would at least start disliking the slave for whom he had come to attack Pegasii over. But what was happening in front of her eyes was unbelievable. She wasn't ready for this bombshell.
Tania rose a little up and pressed herself against the king. Eltanin hissed as her nipples raked against his back and his eyes became droopy.
"Can you please elaborate on the deals I have made with you? Were you a part of those discussions?" Tania asked. She was done with this shrewd woman. It was time to tame her.
"I— I—" Morava stuttered. "Yes, I was!" She lied. How would Eltanin know that she hadn't been? She drew her gaze to Eltanin and said, "This girl is the biggest manipulator, Your Highness. She asked us to give her two trunks of gold coins to get her to leave! And trust me, we are ready to give it to her. Now that she is with you, please take her away. I will ask my mother to send the treasure over here."
Tania raised her eyebrow. "That is wrong, Your Highness," she said and tried to sit up when Eltanin growled and turned towards her. He hugged her tightly in his arms to shield her nakedness from Morava. Tania's hands went to his back as she rested her chin on his shoulder. She caressed his back with her finger and said, "Actually, I didn't ask for any trunks of gold."
"Then what did you ask for, love?" he asked as he nibbled on her neck and grazed her skin. His hands went to her hips where he dipped his fingers inside her panties.
"I asked for the kingdom of Pegasii," she said softly as she smiled at Morava.
Eltanin stopped for a moment and then roared with laughter. "That was intelligent, my pretty, pretty Tania! You deserve nothing less."
Morava's stomach knotted with tension. This meant that Tania had mentioned to him that she was her half-sister. Her eyes went to Tania's fingers that were still rubbing Eltanin's back. It was as if she was casting a spell on the king to stay under her control. Did she know black magic? Sirrah had banished her mother, Kinshra, from the kingdom because she practiced black magic. Did those qualities surface in Tania as well?
"You are stepping on a dangerous path, Tania," Morava said with spite. "This will have consequences."
Eltanin turned sharply at her. His claws started lengthening and so did his fangs. "How dare you use that tone? I will shred you into pieces!"
Tania stopped him by placing a hand on his chest. She smiled. When her gaze met Morava's, she said, "I look forward to the consequences you are talking about." When Morava didn't speak, she added, "Next time make sure to tell a lie that is believable. Right now, you look like someone who is about to lose everything."
"Tania!" Morava shouted.
"Leave before I kill you!" Eltanin said with clenched teeth. "This is your last chance."
Morava gulped in terror. Why was Tania so important to him? Surely, she was just a slave who was practicing black magic. She had to contact the High Priest of the Cetus Monastery to take her with him. She knew that Menkar would take control of her if she gave him a wagon full of gold coins. She got up and strode out of the tent.
"How was the meeting?" asked Rigel in a cold voice. He was leaning against a tree with his hand on the hilt of his sword.
She bowed to him and didn't reply. She started to leave when he suddenly stood right in front of her. "I heard that your spy murdered my man."
Morava halted with a jerk, only to come face-to-face with cold brown eyes. Unadulterated terror swamped through her when her gaze locked with Rigel's. Heart thumping wildly, she said, "I— I don't know what you are talking about!"
"Such lies?" Rigel said in a cold voice. "You don't remember the murder of a man, which was the first part of your plan to abduct Tania?"
She gulped. "I never ordered the murder anyone." Her blood had drained from her face. "You don't have any evidence!"
"I don't need evidence, Princess."
"Then you can't accuse me of anything," she snapped. "And one more thing Prince Rigel," she said with clenched teeth. She circled past him to walk away. "Murdering of soldiers and slaves is not uncommon when it comes to the royals. You should get used to such things and don't act like a sissy!" She started to leave.
"You are right," he said after her. "I am not crying over the murder of one of my best spies."
She shrugged.
"But I would like you to see something."
"I am not interested," she replied.
"You should be." Rigel stood behind her. "It belongs to you."
Morava turned her head over her shoulder. What could it be that belonged to her that she wouldn't know about? "What do you mean?" she asked, slightly puzzled.
"Won't you come and see?" Rigel said with a smirk. "It would be interesting to see your reaction." He took a step back for the cat to become curious.
She wanted to get back as soon as possible to report that Tania was missing to her father. She had to tell him that Tania was a traitor and that she was involved with King Eltanin, the man who wanted to attack Pegasii. She had to point out to her father that he was making a big mistake by making this slut a princess. "I really don't have time for this, Prince Rigel," she answered. "I have something very important to do. Maybe when you invite me to Orion Kingdom, we can sit and talk over a cup of tea."
"As you like it," he chuckled. "But you are going to miss it." He turned to walk away.
"Wait!" she called to him. "What is it?"
Rigel grinned. He waved his hand towards a row of tents. "It is out there." He walked towards the tents and she followed him. The tent was smaller. He lifted the flap of the tent for her to enter.
"Don't tell me you have brought me here to kill me," she remarked with amusement. "My father and mother know that I am here."
"I wouldn't dare," Rigel replied as he lifted the flap higher. "Come in," he gestured with his hand.
Morava stepped in. Stench of blood hit her nostrils. Someone mumbled from behind a thick curtain. Rigel walked to the curtain and drew it open sharply. Raw terror gripped her heart as her eyes became wide when she saw Orna and Ivy gagged and tied, severely injured. Blood flowed out of them in rivulets, pooling beneath their bodies. Ivy's one eye was swollen. Two fingers from her right hand were missing. She was cuffed in thick chains. Orna was unconscious, a part of her head shaved. There was blood pooled in her lap.
"What did you say about soldiers and slaves?" Rigel's voice was brusque.