Chapter 17
17 Chapter 17 A Weapon Being
Unsheathed
Eileen’s POV
“Lord Hardy, please allow me to-” The words died in Eileen’s throat the instant she crossed the threshold.
The metallic tang of blood struck her senses like a physical blow, thick and cloying in the confined space of the war tent.
What she witnessed next made her freeze completely.
There, positioned not far from the tent’s center, lay Faye beneath a battle-worn blanket that seemed more suited to covering the wounded than providing comfort. Her eyelids were closed, her complexion ghostly pale, yet her breathing remained steady and even. Golden strands of hair clung to her
sweat-dampened forehead, while flickering light from a nearby brazier cast dancing shadows across her features.
She’s breathing. She’s actually alive.
Behind her, Sally released a sharp intake of breath. “She’s… she’s really here p>
Eileen’s attention swept across the scene, taking in the blood-soaked cloths floating in the washing basin, the crimson stains marking the blanket’s edge near Faye’s
torso.
A twisted sensation coiled in her gut. Not sorrow, not shame, not bewilderment. Pure, burning frustration.
The girl should have perished. Every calculation had pointed to Faye’s death following that assault. How was she even breathing?
Before she could compose her next act of concern, a leisurely voice sliced through the charged atmosphere.
“You appear quite disappointed, Luna.” Lord Hardy’s words carried across the space. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on.net
“As you can observe…” Hardy remained seated at his field desk several steps away, one ankle resting
casually on his opposite knee, delicate porcelain held between his fingers as if they were enjoying afternoon tea rather than standing in a blood-soaked military pavilion.
“My bride is recuperating. She draws breath. And her condition is stable enough p>
His storm-colored gaze rose to lock with Eileen’s directly, though his manner stayed courteous. “I assume this addresses your concerns, Luna p>
The silence stretched taut. Then Alpha Rowan shifted forward with visible stiffness, pressing his fist against his chest in a respectful bow.
“Our gratitude, my Lord,” he spoke carefully. “For safeguarding her. Witnessing her condition… this satisfies my wife’s worries p>
Hardy lowered his cup with a gentle chime, intertwining his fingers atop the wooden surface.
“Such protection falls within this lord’s obligations,” he responded with cool detachment. “She serves as my consort. My charge p>
The atmosphere shifted palpably. “However… what puzzles this lord,” he continued, maintaining his smooth tone while adding an edge, “is why the Luna would demand entry to this tent when my officer had already conveyed that the consort required rest p>
His eyes contracted fractionally. “Does the Luna question this lord’s integrity?” he inquired. “Or does she perhaps doubt the reliability of this lord’s soldiers as well p>
Eileen’s mouth went dry. Once more, her gaze wandered to the motionless Faye. She struggled to comprehend how the girl had survived such a vicious. attack. Then understanding struck her. Someone had to be shielding Faye.
When Hardy departed, she had ordered every guard to abandon that wing of the estate. But suppose someone, one of Hardy’s operatives, had remained behind? Of course, that had to be the answer. No other explanation made sense.
Hardy shifted forward slightly, forearms meeting the table’s surface. His following statement fell like dropped anchors.
“And should the Luna lack faith in this lord p>
Eileen’s attention snapped to Hardy immediately. She ground her teeth together while absorbing his next declaration. This man was manipulating the entire
situation. He was clearly exploiting this incident for hist own benefit. It appeared she had gravely
underestimated his cunning.
“Then what, exactly, prevents this lord from departing tonight and withdrawing his forces alongside him p>
The resulting quiet was strangling.
Eileen parted her lips to respond, but the instant she attempted to speak, she experienced it. A surge of energy, frigid, overwhelming, and lethal, flooded the enclosed space like an unseen tempest.
Murderous intention.
It emanated from Hardy in dense, choking torrents, so
concentrated it caused the lantern flames to waver.
The earth beneath seemed to throb with each pulse.
Eileen retreated involuntarily, her hands shaking beyond her control.
Sally stumbled, her legs nearly folding as she struggled for air. Alpha Rowan, recognizing the threat first, responded instinctively.
He positioned himself before his wife and daughter,
creating a human barrier with his frame. “Lord Hardy -” he began, but the complete force of the pressure struck him like a siege engine. “My Lord p>
Scarlet sprayed from between his lips.
He lurched backward, strength abandoning his limbs, and crumpled sideways with a pained sound, hands clutching his ribs. His expression reflected pure astonishment, agony radiating through his features.
“Bloody hell-
“Alpha!” Sally screamed, falling to his side in terror.
“Father p>
Eileen remained motionless, and even had she desired movement, paralysis held her fast.
Hardy hadn’t risen from his seat. He hadn’t elevated his voice. Yet it seemed as though the very tent surrendered to his command. “That,” he stated icily, glancing down at Rowan, “demonstrates the
consequence of showing disrespect to this lord within his own encampment p>
Finally, he rose, resembling a weapon being
unsheathed. His authority consumed the entire space. “I have no patience for dramatics, Luna,” he declared while advancing the few paces toward them. “This location is not some southern drawing room where your performances influence outcomes. This is warfare. And I will not endure manipulation while my warriors shed blood beyond these walls p>
Eileen straightened gradually, every vertebra rigid with forced dignity, despite her racing pulse. “I harbored only concern for my daughter’s wellbeing p>
Hardy’s expression turned glacial with amusement. “Your concern has been acknowledged. Now remove it from my presence before I choose to inter it alongside tonight’s other casualties p>
“My-My Lord-” Sally stepped forward, her voice trembling yet audible. She moved to protect her father. “I understand your hatred of disrespect, but please… please comprehend. We wished only to see my sister. Faye-Faye is p>
“Princess,” Hardy interrupted, his voice sharp enough
to cleave bone.
Sally blinked, her enlarged eyes appearing almost naive. “P-Pardon me p>
His stare pierced hers, and in that instant, the chamber seemed to darken around his presence. “The woman you presume to call Faye,” he said, “holds the title of my princess consort. Mine p>
He moved closer. Sally instinctively withdrew.
“Yet here you stand, throwing her name about as though it were your possession,” he continued, his tone saturated with contempt. “Inform me, child, is it pride… or ignorance that causes you to forget your station p>
He angled his head, false interest sparkling in his gaze. “Or do you perhaps believe yourself superior to this lord’s jurisdiction? Does a spoiled brat from a crumbling pack possess the authority to address royalty so familiarly p>
Sally’s lips quivered. “I… I intended no p>
“Quiet,” he snarled. “Before I forget that you remain a guest within my camp, rather than simply another complication requiring resolution p>
He pivoted then, his scrutiny encompassing all three of them. “You arrived seeking explanations, so permit me to provide one. The next occasion any of you
presumes to challenge this lord again, your departure will not be vertical p>
Hardy’s malevolent smile returned. “And I assure you, none will grieve your passing. Because anyone who might mourn will perish before you do p>
Morh Lucia
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.