26: Iris
After the incident at his office, things between me and Cassian had gone cold. Very cold. It was as though he had given away his room in my brother and me, I should have been gladdened by the distance putting into consideration his threat the last time we had spoken at length, yet something innate yearned for his presence. I could not have foreseen how much his absence would affect me
He always seemed to be in his office. I still came in contact with members of the royal family, but it seemed as though they were content with ignoring me, or making nasty comments under their breaths. I always went out to eat, as it seemed, was the tradition that I had to follow, but no one would acknowledge my presence in the slightest not even Zahila. Even though I would catch her throwing me venomous glares. But Rolan was a different case altogether, he was friendly, In a way that would make a person uneasy,
“Welcome to dinner, our dear Lana,” he announced as I sat. The table snickered at the unwarranted announcement obviously making fun of me and how far from a Lurn I was
He would also initiate small talki
k just as I was about to escape to the room. Yet, it almost felt forced and morking. Like he had absolutely no intentions. And his insistent presence only reminded me of the promise had made before the Lycan myalty and lytanfolk. It felt like a timer was
good
ticking in my head, counting down to the time that I would have to make true on my promise. I dreaded it deeply.
To my surprise, no one spoke about the matter. It seemed like a forgotten topic, I tried going about my daily life without Cassian. Once in a while, when I could no longer contain my grief over my mother’s death, I would break down. After which, I would wipe my tears and continue to put up a strong front for my brother. I could tell that our mother’s death had affected him in ways beyond my comprehension, but I knew that he was only feigning bravery like I was
“Dinner is ready,” a help announced after she entered my room with Abel’s food.
I nodded in cognisance, and she left the room, leaving the food behind. Before I left the room, I ensured that Abel had already begun to eat.
“I am coming soon,” I assured him before closing the door, I made my way to the dining area where almost everyone was already seated. I kept my hrad down and sat quietly in my designated seat. The one that was supposed to be in front of lone. But she had become very scarce since the incident of my attempted escape. Each time I had to look at her empty seat, guilt would grow at me. I had not even been able to speak with her enough to apologise for my actions. I had taken advantage of her kindness and that in itself was unforgivable.
I snuck a glance at her seat again, knowing that it would be empty. My heart almost stopped when I saw the dark haired woman with a downcast expression that at opposite me
“Tone…” I could not help but muster.
Slowly, she answered my call and looked up at me.
What I saw made my heart stop. Her eyes were sunken, her clavicles were more pronounced and her skin was as pale as chalk. Dead eyes stared back at me, her beautiful dark eyes had lost all their vibrance, all their light. She looked at me almost as though she did not recognise me
Then she looked away, and I was surprised to see her rise out of her seat. She was so angry that she could not stomach the sight of me. Then I realised that everyone else was on their feet. I got nervously on my feet as well, not wanting to be the odd one our
Something seemed to have drawn everyone’s attention and I looked in the direction that everyone else was facing.
My heart lodged itself in my throat as I recognised long dark hair, dark eyes and arms hauntingly adorned with dark veins.
It was the first time that he had ever eaten dinner at the dinner table.
His eyes found mine and watched the rubies in their dark depths gleam for a moment before they were again swallowed by the blackness. Cason’s presence was overwhelming, and the room fell into a tense silence as he made his way to the table. Every step he took echoed with an authority thui was impossible to ignore. My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of fear and longing flooding my senses. He reached his seat and remained standing, his gaze never leaving mine.
“Please, everyone, be seated,” Cauian’s voice was low but commanding. Clairs scraped against the floor as the family obeyed, and I found myself lowering into my seat almost automatically, my eyes never leaving his
He finally sat down, and I forced myself in look away, focusing on my plate. The silence was suffocating, broken only by the clinking of cutlery. My appetite was nonexistent, but I forced myself to eat, not wanting to draw any more attention
“How is Abel?” Cassian’s voice startled me. I looked up to see that he was addressing me directly, his eyes fixed on mine.
“He’s he’s doing well, thank you,” I managed to reply, my voice trembling slightly. He was asking about my brother, as though he had not been in the castle all that time. But now that I thought about it, I had not seen him once in a few days. Had he really been out! I wondered
Cassian nodded, his expression unreadable. “That’s good” He replied simply. He gestured to a server, who seemed to understand the unpoken. incssage, Wuhan a
a minute, more exotic and extravagant food was added to the patter on the table. It all looked like a butter th for a feast. Everyone dug in without question, but I could see traces of confusion that matched my own. lone’s expression did not change at all.
After dinner was done, no one left the table as they would usually do. They all waited for something that I had no idea of Dread pooled in my tomach as I waited like everyone che
“You might be wondering what the reason was for the little feast Casan’s voice echoed through the hull
He looked around until his eyes fell on me, the intensity in the palpable fought the urge to look away, but I held his stare
“Well, as you know, a tragedy occurred in our great pack” He continued. “An innocent child was murdered,”
The lump in my throat got bigger and harder so I found it hard to take a breath.
“I promised justice,” he paused, letting the weight of his words settle over the room. “And tonight, we begin to fulfil that promise.”
A murmur ran through the assembled family, a mix of anticipation and excitement. My heart raced, the dread within me growing stronger. Cassiar gaze never wavered, pinning me in place with an intensity that made it impossible to look away.
“Innocent blood has been spilt.” he continued. “The perpetrators will also be spilt in retribution.”
He gestured again, and two guards appeared, dragging a figure between them. My breath caught in my throat as I recognised the middle–aged man My Gather. His face was bräved and bloodied, and he struggled weakly against bis captors. I bit down the womit that threatened to come up
“This man.” Cassian’s voice was hard, “has been found guilty of the murder of one of our own, and he will face the consequences of his heinous
My father’s eyes were wide with terror, and he shook his head frantically, trying to speak through his gap. The room was silent, everyone watching with a mix of utisfaction and fascination. My stomach churned, and I gripped the eilge of the table to steady myself. Now in his weakened and pitiful state, all I ow was my father. Not the man that had turned his back on his family, had called my brother a retard, had hurt my mother beyond words or had let his grandchild die. I saw the man who taught me how to ride hones and brought my mother flowers. That is who I saw. It was hard to see anything else. All the bare and the betrayal all seemed to vanish at that mere sight of his suffering
I fought my tears, I fought the bike, I fougla that despair that threatened to engulf me.
“Iris.” 1 heard my name and was brought back to the table. All eyes were on me now, as though they had been trying to get my attention for a while without success.
“Y–yes” 1 stammered, unable to quite get my bearings.
Tomorrow, an execution will be held.” Cassian continued, his expression impassive, his voice cold enough to freeze the sea. “And you shall be the
executioner.”
