Chapter 34

The maid bowed and left, leaving the three of them alone.

The man cut a piece of meat and held it in front of her. "Eat."

Rhaine stared at it, her expression unreadable.

"Do you remember what I said," he warned softly, leaning closer. "If you want to see your general—"

"Fine," she interrupted, her voice cold. "But I cannot remove my veil."

Morgana stepped forward, handing the man a small satchel. He opened it, revealing a pouch filled with a strange powder, bringing it close to her nose.

"Take a deep breath," he instructed, his tone unnervingly gentle.

Something about his voice was disarming, almost familiar, almost safe.

Reluctantly, Rhaine inhaled. A warmth spread through her body as the tension in her muscles melted away. She could finally move.

The man watched her intently, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

Rhaine's gaze hardened as she met his expectant look. He gestured to the food once more, waiting.

But her mind wasn't on the meal—it was on escape. And finding Kaelion.

 "Is it poisoned?" Rhaine asked, her voice steady.

The man's expression didn't falter. "Poisoning you would be the last thing on my mind," he said calmly, his tone smooth like silk.

Her eyes narrowed. "So it is among the things on your mind you intend to do to me?"

A low chuckle escaped his lips. Without a word, he took a deliberate bite of the meat from the fork, chewing slowly before swallowing. "Satisfied?" he asked, arching an amused brow.

Rhaine studied him carefully, her instincts warning her not to trust him, but the sudden hunger gnawing at her stomach was relentless. Slowly, she moved her veil to the side and took a tentative bite.

The taste was strange—rich and savory with a hint of something elusive. Her brows furrowed as the flavors awakened a distant memory. It was familiar, like a taste from a dream long forgotten. Her mind raced to place it but came up empty.

The man watched her intently, his gaze unwavering, as though every movement she made was a revelation.

"Is something wrong?" she asked, discomfort prickling her skin. His fascination felt intrusive, unsettling.

He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No. Please, continue." His fingers absentmindedly tilted the Lunarest Essence vial, as though studying its contents.

Seizing the moment, Rhaine pressed forward. "Where is he?"

The man's lips curved into a sly smile. "Ah, you really care about him, don't you?" He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Tell me, what will the elders of your sect say when they find out?"

 "Do you think they will let you go?"

Rhaine's eyes flashed with defiance. "That does not concern you," she said flatly, his voice devoid of emotion.

His expression darkened, shadows flickering in his gaze.

Silence stretched between them, heavy and tense.

Then, with a dismissive wave, he turned away. "Morgana," he called, "Show her where the general is resting."

Morgana, who had been standing silently in the corner like a wraith, inclined her head and opened the door.

"This way," she said curtly, her voice cold and detached.

Rhaine followed Morgana down a long corridor, her senses heightened. The house was vast, its architecture both imposing and elegant. Ornate tapestries lined the walls, depicting battles and victories long past. Crystal chandeliers hung from vaulted ceilings, casting shimmering patterns on the marble floors. Despite the grandeur, an eerie stillness clung to the air, thick and oppressive.

At last, Morgana stopped before a large door carved with intricate patterns. She pushed it open, revealing a dimly lit room.

Rhaine's breath hitched as she stepped inside.

There, on a grand bed draped in dark silks, lay Kaelion. His skin was pale, a sheen of sweat glistening on his forehead and bare chest. His armor was nowhere in sight, replaced by simple bandages that wrapped around his torso. His breathing was shallow but steady, each rise and fall of his chest a fragile testament to life.

"Kaelion," she whispered, rushing to his side.

She knelt by the bed, her heart aching at the sight of him. Beads of sweat clung to his skin, his body visibly weakened.

"What did they do to you?" she murmured, her fingers brushing against his clammy forehead.

Morgana's voice broke the silence. "He's alive, for now. You should be grateful."

Rhaine shot her a fierce glare. "What did he give him?"

Morgana's lips curved into a cryptic smile. "Something to remind him of his mortality."

Rhaine clenched her fists, rage simmering beneath her calm exterior. She had to save him, no matter the cost.

As soon as Morgana left, Rhaine focused entirely on Kaelion. Her mind raced through the possibilities. The Lunarest Essence could heal him, but without knowing what poison coursed through his veins, it was a gamble.

"Stay with me," she whispered, her resolve hardening. "I won't let you die."

Determined, she began preparing a make elixir from her satchel, her hands steady despite the storm of emotions raging inside her.

In the mist of the preparation, the man from earlier walked inside prompting her to look up.

"Take it." His voice was low and commanding as he extended the elixir toward her.

Rhaine reached for it, but before her fingers could close around the bottle, he pulled it back sharply.

"It'll help him—for now. But don't ever drink it again," he warned, his tone dark and resolute.

Her brow furrowed with confusion, but she grabbed the elixir from his hand. Desperation drove her as she crouched beside Kaelion, tilting the bottle toward his lips. He spat it out immediately, coughing violently.

Rhaine's heart raced. With trembling resolve, she took the liquid into her mouth and pressed her lips to his, feeding him the elixir directly.

The man's eyes darkened with annoyance, his lips twisting into a scowl.

"Unbelievable," he muttered bitterly. "You do whatever you want, don't you? Who cares if a genius such as myself tells you otherwise?"

Turning on his heel, he strode toward the door. "There's a carriage waiting for you outside. Kindly leave my property."

"Wait!" Rhaine's voice rang through the room, stopping him mid-step.

He looked back, eyes cold.

"The soldiers—" she began, her voice firm but questioning.

"They should have woken up after I took you," he said dismissively. "It's a harmless drug."

With a flick of his hand, he summoned Morgana. "Show them the way out," he commands coolly, disappearing from sight.

As soon as they disappeared down the path, Morgana stepped into the room, her sharp eyes narrowing at the man.

"Why did you help them?" she asked, her voice edged with curiosity and suspicion.

The man remained silent, his gaze fixed on the flickering shadows cast by the dwindling fire. After a long pause, he released a deep, weighted sigh.

"You'll know in due time," he said quietly, his tone heavy. We will meet again, this time l will be taking you for good. He smiled.

Morgana frowned but didn't press further.