Soon after, Rhysann and Aria returned to the castle with the surviving slaves. Rhysann couldn't help but notice how deeply she cared for them and offered words of encouragement and comfort. He greatly admired how compassionate and empathetic she was, and it struck him greatly. Aria was everything he wasn't; she embodied the qualities of a true leader, and he admired her for it.
After getting the slaves to their quarters and ensuring that their wounds were tended to, Aria made her way to the outer chamber leading to the main castle. However, she was stopped by Nessie. Rhysann who silently walked a few steps behind, approached them.
"Rhysann, you have some explaining to do," Nessie said in a serious tone, her eyes dark and narrowed with suspicion.
They entered the chamber to find a small gathering of nobles waiting; Raiken and Ares amongst them. Their expressions were a mix of curiosity and tension. Rhysann immediately understood what was happening. Raiken had summoned and likely informed the nobles about his unorthodox treatment of Aria.
"What is the meaning of this?" Rhysann demanded as he stepped forward. His gaze was cold.
"Oh... You already know why we're here." Raiken said with a deep chuckle, his hands tucked into his pants pockets. "Lately I have noticed that you've been unusually kind to the humans, and this is a serious offense, especially for the king of Scalethorne, wouldn't you agree?"
Rhysann maintained his composure, but deep down his frustration and anger simmered. He knew exactly what Raiken was doing; using this as a petty means to get back at him, for the times Rhysann had intervened to stop Raiken's mistreatment of the human slaves.
"I noticed this as well." Nessie chimed in, stepping towards Rhysann and Aria. She stood before Aria for a moment, her piercing gaze fixed on her like a predator to prey. A cruel smile spread across her scarlet lips.
"And he's especially protective of this little slave, Aria." Nessie continued, her tone dripping with mockery. "I do have doubts that she is truly his slave at all! She does not wear an ownership collar for a start... And this ridiculous cloth she always has tied around her arm...!"
Before Aria could react, Nessie tried to touch it, her fingers only inches away from the cloth. She had been so curious about it and was determined to uncover whatever secret it concealed.
Rhysann's hand shot out and grabbed her wrist firmly, stopping her just in time before she touched Aria. The suddenness of this move startled everyone present in the chamber. Even Nessie froze that instant, her expression one of absolute surprise. Raiken however, still wore the mischievous grin as he enjoyed the drama unfolding. Aria hated him deeply, but even more to Nessie.
"Keep your hands off her," Rhysann commanded in a calm tone brimming with authority. His sharp gaze bore into Nessie, leaving no room for argument.
Nessie lifted her gaze to meet his. She could tell that Rhysann was serious. That look in his eyes spoke volumes. It was almost as though he was being... Possessive. It was unmistakable.
"Ah, you see that?" Raiken interjected, his grin widening. "That is exactly what I've been trying to point out. He is becoming protective...far too protective. We all know what that could mean—"
Before Raiken could finish his sentence, Rhysann lunged forward and slammed him against the wall with such force that the entire chamber fell into a startled hush. Rhysann's muscular arm pressed firmly beneath Raiken's neck, pinning him in place.
The nobles watched as gasps and murmurs rippled through the chamber.
Rhysann's eyes burned with a fiery intensity. His dragon instincts flared uncontrollably. It was agitated and riled up again, its primal urge to shield its mate surging to the surface. No amount of composure could contain this instinct.
Despite the pressure on his neck, Raiken's smirk only deepened. He had gotten the reaction he was looking for and it cemented his point in the minds of the nobles.
"Your Highness, these are serious accusations. If this human girl is indeed your slave and nothing more, you must provide proof to dispel these accusations." A noble spoke up, breaking the intense
silence.
Murmurs of agreement followed and the nobles exchanged wary glances as they awaited Rhysann's response.
"Hear that?" Raiken teased. "Your people want proof that the little human girl is just an expendable sex slave. Come on, cousin. It's not that difficult. Just admit it and put an ownership collar around her neck."
Rhysann's eyebrows drew together in a stormy glare, his frustration palpable as he stared at Raiken. After a tense moment, he released him and turned away sharply, his movements controlled despite his agitation. Every eye trained on him now.
His gaze fell on Aria who stood in silence throughout the confrontation. As their eyes met, the tension in his expression eased and his features softened slightly.
Behind him, Raiken straightened his jacket with smug precision, a victorious glint in his eyes as he waited for him to speak up.
"Go on." Raiken urged, his tone dripping with mock encouragement.
Rhysann sighed deeply and walked to the center of the chamber, his gaze never straying from Aria.
"You have my word," he began in his deep, raw, accented voice as it carried across the chamber. "Aria is nothing more than a slave—"
"A sex slave." Raiken corrected and Rhysann glanced over his shoulder at him, his jaw tightening. The rage in his eyes was palpable.
"Go on. Say it."
Rhysann's gaze returned to Aria who stood in disbelief at what was happening. There was a mix of emotions painted on her features; anger, hatred, disgust and regret.
How could a king let his subjects manipulate him like this?! She couldn't understand why Rhysann, with all his strength and the commanding presence of a ruler, acted so weak and restrained toward his duties as king.
Although she remembered when Rhysann tried to explain the complex dynamics of the dragon world, she still couldn't believe any of it was true. None of it made sense to her. How could someone so powerful seem so powerless?
"Aria is just a sex slave, nothing more." He spoke plainly, and Nessie and Raiken exchanged smug smiles of satisfaction.
"Naturally. And now, you'll have to put this around her neck to seal your words." Raiken said, holding out an ownership collar.
Rhysann stared at the metallic object for a moment before taking it from his hand.
Its metal chains clinked slightly as he turned to face Aria who stood in shock as everything unfolded. She could hardly believe what was happening.
As he approached her, their eyes met and held. Rhysann could see and even feel the raw pain in her gaze, and it tore at him. He felt like a failure; a ruler shackled by the expectations of his world, now forced into an act that went against every instinct he had as her mate. Yet, he felt powerless to change it.
He unlocked the collar and placed it around her slender, graceful neck. The cold metal felt like a brand of humiliation as the chains draped down between her bosom and rested just above her stomach as the lock clicked shut.
"I trust I've answered your questions." Rhysann, feeling defeated, turned to the nobles. "You may all leave now."
He clenched his jaw as he suppressed the urge to unleash a blaze upon them all, but he knew it would be a dangerous move. The dragons would retaliate tenfold, and the aftermath would not be pleasant.
They all dispersed, except Raiken and Nessie.
"Thank you for cooperating with us, Cousin. It's for the best. We can't trust these humans—"
"Good. Your point is made. Now leave. Both of you!"
Rhysann couldn't conceal his frustration anymore and the siblings briefly exchanged glances, cruel smiles on their faces, before exiting the chamber without a word. The entire space fell into silence, and Aria turned her back to him, struggling to hold back tears.
"You are a horrible person, Rhysann," she spoke between silent sobs, her voice trembling.
"Aria..." he called her in a low, sorrowful tone.
"No." she cut him off. "there's nothing to explain right now. Just take me to my prison or wherever... I'm tired."
Rhysann sighed deeply as he stared at her fragile form. Without another word, he took the lead as he exited the chamber and Aria briefly followed, keeping a short distance between them.
As they walked down the hallways, Aria's silent sobs could be heard. Rhysann was saddened and overwhelmed by the urge to hold his mate and comfort her, but he knew that she wouldn't let him.
When they arrived at his chamber, he led her inside and shut the door quietly behind them.
"Why have you brought me here again?" she spoke amidst sobs, pivoting to face him.
"This isn't a prison or a cell for a slave..."
"Aria, please listen—" he tried to move closer but she stepped back, shaking her head as more tears formed in her eyes.
"No. I won't listen to your lies anymore!" she shouted. "And don't ever come close to me again or else I will lose it! I shouldn't have listened to your nonsense ramble the first time. A king who can't control his people? Do you claim to care about my kind? If you truly did, you would've done something about this mess a long time ago. But no! You are just like the others. You are no different, and I was a fool to ever think otherwise."
Aria paused and swallowed the hard lump lodged in her throat, wiping the tears off her cheeks. The chain of her collar rattled with every movement. It was cold against her skin. The sound of it was like a painful reminder of what she had become; a mere tool for pleasure.
"I hate you and your kind, Rhysann. You don't deserve the power that you hold... And you're a coward. I hope you get what you all deserve. And this mark you've branded me with, like a curse..." she paused briefly to look at her wrapped arm, a bitter expression twisting her features.
"I'm going to cut my arm to get it off if it's the last thing I have to do!"
Rhysann stood there, silently meeting her gaze. Her anger knew no bounds, and he understood that nothing he said would convince her otherwise. She had admitted to hating him, and in doing so, had rejected him. Her words pierced him deeply, like a cruel stab to his chest.