The Death of a Tyrant's Concubine

CHAPTER 16 - Man Against Beast

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【𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐉𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐄】

With Sylvos' arrival, I couldn't decide if it was hope or dread which had a hold on me.

Atop his steed, his silver armor gleamed coldly in the torchlight. Behind him, the entourage bore a grim prize: the carcass of a white unicorn, her radiant pelt marred by deep crimson.

Bile surged in my throat, threatening to undo me, and I turned away, biting down on my lip to keep from retching. Minutes stretched into eternity as the camp erupted into celebration at their sovereign's success.

Sylvos stood at the center of it, the embodiment of conquest. Concubines of all ranks cooed over him and nobles heaped their praises. He announced a feast to be prepared from the Celestial Mare's flesh, and new applause erupted.

I closed my eyes, willing myself to disappear into the shadows of my mind.

"What happened here?"

The emperor's voice sliced through the excitement.

Silence fell like a blade across the crowd.

My heart stumbled, each beat growing weaker as his footsteps drew closer. I kept my head bowed, my matted hair falling in a curtain to shield my face. If anyone saw me... They'd see how sick I was.

"Who is tied here?" Sylvos asked.

"My Love!" Isolde's honeyed voice dripped with faux concern. "We uncovered a plot to poison you. Clover concubine Talia, niece of the fallen Lord of Oldvale, is the culprit."

"Is that so? How disappointing," he replied, his tone indifferent.

"She defended her family's honor too fiercely," Bronwyn added with venom. "We had no choice but to punish her."

"And the other one?" Sylvos asked, still disinterested.

"She volunteered to eat the poisoned mushrooms on Lady Talia's behalf," Isolde replied smoothly. "We await confirmation of the poison's effects before delivering a final sentence."

Boots crunched against the dirt as the emperor turned.

"Very well," he sighed. "The matter is yours to handle."

His steps had barely begun to fade when a piercing cry halted everyone's movement.

"Your Majesty!" Lady Virella's voice rang out, raw and desperate.

My head jerked up.

Gasps rippled through the crowd as the blonde woman tore free from the guards restraining her. Her curls were wild, her once-pristine attire disheveled, as though she fought tooth and nail to get here.

"The princess is still recovering from her fever! Yet she must endure this barbarity?" she shouted, pointing at me.

Sylvos turned, his gaze landing on me with a force that stole my breath. His dark eyes widened, recognition dawning.

"Princess?" he asked, the word laden with disbelief.

In a single fluid motion, he drew Briarvex from his back, the wicked blade gleaming in the firelight.

"Who is responsible here?" he demanded.

I stared at him, my mind reeling.

Was this truly the same man I had known in my first life?

"Sylvos..." I whispered, my voice trembling.

But before I could say more, a sound tore through the night — a blood-curdling screech that froze every soul in the clearing.