CHAPTER SIX
CAILYN
Amara was right. Within a few days of limiting her food intake from Malloron’s table, Cailyn began to notice things she hadn't before.
Many of the servants that worked in Eiros Castle were unhappy. Some of them actually conducted their jobs in tears. Cailyn tried not to look at them whenever she was with Malloron, but they wouldn't speak to her when she tried to approach them alone. They simply hurried away, averting their eyes. They were everywhere; cleaning in various rooms and fixing and plumping furniture. How could she not have noticed them? The castle had seemed quiet, charming, and peaceful before, but now the atmosphere was busy, fearful, and had an overbearing gloomy, dark overtone.
Additionally, she noticed that Malloron himself had a crueler and more haughty air about him. The way he spoke to his assistants, his advisers, and the people who served him, showed him to be an arrogant and overbearing man. When he turned his gaze to her, he didn’t look at her in any way that Drocco ever had. Curiosity, excitement, and a tinge of smugness filled his eyes; no passion or desire or tenderness.
He continued to dine with her whenever he could, but over the last week, it became less frequent. He had also been too busy for any trips to any of the Eiros cities, and he didn’t permit her to go alone or assisted, even with Emric. When she asked him about it, he had said that they would be visiting Eiros again soon but that she should remain within the castle for now. He didn't give her a reason why and she didn’t push the issue.
The lake and the garden were still beautiful, but she never managed to see Amara again while strolling out there and she had no idea how to get in contact with her. She started to explore the castle more, heading into towers that she hadn’t visited before, and into rooms that she had only seen when she first arrived. It was remarkable how different everything looked and she considered whether King Malloron had been poisoning her food since she had been on the ship.
One evening, while heading to the garden, faint cries echoed in the corridor around her. She paused, listening for where they were coming from and following them past the garden exit toward the east side of the castle. Stepping down wide, stone stairs that led from the main corridor, she found herself on a semi-dark lower-ground floor. The cries had faded somewhat but intermingled with sobs and quiet mutterings. She tentatively followed the noises, a nervousness bubbling in her as the soft mumblings crawled along the walls that surrounded her. She followed a winding corridor that descended lower and lower until she was sure she was underground. Sparse candle lamps lit the corridors and ugly shadows bounced around her as the glow wavered and jumped.
Finally, Cailyn came across a door where most of the noises seemed to be coming from. She paused, listening to see if she could determine if the person may be in actual pain or if she was simply imagining the distress she was hearing. As she raised her hand to the door handle, someone gripped her arm and yanked her back.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Amara hissed, dragging her away from the door. "Go back up!"
"What’s going on behind that door?" Cailyn asked. "Someone is suffering. Are you doing something about it? Is that why you're here?"
"Cailyn," Amara said, a clear warning in her tone. "This doesn’t concern you. You’re not even supposed to be here. The Mothers are furious. Why didn't you go back to your Alpha? Do you know what trouble you've caused?"
"King Malloron's people drugged me and put me on a ship," Cailyn said. "I had no choice."
Amara closed her eyes, her mouth tightened, and shook her head. "That bastard," she muttered.
"What's going on behind there," Cailyn asked, gesturing to the door. "Are they slaves? Why are they locked up down here?"
Amara sighed. "You know slaves in the Western Lands are not the same as slaves in the Eastern Lands, Cailyn. Here, slaves are people who happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. They are used and abused and made to suffer. Many of the people in the known Lands have very unique and specific tastes. King Malloron caters to them. Most of the depraved are here in the Western Lands because he encourages them to indulge in their behavior, but some are in the Eastern Lands and even in the Southern Lands. Their urges know no bounds and King Malloron has no line he won't cross when it comes to feeding their depravity. It’s what keeps him in power. Obviously he needs somewhere to keep them."
Cailyn stared at her, the horror of her words seeping in. "So what the hell is behind that door, Amara?"
"You don't need to know," Amara insisted. “Just believe me when I say it’s bad.”
"Just tell me the Mothers are handling it," Cailyn said, sternly. "They can’t let him inflict pain on people who don't deserve it like this. It’s bad enough when its criminals who have actually committed some kind of horrible act, but innocent people? That’s barbaric."
"It’s not the Mothers’ job to police the known Lands," Amara replied, just as sternly. "Their concern is Omegas, as it has always been."
A new horror twisted in Cailyn. "So why are you here?" she said slowly. "Are there Omegas behind the door?"
Amara held her gaze. "I don't know yet."
"You don't know yet…" Cailyn repeated slowly. And then it dawned on her. "Children?" she almost shrieked. "He has got children imprisoned behind there?"
"Be quiet!" Amara snapped.
"Tell me there are no children in there, Amara," Cailyn demanded.
"I'm not telling you a damn thing, Cailyn." Amara's blue eyes blazed. "This is not your mission. Don’t involve yourself. The Mothers don't want you to get hurt, but they won’t get you out. You’re known as an Omega now and they cannot put others at risk. I’m trying to find a way to help you, but I can’t if you’re wandering around the castle investigating things you shouldn’t."
Cailyn took a tiny step back, reeling from Amara's words. She was treating her like a citizen—someone delicate and untrained and needing protection. Her shock must have shown on her face because Amara's expression suddenly softened.
"I'm sorry," Amara said, gently. "I'm sorry, Cailyn. You know you’re a sister to me. You and Victoya are all the family I've ever had. But you’re not a spy anymore. You're not supposed to be involved in what we're doing. You're compromised." She took Cailyn's hands in her own and squeezed them. "I know that's hard to hear, but it is what it is. Your Alpha could get you to tell him anything, so could Malloron. There is a lot riding on us being able to keep our secret, being able to keep hold of who we are. Surely you can see that?"
"I know," Cailyn said hotly. "I know that I’m supposed to just be happy with being cast aside simply because something happened that was completely out of my control. But I'm still the same person I was, Amara. I can't just ignore things. I can hear them screaming, and if they are children…" Cailyn shook her head. "I can't sit around and do nothing."
Amara held her gaze for a long moment and then sighed. "I know. I know that you’re not that person."
"So tell me what’s going on," Cailyn said, squeezing Amara's hands back. "Please."
Amara’s eyes glistened in the bounding candlelight. “Don’t make me into a shit spy, Cailyn. Please don’t.”
Cailyn’s shoulders dropped. It was true. It was unfair to ask this of her—to ask her to compromise herself in this way. She glanced at the door and then nodded. "Malloron wants me to be his queen. I haven't given him an answer yet, but he will want one soon."
"That makes sense,” Amara said, lifting her shoulders. “He took you so that you could be tied to him. Once you’re married he will manipulate you even further into finding out more about where the rest of us are."
"I've stopped eating the food, but we haven't been into Eiros for a while now. I haven't been able to gain fresh fruit."
“He has banned anyone from entering the entire west wing of the castle,” Amara said, thoughtfully. “We don’t know why. There are multiple illusions running—something could be happening outside we don’t know about yet.”
“Are there more Omegas here from the Compound?”
Amara lifted a finger to her lips, darting her head to one side. Cailyn turned her head too, listening for what she heard. There was very slight shuffling coming from down the corridor.
"Go back to your room," Amara whispered, leading Cailyn backed away she came, away from the shuffling sound. "And be careful. The other reason why King Malloron allows you to walk around unsupervised is because he can tell where you go. There are magical trackers around the castle. So he will know that you have come down here." She led Cailyn back up the stone stairs. "If you had entered the room, he would have known about it, and he would not be at all pleasant in dealing with you." They arrived back at the corridor Cailyn had first turned off from. "I’ll be in touch soon with a way out," she said.
"What do I do about his offer?" Cailyn asked. "I can't put him off forever."
"Try," Amara said, slowly retreating back down the stairs. "It doesn't matter what you say, he'll never let you go. But if you delay, at least he won't announce it to the rest of Eiros for now." She paused. “The Mothers asked me to start erasing your memory.”
Cailyn stilled, a cold shock gripping her. For a moment, she couldn’t even speak.
“I told them I’m not skilled enough to do it to the degree you need it,” Amara said, “and that it’s too dangerous to mess with your mind with the potions Malloron is giving you.”
Cailyn nodded, numbly. Amara had bought her time.
“It will happen, Cailyn,” Amara said softly, as she backed away into the darkness. “Whether you stay with Malloron or go back to Drocco, it will happen. Prepare yourself.”
Cailyn nodded again. There was nothing she could do about that fact. If anyone had told her a compromised Omega was roaming the Lands she would have chased the offender down herself. "Be safe, Amara."
"You too, sister" came her whispered reply.
***
That evening during dinner with Malloron, Cailyn could tell something was wrong. He looked exhausted and had much less patience with the servants that brought dinner.
"Is something wrong?" Cailyn asked lightly.
“No,” Malloron said, gruffly. He remained silent for a moment and then glanced at Cailyn out of the corner of his eye. “Did you enjoy your walk around the castle today?”
Cailyn chewed slowly and then nodded. He had never asked her that before. Amara was right. He was tracking her movements around the castle. “Yes,” she said. “It feels like there’s always so much to explore.” She smiled at him. “The castle is massive.”
“As long as you don’t get lost,” he said. “Do you feel you need an escort to help you navigate the castle?”
“Oh no,” Cailyn said. “I don’t think so. All of your servants are really helpful. I did actually get lost today and a friendly girl helped me to find my way back to the gardens.”
Malloran smiled. “Do you remember what she looked like?” His tone was casual, but for him to even ask suggested something was wrong. He wanted to know who else had been down there with her.
She pursed her lips. “I can’t really remember,” she said, slowly, frowning. “She was wearing a really lovely tunic… like something we’d see at the markets.”
Mallron nodded and continued with his meal.
They ate in silence for a short while and he then pushed his plate aside in irritation.
Cailyn watched closely as he gestured to the servant standing by the wall to pour him more wine.
“Are you well?” she asked. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you leave any food on your plate since I’ve arrived.”
Malloron began to scowl but his expression quickly changed into a smile. "I do have some concerns, yes."
"Anything I can help with?"
Malloron stilled for a moment, and then placed down his glass. "Actually, Cailyn, I feel there may be something you can help me with indeed." He leaned forward on the table, his rich brown eyes taking her in. "I've told you I would like you to be my queen, and I'm still waiting for an answer. Do you have one?"
Cailyn's eyes widened. She hadn't expected him to ask so directly or intensely. She took a sip of wine, feeling his eyes boring into her. "Do you need an answer right now?" She didn’t have to fake the nerves in her voice.
Malloron sighed. "I don't want to put pressure on you, Cailyn. I just… I need to know if you’re seriously considering it."
Cailyn's eyebrows knitted together. "Of course I am. Why would you think I wasn’t?"
"It's just you've never spoken about what you were doing with your life before Emperor Drocco found you," Malloron said carefully, watching her closely. "You haven't spoken that much about yourself at all."
Cailyn avoided his eyes, taking another sip of wine. "Is that important to you?"
"I would hope that you would feel comfortable telling me anything you want to tell me," Malloron said. "If you are to be my wife, I want you to be able to trust me, and feel comfortable around me. If you’re simply biding your time, then I would prefer you to tell me now."
"Why do you think I would be doing that?"
"I have no idea what your life was like when you were captured by Drocco," Malloron said. "I don't really know you, Cailyn. I'm hoping that because you’re an Omega and I’m an Alpha that we can find a way to have a satisfying and happy life. But we truly don't know each other. I don't yet know how it would benefit you to marry me, and you haven’t been forthcoming about that. I hope you realize that this proposal is a risk for me also."
“Then why are you making it?” Cailyn asked. Malloron’s eyes narrowed but she pretended not to notice and pressed on. “You have indeed treated me much better than Emperor Drocco did, and I’m grateful that you helped me to escape. But why would you want to tie yourself to me by marriage if it is risky? Surely we should take more time to get to know each other to minimize the risk.”
Malloron’s expression soured and a burst of anger surfaced, but he quickly composed himself. “You should know that Drocco is here."
A jolt of shock shot through her. "W-what?"
"Drocco has declared war on Eiros," Malloron said grimly. "He wants you back."
Cailyn gripped the edge of the table. "He has declared war?" All feeling drained from her face.
"You don't need to be worried, Cailyn," Malloron said, trying to be reassuring.
"Are you joking?" Cailyn snapped. "This man defeated every single territory in the Eastern Lands. He has a formidable army and hasn’t lost a battle in twenty years. Why aren't you worried?"
Malloron's eyes flicked over her and he pressed his lips together, suppressing a smile. "I'm not worried because he won't get you. He can’t force you if you’re not willing."
"I wasn’t willing last time,” Cailyn said darkly. “He’s not a man that is used to the word no."
"Well that is what marriage to me can provide you with," Malloron said. "A way to say no to him. Once it is announced that we are to be married, he cannot declare any ownership of you."
Cailyn lowered her eyes in thought. The Mothers said that Drocco would never stop until he got her, but what about if she had chosen to be with someone else? He may have made threats when they were alone, but if she were publicly betrothed to King Malloron, it would be a completely different matter. A matter of state, a political declaration. A deep part of her wondered if she really could reject Drocco in that way, she still craved some of the experiences she had with him… and she also had to consider if she really could announce a marriage to someone she knew was trying to deceive her. Malloron had manipulated her from the beginning, at least Drocco had been upfront from the start. She lifted her eyes to meet his. He watched her closely, that familiar smugness present. He thought he had her stuck in a situation where she was forced to marry him, but there was still Amara.
"I need to think about it," she said, quietly. "Will you allow that? Will you allow me a little more time?"
Malloron's mouth tightened. "The longer you take, the longer he will attack this castle and the people of Eiros. Just remember that people are dying while you consider."
Cailyn kept her head low and nodded, but inside she seethed. How dare he put those deaths on her.
As they finished dinner, the idea that Drocco was in Eiros, dominated her thoughts. He was so close, and had traveled so far. An irrational desire had risen to see him, but that part of her had betrayed her before. She pushed those thoughts away and sipped her wine, hoping that Amara would find her a way out soon.