Kassuim had spent much of the day doing deck work, keeping his distance from the crew and ignoring the prying eyes. Toward dusk, he had managed to isolate himself from the others, watching with resignation as the meal was prepared with dismay. Padraic was a middle-aged man, an elder among wolves. She'd silently endured the cook's mean comments about Rick's involvement with Mayra, masking her hurt and assuring herself that nothing affected her.
Annoyed, she'd abandoned her task in the kitchen and gone to the ship's crow's nest in search of solitude as the afternoon wore on. Tired and sulky, the memories came back in a continuous, painful stream.
Thalagar had returned to the cabin anxious. He hurriedly called a young man to help him shave and put on clean clothes. Hopeless, he might have expected Kassuim to be at least resigned to the situation. back to the ship, he had kept the girl locked in the cabin without saying a word. It was a curse to know that the unfortunate woman was pregnant with another wolf.
He doubted the young woman would welcome him. Even more furious, he'd realized the hellish girl hadn't fought him like she always did. Not after he'd given her his word that his trusted men would do nothing to Richard Morgan if she agreed to return to the Star.
He found Kassuim lying on the bed in his cabin. The ship was empty. She had arranged for the crew to enjoy free time in downtown Chabone. She was pale and sleeping curled up in a rough traveling cloak that she used as a blanket. The man cursed as he noticed the eyes that were red in her intense pallor.
This was absurd. She should at least know that he would never harm her, after all, William had guaranteed that if her daughter consented, she would give her approval to celebrate the marriage.
Sensing the movement in the cabin, Kassuim sat up in a hurry, wrapping her cloak tighter, disguising the fear that gnawed at her. Thalagar might be a violent man, but he wasn't going to get into trouble with one of the Armada commanders.
-Thalagar. - She spoke with contempt. - This time it's you and not one of your henchmen. What do you still want from me? I gave my word that I would stay away from him if you let him...
Thalagar raged. Her red eyes were the only sign of her felt crying.
-I left your lover alive. I should have killed him, but I kept my promise. By now Richard's brothers have found him. He is free from the captivity of the sorcerers.
Kassuim breathed a sigh of relief. Thalagar would not try to kill Gaia's captain. Not a second time.
- You have no right to interfere in my life. She sighed disgustedly.
- Come on, Cassie. He knows he would never hurt her. I promised I'd talk to Will about the wedding. Her father agreed if you agreed. I just come back and...
Marriage!?
-Never! She screamed in disgust. "I will never in all my life agree to that. I don't belong to you.
Thalagar's face was a mask of hate.
-You're not going to tell me that you're in love with that damned arrogant captain. You will be my wife. Your father will pledge to me before the law of men.
She looked at him in disgust.
-I'm not your wife! I did not accept this commitment and I do not intend to accept it. You have no right...
Thalagar grunted.
-I do not have!? And what about that bastard? – he hissed with fury. – Cassie! Would you rather lie with him like a vulgar whore than share my bed as a wife? Damn Rick!
Kassuim got up angrily. She lifted her face in silent challenge to him as she spat out the words.
- Well, better his whore than his wife! - she assured nervously. She needed to find a way to escape that cabin.
The revolt of that situation stoked his temper. Had Gaia already lifted anchors? If only Rick looked for her… She regretted again that she hadn't told him who she was. She watched with horror the injuries Thalagar had inflicted on her rival.
-This is unacceptable!
Usually, women didn't challenge him or refuse his attention. He'd never had to worry about that. His position as naval commander and captain was always a guarantee of female company. In general, women were willing to please him. Except for that Kassuim... He had never waited so long for a woman like that. Well, the waiting time was over. They were in Chabone. Before the day dawned, the girl would recognize him as her husband and be his wife. She just needed to get rid of the miserable offspring she was carrying.
The glow in her emerald eyes mirrored defiance and excited him as much as her slender body.
-I can not accept it! I didn't accept this absurd situation before. Do you think I'll willingly agree now? You tried to kill Richard Morgan...
He sighed.
-I don't care what you think or not. Will won't break the engagement when he learns that his beloved daughter isn't so innocent anymore. You'll marry me. And how my wife has obligations to fulfill with me. I left Richard alive...
Kassuim rolled his eyes in horror. Thalagar was mad.
-Thalagar, please... he shot him. It's insanity. You are not serious.
he shrugged his shoulders
-I'm serious. - He assured irritated more than ever. - Your place is by my side. Richard Morgan will never recognize her as a mate. Not before the clan or with the pack. You are a sorceress. Much less after finding out who your father is.
-No! - she contradicted with teary eyes. "Thalagar, there are so many women who would gladly have a little of your attention. I do not accept this commitment.
He stared at her in silence. He also wondered the same. Damn Richard Morgan.
-No other woman has ever turned me down. - Thalagar felt furious. - You will be my wife and you will thank me. And as your husband, I have every right to own you.
Kassuim recoiled livid, stumbling. This was a nightmare. He... He didn't mean it. He was just trying to scare her. He needed all the calm and thinking about the baby. If he found out about the pregnancy, she would be lost.
-No, Thalagar. I do not want.
-You knew that I intended to marry you. Yet she was reckless acting like anyone bestowing favours on whom she had no rights.
- You're not serious. – she was starting to experience panic.
- Well, this time you will conform to the idea. I wouldn't want it to be forced or against your will, but one way or another I'll have it. Even if the force is necessary.
Thalagar approached slowly and Kassuim stumbled backward, stumbling.
-And you're going to make me do it?-She asked, astonished. - Is this the way you intend to convince me to be your wife? I'll tell William everything. I swear I will. Rick will kill you for this.
It was in vain that she tried to get away. The man's hands felt like steel tongs. A sob escaped her as the furious man pulled on the traveling cloak that kept her warm. She gasped angrily at herself as she realized tears that made a lump in her throat close up. How dare he?
-Hell, Cassie! Do you think I like it? I don't mean to hurt her but I have every right to demand obligations from her. You will see that I can be a generous husband if you give yourself to me willingly. You won't mind once you're done.
She stared at him in astonishment, desperately wishing Rick was there.
-Don't be serious. - She returned to protest in disgust. - Richard will kill him for that. He is my husband. He was the one I chose. Not you. Never you!
Thalagar didn't bother to answer. The girl was still young enough that living together made her appreciate her presence. Even if this time it was necessary to personally make sure that Richard Morgan would not survive another attempt.
Women, in general, were never sincere about such matters. Cursing and impatient, she pulled Kassuim into her protective arms. The girl struggled furiously, punching her in the chest until she managed to escape, and finally, her nails raked her face.
- Were you that elusive with that damn wolf? he asked, his gaze shifting from his bloodstained fingers to her.
-Go to hell, Thalagar! I will not give myself to you. Never, did you hear me? Rick will...
Thalagar growled, grabbing her hands.
-Damn it, Cassie. Do you think Rick will care about you? Or would he do anything? What do you think his reaction will be when he learns that James of Macgrover, his greatest enemy is his father?
She looked at him in shock.
-He's bluffing. That is not true!
-Do you believe that Rick will care about you? silly girl. You were nothing more than another young lady warming his bed. Come on, Cassie. I don't mean to hurt her. It's not my intention to hurt you. Don't force me to do this.
She was Macgrover's daughter! It felt like a death sentence even more so when she was raised in the clan that belonged to wolves and that man was their worst enemy. A chill ran through her body. It couldn't be true. That heartless man couldn't be her father. Rick wouldn't take it. Hysterical laughter invaded her. She doubted that she and the child would survive that.
-It's a lie! That is not true. Will you dare to blame me? How dare you?
-You are the daughter of James and Koriander. Old Will couldn't bear to leave you to die after his beloved wife had died under attack by the ICHICHOS.
-You're lying. – she shouted in annoyance. She desperately wanted to get out of there. Ask Will. It was by no means true.
-Let's go dear. Be kind. This might be pleasant for both of us. That's how I preferred it. Like it or not, I'm stronger than you. It's no use resisting or fighting. His gaze narrowed as he threw the cloak away. - Let me help you with the clothes.
-Never!- Kassuim shouted. - Get your hands off me!
She tried to back away, stumbling in a daze and deep horror fighting the onset of panic. The world around was crumbling. Macgrover had been responsible for the deaths of Morgan's parents. How was she going to explain that she was a murderer's daughter? The clash of bodies was brief. Her hand in desperation reached for Thalagar's belt and her fingers touched the dagger. It was instinct. Self-defense. His bestial howl... The blade pierced her eye.
-Kassuim!
-No! Get away from me!
Thalagar gritted his teeth in growing irritation. The unfortunate girl sure wasn't that risky with her lover. The idea and realization of it infuriated him. If she was willing to fight, he would teach her to obey him. Anger and adrenaline numb any pain.
Disgusted, his hands gripped her shirt, and the ripped fabric echoed in the sudden silence. Then he busied himself getting rid of the rest of her clothes that fell to pieces on the floor.
Kassuim punched him furiously again, her nails leaving new marks on his face, hands, and arms. He ignored all her protests and grabbed her by force. The woman was still struggling as she was thrown onto the bed, trying to get away. Seeing Thalagar settle down next to her, she tried to kick him in the groin and almost succeeded.
Thalagar's violent temper flared without any warning. He brutally beat her face with an open hand until Kassuim felt his ears ringing, and he cringed, starting to cry. He was naturally going to lose the child...
The feeling of ecstasy completely overcame him. He took pleasure in it as much as he hated it. He delivered new blows to her ribs until the girl screamed in pain.
It was hard to breathe. Kassuim bit his lip, holding back the pain that radiated throughout his chest at the slightest movement to breathe. The damn thing should have broken some of his ribs. Reality enveloped her in a black cloak. She revisited the image of Rick asleep in the cave, wanting to escape that horror. It wasn't happening.
-Come on, Cassie! Why fight me? I don't want to hurt you. Do you think Rick will humble himself to accept a woman after he finds out she willingly gave herself to another man?
Thalagar cursed again, trying unsuccessfully to hold her close. Kassuim turned her face away, tears streaming down her bruised face, moving away from the mouth that sought her.
Even more furious, he slapped her again. The woman wasn't going to stop opposing him or lying still. The soft, now tense and contracted body arched against hers in the clash of wills made him sigh. Damn woman! She spoiled everything! It wasn't the way he wanted it, but she forced him to. It could have been a wonderful experience.
Revolted and aroused—she'd spoiled all her cherished dreams for years—he threw himself on top of her, pinning her under the weight of his own body. He felt disgusted with her rebellion and crying, but even so, he finished ripping the rest of her clothes, forcing her legs with his knee.
Kassuim screamed in horror, fists clenched, punching and arching her body in a futile attempt to throw him aside. They were sharp knives that slashed through her every time she tried to take a deeper breath. Thalagar pushed her so violently and forced her against the bed that she gasped painfully. She couldn't breathe. She continued to fight him, making the man smother endless curses. He was panting torn between frustration and arousal as he angrily lunged at the woman. He knew he was hurting her, felt her body contracting under hers, but even so, he forced his rigid member in one go, groaning loudly. The young woman turned her face away and her teeth bit down hard on her lips.
He tried to contain his excitement and tried to kiss her, but the woman turned her head, rigid as a corpse in his arms, the tears rolling down her face softly, drawing infinite curses from him. Until the end.
The young woman cried for a long time and her swollen eyelids were almost closed when Thalagar walked away complaining. He glared at her.
-My love. Do not Cry anymore! I'm sorry for what you made me do to you. I didn't mean to be violent. We can live happily. Now you have no reason to reject me. Rick won't tolerate knowing the woman once belonged to someone else. She is finally free of him. I'll find a way to rid her of this thing she carries.
Kassuim flinched, wrapping her bruised body in the sheet with as much dignity as possible as if she were a queen. Her eyes were red and puffy, but they still revealed only contempt. She hated that man. The baby was all that mattered.
"Do you believe that?" the girl asked in a husky, icy voice.
-But of course! Of course yes! You will be my wife. – he assured. He tried in vain to caress her bruised face.
She backed away in pure disgust and disgust.
-Hell! - he exploded. - You sure weren't that cold with the captain acting like a damn angry cat.
Kassuim looked up coldly. She couldn't think about Rick or she would fall apart. Thalagar had lost all his wits. The damn bastard had raped her.
Think of the child...
-You forced me. Not my husband! You're wrong if you think Rick is the kind of man of his kind. I can guarantee that he will kill you.
Thalagar ran a hand across his forehead in annoyance.
-Are you going to tell me it was rape? – He asked astonished.- Damn it! Her father agreed...
She didn't want to hear that.
-You said yourself that Will is not my father. - The sound of those words tore her apart. - You have no more rights than your henchmen.
He rebelled.
- Well, I don't think you cared that much. – he was still furious. The girl's vision was dazzling. She would be his wife. It hadn't been rape at all. - You didn't even fight when...
Thalagar fell silent in anger, frustration, and hurt. At first, Kassuim had fought him until she was overwhelmed by his strength. The scratches on her face that were starting to bother showed her that. He would have to provide an excellent explanation for those scratches. Only then... Damn it! He burned with desire and lust, waiting for her to somehow react. It had been a bitter disappointment. He had satisfied the unhappy desire burning with frustration. When he finally managed to subdue her with brute force, she had been lying still, immobile and passive. It was just a lifeless body or any reaction, allowing him to do what she wanted as if she were nothing more than a rag doll. No woman before had ever complained about him.
-Women never complained about me. You are not so different. She needs a man who can dominate and possess her. Sooner or later you will admit it. It's just that she's too proud to admit she wanted me.
He was crazy. Completely insane. Kassuim sat up in bed in pain. It was the terror that gripped her. The rest of her clothes were torn rags on the floor. The face was covered in blood and the socket hole in the disfigured face...
-I don't want to see you wearing those rags anymore. I'll provide dresses and jewelry. Ask what you want. There's nothing I can deny you, my love.
She looked at him with disdain, shrugging her shoulders. Even wrapped in a thin sheet, proud and determined. Annoyed, she impatiently wiped away the tears that rolled down her face.
-Is that how you intend to justify your ruthless attitude?
Thalagar's eyes widened.
-Curse! I'm like all other men!- he was getting more and more irritated. -She believed she could be more sincere. You can't admit that you were responsible for this.
-Responsible? I hate you.
He laughed sarcastically.
-And are you going to say you love that bastard?
She smiled. Was this what tormented Thalagar?
-He was the man I chose. See for yourself and understand the difference if you can.
Thalagar brought a hand to his sour face. Her reflection in the mirror showed deep grooves in her nails. Some were still bleeding when he understood what she was saying. Her eye...or what was left of it...
Her face showed dignity in the unusual clothes while the woman coldly showed her the palm of her hand with the carved mark. A well-known brand. It was the symbol of pack union.
-You... You didn't dare. You didn't have the gall…" Thalagar straightened. "Did you know of my desire to take you as my wife, and yet you committed wolf laws?" Wasn't it enough to surrender to him? - he screamed frantically.
-And why not? I chose a man willingly. I accepted to be your mate by the laws of the pack.
Kassuim had a perfect understanding of the meaning of those words Thalagar was the beta wolf. There were laws. Morgan was the chosen one to assume leadership of the pack. It was one of the most sacred laws of wolves. A woman could not be molested or touched after the betrothal was sealed. She couldn't be touched. She looked at her cousin as haughtily as possible. She didn't assuage remorse or guilt. She couldn't have allowed that to happen. If only she had fought harder...she should have made him kill her before she was forced to submit to him. Only the baby...
She felt dizzy and abused, but still, she clung to her pride stubbornly. She needed to think about the fragile life she was leading. She refused to feel the feeling of abandonment again when she realized no one was going to help. She was alone with Thalagar and he was stronger.
She also ignored the cold thought of humiliation and terror at knowing it was nothing more than something to be used. She didn't want to and couldn't think of the desperate loathing she felt for herself for allowing herself to be treated this way. And worst of all. The certainty of her status as a woman as his semen poured into her body... The feeling of disgust and dirt... His fetid breath...
That wretch had dared to take pleasure in that abomination. And as for Rick… She closed her eyes in defeat. She wouldn't be able to face him. She just couldn't take it. He would disown her.
- Richard Morgan couldn't...- Thalagar tried to argue...
-I accepted. she yelled as if it was an insult. - I would never accept to be his wife. I don't recognize Will's right to decide that. He didn't have the right. Not without my consent.
He shook his head in disbelief.
-I waited for you. I waited for you to be old...
Kassuim stared at him in disgust. She was going to get off that damn ship. And then… She didn't quite know what to do. She couldn't go back to Scarlet. How was she going to explain that to her husband?
-It makes no difference.
Thalagar stiffened.
-You would have no choice but to accept me.
-Never! I will never accept it. Do you believe that? - The woman provoked blind with pain. Just dead. I'd rather die than the disgust of looking at you.
-Richard won't accept. He will disown you. Any wolf would do it even more so being the daughter of an assassin.
She took a deep breath. The truth burned her insides. Macgrover's daughter? Kassuim was distressed. Rick wasn't going to tolerate it... he wasn't going to forgive her... And when did he learn of that humiliation? New tears welled up. What would become of their son?
The tide was already high. Rick would take some time to order the ships to sail. Would he bother to look for her? What if she just told the truth? Will would have to accept his decision. If the captain still kept the votes valid… he swallowed hard. She had to get out of there. Only the certainty that Rick was safe and alive had managed to keep his lucidity.
-That, Thalagar, does not change the fact that I will not accept to stay here.
Thalagar's patience evaporated.
"You will declare to the Council of Wolves that you recognize me as your husband. – he demanded worriedly.
The Council was made up of elders, older members of the pack, and very strict with laws and customs. Thalagar in no way intended to risk his position or lose command of the ship for taking advantage of a girl. If Kassuim told what had happened there... He would surely be judged by the pack.
"Get away from Richard Morgan!" he barked.
- Never, did you hear right?
Thalagar cursed again and raised his arm in a wide arc as he slapped the woman. Hell Girl. She challenged him.
-You're not going to tell anyone about what happened. - he assured with rancor. - If you tell, I guarantee you that I can arrange an accident for William. And I will be happy to explain to Richard how you offered yourself to me to satisfy his needs and whims.
Kassuim recoiled dizzily, her head throbbing as her hands touched her swollen face. He wasn't serious. He could kill her and it didn't matter. He wasn't going to accept that. She was by no means going to be treated as an object to be used.
-I won't stay by her side.- He managed to spit out the words with irritating contempt. - Are you going to convince everyone with your disfigured face?
-You go...
-Not even dead!- she assured him. - Even if he was the last damned miserable man on Earth.
Bewildered, she slapped him and was thrown against the mattress with violence. Her shaking hand brushed against a fallen knife.
This time Thalagar attacked her again without mercy until her scream overrode his provocations when the blade of the weapon tore her face. Out of his mind, his body numb and revolted, he pulled the sheet that covered the girl's nudity. She was absolutely beautiful. He looked at her excitedly. He was going to tame her damned panache if she was going to face him. Oh, he was going to teach her a lot of things to please a man in bed. He was going to possess her in every way possible. Kassuim saw with terror the greedy male gaze staggering back.
-No! Thalagar stop! - She screamed again punching him.
Thalagar did not listen. He showed mercilessly that he had no intention of hurting her before. Kassuim fought him to exhaustion, feeling the clenched hands that beat her mercilessly as he thrust hard into her body. Her vision darkened as her head hit the headboard. He could feel his belly twisting with hooks.
-Why don't you scream for your lover? – he teased mercilessly. Her rebelliousness excited him as never before. The night had barely begun. "You're going to want to die after I'm done with you. Nobody will find you here. I will teach you something even your dear captain must not appreciate. And you will like my ice princess.
He intended to make her suffer. He would humiliate the girl for her rejection. He was determined to do that. So maybe after he satiated the damn desire would kill her. Only, nothing happened as Thalagar had hoped. The wound in his eye… The aconite-soaked blade. Slowly her body wasted away... He was dying...