CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT;Tamed by love

King Ryker summoned his guards, his voice dripping with cruelty. "Tie him to a pole and flog him mercilessly. But first, sorcerer, cage his powers so he feels every lash."

The sorcerer stepped forward, reciting incantations as he gestured with his hands. Smoke swirled around him, and a dark mist enveloped Lord Nigel, rendering him powerless.

King Maric, sneered, "Before you take him to be flogged, I have something to do." He strode forward and delivered a resounding slap to Lord Nigel's face. Lord Nigel groaned, falling to the ground.

King Maric taunted, "You should have a taste of your own medicine." King Ryker snapped, "Take him away! Tie him to a pole and flog him mercilessly!"

Meanwhile, Arya watched in horror, feeling helpless. She gazed down at the endless hole below her, the sight sending shivers down her spine.

Lord Miguel's body arched in agony as the lashes rained down on him. He groaned with each strike, his eyes fixed on Arya's suspended form. He endured the pain for her sake, feeling powerless and helpless. The sorcerer's spell had drained his powers, leaving him vulnerable to the merciless flogging.

Arya's cries echoed through the air as she watched Lord Miguel's brutal flogging. "Please let him go! Please let him go!" she begged, her voice hoarse from screaming.Please, don't do this!"

King Maric's face twisted in annoyance. "Keep quiet and watch the show"!,he barked, silencing Arya's desperate pleas.

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Davina strode into Ashwood Palace, unhindered by the guards. Inside, she found the heavenly castle in disarray. Lady Charlotte stood in a corner, tears streaming down her face. Davina approached her, demanding, "Where is Lord nigel?"

Lady Charlotte looked up, her eyes red-rimmed. "Can't you see? Lord nigel is not on my face."

Davina slapped her, snarling, "How dare you speak to me like that?..witch!! Remember your place, you're just a maid."

Davina stormed off, searching the palace. She soon realized Lord nigel was nowhere to be found. "He must have gone to save that fool," she muttered to herself. As she had found out that aria was kidnapped.

As she patrolled the palace, Davina encountered the chefs,about three of them who was sitting calmly. She commanded, "Get into the kitchen and cook. I'm hungry."

The chef replied, "We've already cooked for the people in the palace. The next meal won't be cooked until after a while.

Davina slapped the chef, shouting, "How dare you? Don't you know I'm Lord nigel's betrothed? If I marry him, I'll make sure you're dealt with."

Lady Charlotte hurriedly rushed over to intervene, asking, "What's going on here? Why are you causing trouble?"

Davina sneered, " you know what??...I don't care about Aria. She can die for all I care. I just hope my prince charming returns safely."

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Lord nigel's condition had deteriorated drastically. His once-noble appearance was now a distant memory, replaced by a battered and bruised visage. The relentless flogging had left him almost unrecognizable, his body broken and his spirit crushed.

A guard approached King Ryker, seeking instructions. "What do we do next, Your Majesty?"

King Maric, standing behind King Ryker, sneered, "Oh, what a hot mess."

The guard repeated his question, "What should we do to him next?"

King Ryker ordered a chair, then lifted Lord nigel's chins taunting him. "What shall we do with you? Shall we kill you and spare the girl, or shall we kill you both?"

King Ryker stood up, turned to his guard, and commanded, "Kill him."

As the guards turned to obey, a sudden crash echoed through the air. They spun back to see Lord nigel attacking the sorcerer. In an instant, Lord nigel's powers surged back to life.

Before anyone could react, invisible knives seemed to appear out of nowhere, striking down the guards one by one. King Ryker's eyes widened in shock. "How is this possible? I thought his powers were caged!"

King Ryker turned to the guard responsible for Arya's predicament, snarling, "Cut the rope!" But before the guard could obey, his hand twisted and beyond normal. his bones snapping without anyone touching him.

In the chaos, King Ryker himself was struck, his body jerking backward as if shot.

As King Maric tried to flee, Lord nigel summoned a knife with a flick of his wrist. The blade soared through the air, piercing King Maric's back and emerging from his chest. King Maric crumpled to the ground, dead instantly.

King Ryker's eyes widened in terror as he stumbled backward.

Lord nigel approached him, his eyes blazing with fury. King Ryker cowered, asking, "How is this possible?"

Lord nigel's voice was weak but menacing. "The socerer didn't exactly cage my powers... he just seized them. And I took them back."

With a swift motion, Lord Miguel summoned another knife, which hovered in the air, pointing at King Ryker.

"For what you've done to me and aria," Lord nigel growled, "I won't spare you."

With a fierce roar, Lord nigel released the knife. It shot toward King Ryker, striking his chest and sending him crashing to the ground, dead.

Lord Miguel managed to save Aria, but the effort proved too much for him. As soon as Aria was safe, Lord Miguel collapsed to the ground, his vision blurring and fading to black.

She surveyed the bloody sight around her, the eerie silence a stark contrast to the chaos that had unfolded. She sprinted to the other side of the road, her eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of rescue. Spotting a carriage in the distance, she rushed back to Lord nigel's side.

With much effort, she dragged him across the ground until they reached the deserted spot. There, she waited anxiously, her eyes fixed on the horizon. Minutes ticked by, the silence oppressive, until finally, the carriage came into view.

She flagged it down, pleading for assistance. The driver hastily helped load Lord Miguel into the carriage. "Please, take us to Ashwood Palace," she urged.

The driver nodded and whipped the horses into motion, carrying them away from the blood-soaked landscape.

As they arrived at the palace, Aria helped Lord Nigel down from the carriage. She rummaged through her pockets, realizing she had no money to pay the driver.

"I don't have any money on me," she admitted.

The carriage driver scowled. "What do you mean? This is a business; I won't carry you for free."

Arya pleaded, "Can you come back after Lord Nigel is well?"

The driver began to make a scene, demanding payment. Just then, Davina emerged from the palace.

"Lord Nigel!" she exclaimed, rushing toward them.

The carriage driver persisted, "Pay me my money! This is a business."

Davina intervened, asking, "How much is it?"

The driver named his price, and Davina paid him. As the driver departed, Davina turned to Arya, her voice icy.

"Look at what you've caused, i only paid because of lord nigel,you stupid fooI, i don't want to see you near Lord Nigel again."

Davina began shouting for help, and the guards rushed out. "Take him to the physician!" she ordered.

They hastened to the physician's quarters, which were located within the vast palace. Time was of the essence, so they rushed Lord Nigel to the physician's home.