Beloved

Chp. 46

Khael

My hands were covered in her warm blood. I wanted to wash it away immediately. If I didn't, I felt it would taint me and rot my skin. Just the thought of it made me feel sick.

I refused to look back at her lifeless body on the cold floor and pushed the doors outside. I walked faster to the small well where the water was gathered to wash my hands. A single drop of her blood was enough to scatter my reflection.

She had cursed me even in her last moments and her voice roamed in my head. I shook my head in thought. That would never happen.

When I headed out, I saw Ruel was being released. He turned his wrists in attempts to ease the pain from the tight ropes. I caught a glimpse of his wrists and the skin around them were awfully torn and red.

When he noticed my presence, he lowered his hands and bowed his head towards me before leaving. I let him return to his duties as my messenger. There was a part of me that knew Lilith would be upset if she knew Ruel was being punished trying to help her as she mentioned.

One of the guards approached me asking what should be done with the girl that helped Naibi. She was still locked up in one of the cells and I had no use of her. I was burning with anger. Every single one that was involved with Lilith's disappearance were to die. I wanted them out of my sight. Their heads would remain on our post and they would be humiliated even after their death.

Let the crows eat what's left to rot.

Lucan had mentioned that girl was near the place of the fire when Lilith disappeared. It was impossible for Naibi to open the back gates alone. From this, all the guards that were on post that night were also seized.

Any traitor in my land would be ripped out entirely. They were like weed that would infest over my people. I would have them publicly executed to make it clear of what would happen to those that stepped over their boundaries and betrayed me.

I leaned against the well as the water dripped off my face. My attention shifted when I came near the training facilities and heard voices coming from behind the tents.

"This isn't just about Lady Lilith. We need to think about our people. The greater good is here."

"Greater good? Is that how you show respect to our Lady?!"

"You are all heartless. How do you apply numbers to someone's life? Lady Lilith has disappeared and that's all you guys can say?"

"This is nonsense. You don't really expect Chief Khael to just remain here while Lady Lilith is captured?"

"No, he has a point. He's right. Approaching the Ceneans without any plans will not only endanger us but also Lady Lilith."

They were talking amongest themselves from the tents behind me. When I made my steps closer to them, their eyes widened and immediately lowered their heads.

"C-Chief Khael..."

I clenched my teeth and kicked the chest of the one that suggested we leave Lilith. He fell against the ground and attempted to get up but I stepped over his chest and leaned over. I gripped onto his collar and pulled him closer to make myself clear.

"I assume you think of me lightly from how you blabber your filthy mouth."

"N-No! Certainly not!"

I looked back at the others and they flinched from my gaze.

"Do not speak of Lilith that way. She is not someone you can speak lightly of. I'll cut that tongue of yours if I hear any of you speak in the same manner he just did."