"…"
"Isn't it mate? Didn't you buy me because you needed a mate?"
"…"
"Brought out darling. But you are right, I did it because I needed a mate but can't a mate be a wife too? You'll first become my wife before you become my mate."
"…"
"Seems like a hassle.."
"…"
Kavish placed his hands into his pockets, staring at her briefly. He turned to Mira, "Feed her well. I'll be back before midnight."
Mira nodded as she turned to Nesrin, pointing towards the staircase.
"Bye..and remember you're the lady of this house, no one can order you around and if someone does, even if you don't want to say it, I'll snuff the person out.."
Nesrin smiled, a dark smile that made Mira shiver. "If someone dares to order me around, I'll be sure to relay it to my dear husband." she leaned in, placing a hand on his chest and giving a kiss on the cheek.
Galen met this scene and now he understood why Kavish was treating Nesrin like she was made of gold.
She was worth every penny.
Kavish felt his heart race, he stared at Nesrin in shock, she had caught him off guard.
"Goodbye and remember..you must be back before midnight."
Kavish didn't move from his place until Nesrin was out of sight.
Galen pushed him slightly, showing off his glib smile.
"You're down bad huh? You've never lost your composure like this.."
"…"
"Shut up! Arrange the boys, wearing heading to the mountains."
"We were waiting for you, sir."
"…"
"Shut up.."
Galen chuckled as he followed Kavish out, he had shown more emotions today than the last 6 years.
"My brother, aunty and father must not know about Nesrin. If they ask, say it's man. That said, create a duplicate file, when they search for her, it will show a man. The people of the auction, kill them or make sure they're silent. They must not know about Nesrin."
Galen's expression turned serious, all humor wiped clean from his face. "Understood."
Kavish stepped into the car, folding his arms as the vehicle pulled away from the estate gates.
The night wind hit his face like a sharp whisper, but it did nothing to cool the rising storm inside him. He wasn't just protecting Nesrin. He was protecting something… no, someone, that could finally make his world make sense again.
He didn't care how many files had to be rewritten or how many mouths had to be shut.
No one would take her from him.
"Galen."
"Yes, sir?"
"If anyone breathes her name, even by accident…"
"They'll stop breathing altogether."
"Good."
Silence settled in the car. The vehicle made its way up the serpentine path toward Mount Trevance, the black ridges of the mountain glowing faintly under the moonlight.
Kavish's phone vibrated once. He glanced at it, frowning.
Father: Meeting moved up. You're late.
He didn't reply.
"You think they'll believe the file?" Galen asked, trying not to sound doubtful.
"They'll believe what I want them to believe," Kavish said quietly.
Another minute passed before he spoke again.
"She looked good in my clothes."
"Pardon?"
Kavish leaned his head back against the leather seat, shutting his eyes. "The shirt was mine."
"…Oh."
Galen wisely chose not to comment further. He simply gave the driver a curt nod to accelerate.
---
Back at Maelwyn Estate, Mira escorted Nesrin to the second floor, past dark wood panels and large windows that let in too much moonlight.
"This will be your room," she said, opening the double doors. "There's a walk-in bath to the left and a closet that's probably bigger than your cell from the auction."
Nesrin walked in, silent. Her bare feet sunk into the thick fur rug as she stared at the towering bed in the center of the room.
It looked too clean. Too pristine. Too untouched.
Like a place meant for someone else.
Mira hesitated before speaking again. "I've laid out some clothes for you—loose silk gowns and a few simple options. Let me know if they don't fit."
Nesrin turned to her, eyes calm. "And what if I wanted knives instead?"
Mira blinked. "I can arrange that."
"I was joking."
"Oh."
Nesrin walked to the bed, sinking down carefully. Her feet still ached, but the swelling had gone down after the salve was applied. Mira lingered at the door, unsure whether to stay or go.
"You can leave now."
Mira nodded. "Of course."
The door shut.
The silence that followed was… heavy.
She said at her reflection in the mirror, dirty hair, dark skin..she couldn't remember how she looked like originally.
"Well, it doesn't matter. Time to take a well deserved bath."
Far above, at the summit of Mount Trevance, the old stone manor came into view. Torches were lit along the walls, shadows moving beyond the balcony railings.
"Do not mention anything tonight," Kavish said as they exited the car. "No slip ups."
Galen gave a brief nod.
The grand doors opened and Kavish walked in, the familiar weight of politics and power slamming into his shoulders like a cold cloak.
His brother, Kael, was already waiting by the hearth, dark eyes sharp as always. The firelight made the scar across his brow more prominent.
"You're late.." Kael said without looking up.
"I was delayed."
The room's tension rose. A woman, his aunt, lifted her chin from the far end of the long table.
"And what could delay you from a family summit called by your father himself?" she asked, her voice wrapped in silk and steel.
Kavish gave her a look. "Something important."
His father appeared from the inner chamber, older now, but no less intimidating.
"Sit."
They all obeyed.
"We've received word," the elder Trevance began, "that a rogue pack is gaining ground near the Eastern Ridge. They've taken three villages. These lands are unmarked, unclaimed..… but without a doubt,still ours."
"..."
"And you want me to handle it?" Kavish asked.
"Yes. At dawn and you'll use the hounds."
"…"
Kavish gave a tight nod. "I'll need three days or more. The hounds are mine to control father, they do not and are not under the Trevances."
"…"
"You insolent brat!"
"Always remember that, the hounds only follow my commands. If I don't command it, they don't follow."
One of the aides at the table scribbled notes frantically, unaware of how close the air had gotten.
Kael's eyes narrowed. "You're being uncharacteristically rude, Kavish. Anything we should know?"
"No…" Kavish replied, smooth and cold. "My rudeness shouldn't be of concern to you. Sometimes one ought to be rude when there are baseless remarks."