'How can I be reasonable?
To me our love was everything and you were my whole life. It is not very pleasant to realise that to you it was only an episode.'

-W. Somerset Maugham, The Painted Veil
***

They had finally left.

Rayna stifled a tormented sigh, when she felt a sturdy hold around her waist.

“You did surprisingly well.”

Her own hands itched to brush his aside.

“I did what I had to do.”

Turning to face him with a blithe face, she tucked a stray lock behind her ear and looked up at him with hooded eyes.

“Are you pleased?”

The shadows of the archway danced upon Algar’s face, highlighting the perverse satisfaction in his eyes.

“Utterly.”

Saying that, he pulled her body flush against his.

“You please me greatly, love.”

Oh, you bastard!

In that moment, Rayna hated him with every fibre of her being.
He had snatched everything from her- her family, her happiness, her hopes…her life.

But not anymore.

She will take back twice more than what he had made her lose. And he will have no choice but to concede.

“What is your sweet, little mind concocting? Are you perhaps devising a new way to be rid of me? I had hoped that you would have learnt your lesson by now-"
A finger raised her chin,
“-that you cannot win.”

Rayna felt a strange cold sweep upon her, robbing her of her emotions. With a calm that seemed to deceive even her own self, she smiled flatly.

“And I had hoped that I would have proved my loyalty to you by now.”

Algar chuckled at her words, his eyes twinkling with the knowledge of her surrender.

Rayna let him bask in his victory.

She knew him; knew that he revelled in others' abject sorrow and helplessness. He needed others to be dependent on him- to be subjected to his whims.
He desired consummate control over her life...and that was exactly what she will provide him.

If keeping herself and her son safe, meant to conjure the image of helplessness, then she will be the epitome of the perfect damsel.

“I suppose you are right. I shall not be doubting you now. However, I am a little curious about the means that you devised to get them to leave. They could not simply have left after a simple request. Indulge me?”

Rayna looked past his shoulders, and at the vast darkness of the passage, as she recalled the horrific words she had let loose.
Looking back, she saw the scrutinising gaze he had fixed upon her. The truth flowed out of her with an unnerving ease.

“I told them that the child was dead.”

His brows furrowed in an apparent shock and a flash of approval crossed his face.
It was another minute before he spoke.

“You are surely learning. Good to know. Trust me- it is better for you and the child. That swine of a husband you have- he is a spineless dog. He hardly deserves a beauty like yours.”

And you do?
The words were at the tip of her tongue, but Rayna knew better than to utter them.

“And just for the sheer loyalty you showed me, I have a gift for you.”

He motioned to the maid standing in the corner. She was the same one who had followed her to the dungeon to see her father. She was also the one who had stayed with her for the entirety of her stay here, since the moment she was dragged inside this wretched castle.

Rayna had almost forgotten about her presence as she stood in the passage, too conflicted to bid farewell to her father as he left the Palace that noon.
She knew she wouldn’t be able to keep her resolve if she saw them leave- taking with them any hope for her freedom.
But she should have known better than to expect some merciful solace; for soon enough, the cause of her misery, himself had graced her with his unsolicited company.

“Take her.”

His words, spoken as an ominous command, compelled the woman to scurry forward.

Rayna stood still, eyeing the woman as she bowed before him. She quelled any anxiety that sprang up in her mind.
Where was he sending her?
Surely, it couldn’t be a cruel trick on his part… He will not hurt her son, will he?

Sensing her hesitation, Algar spoke in a compelling tone,

“Go on, Rayna. I will join you soon.”

What he didn’t realise, was the fact that his statement made her even more anxious than ever.
Nevertheless, she decided to follow the maid through the passage, knowing that she had little choice in the matter.
______________________________________

“What is this? Why have you brought me here?”

Rayna felt her suspicions rising, as she was led to one of the most extravagant chambers she had ever seen. Growing up in a clan, she had not known luxuries like these. Their humble dwellings- in the huts and tents- was far inferior than anything she had seen in this palace.

The quarters that she had occupied for the last month, had been nothing in the face of this behemoth.
But all she felt as she looked at the gold inlays and velvety curtains, was a sense of dread.

The plush carpet beneath her feet, seemed like a quicksand- ever too ready to suck her into abyss.
The embellished furniture dotting the expanse of the chamber, seemed like monsters waiting to come to life and devour her.
The most vicious of all, was the four-poster bed lying in front of her. It’s white sheets- that were most probably the finest satin- seemed like shroud waiting to cover her.

“It is to be your chamber from now onwards.”

The maid, who had not spoken a single word since her time here, spoke in a meek voice.

Rayna gulped unconsciously as she realised that she had walked into a well-designed trap.
From one prison to another.

“Oh…And do I still require you to keep watch on me?”

She faced the woman with a dispassionate face, trying to gauge her intent.

A sudden thought occurred to her-
Could she perhaps find an ally in her?

The woman hesitated, and Rayna already knew the answer. It was just as she had suspected- this was nothing more than a glorified cell to keep her trapped.

“I see.”

Feigning disinterest, Rayna went to sit on the chair in beneath one of the atrociously huge frames.

“What is your name?”

The maid, startled by the sudden question, stopped in her task of arranging the tumblers on the bed-side stool.

“P-pardon?”

Rayna picked at the fabric of her skirt, as she repeated,

“I asked your name. Surely you have one?”

She could sense the woman reluctance, and knew that it would take a lot more than a few sugar-coated words to coax her to her side.

“Zaryna. My name is Zaryna.”

“Zaryna…how long have you worked in the palace?”

Her question was met with a strained silence.
Zaryna refused to meet her eyes, as she wrung her fingers in obvious disquiet, leaving Rayan with no other option, but to use the force of her coercion.

She let out a dry chuckle and looked in her lap, speaking in the most compelling voice she could gather,

“My questions must seem silly to you, don’t they? But I assure you, I am not trying to pry. I know you have reservations. But I feel so lonely here, Zaryna. Ever since I set foot in this place, you are the only companion I had…apart from the Prince, of course.”

In the periphery of her sight, she could see the woman’s head raise with a mild curiosity, and knew that her plan must be working.

“I thought we could be friends. I presume you know of my predicament here. The prince has probably ordered you not to converse with me. I understand if you do not want to talk.”

Rayna let her shoulders droop in dismay.

“No! No, please…I-I do not-"

The maid’s frantic protest, unveiled her sympathetic disposition. Rayna almost smiled, before interrupting her,

“No, Zaryna. I know you cannot do much for me. I am a mere prisoner here. You must pity me behind my back. You have to. The things that the Prince made me do-"

She skilfully covered her face with her hands, sniffling. A flurry of skirts sounded across the room, and another set of calloused hands lifted hers.

“Please, do not cry.”

Rayna saw the intended sympathy etched on the woman’s youthful face. Blinking back her unshed tears, she smiled painfully.

“I won’t. It won’t matter anyways. Tell me, Zaryna…has he hurt you too?”

It only took a second for Rayna to realise her mistake.
Zaryna stiffened and straightened up immediately.

“I do not understand what you mean.”

Rayna had no other choice, but to push forward.

“Has he hurt you…the way he hurt me?”

All the sympathy left Zaryna’s face, as she replied stoically,

“His Highness never touches low-borne like me.”

‘He doesn’t have to touch you to hurt you.’
Rayna swallowed the words. She knew better than to take that risk.

If there was one thing she had learnt here, it was that you may underestimate loyalty, but never underestimate fear. Afterall, fear can instil loyalty even in the staunchest of enemies.

Zaryna would never dare to go against Algar.
Not because she was loyal to him- but because she feared him.

Rayna knew from the very first moment, that Algar had installed her here as a petty spy. She most definitely relayed the news of her every breath to him. And she knew that this particular conversation would also reach to his ears soon.

It was upto her now, to twist it in her own favour.

“Of course, he doesn’t. It is silly indeed.”

Rayna bent her face, deluding shyness.

“I guess I was being jealous for no reason. I simply wish to be the Prince’s sole object of desire. I just wanted to know if he had claimed you the way he has claimed me. It would have hurt me to no extent, if he had.”

Surely enough, her words seemed to surprise the poor woman, causing her to frown in puzzlement.
She looked up at her with a sheepish expression.

“You must think of me to be daft. I know this is fantastical, but I have fallen in love with the Prince! I desire him like a breath of fresh air, Zaryna. He has unleashed a torrent of passion in me- passion, that I didn’t know I had.”

Zaryna’s eyes widened with bewilderment, as she looked at her excited face.
Rayna stood up, and held her hand in hers.

“I must be mad! He has hurt me, imprisoned me here and refused to let me leave with my family. And yet…and yet, I burn for him. But I do not want to tell him this. I do not want to tell him that this gift of his-"

She ran her gaze wonderingly around the nauseous place.

“-this is the best gift I have ever received. But I cannot. I cannot let him think of me as such an easy conquest. I try and act tough in front of him, refusing to show him my true emotions. He doesn’t realise that by ridding me of my husband, he has done a me great favour. But no- no, I cannot let myself be won over this easily.”

She shook her head, as if to clear her thoughts. When she looked at Zaryna again, the woman was still trying to make sense of her words.

“I must have startled you. Forget what I said. I am getting delirious with giddiness.”

A shaky smile lifted Zaryna’s face- a smile that did not reach her eyes.

“Of course, I understand. Please be ready. The Prince will see you soon.”
______________________________________

“Very well, you may leave.”

Algar could hardly contain his grin as the maid rushed out of the room with a bow.

She had just briefed him about Rayna’s day, and her words rang in his ears like the most pleasant music.

He knew he should not dismiss the possibility of those words being a lie.

Rayna was not a fool, and he had borne witness to that- time and again. She could have stated those lies to easily fool the unsuspecting lass. She must have suspected that the woman was supposed to relay her news to him.

But Algar did not let his thoughts stray to that particular possibility.
To his own self, the idea seemed far-fetched.

Weren’t all women weak in the face of their emotions?

Rayna could have been simply overwhelmed by her feelings, letting her to expel them out in front of this maid. Also, a woman was supposed to know when the other lied. Had Rayna been lying, the maid would have easily caught upon that.
The way she was relaying Rayna’s words, she herself seemed pretty convinced of their merit.

‘Her eyes were too sincere, Your Highness.’
Hadn’t she sworn that?

Well, that did explain a lot of things. What else could encourage her to lie about her child’s death? She wanted to be rid of her husband just as much. Surely, she was madly in love with him.

The thought sent a pleasant shiver through Algar, and he felt the risings of a familiar stirring.

Pleased with the discovery, he wasted no time in rushing to his intended destination.
______________________________________

“So, what do you think of it?”

Rayna smirked when she heard the voice, coming from the doorway of the chamber.
She let go of the comb she held in her hand, and twisted her body towards him.

“It is marvellous. Certainly, too generous of you.”

He took languid steps in her direction, pausing just before the stool she sat upon.

“It is nothing. I was tired of calling for you from those bloody quarters. This is much closer for my convenience, and allows me to spend some time in your company, without worrying about the despicable condition of your surroundings.”

Rayna let her anger calm a little, before replying,

“As I said- you are too benevolent. I am, but a mere slave…am I not, my King?”

She held her breath, hoping for some answer- an answer refuting her words.
He, however, chose not to stay silent.

Threading his fingers through her hair, he spoke in a pleased tone,

“You have made me happy today.”

Rayna wanted to undo the reason behind his happiness. Instead, she chose to caress the back of his hand, as it rested on top of the hair on her shoulder.

“It is an accomplishment, indeed.”

Oh accomplishment, for sure.
Just not yours, boy. Mine.

His fingers tightened on her nape.

“This warrants another gift.”
______________________________________

“How did you like this one?”

Rayna lay on her back, recuperating from the loss of energy after a particularly tiring hour.

“It was splendid, my King. As always.”

Her words warranted a heated gaze from him, as he stretched beside her.
She tried not to stiffen, when he pressed a hand against her abdomen.

“I wish he were mine.”

The unmistakable yearning in his tone, caused her to gasp.

Surely, he couldn’t mean that!

“My King?”

Her tentative whisper caused him to realise his mistake, and he wasted not another second in retracting his hand. A cocky grin was back on face, as he put his hands beneath his head.

“It reminds me of the bastard who sired it. You cannot expect me to be placid here.”

Rayna heart filled with worry when she heard the bitter end of his tone. This did not bear well on her child’s safety. She had to diffuse the situation.

“The man who sired him, is not the one I am with. He thinks this child is dead.”

His eyes were back upon hers, with a renewed passion.

“Of course. It is better for him to think that. You- and all that you own, including this child- belongs to me now.”

Rayna’s heart filled with an uninvited dread.
How was she to escape this hell?

She saw his face descend upon hers, and closed her eyes in revulsion. Her body was sore; she had little energy left to please him. All she wanted was to be rid of his company.

In an answer to her worries, a definitive and urgent knock sounded at the door- effectively interrupting him.

Algar pulled back with a groan of frustration. Before he could address the intrusion, the door opened to reveal the ashen face of Walder.

Rayna pulled the sheets to her chin with a horrified gasp.

Algar’s expression was furious as he stood up from the bed, with little regard for his naked state. His voice was raging as he proceeded to pull up his breaches.

“What is the meaning of this violation, Walder? You better have a well-deserving reason, otherwise feel free to face the consequences.”

Rayna had little time to process her thoughts, when she heard Walder’s next words,

“I-I apologize, Your Highness…But it is your father- You need to come.”
______________________________________

Lynette heard the commotion outside her hut, and knew that the men must have returned.

She had been waiting for this moment with a baited breath, hoping for their success.

She could vividly recall the day they took Rayna; she could still feel the push she had given her- a push that had saved her life.

As she rushed out, tearing through the assembled crowd, her heart soar when she spotted Gillian’s figure in front of her.
And then it plummeted to her stomach, when she noticed the air of gloom surrounding the people.

Catching her breath, she saw the trembling figure of Olga, held in her husband’s arms, as Gillian spoke to her in hushed whispers. The poor woman had tears running down her face and was shaking her head frantically.

A sense of alarm ran through her.

“What is wrong?”

She turned to the dismal-faced girl standing beside her.

“Oh, it is terrible! They could not bring her back…Poor Rayna!”

Lynette’s disbelieving eyes met Gillian’s as he moved away from a weeping Olga.

She silently made her way to where he stood. His eyes held a far-off look as she whispered softly,

“Gillian…I-What happened?”

His stricken face, hardly showed any change.

“I failed. That is what happened. I failed the Chieftain and our people.”

Lynette felt the gazes directed towards them- gazes filled with sympathy for the man who had lost his wife.

“Where is he, the Chieftain?”

“He refuses to meet anyone. He receded to his hut, as soon as we arrived.”

Lynette clutched her palms together.

“Oh, Gillian! I am so sorry…Did you find her? How is she?”

His jaw clenched and hands fisted.

She sucked in an alarmed breath, upon noticing the lines marring his forehead and the lucid remorse in his eyes.

“It doesn’t matter, Lyn…”

“But, what about the child?”

Lynette had prayed fervently for the safety of the men who had left to find Rayna. She had also prayed for the woman, and the life she carried in her womb. For, she knew that even though Gillian was adamant on not loving his own child, once he let the anger slide, he will come to care for the babe as every father did.
He was his flesh and blood, afterall! She also knew that in the unfortunate circumstance, if anything were to happen to the child, Gillian would surely blame himself, no mater how unaffected he had acted in the beginning.

So now, seeing the lifeless look in his eyes, filled her with trepidation.

“There is no child anymore, Lyn. I-"

His voice broke with a sob, and Lynette was horrified to see unshed tears in his eyes.

“-I failed it too. I failed my child.”

She looked on, paralyzed with disbelief, as the first stream of tears rolled down the cheeks of the man who had always been the epitome of strength for her; a man who now looked thoroughly defeated.

All she could do, was stand numb along with the crowd, as they all stared at the pitiful collapse of their invincible general. They looked on, wiping at their own tears, as they felt the pain of a man grieving for the loss of his family. None had the courage to step forward and console him.

What were they to say?
They had already heard all that had transpired back at the capital, through the words of the other men who had been a part of the retinue.

They had heard of how their general was tricked into losing a fight that would have secured his wife’s freedom. They heard of the loss of his unborn child- all at the hands of their tyrant Prince.

Confused as they were, at their leader’s decision to return without his daughter, they could not gather the audacity to face the Chieftain.

All they could do, was wait with heavy hearts, as they witnessed the despair of a man- a husband and a father as he chanted repeatedly,

“I failed them, Lyn…”
______________________________________

Author's Note-

Hello to all my wonderful readers!

Thank you for your support and kindness this week. Your patience and encouragement keeps me going💕

I know my schedule is erratic these days. And I can simply ask for your coorporation.

Now, back to the story- what do you think is the next course of action for our characters?

There is not much discussion that can be had, with this crazy storyline!
Anything can happen. 🤐

So, stay tuned!!

Till the next time 👋🏼