Yes, or No?
A chill that had nothing to do with the temperature went through Eira.
She asked, "Why my soul?"
"You possess one of the best souls I've ever come across," said the captain without hesitation. "Drowned in darkness, yet untainted by it. It's unlike anything I've seen, and I want it."
Eira crawled back and gave him immediate distance.
"No." She shook her head, goosebumps rising on her dirty, scarred, pale skin. "I will not be giving you my-"
"Either way, you'll die," Valek interrupted. She scowled and scowled even more when he said, "The only difference is that you'll meet your end without tasting revenge. But with my way? You'll die, fulfilling your desire."
"I think the choice is clear."
And he was right—Eira knew. But to give her soul in exchange for what she desired? Would it really be a better choice than meeting her end right there? Would she come to regret it in the future?
Her hands clenched into fists, and she bit down hard on her bottom lip, drawing blood.
Valek stared into her eyes.
"Yes or no? What will it be?"
She frowned. "You wouldn't go back on your word and take my soul without-"
"I could never have your soul unless I completed my deal with you. If I do so, my soul will light up and burn. We demons work by contract, be rest assured." The captain was now standing and peering down at her lanky figure.
"Yes, or no." His thick, calloused hand was extended to her.
She met his gaze for a few seconds before reluctantly taking hold of his hand. "Fine."
Valek yanked her up to her feet in one single swoop and pulled her towards him. He sank his elongated canines into her shoulder, leaving a searing black mark—one that burned deeply into her flesh.
The contract was done and sealed.
He let go, taking a step back with bloody teeth. "Until you achieve what you truly desire, I will not claim your soul."
You didn't even bother to ask first.
"I cannot believe you bit me with all this dirt on my body," Eira crooned as she glanced at the mark and pulled up her torn tunic to cover it.
The captain didn't pay any heed to her words. "You'll be assigned the role of my butler, and you'll live with me at my manor. The only orders you'll take are mine and no one else's. Am I-"
"Your butler?" she interjected. "What makes you so confident that the king would let you have me?"
"My lord," Valek snapped at her.
"What?" Eira asked, raising a brow of confusion.
"You address me as 'My Lord."
She parted her lip but closed it in the next second, unable to voice out her thoughts.
"Whether the king will allow me to have you or not is not a business of yours. You keep quiet and watch," Valek said, snapping his fingers.
The illusionary graveyard was gone, and time seemed to rewind. All the frozen figures suddenly sprung back to life, and their movements resumed as if nothing had happened.
"Yes, you may," was the king's first word. "I bestow full custody of her upon you. However, if she misbehaves, the responsibility will be yours, and you will serve punishment with her."
"Thank you, your majesty." Valek gave a deep bow, and his dark raven hair fell over his face, obstructing the cold smirk that had painted itself on his lips.
The king stepped down from the dais and began to exit the courtroom, his royal guards following in coordinated steps behind him.
Gasps and shivers filled the air as the bewildered ministers tried to comprehend what exactly had transpired.
Why would the captain desire to have the most wanted enemy of Gavaria under his roof? What was his purpose?
They clearly didn't trust him as much as the king himself did.
"My lord." Eira flashed the captain a look and gestured to her shackled wrists. "Why don't we take these off me now? I can't feel my hands."
The captain instead pressed the tip of his sword against her neck, his eyes sharp with displeasure.
"Move," he commanded.
She swallowed at the feel of the sword tip digging into her skin, drawing a little blood, and smiled, shrugging. "Is that a no?"
"You're not very kind."