36 - The Hierarchy of Outlaws.
The fear stricken horse bolted leaving its master on the ground. Pei Leng faltered and began to move backwards, knowing nothing else to do. He had been backed into a corner and knew when to count his losses. The Dragon Mark had reappeared and had spread rapidly just like before. His eyes were darkened as his heart hardened.
Lucian came up to him and hit Pei's head with his, forcing the latter to collapse into the dust. As his left eye was swollen shut , he struggled badly to see but instead began choking as he could not breathe.
The remainder of his men had already taken off , heading back to the Kanerria Dynasty with their tails between their legs in defeat. Lucian unbound the rope around her hands and stood her to her feet , steadying her against himself.
Lucian pressed his boot even harder on Pei Leng throat as he watched the man trying to gasp for air. He felt no pity towards this repulsive being as he exerted even more pressure.
Hikaru did nothing to stop him. Once he was like this...
There was no stopping him.
"You are going to kill him! Stop!" The girl stood to her feet.
"Do not bother. Let him be done with it and let us get going." Hikaru told her as he turned away. It was not the matter of being a bad friend or the question of morality but was a case of futile effort.
He had already gone past the line.
Lucian paid no heed to her words as he continue throttling this man with viciousness clear in his eyes. He was momentarily blinded by the sharp glint of a sword coming up behind him. Reacting quickly, he seized his own sword to defend the blow and it was none other than Kaya .
"This is not you!"
"Get out of my way Kaya." He growled as he took up his blade . "Unless you want to join him."
Kaya now stood protectively in front of Pei Leng , preventing Lucian from reaching his target as hatred gleaned in his hardened gaze. "I will not let you do this to yourself." She told him. "I swore to protect you even if it is from yourself and if it will costs me my life."
Lucian pointed his sword at her and Kaya stared at him , eyes unblinking as if daring him to take the shot. Pei Leng was cowering behind her in fear of the Prince that was determined to end his life.
A sudden mirage passed through his eyes as he saw Kaya's face but in a different light.Her hair trussed up in a royal manner, jewels glittering from her neck, her regal attire torn at the edges , but she still had that same daring look on her face. He blinked and the image disappeared.
He realised in that moment...
He would not do it.
The sword fell from his grip and Pei Leng took this chance to run for his dear life. He was breathing heavily when he felt the most warmest of feelings inside. Kaya had wrapped her hands underneath his waist , pressing herself against him in a warm embrace. Lucian tried to resist the wonderful sensation but the more he fought against it , the more he became more immersed. He placed his hand around her , resting his head on her hair as he surrendered to her entirely.
No words were uttered. The moment was just to perfect to be cut short. Kaya suppressed a moan as he placed his arms around her. It felt so good. Simply divine. She did not want to believe it , but it was a possibility ; The chance that she could be in love with Lucian. Something in him drew to her so much that it seemed unnatural. She had strong affection towards him and cared strongly for him. It seemed to soon considering they had just met but it felt that they had been bonded for a lifetime.
Kaya was confounded. She knew little about men but enough to know that you never backed one into a corner. If she confronted him with her feelings , he might just reject outright. He might desire her , but only physically. She did not want to make any mistake that would jeopardize their current association.
For now, she would keep her mouth shut for as long as it was necessary.