Chapter 164: Her first
[...continued from the last Chapter]
Kieran stayed like that for a long time... with Autumn in his arms.
Still. Silent. Timeless.
He had forgotten everything else...his life, Autumn’s life, the people outside the chamber, their world,the Old world, friendship,rivalry,politics,packs...even the subtle numbness building in his knees from holding her in the same position for too long.
His whole existence had narrowed into the warmth rising and falling in his arms. Autumn.
Her scent. Her soft breaths. Her closed eye lids.
The fire had burned low in the corner of the room. A candle had melted itself into a stub. The curtains were blushing with the faintest silver of dawn.
But Kieran didn’t move.
Didn’t speak.
Didn’t care about anything at all.
Not until... "Tsk. Tsk...Kieran!!"
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
The noise pulled him from the trance like a snapped thread.
His jaw tensed. Slowly, almost reluctantly, he turned his head towards the window.
There it was again.
"Tsk!Hey!!!"
Kieran squinted.
And then...SMACK!
Something flat hit the wooden panel.
Kieran flinched and slowly eased Autumn down onto the mattress with a tenderness that bordered on reverence.
His hands lingered a moment longer than they needed , reluctant to let go, before he padded barefoot towards the window and unlatched it.
It creaked open with a whisper of cold morning air.
And then..."BOOM..."
A whole man spilled inside like a sack of potatoes.
"Move over, lover boy," Velor grunted, straightening dramatically, brushing off dirt and dust from his sleeves.
Kieran blinked.
Velor’s smirk was already locked and loaded. "You look like you were seconds away from melting. Should I have waited another minute?" he teased, glancing towards the bed.
And then, just like that...he froze.
Kieran didn’t miss it.
The way Velor’s eyes dilated at the sight of Autumn. The way his breath caught...just for a second...before he coughed and looked away.Masking it effortlessly... professionally.
Kieran’s shoulders squared.
His fists clenched.
He was about to grab Velor’s collar but then...
"I found Vera," Velor said suddenly. "I mean I found out where she is."
Kieran’s brow creased.
"I mean she is technically locked away...in the dungeon. Officially charged with treason.Can you believe her track record? Psst!" Velor said it with a scoff, but there was tension in the words. "And the other thing is that...she is not alone. There is another girl with her. Looks...like...I think...she might be that girl you bound."
Kieran’s spine went rigid.
"That means," Velor continued, pacing now, "they know, Kieran. They are probably expecting some movement from our...your end. Maybe not expecting you in person...but something at least.Which means we are not dealing with simple lookouts anymore...we are looking out for traps."
Kieran’s jaw clenched.
"I should take Autumn right now and leave."
And he actually bent down to lift her.
But Velor’s firm hand caught his wrist mid motion.
"Oi...Are you mad? " Velor’s voice dropped. "I get what you are feeling. But think with your head instead of your dick for once, man."
Kieran’s eyes flashed. "Don’t..."
"I mean it." Velor’s grip tightened. "This is Skarthheim. Nothing...not even the wind gets out without permission. You try to sneak her out like this? In her state? You are basically handing her over to death. "
Kieran’s hand curled into a fist. His entire body shook with the urge to drive it straight into Velor’s face.
But then they heard footsteps.
Several heavy footsteps.
Possibly armed.
Velor immediately darted to the corner of the room, looking for a place to hide but before he could find one, the door flung open.
A group entered...it comprised of guards in Skarthheim armor,Autumn’s two maids, and a witch healer draped in a cloak.
The witch’s sharp eyes swept over both men. Luckily she walked past them, unimpressed.
Then she moved silently towards the bed, kneeling at Autumn’s side with grace.
Kieran didn’t move. But his eyes tracked her every motion like a hawk.
The witch pressed her fingers along Autumn’s neck, her jaw, her belly...Kieran’s gaze followed. Then, without warning, she pried open Autumn’s mouth and popped a small vial down her throat.
Kieran’s fist tightened. Velor grabbed his shoulder...just in case.
A second passed. Then two.
Finally Autumn stirred. A moan escaped her lips. Her legs twitched, curling together beneath the blanket.
The witch’s lips curled upward.
The guards smiled... looking relieved.
The maids exchanged glances...one even whispered, "It worked."
The witch healer stood up and turned to Kieran with a smirk.
"Good job, freak," she said rather flatly. "The Alpha should be very pleased."
Kieran’s eyes narrowed.
But the woman didn’t wait. She snapped her fingers and addressed the guards. "Go. Inform Alpha Thorgar...ask him to prepare. She will be waking up any moment now."
The guards scrambled like ants.
The younger maid leaned just a little too close to Kieran.
"Well, well," she purred. "You might be mute, but you’ve got good hands. Made the Alpha happy. That’s no easy feat."
She winked."Come see me after the kitchens close tonight. I will give you a treat as well...my hands might not have the same magic as yours,but they too can do wonders!If you give it a chance!" The woman winked at Keiran.
Kieran stared at her with all the warmth of a glacier.
She didn’t mind.Instead she blew him a kiss before swaying off towards the bed and sitting down to comb Autumn’s hair, humming like she was in an opera.
Velor, who had watched the entire interaction like a man eating popcorn at a funeral, sidled up beside Kieran and leaned in..."Wow, mate," he whispered, "you’ve got body count in Skarthheim as well?Already? That’s some impressive shit! I mean..."
WHUMP!!!
Kieran’s elbow landed square in Velor’s stomach.
Velor wheezed, bending over like a folding chair.
"Okay... deserved that," he coughed.
Kieran didn’t say another word.
Just turned back towards the bed.
Autumn was stirring again.
And this time...She looked like she might really be waking up.And he wanted to be the first she laid her eyes on.