Chapter 194
JARIS
The faces of the Executioners were taut as I rejoined them in the room. Well, my own face didn’t look any different.
I didn’t miss the way Cole’s eyes narrowed when he didn’t see Lyric behind me.
“If you don’t mind me asking, My King, where is Lyric?”
“She won’t be joining us,” I said, matter–of–factly as I reached my spot.
Cole wasn’t the only one who looked shocked and uncomfortable.
“I don’t understand. Why won’t she? You know this is a serious issue, Your Highness! We can’t just sweep it under the rug like it’s nothing!”
“Please, she needs to be here,” another Executioner said, though I could see how much he was dying to get rid of the ‘please‘.
“It is,” I shrugged. “But I don’t feel like discussing it on a night like this. Not anymore.” I started to retreat. “There are people out there waiting to celebrate with me. This meeting is over.”
I felt their eyes on me as I walked out the door.
Though I’d used the celebration as an excuse to keep them away from Lyric, I couldn’t enjoy even a little bit of it.
Over and over, my mind kept going back to the lady in the room who was alone and worried sick. I might’ve stalled the Executioners for tonight, but I knew I couldn’t go on with this for long. By dawn, the celebrations would be over and reality will have to kick in. And honestly, I didn’t know what to do with Lyric.
Long before the party ended, I grew tired and retired to the room. I’d been lucky enough to avoid my mother and some of the Elders who had been trying to hold a private conversation with me.
I unlocked the door to a startled Lyric. She literally jumped on her feet and only relaxed when she realized it was me coming.
I felt so bad for her. It was even worse that I didn’t know what to do with her.
Princess. Who would’ve thought that the smart–mouthed Lyric Harper was the same girl? She’d really grown in confidence and all, and I loved her for it.
“Are–Are they gone?” She asked with her eyes going behind me, even though I’d shut the door.
“Yeah. For tonight.”
She sat on the bed, holding her head in her hands. She looked so stressed.
“Come on. You need to rest.” I went closer to take her hand, but she was on her feet before I could reach her.
“I–I need to get out of here,” she was frantic with worry. “I could go far away, make sure they never see me-
“You want to be on the run?” I cut in with a scoff. With my child?”
Funny how when I thought of how bad the situation was, helping Lyric ‘escape‘ as a solution never crossed my mind.
“Well, what am I supposed to do?! I could be dead tomorrow with this said child!”
She sat on the arm of the chair, digging her fingers into her hair.
1/3
Chapter 194
i have to get out of here. I have to save myself” The last word broke into a whimper.
I held my ground for several moments, taking in the heartbreaking scene of her collapse.
For the first time since I discovered the shocking news today, the reality hit me.
Lyric was a Siphon–something that was greatly forbidden.
Her kind was never supposed to exist.
As the new King, it was my responsibility to protect the people from someone like her–like it’s been going on for ages. I was expected to hand her over to the Executioners so they could carry out their judgement–which would be death.
But this was Lyric Harper.
My mate.
The one woman that had brought out a different part of me. The only one to make me feel things I never thought were possible.
Lyric, the one who was there when she should’ve fled. The one who gave herself up to keep my kids safe.
She was the woman I love.
Yes.
I fucking loved her and would die before I let something happen to her.
So, how could I possibly hurt her when she meant the world to me?
But then, what was I supposed to say to the people? How was I meant to handle the Executioners?
“I need to leave,” she got on her feet again, wiping tears from her eyes. She was so restless.
“I could go at midnight. I’ll-”
“You’re not leaving, Lyric.”
“Why?! Because I’m carrying your child? My life is at stake here, you know?”
My face wrinkled from her statement. “It’s not about the child!” I yelled at her. “If you run, you’ll be declared wanted. How far do you really think you can go when every wolf on the planet is looking for you?”
That seemed to make her go shut.
“Running isn’t the solution. You have to stay back and fight this.”
“Fight?” She scoffed, furrowing her brows. “How am I supposed to fight this? I’m already a major suspect. There’s no stopping the Executioners.”
I grew uncomfortable the more she talked. She’d been stressing herself lately and I was afraid it wasn’t needed for her condition.
I went closer, taking her hand.
“Come on.”
She dragged her legs to a stop when she noticed we were heading toward the door.
“I can’t go outside!”
“Trust me, Lyric. No one is hurting you tonight.” She hadn’t even been found guilty yet.
08:44. En 30 May –@
Chapter 194
I didn’t give her the chance to protest as I fully pulled her out of the room with me.
Chapter 195
