Deviant Fate

48 - Close Encounters

-Gwen-

Glancing down at Keerly I wanted to feel bad as he writhed in pain. I wanted to feel sorry for torturing him, but I just couldn't. Rin was dead and he was alive.

"Do it." Arowin angrily stepped next to me and nudged me towards Keerly.

Taking a deep breath I leaned over and grabbed Keerly's hands. He groaned at every movement, but bit his lip to stop himself. I closed my eyes and envisioned taking his pain. As I opened my eyes and looked down, he was no longer groaning in pain, but in relief. The blackened veins flowed from his arms into mine. The only difference was my body was absorbing them. I actually had expected it to be painful, but I felt energized.

I let go of Keerly and he laid back on the bed with heavy breaths.

"How do you feel?" Arowin asked him with concern.

"Euphoric." Keerly whispered with a laugh.

Arowin stood and held his hand out for Keerly to grab. As Keerly stood he looked towards me, but I diverted my gaze. I didn't want to talk to him. I felt strangely about him now. I knew he wasn't the one who killed Rin, but I just needed someone to blame, I guess.

"Gweneria." His soft voice called to me.

I reluctantly looked at him. His face was sollom and ashamed.

"I'm sorry." He spoke quietly.

I remained indifferent. I couldn't bring myself to say anything to him. The silence was thick as he thought of something to say.

"Oh. I have a message for you." His voice cheered up slightly. "A human wanted us to tell you something."

My body stilled as he said human. Dad. I swear to the god's if they touched him—

"We didn't harm him." He raised his hands up in surrender, cutting my thoughts off. "He wanted us to tell you that he wouldn't ever give up on you."

A single tear fell down my face as I thought about my dad. I just found him. Who knew how long it would be before I could see him again. What if he did something reckless and got himself killed!? What if he's already dead?

"The last we saw, he was alive and well. Plus it looked like your people had all fled." He was quite observant of what I was thinking.

My breathing had sped up as I worried about where he went.

"He asked us to keep you alive." He said as he walked closer to me and placed a hand on my shoulder. I flinched away from his touch.

"Keep me alive?" I questioned in confusion.

"He wanted us to keep you alive... So I think you should adapt here, Gwen. The sooner you adapt the better it will be. You'll be safe. Father will have no reason to hurt you if you show that you're — you're a good..."

"A good what, huh? A fucking slave?" I filled in for his hesitation while wiping my tears angrily.

"Gweneria." Arowin's threatening tone butted in.

"Am I not allowed to state the obvious? Or are you both just delusional?" I questioned with vexation.

"Gwen, you're not a slave." Keerly sighed.

"Not yet." I quickly responded.

"Hasn't Arowin already stated you'll be his queen? You just have to lay low until he's king. Listen and do what you're told. You'll be more comfortable here anyways. We can provide you with anything you'd ever want."