Dakran took a deep breath and sat in front of Maya who hadn't moved, still very perched on the bed with a swollen bruised face and his anger flamed again at the shattering sight. Seeing her in that state pained and hurt him worse than any wound had been inflicted on him over the years.
Dakran closed his eyes to ground himself and bring his flaming temper under control and climbed back on the bed, kneeling before Maya while her eyes keenly watched his every move, apprehensive of him. He could understand why.
Dakran closed his eyes " I need to know, Maya, so tell me what that useless piece of shit had done to you?" Dakran's jaw ticked but his tone remained measured doing his best to contain his bubbling anger. Maya's chin and lips began to tremble and covered her mouth with her hand to stop it and closed her eyes. His probing did no good but he wanted to know what had happened all the gory details so he could connive a suitable punishment for Haren. He would pay for his sins no matter how long it would take. Banishing him out of Ironstone wasn't good enough.
Maya wiped her tears with back her hand and hissed in pain when she rubbed too hard. At that sight, Dakran anger bubbled further and regretted kicking Haren out. He should have kept him in Ironstone to make him pay for all his past, present and future wrongdoings. Maybe the asshole would finally learn.
" Can I hold you?" Dakran asked, the plea and desperation in his tone making Maya frown as her eyes strayed and lowered back to the pillow, unsure. Dakran nodded more to himself, at least she allowed him to be near her and for now it was more than he'd hoped for.
" Food? Or a drink?" Dakran asked again hoping to get some words out of her. She looked shattered in more ways than one.
" Drink " Maya meekly answered hugging the pillow to her chest as Dakran stood up and quickly returned with a glass of water. He had to change tactics, incessantly asking her about what happened did no good and she seemed to burst into tears, each time. He was home now and he had no plans of going anywhere, so he would have enough time to get her to open up.
Maya swilled the glass of water and handed it back to Dakran " More?" he asked his eyebrows quirked up in an attempt to lighten the mood and make her forget the dreadfulness.
Maya shook her head and returned to hugging the pillow, placed her chin on the pillow and stared at the fire as if he wasn't in the room which made him even more curious but alas he had to wait until she was ready to open up.
" Are you going to do the same?" Maya suddenly asked making Dakran frown, a little confused at the question. At least now he knew what bothered her.
" Do the same? Beat you?" he understood what she was asking but he'd hoped that she will offer a little more insight.
" Force yourself on me?" Maya absently added still staring at the fire.
" Did he-" Dakran closed his eyes, gritting his teeth, seething unable to finish his words, he didn't want to think about it but he'd hoped that it didn't happen.
" He tried. I stabbed him and ran away." Maya answered the unfinished question and he couldn't be any more relieved.
" Good. Next time aim for the heart." Dakran's tone remained measured despite the seething anger inside. He didn't want to frighten Maya any more than she already was. He had to stay level-headed and with time he would make Haren pay for what he did to her, even if it would be the last thing. Patience and his time would come.
Maya didn't look at him but he decided to answer her question maybe it would ease her fears.
" No little red. Remember I promised you that I would never." Dakran paused and rubbed his face trying to put some order into his thoughts " I love you, little red and I wouldn't even think of hurting you." Dakran did his best to clear the air, it was he could say at that moment. It seemed that the divine inspiration he was searching for earlier, was nowhere to be found. He wanted Maya to feel safe, the world outside was cruel enough.
" Promises get broken Dakran." Maya absently said in a matter-of-fact tone still very much staring at the fire but at least she was listening to him.
" I'll do anything. Whatever you, just say the words and you shall have it, my little red" Daran peeled her hands off the pillow bringing them to his lips and trailed little kisses onto them in a desperate attempt to put her at ease.
Maya shakily sighed and turned her attention onto him and despite the purple hue on her cheeks he couldn't happier that she had finally snapped out of it. He didn't want to fight, they'd fought enough while they shared a room in Vellai Castle. He wanted to shower with love and give her all he had. He didn't care what it was she could have it.
Maya cleared her throat " Dakran I wouldn't even know where to begin...I love you but I'm scared what if when all of this fades away, you turn bitter and lash at me? I have no way to defend myself against you." Maya said in a soft voice placing the flat of her hand over his heart as their eyes locked. Her concern wasn't unfounded and he understood that even though he knew deep in his heart what he felt for her would never fade away she needed reassurance and in light of the recent events he couldn't agree more.
" You can always stab me in the heart." Dakran tried to lighten the mood but it was met with a deprecating look and quickly cleared his throat to stop himself from making half-witted remarks.
" I'll think of something. Do you still want me?" He asked with a sheepish grin keenly waiting for Maya to answer.
Maya tried to smile but she changed her mind when the dull pain in her cheeks sharply bit back and instead nodded.
" Good. Now let's eat" Dakran picked her up in his arms without waiting for her answer and ambled his way to the table, sitting down at the table in front of the fire.
" It hurts" Maya complained when Dakran picked up a spoonful of stew and brought it to her lips.
" Alright" Dakran paused and took the spoonful, chewed on it but didn't swallow and put it back on the spoon and offered it to Maya who gave him a questioning look but took it " Like a baby bird" Dakran refrained from chuckling and just nodded as the corner of his mouth quirked in an impish grin.