Valkyrie's Judgment

Chapter 4

The episode in the tavern had pushed her anxiety to the back of her mind for some time. But as she walked over the threshold to the Wryngarde estate, she felt it return tenfold.

Her fears were confirmed, when she saw one of the servants waiting for her inside the hall.

“Welcome back, milady. Lord Wryngarde has asked you to join him in his study.” He said, greeting her with a low bow. “He asked me to escort you there.”

Aeliss took a deep breath, before nodding. The servant began walking away, and she knew she had no choice but to follow him.

They walked through the hallways in silence. As they walked, Aeliss had no problem imagining how criminals on the death row felt.

As they reached the study, the servant opened the door and bid her goodbye.

She took a breath to steady her nerves and entered the room.

Her grandfather stood with his back turned, looking out the window. When he heard her enter, he turned to her slowly.

He looked completely calm. Aeliss knew that that meant he was anything but. Back straight, she raised her chin and looked him in the eye. She knew she was going to pay for her defiance, but she figured that she already was in so much trouble, that her display of pride probably wouldn’t make it much worse.

Kiann closed his eyes and let out a sigh. “You’re behavior earlier today was a disgrace. I’m sure you’re aware of that.”

Aeliss didn’t think before the words were out of her mouth. “No, I’m not aware of that. I think you, making plans for my life without me is a disgrace.”

She realized her mistake, when she saw his eyes flaring. She clamped her mouth shut, willing her temper not to take over.

“Watch your mouth, girl. You’ll find that it will work out best for you.” He said, voice lowering dangerously. Aeliss felt her heart hammering in her chest. She had the strange thought, that he could probably hear it.

Cold eyes watched her. Keeping eye contact was becoming harder, but Aeliss refused to give in. She returned his stare, not moving an inch.

“Fortunately for you, Lord Adler forgave your childish tantrum. He is willing to forget it, and will go on with the marriage plans.”

Aeliss froze. He couldn’t be serious, could he?

She looked into his eyes and her shoulder slumped in resignation. Her grandfather was always serious.

Her mind screamed at her to keep her mouth shut, but her pride wouldn’t allow her to keep quiet about this.

“I’m not going to marry Damien Adler. You will not force me into this.”

The blow came out of the blue. It hit with such strength that she flew backwards. She felt her head hit the wall, as her body collided with it. Everything was spinning and she felt herself slid down to the floor.

Her vision was swimming from the blow to her head. With difficulty she raised her head to look at Kiann. He was towering over her, a look of deadly calm on his face.

“You should learn your place. You will not defy me again.” He said.

To both her and Kiann’s surprise, she started laughing. The blow must have been more serious than she had first thought. She continued laughing, unable to stop herself.

The next blow hit the side of her face. Her head whipped to the side and she felt a metallic taste in her mouth. Blood…

The blow had stopped the laughing and now she felt hate bubble in her veins instead. Hate for him, hate for being born into this family…

She would not let him control her. She was her own person and he would never break her.

She thought about the scene at the tavern. The way Shaw had defeated those thugs without effort. The way he could have easily killed them…

She lifted her head, despite the searing pain that erupted inside her skull. She watched Kiann’s face, and imagined leading a knife to his throat. See the fear in his eyes, as she slowly pressed it closer to his skin. Drawing blood and let it run down his neck, before finally stabbing the blade into his larynx. Keep pressing till the life finally left his eyes…

She was pulled out of her macabre reverie, when she heard the voice of a very much alive Kiann. “Let’s hope you learned your lesson then… The preparations for the wedding start tomorrow.” He said calmly.

Aeliss clenched her teeth. “Never.” She muttered, her voice hardly more than a whisper.

The final blow almost knocked her out, and she hit the floor, the entire room spinning out of focus. She vaguely heard her grandfather moving towards the door and ordering a servant to take care of her. When everything went dark.