-You are beautiful, Cassie. Too bad your husband isn't around.
Cassie slept and even sleepily an alarm of fear invaded her at the sound of that voice. She shivered with a shiver as she opened her eyes, admiring the knife that gleamed against the glow of the candle flames in disbelief. It was Thalagar. In your cabin. What was he doing there?
-What are you doing in my tent? Skirt! Her voice came out in an icy provocation. Without realizing it she had managed to pull away and leave the bed.
He'd been quicker to block her exit. Wolves! Their agility was surprising. She stumbled back, rigid and incredulous.
Was she alone with him there? Where were the corsairs? Richard Morgan had given orders that Thalagar does not have access to the camp.
-You must be wondering where your husband is? He smiled with an evil look. - Ah, it was an accident with the longboats near the cove. They're on fire.
She was alone there. Why was Thalagar there? After all, what did he want?
-What do you want? – She asked suspiciously.
All the privateers couldn't be far away. Padraic had certainly seen Thalagar. He wasn't scared. Anyway, the wolves were close by. Just scream. He stared at Thalagar icy and her face paled at the anxious grimace that marred his once-pretty features. She had done it. Her stomach churned. Morgan... He was close by.
- It's better not to approach. I'm not… alone." The words stumbled.
Lack of luck. He knew she was lying. Bile rose in his mouth. If you had to use a spell, would you have the strength to do so?
Thalagar sketched the shadow of what might resemble a smile. And he raised his hand as he approached slowly.
Kassuim's eyes widened. He intended what? Coerce her? Blackmail? Threaten her? He shuddered just at the thought. Why wouldn't he leave her alone? What did the wretch want?
-Let's not fight, honey. – he asked very calmly.
Her scalp tingled. Fear and adrenaline reacted in his system. He knew better than to do magic. He approached again, oozing anger and arrogance. Kassuim could feel his heart beating in his mouth. He had a feeling he was going to faint. Or vomit.
The dark, sly eyes resembled a predator surrounding its victim. Involuntarily she clenched her trembling hands as she tried to cover her body clad in the light nightgown. disconcerted. blood pounded in her ears.
Thalagar scratched his pale, unkempt hair as he shook his head.
"Oh, still upset?" he sighed and looked resentful.
- We have nothing to talk about. - She declared harshly, clinging to haughtiness.
Kassuim blinked. It was unbelievable. Bored? Memories to her disgust surfaced. Her bile rose again making her nauseous. She shivered with rage. She wasn't going to be able to do any spells like that.
Thalagar managed a smile again. The terrible scar was vivid and deep on her face. She displayed marks. The blood froze.
-Come on, my dear. I admit that I may have overstepped.
Exceeded? It was an outrage!
- I'm sorry I was violent. He spoke slowly, breathing deeply. "But you must admit that it was all your fault.
Her fault? It was no longer anger but the hatred that dominated her. She wasn't even going to do any spells. The infamy of that man was unbelievable. He... he imagined what? Revolted, she glared at him with contempt. Had the damned thing enforced her with a rutting animal and intended to blame her? Did he dare?
-What are you doing here?
-Your husband, I must say, banished me from the pack.
Maybe if he didn't irritate him he could buy time until Morgan came back. The thought was enough to keep her lucid. Oh, Godness!
Only Thalagar wasn't the kind of man to be trusted. If he didn't have ulterior motives, he wouldn't be here alone with her in her cabin. Kassuim nervously wiped her hands on her nightgown and took a few steps back. His hand tingled with the unfortunate cut that wouldn't heal.
She is there with him, unarmed and alone. Just the thought was terrifying. It was the projection of her worst nightmares. He was also violent. Her stomach was turning over again. Last time that man had beaten her brutally. He could have easily killed her.
-Let's forget what happened... - His voice was hateful. - I know you are upset. I want you to come back with me to Estrela.
Back to Star? With him? She gasped with anticipation. He drew even closer to her growing horror. There was an air of insanity on his frantic features. Maybe the idea of running away from there wasn't so bad.
You are not alone. And also not afraid. Just scream. Morgan... I need a damn gun...
-I will not come back.
Thalagar sighed as he shook his head thoughtfully.
-I know that Cornor's behaviour was reprehensible...
Only that? Zagorra was dead! For the second time, Kassuim doubted that Thalagar was sane. It was the unfortunate weed he was so fond of. Opium. She stopped in shock when his hands gripped her arms, forcing her to face him, dizzy. The muffled scream caught in her throat.
I will scream. If you start screaming, I won't stop... Richard...
Suddenly it felt like something was clogging her throat. Air wasn't getting into her lungs with the need she had. She was rigid. Breathing wasn't helping. She couldn't breathe properly. How could she scream like that?
It's not trapped or locked up with it. Calm down and breathe. Please do not.
She was horrified, the fear didn't help and her lungs were starting to feel like they were burning. She tried at all costs to breathe in and it wasn't enough. Goddess! This was not the time to have a panic attack.
Thalagar's reaction was visible as he noticed her reaction.
-I understand you're confused... - he said and Kassuim widened her eyes in surprise. – I forgive you. I forgive you for everything.
To forgive? He... He was completely insane. His panic increased followed by a painful coughing fit. She couldn't catch her breath.
-No.
-Just try not to get annoyed. Because I'm not giving up so easily. No need to be afraid of Morgan. He might be the alpha, but he's going to have to accept his feelings for me.
Kassuim shuddered. The cough gave way to terrible wheezing in his chest. The floor seemed to sway and she took a deep breath again. There was a wolf when you needed one? I was going to scream! Ah, it was just catching the unfortunate breath. Only the damn cough wouldn't go away. It was emotional, he justified himself. Goddess, his hands repulsed her. A cold sweat started to break out on her forehead. The vision shook.
-I know you love me. always loved. You're just too proud to admit it.
She shook her head. The air penetrated with difficulty in his lungs and it was not enough. She was going to have a massive panic attack here alone with this man.
"Oh, Godness! Rick!"
-Thalagar, please... I can't... Breathe...
Without any warning, he gripped her chin with an excessive force that would inevitably leave marks without paying attention.
The shortness of breath got worse. The feeling was that he was starting to suffocate. The crisis had started when she was still a child. After the fire… Thalagar knew that, but was he going to take advantage of it? She hated him.
-I don't want there to be any disagreements between us… - He narrowed his gaze.
"What?" Her voice cracked.
"RICK!"
What did the wretch mean by that? She breathed in forcibly and her chest ached from the insufficient attempt to suck in air. Her vision was getting blurry. All she could think about was that in addition to desperately needing air in her lungs—they were burning and exploding—she also wanted to scream. Philip. He had to be around. It was clear he was close by.
-I think you know...
The longboats are on fire. I'm not far. Looks like someone set them on fire. Are you well?
Catching her husband's thoughts didn't help calm her. She was suffocating.