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∞ | Chapter 8 - Burn | ∞

Murstein Keep, Vonsworth

Avoiding.

That was something that Adrastea realised she was good at. She had always thought that she would face her problems head on and without hesitation.

Until she met Rhydderch Thomas.

The man simply threw her off balance and after that encounter with him in his office, she avoided him as if he was one of the five Regnants himself.

His touch made her soulmate mark feel as if he was touching it, despite his hands being somewhere else. His scent made her feel a little lightheaded at times but his behaviour confused her terribly. For one moment, he was all playful and charming and the next, he was like a snarling beast before switching to a seductive charmer.

Not that she fell for it.

The problem was that she simply couldn't read him well. After knowing him for about two weeks, she still couldn't figure out what was his motivations, what was he really like when no one was around?

That being said, she had been so utterly surprised when he let down his polite charming facade and gave her a furious scowl in its stead. She had always been so used to his impassive expression, charming but well thought of words and brilliant smiles. Seeing his displeasure had knocked her off balance.

He was definitely not the man he portrayed himself to be.

Unfortunately, all avoidance had to end by today seeing that there was going to be a display of power in the centre of Vonsworth later on.

Some of the rebellion had shifted to the city of Vonsworth, following their leader who was ensuring that everything was fine and that there were no resistance from the Affluents before they moved on to the next city - the Sage Cliffs. Everyone had moved into Murstein Keep the day before yesterday and Adrastea had gladly taken the opportunity with both hands to avoid Rhydderch among the chaos of the move.

But she knew that he always had an eye on her seeing that Jarek was always following her about on Rhydderch's orders.

Fortunately, Edmond had decided to speak to her again, now that he was done with his little tantrum. Together, they had taken rooms in the castle that were placed side by side. She was unwilling to be separated from her brother especially now when they were back in Vonsworth. Where everything involving their family had been ruined in Vonsworth.

Albeit the fact that the rebellion had succeeded in gaining control of Vonsworth, the social stability was extremely fragile. Everyday, at least someone was being attacked and there were many problems that arose. Since she hadn't been around when they had captured the previous city - Deserra - she had no idea how Rhydderch and the rest of the rebellion were going to achieve total control over the Affluents and the Valiants here in Vonsworth.

Because if they didn't, there would never be peace in the city. And it would prove to everyone that Rhydderch was not an effective and efficient leader and that could potentially lead to resistance from the Affluents.

Adrastea quickly braided up the last of her hair before examining herself closely in the mirror. Her grey eyes were guarded, they had to be now that they were back in territory that may not be as welcoming. Her face gave nothing away, not a single flicker of thought or emotion and her stance was a tad bit defensive.

Years of being on her own had led her to that. She pinched her cheeks, wiling them to give some colour to her pale complexion before slipping the gun and knife into her pockets. She didn't care that Jarek was watching out for her, Adrastea didn't want to depend on him continuously.

She liked to be independent and trusting that Jarek would always help her out was foolish.

No, she had to be prepared just in case.

Once she was done, Adrastea smoothed out her blouse and exited her room to see Jarek waiting patiently for her. Together, they went to the courtyard where some of the Affluents were gathered and where Rhydderch was apparently holding court.

Looking around, she could see some representatives from the Destitute and Medial communities as well as some who were Astutes but no longer needed seeing that there wasn't any Regnants in the city. Adrastea also noted that there were quite a few Affluents in the crowd and that made her slightly wary.

She didn't really know what she was there for but she was curious and wanted to see how Rhydderch and the rest maintain their control over the city.

The courtyard of Murstein Keep was something she had never seen before. People of her status never entered the castle and looking around, she couldn't help but scoff inwardly at the grandness of the place.

There were marble statues around the area and she noted that they were of previous Regnants of Vonsworth. The cobblestone flooring was well made and even had intricate patterns. The stone railings around the courtyard were made of marble and had delicately carved designs. She also realised that from a particular area of the courtyard led to the gardens of the castle. And from where she was, she could see that it was well designed with many varieties of flora and fauna and she could even see a statue of Regnant Mabuz Ryker made up of hedges.

Seeing all of this made her realise the horrid irony that Vonsworth had the wealth to support the whole city but they rather spent it on the designs of the castle while ignoring the needs of the Destitutes. This very realisation made her hands clench involuntarily. People had gone hungry and died while money that could have helped them were being spent on frivolous things like the design of a garden.

She had been so deep in her thoughts that she hadn't realised that whatever proceedings that were taking place had started until someone yelled out that particular name.

Immediately, she froze.

"Ayla Beckar! My wife! Where is she? I know one of you wretched savages took her!"

Beside him, Rhydderch could see Adrastea stiffen just a tad bit but her expression remained neutral. If he hadn't seen that bit of motion from her, he would have thought her to be completely innocent of whatever act that an Affluent had accused her of.

"We don't take prisoners," Darius scorned as he crossed his arms over his chest and stared down the man.

"You did! My wife has been missing for two months and no one has seen her! Give her back to me!"

Darius began shouting back and soon the crowd began getting rowdier as accusations began and some were getting physical. Rhydderch watched it all nonchalantly until the man who demanded for his wife pointed his finger to Adrastea.

"You! I recognise you! You're a medic here in Vonsworth. Where the hell is my wife! Release her!"
Rhydderch stared at Adrastea who was looking at the man with a strange look on her face before she quietly said, "She's dead."

The Affluent stopped and stared at her, his eyes widening with horror before they narrowed dangerously, "Where is she?"

"She's gone."

"YOU BITCH!" A former Valiant from the crowd of Affluents stepped out and whipped out a gun and aimed in her direction. Stunned, Adrastea could only stare at the metal object and held her breath as it was about to be fired in her direction.

The gun that the Valiant had pulled was already aimed at her and Rhydderch could tell that the Valiant wouldn't hesitate to shoot. The sound of the gun being fired rang in his ears. It was as if everything slowed.

In just that moment where the gun was fired, he realised that Jarek wouldn't be able to apprehend the man in time and that if he didn't do anything, Adrastea would be on the ground with a hole in her head.

Doing what his instincts told him to do, Rhydderch grabbed onto her arm and yanked her hard towards the ground, letting the bullet narrowly miss her head by mere millimetres.

Together, they tumbled onto the ground but somehow, Rhydderch twisted his body mid-fall so that he would land on the stony ground first and Adrastea landing on him. Looking back, Rhydderch would probably rationalise the action of putting her wellbeing before his as protecting his self-interest.

If she landed on the ground first, he feared that her pretty head would crack right open and he would lose all the formulas for the antidote when she died.

But right now, what he did was something he did instinctively without thought. He couldn't explain it but perhaps, his brain was subconsciously trying to ensure that his advantage to win the war would be well protected and not have the contents of her head all over the ground.

Thankfully, the armour he was - always - wearing under his clothes cushioned his fall and he crashed onto the ground on his back, a groan escaping his lips from the impact and another from Adrastea landing onto him.

For a brief second, she stared at him with wide eyes, her palms on his chest and her breath fanning his face. The sweet scent of her wafted into his nose and he resisted reaching out to tug lightly at one of the brown tendrils surrounding her pale face.

It wasn't long before that second passed and Rhydderch remembered that he was in public.

To her credit, Adrastea immediately pushed herself off him with her hands and got to her feet gracefully. All he could do was blink up at her as she avoided his searching gaze and stared at the rest of the crowd who was in total chaos as members of the rebellion barged through and apprehended the Valiant who had shot in her direction. She refused to be one of those silly women who panicked and fretted about every single thing.

Looking around, everyone seemed to be attacking each other and screams and shouts could be heard which were accompanied by the sound of gunshots.

Before she could hear or see anything more, a hand grabbed her arm and began forcefully pulling her back indoors.

"Are you alright?" Rhydderch demanded roughly as he whirled around and glared at her, his blue eyes rapidly taking her in, checking for any injuries or wounds she could have gotten from the skirmish.

She nodded, slowly coming to terms that she could have died a few moments ago. The contents of her head would have probably been splattered on the ground right now if it hadn't been for the man facing her. "I'm fine," she answered, quickly composing herself.

"Thank you," she said, looking up at Rhydderch who gave a curt nod to one of the men around and without realising, she was taken back to her room. She had been so lost in her thoughts and the fact that she brushed past the thin line between being dead and alive made her unaware that she had been in her room for about an hour. It didn't even matter if she had her gun and a knife with her, just the very sight of that metal weapon made her freeze.

The door bursting open made her jump and get to her feet defensively.

"Thank fuck you're alright!" Edmond burst in, quickly analysing her with worried and frantic eyes scanning her up and down for any injuries. "I was so worried when I saw the angry crowd and the shooting."

"I'm fine," she repeated, using the same words she had given to Rhydderch earlier. "I'm fine, I'm okay," she said as Edmond hugged her tightly.

"I was so worried, I thought you would be taken from me again," Edmond mumbled and she closed her eyes, finally relaxing in her brother's embrace. "I'm okay, you don't have to worry. I'm alright."

Adrastea had no idea if she was trying to reassure Edmond or herself.

* * *

Adrastea stood in the shadows as she watched the crowd slowly being ushered into the courtyard. She noted that most of the people were Affluents and she vaguely recognise some of them from the attempt of resistance just two days ago.

The Medials and the Destitutes from Vonsworth were nowhere to be seen and she guessed that their presence weren't required. She had learnt from Edmond and Jarek that there had been an attempt to overthrow Rhydderch and the rest of the rebellion but however, those who were involved were either dead or held captive as they hadn't known that Rhydderch had a contingency plan for everything.

That day, he had most of his men among the crowds posing as Affluents while some had been positioned in areas to keep watch.

Adrastea also knew that today, there was something going on. The sombre and solemn mood in the air didn't help one bit nor did the many armed men lined up around the courtyard.

She could see the uneasiness on the faces of the Affluents and somehow, for just a brief moment, she sympathised with them but not before reminding herself that she had been in their current shoes before the rebellion came.

Suddenly, the atmosphere became tenser as Rhydderch stepped out from the doors with Darius following behind him. "I have said that I would be fair to everyone despite your status or the amount of wealth you have," he began, his blue eyes were hard and unyielding as he stared at the crowd.

"I can be merciful and just but I can also be harsh. The attempt to resist two days ago was unimaginative and obviously unsuccessful," Rhydderch paused and his eyes landed on her and she froze.

A few second passed before he turned away and continued. "Well for those who haven't got the message that things are changing permanently and for those who think that fighting against us is a good idea," he started and Adrastea could feel a sense of foreboding creep up her spine.

"We'll be making him an example," Rhydderch announced genially as the centre the courtyard was cleared, the people stepping back as a wooden stand with its base was erected and the man that had aimed a gun at her was hauled out.

Adrastea could feel herself blanch even further as the memory of the events of the day the rebellion came to Vonsworth entered her mind. The man that Valia had ordered to be burned alive was fresh in her mind.

Yes, she may not have seen the full thing, but the screams still haunted her up till this day. It hadn't been the first time she had heard of a burning but it had been the first time she had experienced it.

Now, she had to watch the whole burning while pretending she wasn't affected by it? Adrastea didn't think she could stand it.

Two members hauled the struggling and chained Valiant from the day before and tied him securely to the wooden post while the Valiant began begging for mercy and a quick death.

She hated that Rhydderch and everyone else just watched the man without batting an eyelash - as if it was completely normal. But then, she realised that it was. Most of her fellow friends had come from places where burning people alive was a common occurrence.

Deserra was one such place that came to mind.

She forced herself to remain composed and not make a scene - she would do that later in private with Rhydderch as her audience.

One of the members tossed a lit match and it wasn't long before the man was caught on fire and screams of agony began echoing around the place.

She could hardly believe that people were fine with watching this. She was not. The stench of human flesh burning filled her nose and she repressed the urge to bent over and empty the contents of her stomach.

It was probably a minute that passed, but a particular shrill scream rang through her ears and she couldn't take the acrid scent any longer. Without giving another glance to the horrific scene in front, she turned and sprinted out of the courtyard and back to the main hall before doubling over and emptying the contents of her stomach in one of the corners of the hall in Murstein Keep, away from anyone's sight.

A hand tugged her hair away from her face and her heart leapt at the thought that Rhydderch had chased after her but once she was done, she turned around and was met with Jarek staring at her sympathetically.

A wave of disappointment crashed through her but she forced it back.

Wordlessly, Jarek passed her a bottle of water and she took it gratefully, glad to get rid of the acidic taste in her mouth.

"You may not understand but there are reasons why it has to be done," he said quietly, understanding in his eyes as he regarded her carefully.

"What kind of reasons are they to allow a man to die? By fire of all things!" she retorted hotly, their voices echoing from the high ceilings in the great hall of the castle.

"Rhydderch had to show that resistance is not tolerated," Jarek began softly. "If he was portrayed as someone who let things slide, he would be considered weak and that would cause the Affluents to overthrow him."

Adrastea fiddled with the edge of her dress as she remained silent while she digested what Jarek had been saying. She understood it. But she had not been prepared for the reality that while having change is good, it came with the ugly as well.

Jarek continued, his stance not changing as he spoke. "You are his soulmate and he admires and respects you even if he doesn't show it but I've been around-"

She let out a snort at that and Jarek cracked a grin on his usual stoic face. "- and I can tell that he wouldn't let anyone get away with whatever you've been doing."

Adrastea looked up at him and sighed heavily. "I see," she murmured quietly.

She understood it but it didn't mean she liked it.

"Come on, I'll take you back to your room and you can go and prepare the speech that you'll be giving to Rhydderch later," he said wryly and she grinned at that, amused that the man knew her well.

* * *

A knock on her door sounded and Adrastea rose from her bed where she was taking notes, knowing who was waiting impatiently for her. No doubt he was there to question her as to why she ran off.

Smoothing down her nightgown, she grabbed her dressing robe from the chair in the corner of the room, and donned it, taking her time to answer the door. Somehow, it gave her some strange satisfaction to make him wait.

Finally, after perhaps ten minutes, she opened the door and was met with Rhydderch's annoyed face. Really, she had to give him credit for waiting. The man was really more patient than she initially thought.

"Yes?" she asked coolly, arching an eyebrow that somehow annoyed him further.

He brushed past her and entered her room before turning to her. "Why did you run off? Did you know how dangerous it was?" he demanded and she was still surprised that he was showing his actual thoughts and emotions to her and not his charming polite facade he gave to everyone else.

"Well?" he questioned imperiously as he attempted to stare her down intimidatingly.

Now, he was getting on her nerves. She levelled him with a glare but took her time to shut the door before turning to face him. "I didn't feel well nor did I approve with that display of yours."

Rhydderch narrowed his eyes and took a step closer to her, his eyes clashing dangerously with hers. But before he could start, she continued, crossing her arms over her chest. "I understand why and no, I'm not a stranger to burnings. I just avoid them."

"What exactly do you understand?" he questioned, his tone losing some of its angry quality but the intensity in his eyes didn't fade.

"That you need to maintain your control over the city by showing that you hold all the cards," she replied and Rhydderch merely responded by raising an eyebrow.

Adrastea didn't know why she said it but the words came rushing out of her mouth like a speed train. "And because I'm your soulmate." The minute those five words came out, she regretted it.

She didn't know what kind of relationship she shared with Rhydderch. It wasn't animosity despite them having their usual disagreements but it wasn't of a romantic nature either. There were mutual respect and admiration from both parties but she didn't think there was anything else going on.

She knew that there was some kind of tension between them that was gradually increasing but she didn't think it would lead to anything. It wasn't as if she was hoping something would happen.

"Really?" His eyes were gleaming with something she couldn't name but that something was causing her heart to skip a beat before her heart rate increased.

"What makes you say that?" his tone was filled with amusement and his eyes were dark as he looked at. Adrastea hadn't noticed that he had been taking small steps towards her until his familiar scent filled her senses.

Not wanting a repeat of the previous two times, she feigned indifference before brushing past him, not bothering to give him a glance. "Whatever it is, if you're going to host events like today, I don't wish to be there to see it."

Now that they were back to the actual topic that caused Rhydderch to seek her out, his eyes flashed and his jaw clenched. "Fine."

Adrastea noted that his agreement was said with ill-disguised frustration and irritation. "I understand why as Jarek told me the reasons and I really do understand." As her back was facing his, she missed the slight narrowing of his eyes.

"But that doesn't mean I want to watch your displays of power or anything like today," she finished and turned to meet his gaze. "I respect your decisions and I wish that you would respect mine," she added softly, her eyes meeting his burning ones.

A long bout of silence passed and Adrastea figured that she could probably sleep and wake up tomorrow and he would still be there thinking over her statement but eventually, he gave a short curt nod and a lock of his hair fell into his eyes.

"Thank you for understanding," she breathed out quietly, glad that she didn't have to fight him further on the subject.

He gave a curt nod, his eyes firmly on her and she could feel herself tense up at the sudden way he was watching her. At that moment, she felt like he was a predator waiting to jump in for the kill.

"Goodnight," she said clearly, hinting for him to leave. She had to be in bed early for she had to have all her wits and concentration with her to sneak out tomorrow.

His eyes flickered lazily between her and the bed on the other side of the room before landing on one of her boxes containing some of her things. A corner of his lips tilted upwards and his eyes flashed in amusement before it disappeared as soon as it appeared. "Goodnight," he replied and turned on his heel and exited the room.

Adrastea could only blink and breathe properly now that Rhydderch was gone. His stare had seemed so appraising and knowing that it set her on edge. Shaking her head, she removed the dressing gown and slipped into bed, the thought of his pretty blue eyes was the last thing she thought of before falling into oblivion.  

* * *

A/N: Hi all! Here is the next chapter and I hope you all love it! Please give a vote and comment and this will be the last time I'm updating for the month of Feb as exams are approaching! Updates will be back starting March! Thank you all for being patient and understanding and I just realised this book hit 1000+ votes! Like wow! Love you all! <3

Anyway, chapter is dedicated to @ZahidaMal for the lovely words posted! :)