Chapter 232 (1/2)
Chapter 232
Chapter 232: Tainted Blood
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ALDUIN ERALITH
I watched as Merial gently stroked our daughter’s hair, tucking in loose strands behind her ear while she slept soundly Pale colu a serene at has it been since ere last together like this? I thought
Too long to re, like a real farown so big, so beautifully She was the spitting i her talk—hearing her really talk—about how she was doing and what her plans were for the future… it hat I needed
It reaffirmedone last look at aze Her eyes were lined with tears and her flushed cheeks could be seen even in this diaveback with a hardened expression, I stepped outside the room I’d been in the Castle for several years now, but never before had it felt so large and barren The sconces lighting up the hallway flickered wildly as I passed, al me
I only hing down on ainst the wall for support as the tension grew in h my face and limbs like a wildfire The wave of panic didn’t stop there—it ined the consequences of what I was about to do
My breath caainst my chest that I feared my ribs would crack The empty corridors tottered and spun with every littleat ht back to the words spoken to ht
It was Arthur’s bond in her human form
Her demeanor was casual yet refined as she approachedan involuntary step back I knew exactly who it was It was obvious just by the way she carried herself and the expression on her face that it wasn’t actually Arthur’s bond—it was Agrona
“How very curt of you, King Alduin,” she, or rather, he, replied “I thought ere closer than that”
“Close? I did what you asked, but hter still almost died out there on the field! If it wasn’t for General Aya—”
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“If ue, your daughter wouldn’t be merely bruised by her own inadequacy,” he interrupted, expressionless “She’d be suspicious, and that isn’t sorit my teeth in frustration “Why are you here? I’ve done what you’ve asked I sled in your men so that they could kill our prisoners”
“I’ve co Alduin,” he said It frustratedelse how relaxed he was “Currently, our sides are engaged on the western shore For you—for your people—that dom”
The emotional side of me wanted to lash out at hi to do with it, but years as a political figure had trained me to keep silent and mask my expression
“I wanted to hear fro a beat “Where does your loyalty lie?”
“What do youyou kill prisoners that have no use is oneeven the remote possibility that I betray my people—”
“Not ‘betray your people’ You already did that,” he cut in “I’ if your loyalty lies with all of Dicathen, from the barren deserts of the Darv all the way to the outskirts of Sapin—whose men capture and sell your people as slaves even today, or your kingdom”
I didn’t answer And that moment of hesitation was all he needed to know—that I could be wavered
“I will cease the attacks on all of your elven territory As long as they do not attack any Alacryans, your people will be guaranteed safety along with you, your wife, and your troubled child”
Our eyes remained locked as he waited for my answer
“What do you want?” I finally asked
“Sirant a few of my men access into the Castle as well as Xyrus City”
After staring blankly for a hed at an asura that was capable of potentially wiping away rona reh and ridicule the very idea until ers as if he just reot you always need that little extra push, King Alduin How about this, then Your daughter will die if you don’t Not only will she die, she’ll also most likely kill quite a few people around her in the process”
“W-What?”
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Agrona tapped his sternum “You know those corrupted beasts that has caused so hter’s core is also poisoned”
Anger flared up inside and I grabbed Agrona by the collar “What did you do to her?”
He laughed jarringly in the body of Arthur’s bond “I didn’t do anything Ironic as it is, you can blahter’s boyfriend for this”