3

Punishment

*************

Navir paced back and forth in his chamber as his mind wavered back to the event last night and the girl in the woods.

He had let her go. Even though there was an urge in him which didn't want to, he had let her go.

Seeing her trembling figure crutched to the ground and even more, the sword being held in front of her gave him a mixed feeling of displeasure and in that moment, he felt like cutting the hand which held that sword against her.

What was this? A mate?

Even though the word sounded foreign to him, that was the term he read in certain historical books which were used to define a destined companion for myth creatures and whether he liked it or not, he knew for one thing that he wasn't like his brothers, he wasn't human.

He had never felt human all of his life considering the fact that his eye usually tinted a shade of gold whenever he lost himself in whatever was in him.

He had always found certain pleasure in playing with fire ever since he was a child and soon realized he had the ability to manipulate it as he'd like.

He wasn't destined to have a companion, so he thought, because of his nature, or because of who he was.

All those years of loneliness, curses at the goddess for bestowing him without a pair, he finally felt it.

The spark that made him hunger for more as he had never felt one before.

Was it right he let her go? Would he see her again? Was she really his mate or was it a clear misunderstanding?

He kept coming up with different logics when a soft knock followed by the voice of a maid came from outside his door and with one order, the maid walked in, her eyes glued to the ground, not daring to look at a royal blood in the eyes as it was considered an act of disrespect which could lead to their own deaths.

"His Highness has requested of your presence, My Prince." She resighted with a clear tone but with a tint of fear which Navir didn't miss.

Not like he cared anyway, he was already used to the trembling terror laced in the voices of servants around the castle whenever they talked to him in particular to his brothers.

"Hmm, " Came a reply from Navir who took hold of his plain white shirt from the bed, putting it on.

On his way to the throne room, where his father awaited him, he walked through the hallway when his brother Riel, the second prince of vetrish came into view from the other end.

Barely sparing a glance, he walked past Riel who seemed to be having other thoughts.

"Well well....if it isn't Navir." Seeing as Navir wasn't even listening, Riel blocked his path, finally gaining his brother's attention.

"When was the last time I can guess I saw you in this castle, hmm, two weeks, four weeks...."

"You and I know I have no spare time for this so spill whatever it is you've obstructed my path for or step away." Came an inpatient tone from Navir who didn't seem like he had even a second to spare for his brother.

Not like they even got along well for him to have a decent conversation without it turning into a fight.

Riel cleared his throat before he started.

"I want to know what Nina was doing in your chamber the night I went on a trip."

Navir raised his brow, fascinated at how his brother had found that out, but he wouldn't be surprised anyway.

And yes, Nina, who was his wife, couldn't be said as a faithful partner.

Almost since they had gotten married, Navir had gotten to notice Nina who at first he presumed as a nice simple bride for his reckless brother, but soon got to know most of her intentions when she had tried to seduce him up one night while he was drunk but thankfully, he was sober enough to know the difference between right and wrong and before she could do anything, he had stopped her.

He thought she would stop after that first attempt and maybe she might have been drunk or even hallucinating but after she attempted the same thing twice, he really got to know what kind of a woman she was.

Not that Riel was any better but still.

"Why don't you ask her?" Came a stern reply from Navir who seemed less interested in this discussion with his brother as he tried walking away but his path was obstructed once more.

His eyes locked with Navir who had a bored look on as though the topic wasn't of any importance.

"Get out of my way!" Came a low order from Navir .

"What was Nina doing in your chamber that night?" Riel asked through clenched teeth while glaring at his brother who instead of answering, tilted his head a bit.

"Fine, you want to know what she was doing in my chamber, don't you?" He paused before he continued

"She sprawled herself, up against my bed." Navir began in a raspy tone while keeping direct eye contact with Riel whose eyes widened almost immediately.

"Her eyes filled with so much desire and lust." He made sure to make the last statement clearly audible to Riel who looked like his veins would bulge out at the next second and as if to add fuel to the flames, Navir got Into details of his wife's breasts as well as most parts of her body.

He felt more than satisfied seeing the raging look from his brother who immediately threw his fist at his face making him stagger back.

"You bastard!" Came another punch to his jaw and just then, his eyes flared up in anger as he grabbed riel's hand which was about to land another punch, his eyes never leaving his brother's which turned from raged to grimace, his face wrinkled as he felt intense pain exerting from his hand which Navir was twisting with little strength and before he could discern anything, a blow landed to his stomach bringing excruciating pain and without having a chance to recover, he felt one against his jaw.

******

Navir knelt down, shirtless, with his hands bound to a metal chain while blood drained down from his back.

His face twisted in pain as another whip was lashed to his back but no sound came out from his mouth. He knew Riel was watching and he wouldn't want to give him the satisfaction of watching him cry out, even though the pain he felt right now was beyond nails and needles.

At least, he wasn't a Coward like his brother who gave his slave who was loudly crying out recently to bear the consequences of his actions.

His men could only watch in pity of his punishment given by his father after finding out of the fight between him and Riel.