Free Web NovelChapter 14: So I am A Prisoner now?
For her, the noise around them died the very second Ethan told her the truth about Kane’s mystery. Arianna doubted him because Aunt Freya would have warned her about this danger if it were true.
"If you think I am lying, you can ask the king yourself," Ethan said, stepping forward. He seemed happy, smug in the belief that she had no choice but to run back to him. "I knew that you were not serious about my father. You wanted to make me jealous, and trust me, you were close. I almost got wrapped in your web."
Arianna was not thinking about him or what he was saying. Her mind raced with the lie Aunt Freya had told her and the way Kane had treated her. Did he really want to consummate the marriage even though it could kill her?
Pain grew in her chest as she tried to make sense of everything.
"Come, my sweet one. Let’s get out of here," Ethan said, bringing his hand close to her face. He wanted to hold her, to kiss her lips as if they still belonged to him and not to the man she claimed as hers.
"Get the fuck out of my face, Ethan." Arianna slapped his hand away before it could touch her skin. She walked away from the corner where he had trapped her. "Leave before my husband gets back."
Ethan was taken aback. He could not believe she would still call his father her husband after everything he had just revealed.
It seemed to him that she had gone completely mad.
He reached out, intending to grab her hand and drag her out of this tent and into his own, when he suddenly felt a familiar presence.
The air shifted, growing heavy and suffocating. Ethan did not expect to see his father when he turned around.
His lips parted, but no words came out to explain what he was doing there.
Panic seized him, and he instantly blamed Arianna and her stupid games for this mess.
"What is going on here?" his father demanded, his dark gaze cutting from one person to the other.
Even though Kane was relieved that his worst fears had not come true, he still could not understand what Ethan was doing in his tent at this hour, alone with his wife.
"Ask your wife," Prince Ethan answered, his gaze shifting back to Arianna.
Arianna was shocked that he would boldly push the blame onto her when he was the one who had barged into the tent without permission.
She bit the inside of her cheek, trying desperately to suppress the biting anger rising within her.
Kane’s burning gaze shifted to her. He looked dangerous, a man who would not tolerate silence for an answer.
Arianna cursed Ethan inwardly for putting her in such a tight position. "I... I was in the room and he came in looking for you," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "You already know your son does not like me. I told him to leave, but he insisted on staying."
Arianna hated lying to the king, but she could not forget what she had just learned. He was planning to kill her too. He held a dark secret that could end her life, yet he had kept it to himself.
No wonder people called him a monster.
"Why did you insist on staying when you knew I was not here?" Kane asked, his brows pulling together in deep annoyance as he focused on his son.
"Forgive me, Father. I did not mean any disrespect," Prince Ethan apologized quickly, realizing the blame had fully shifted to him. He inwardly fumed, wondering when Arianna had become so smart.
"You had better not mean it," Kane warned, his voice low and dangerous. "From this day forward, you must not step foot into this tent unless you are explicitly invited. Do you understand?"
Ethan was stunned. He could not believe his father was choosing Arianna’s side over his own. What had gotten into the king lately?
"As you wish," Ethan muttered, bowing low to hide his bitter expression.
"You may leave. We will talk after breakfast," the king said, his tone softening slightly. He did not want to be too hard on him.
Growing up without a mother had already been a difficult trial for Ethan, which was why Kane had always tried to give him everything.
But it seemed Ethan was beginning to take all of that indulgence for granted.
Kane watched as his son left the tent. The moment the heavy fabric of the entrance flapped shut, he turned to his wife. "Why did you not call the guards to send him away?"
"The same guards who let him enter despite knowing that you were not here?" Arianna shot back. Her heart was racing so fast she feared that if it stopped, she would drop dead right then and there.
However, the king did not look at her suspiciously.
"Fine... I will blame the guards then," Kane said, straightening his posture with his hands clasped behind his back. "Cassius."
"What are you doing?" Arianna asked, confusion cutting through her panic. She did not expect him to call anyone in when there was already so much for the two of them to discuss.
"Your Highness," a voice answered instantly from outside.
"Replace the guards stationed outside since they are lacking in their duty," Kane commanded coldly. "Teach them how to remain vigilant at all times."
"Your wish is my command, Your Highness."
"You removed the guards for their mistake, but you made a much bigger one... though I do not even know if it can be called a mistake anymore," Arianna said, letting out a painful, breathless chuckle. Tears began to blur her vision as the horrific memories of last night rushed back to her.
If they had consummated the marriage, she would be dead by now. The terrifying grip of death squeezed her chest every time she thought about it.
She had already been to the brink; she knew exactly what the abyss felt like.
A second chance at life had been given to her, and she refused to throw it away.
"What do you mean?" his left brow arched in confusion as he looked down at her with those cold blue eyes.
"When were you going to tell me about your curse? After I am dead?" Arianna asked, tears finally rolling down her cheeks.
She did not understand why she was being so emotional.
There were terrible stories about this man, and she should have guessed what he was capable of doing to her.
She expected him to be shocked that his secret was out, but his face remained entirely unbothered. In fact, his expression was cold and blank as if what she had just revealed did not matter to him at all.
Her heart skipped a beat. What had she gotten herself into? Last night, this same man had been caring, sweet, and gentle. For a minute, she had actually believed he was different from the rumors.
But standing in front of him now, armed with the horrifying truth, everything looked completely different.
"So you were never going to tell me? I would have fallen right into your trap like the other girls, would I not?" Arianna asked, beginning to pace back and forth uncontrollably. Her fingers trembled as an unknown fear gripped her.
If this man could blindly lead her into the jaws of death, he would surely rip her heart out with his bare hands if the truth about her past relationship with Ethan ever came to light.
Arianna stopped pacing. She walked over to the edge of the bed and picked up her necklace, which had fallen to the floor last night. Clutching it tightly, she turned around only to find him still standing there, watching her every move.
Without looking at him again, she tried to brush past him to walk away. It was better to leave this place entirely, but he cut off her escape before she could even take another step.
"Where do you think you are going?" Kane asked, turning his body to block her path, looking down at her with those freezing blue eyes. His jaw was clenched so tightly that Arianna found herself momentarily speechless.
Still, she forced herself to stand her ground "Anywhere away from you."
"You are going nowhere," he countered, his voice like iron.
"Really? So I am a prisoner now, am I?"
Kane was taken aback by how quickly she twisted his words. "No. You are my wife, and you will stay by my side."
"W-what?" Arianna stammered, staring at him in disbelief.
"You came all the way from the West to marry me of your own free will. Did you not hear the terrible rumors about me before you arrived?" Kane asked, his expression dark and unreadable.
Even though anger burned hot within her, Arianna tried not to push him over the edge and make a dangerous situation worse.
If things escalated and he ended up hurting her, she would lose everything in the end. But on second thought, she doubted if he would actually harm her. Would he?
She truly did not know anymore.
"It is not too late," the king said, his tone shifting into something heavier. "If you want to go back, then you had better do it now. Because after today, leaving will be difficult for you."
Arianna froze. This was a golden opportunity. She could stop this madness about seeking revenge, turn around, and just go back home safely.
On the other hand, Kane felt his heart beating rapidly for no reason at all, even though he was the one who had just made the offer.
This was the first time he had ever felt something so profound for a woman, and the emotion was already beginning to cloud his judgment.
He did not want her to leave. Yet, a part of him knew it was best if she fled far away from the monster he truly was.
