- Alistair?
A soft voice called when I was arriving at the stairwell. I didn't have to turn around to know it was Aideen. I closed my eyes counting to ten. Hearing my name coming out of those lips brought me chills all over the length of my spine.
- Please, wait! She begged when I ignored her. - Don't go there!
- Why shouldn't I? - I asked without turning around.
My patience was already hanging by a thread and I was about to explode.
- Because I'm begging you not to give it back to me! - she begged for it. - If you don't want to send me to the gallows, let it go tonight. When everyone's gone, I promise to leave. You can say that I was attacked by wolves while walking in the forest to justify my absence. Have a funeral if you want to look even more convincing. I promise I'll never come back to Dunhill and you'll never see me again.
Surprised I stared at her. Once again, she baffled me. It wasn't a bad idea, since you'd both win. She'd get rid of an unwanted marriage and I wouldn't be ridiculed before society. Still, I wondered why she was so afraid to go back to Inverness.
- Why are you so afraid to go back to your home? - I asked. - You should be grateful and happy.
She took a deep breath by twisting her finger.
- I'll die as soon as I step out of Dunhill. - she fired, shrugging her shoulders. - My mother will kill me for being incompetent and losing the prince. But unlike you, it will make it very painful.
Even though I was surprised by that further revelation, I ignored it. I was so angry, I didn't even care what Ravenna would do from then on. I just wanted them out of my sight.
- Please! - she begged even more. - Alistair, don't do this!
Dropping a growl, I went in wide steps to where she was. Aideen shrunk like a child when I approached her. She was still wearing her wedding dress. Aideen didn't deserve to wear that dress and I wanted to tear it. Tear it up and possess it right there. My anger only grew with this thought.
- I don't give a damn what Ravenna will do to you! - I said so harshly. - I just don't want the blood of a woman tarnishing my reputation. Especially a prostitute's!
- I'm not a prostitute! - Aideen screamed.
I couldn't stop the slap she hit me in the face. You had to admit I deserved it. It had been cruel and insensitive, but that only made my anger inflate. I let out a growl and grabbed her wrist, squeezing hard. Aideen grumbled with pain and soon her eyes filled with tears. I was sick of that act.
- Don't ever do that again! - I said between my teeth, bringing my face closer to hers. - Otherwise, I'll rip every pretty finger out of that delicate hand.
Releasing her wrist with a push, I turned around and walked back towards the stairs.
- I never wanted this or any other union! - she said with her voice embargoed. - Your Highness, I'll do as you wish, just don't give me Ravenna.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath and stopped for a moment. Fear dominated her voice, so my pride spoke louder and I decided to take advantage of that situation. I'd make her suffer for trying to trick me. You'd turn your life into hell, starting that night. I turned around and walked back to where she was. Stopping in front of you, I stared at Aideen for a few minutes. She lowered her gaze at the ground. Grabbing her chin, I lifted her face so that she could see my cold smile. Aideen gasped, but she didn't look away. Releasing her chin, I turned around in silence and went down the stairs. I reached the salon with determined steps. Soothing my expression so that no one would notice, I went to Loch.
- Can I have a word with you? - I looked at Ravenna who looked at me with a dark expression. - You too.
They looked at each other, but they nodded by standing up.
- Something wrong, my son? - my father asked, making mention of getting up to accompany us.
- Nothing serious, my father! - I answered calmly. - It's something private I want to talk to you both about.
My father nodded and I had them both walk me to the library. Ravenna seemed cautious, like she already knew what was going on.
- I want you to keep my words, because what I am going to say is in no way a request, but an order! - I said in a cold voice. - You leave tomorrow without permission to return to Dunhill. Any invitation made by my father must be refused immediately.
- May I ask why you decided that? - said Ravenna afraid. I was weird about the question, but I decided to play her game.
- You know very well that Aideen is no longer a virgin.
- Wow! How fast you are! - Ravenna said ironically. - It went up so recently.
Grunhi punching the table.
- Don't make me lose my composure, woman! - he said between his teeth. - I'm not as patient as my father.
Ravenna swallowed it dry, but she didn't get scared. On the contrary, she laughed at my attitude.
- That's enough, Ravenna! - said Loch raising his voice for the first time. She looked at him incredulously, but Loch ignored her. - What
