It had all happened so fast... and unexpectedly... Rick couldn't believe it. She had just disappeared. and he stood there with a fool in front of them all. His eyes were searching, discreetly trying to ask questions, to find out what had happened. And nothing, nobody said anything. No more detailed explanation. That day he'd hoped... Damn it. It wasn't too much to ask to come back from a tedious task and find the girl there. Everything had been a reason to push him away.
-Ah, okay. - She agreed, trying to ignore her father's disapproving looks. - I'll call the maids. But where do you think I'm going to find a dress that fast ... and ...
Rick smiled as he lifted Faith around the waist and whirled elated.
-Girl, you know how to do wonders. Pity a poor man who arrives from the high seas. - he appealed with forced understanding.
Faith shook her head. Richard was not usually that hasty in his decisions.
-Maybe if I could get to know this young girl better ... - Will tried to argue further.
He didn't know why he wasted his time trying to convince his nephew. Morgan never made it easy when it came to elders. Richard was perhaps more tolerant. After the unexpected death of the castle's regents and clan leaders, Will had assumed custody of the four nephews. Only Adam, the youngest, still does not cause problems or concerns.
-Come on, my uncle. They just suggested that I provide a chosen one.
William looked at him in a daze. Naturally, he had suggested and advised his nephew. Only it was Cassie who drew his attention to the displeasure of the oldest members of the clan. He watched with little interest as Faith left the room, walking next to Richard.
He was wondering how was going to explain it all. The boy, as usual, paid no attention to any of his arguments. There was little movement in the corridor as they walked to the south tower. Only the girl would be safe beside him.
The elders would no longer take chances with tear powder or with the aconite after learning that alpha shared his wife's blood.
William could imagine his friends' reproaches when he received the unexpected news. In fact, could hear the censors even before a long discussion started with the alpha. A deafening crash echoed down the hall, followed suddenly by screams and explosions. He turned in shock even before his nephew, with cold blood running through his veins.
The fourth ...
We will wait. But consider yourself warned. If the girl is not removed from the alpha, the elders will intervene ...
Cassie was alone in the room and without any protection. His scream got stuck in his throat. Rick reacted by instinct, months of life, and fighting, guiding his instincts by turning on his heels. There was a fire at the end of the hall. His room was exactly ...
-Cassie! he shouted, hallucinating.
Will didn't stop the boy, he was inactive and stunned by the scene. He would not have waited. Good God, the room where your daughter was until recently ...
New screams echoed in alarm and guards appeared in the corridor blocking the entire passage. Richard smelled smoke, ignoring the sudden heat with a racing heart. Cassie was in that room. He had left the girl there alone asleep. What the hell!
They were in the castle. It was to be expected that the place would be well guarded. Armed sentries blocked the passage when he furiously stopped helplessly.
Your room ... A knot went up to your mouth causing your entries to contract. Flames spread throughout the place. The bed where he had been sitting a few minutes earlier with his wife was a type of blackened and burnt wood. He blinked his eyes in disbelief.
- Holy merciful God! - managed babble. Dieu Sacré ... non.- Order the place to be cleaned and searched. It is best to organize sentinel groups for castle security. Any stranger or intruder must be detained for questioning.
The hateful, low voice of one of the elders commanded sudden chaos. Richard Morgan turned like a furious animal, ready to attack. He hissed as he faced the council representative.
-Where is she? - roared possessed. -I am not so naive as to believe that your vulture mob is not brave enough to murder in cold blood. Not yet. What did you do with the girl? Where's my wife?
Regan kept his expression calm and peaceful. He avoided paying attention to Willian's pale countenance. The warning given would not tolerate the boy's affront.
- No request or communication from my lord was made, informing the Council that you were married. - The elder commented as if everything was quiet and the room was not on fire, while the men ran with the buckets in an attempt to prevent the fire from spreading.
It's good that you do not hurt my wife! - Rick said quietly angry.
-The girl is safe. Unfortunately, not within reach for faster or more agility than you, my boy. It was not considered an appropriate choice, I regret.
Richard reviewed eyes perplexed, distilling hatred in every pore.-Choose appropriate? I do not remember having asked you about it. Where's the girl? - Roared altered. This time, his clawed hands held the old man by the neck without any ceremony to Willian's despair.
- Where? - he repeated softly. His tone seemed only to accentuate his rage.
-If you can calm down ...
Richard took a deep breath. Seizures raged throughout the column, fed by hatred that consumed. It could easily turn into a wolf and show his displeasure. Damn his advice. They were stuck with ancient traditions that would be the downfall of the clan over time. The question was still tolerable before the unfortunate quarrel with the clan of witches started. Only that the disappearance of the heir caused deaths and bloody battles for years. The conductor who led the Order of Light, or clan of witches, blamed the child's loss to wolves.
-Said. Where. She. It is? - The words were pronounced slowly.
Willian stopped beside him and avoided looking at Regan. The destruction in the Richard Morgan room was complete chaos. Years of experience showed what was imperceptible to the boy. There was magic ending in the air. The girl even forbidden to use magic had been advocated by instinct. He knew from experience that her daughter would not be in the castle. Elders were never tolerant.
-A young man was fortunately wiser. To understand that the position of an alpha partner presupposes qualities such as obligations to a pack. He agreed to leave willingly, of course. No harm was done to her.
- Does she leave? -Richard's question came low loaded with anguish.
"I do not believe this."
- Of course, you should be satisfied that your hasty decision will not bring representations of an angry family. The situation will be negotiated and those responsible will be compensated. What? His voice sounded different and distant. Was it just a matter of money? His family was rich and powerful. He swallowed hard as he looked at his quiet room.
-How much? - he managed to ask livid. - How much did you offer her to agree to that?
It was impossible! The girl wasn't even conscious before ...William closed his mouth in anger when he was warned to remain calm.
-Enough, Rick! - he said decidedly.
-Is that what she wanted? Well, deliver what the unhappy family asks for. All. - Morgan took a deep breath.
William held his nephew firmly by the arm. He almost told him everything. He was going to put an end to the unfortunate farce. Her daughter was missing. She was little more than a child. There were sorcerer hunters.
Cassie had never before manifested that kind of strength to combine such strong spells. It was Richard's blood in his system that brought out the gifts. He didn't even know where to start looking for the girl. Maybe Thalagar or Jackie would help. Thalagar was a tracker ...
-Rick! - the boy called very seriously. - I want you to listen to...
-Enough, Will. I'm full. - The outburst was calm. Perhaps the anger at that moment could sustain his pride. - Ask Giles to provide ship ammunition and supplies. The Gaia raises anchors with a tide.
Leave?
Did the boy intend to leave? He had barely arrived! The ship had anchored only three days in the cove." My lord, you must remember your obligations ...", Regan tried to argue apprehensively. Perhaps the Council's decision had been a little hasty.
The sentries had tried to apply the aconite again to weaken the girl and had been surprised. She had attacked for the defense before disappearing. It had simply disappeared into midair before the astonished looks. She was getting stronger and stronger. Richard Morgan's scornful laugh echoed down the hall.
Obligations?
He was not just an animal for the council to concern itself with the possibility of procreating heirs. It was a revolt. He couldn't believe that the girl had deceived him so easily with those magnificent eyes. He shook his head decisively.
-To hell my obligations! I raise the anchor as soon as possible. Gaia is also leaving. The clan seems to need more resources if the council intends to indemnify ... - he was unable to finish. As far as I'm concerned, my loyalty to you ends here.
He got rid of his uncle's hand with a sudden, hurt jerk. I shouldn't be surprised. Not after Katie. Women were never to be trusted.
At least on a ship's deck, he was the master of his destiny.