The North Star | COMPLETED ✔️

Chapter 69 ~ Retribution

Omg! Double upload! Last chapter! There's still an epilogue coming. No worries 😉 show me some love!

Chapter 69

Drake laughed, an insane sound. "Will you look at that! Your little boyfriend brought friends."

I leaned heavier into Bard, seeking his support. I was drained, physically, emotionally, and despite the gun trained on him, Drake terrified me.

Bard's hold tightened. "I've got you." That deep voice of his caressed my ear drums, soothed away the fear and healed me in a way nothing else ever would. He shuddered a breath, nuzzled my hair. "I'm so fucking sorry. I'm so sorry, Jessie."

He ran a hand down my back, a motion meant to comfort, but the action felt like flames flickering across the open wounds. I flinched and hissed.

Bard jerked his hand away and held me at arm's length. His eyes sharpened and cut, wide and filled with an enraged disbelief. Before I could utter a sound, he whipped me around, and lifted my shirt.

Bard stiffened. I couldn't see his face, but I could imagine it.

The world fell silent, and my eyes found Drake. He watched the man behind me, head tilted, an expression of avid wonder across his features. "Strange isn't it? You wouldn't even think it by the look of her. I guess every girl is ugly somewhere."

I could practically feel the rage that poured out from behind me. Bard stood for a long moment, then in a firm voice said, "Zeke, come get Jessie."

Zeke walked towards me, then sucked in a sharp breath when he caught sight of my exposed skin. More silence, then, "What do you plan to do, boy?"

"Just hold her. Keep her here." He stepped away, eyes locked Drake. "Boe... tie him to that tree."

Boe directed Drake over with the gun still pressed against his head. "Walk your ass on, you sorry piece of shit." He gripped Drake's hands, then lowered the gun long enough to grab a bundle of thin rope out of the pack on his back.

He bound them tight, the same way Drake's men had done to me.

"I've never been on this side of things before!" Drake tilted his head back, eyes searching for me.

Bard ignored him. He exuded absolute calm as he walked into the trees and took his time picking a stick from the shrubbery. He found one, held it firm, tested the weight, then turned and locked his eyes with mine. They bore into me, conveying through their depths what words could never accomplish.

"Rip his shirt," he directed to Boe, his voice rough and eyes never leaving mine.

"Hey, now! This is a nice shirt! Tell him, sweetheart. I didn't rip your shirt. I just pulled it up a little."

Boe grabbed the shirt, jerked it down the center, and the material came apart with a sound that seemed to echo across the open field.

Bard's eyes stayed with mine for another long moment. He held the stick out to his side and ignored the taunts coming from the man behind him. It was just me and him. Us and every memory we'd fought so hard to forget.

Drake pulled at his bindings, twisted in an attempt to get a look at me. "Jessie!" He swung back and forth. "Are you watching? Pay attention. I'm going to show you how its done."

Bard's eyes hardened. He turned with momentum. His arm lifted, whole body twisted, and the blow he landed was so forceful, blood burst free and ran down in rivulets. Like a waterfall. Flesh split and dark red billowed out.

Drake grunted then laughed. "Damn you hit hard! Jessie, you really outdid yourself this time! A few years, and he'll probably be beating you better than I ever could!"