The Hidden

Chapter 23 - [She Knew Nothing]

Dukaryn let go of Meenu’s hair and grabbed her arm, twisting it behind her back.

     "Leave her alone!" Meenu heard her mother scream. But when she looked at her, behind the village gates, she saw her mother being held back by a few villagers. "My child!"

     Meenu's father stared in shock. “Leave her be, King Dukaryn. Please! Take me instead!”

     Meenu fought back but she felt his strong grasp crack her bone, forcing her to gasp in pain. But she could deal with it. Master Red had dealt her more pain in their training, so this was nothing.

     Blood’s hands balled up into fists, and for the first time in years his heart raced in fear.

     Though Seliaryn was frozen in shock, other knight’s kept coming. And Blood kicked down another one, annoyed that they kept coming though they knew they were no match for him.

     "Stop!" Dukaryn suddenly yelled.

     The knights froze in their place.

     Blood's shoulders dropped and he turned to his master, who had appeared behind Lord Kyrus, holding his hands up with the sword he used as a walking stick.

     "Do you think I'm stupid?" Dukaryn asked.

     Meenu was breathing heavily. The king held one of her arms behind her, her other one was broken now and she couldn't move it. She couldn’t figure out a way to get away.

     "You are my fiancée. And not only have you chose to be a traitor but you are having a relationship with another man?" He said loudly into her ear.

     Meenu was grinding her teeth together. "You said it yourself." She started. "There is no relationship between us. It’s completely political. So what is the problem?"

     Dukaryn looked like he was ready to hit her.

     "Let her go" Blood said, trying to keep his voice calm.

     The King looked up at the warrior. "How would you feel if I kill her, Blood?"

     Blood's eye twitched in anger, though no one could see it.

     "You must be a fool, to decide to play with the King's toy."

     "I'm not your toy!" Meenu growled.

     "Shut up, you bitch." Dukaryn responded as he twisted her other arm and made her wince.

     Blood stepped forward but when Dukaryn held the knife closer to her neck, he froze.

     "What's his real name?" He asked Meenu.

     "I don't know." She said.

     Dukaryn raised his eyebrows. “Tell me the truth.”

     “I don’t know. And even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you.”

     "Stop lying!" Dukaryn yelled, twisting her arm some more.

     "I'm not lying!" Meenu yelled, gasping in pain.

     "Its true!" Blood growled. "She doesn't know!"

     Dukaryn looked at him and let out a laugh. "You don't love her." He said. "You two know nothing about each other."

     "Let me go.” Meenu said, angrily.

     “This is her fault, you know?" Dukaryn asked Blood, ignoring Meenu.

     Blood stood there without responding.