Captured by sight (Book 4)

Chapter 7

Unknown POV

“Yes it’s all in there just like you requested Lady Cordula, I am a man of my word” I say as she scans the document with her manicured nails, as red as her lips. I hate that color

“So we are to pretend, then once we’re sure he’s convinced we attack” she reads out loud

“Yes as per our agreement” I state, getting irritated that she doesn’t just sign and leave

“What if I want to, oh I don’t know sleep with you?” she asks and I growl

“I have no intention of doing anything other than pretending my lady” I say, my claws digging into my palms

“Oh, but you need to convince him my lord. He might be the lesser one of the two of us, but he’s not simpleminded. We need to ensure he is completely convinced” she says with a wicked smile

“We don’t need to you know, make love, but it will seem strange if we are not sleeping in the same room no?” she says her eyes flashing with desire. Don’t growl

“I suppose you’re right, we will do what is required” I state “Except have s*x, I will not do that” I say and she shrugs

“Well, I see you even added the peace treaty” she says continuing to read

“Yes, we will have no reason for conflict once he’s gone” I state but she shrugs

“Depends” she says and I lean forward

“On what?”

“How good you behave, we will be leaving in the morning for his palace, well mine, and if I am not satisfied with your performance I will have no choice but to broker a new deal my lord” she says. I really want to rip her face off right now

“My lady, if we keep to the plan, you will have enough to abide your time than to worry about me or my territory” I state firmly and she nods

“Yes, you’re right. Besides, I will bed you sir. One way or the other” she says signing the agreement. She places it down and walks around the desk, her full hips swaying from side to side

“I will have you my lord, you can only resist for so long” she whispers biting my ear and I shiver. She smiles and heads out the door

“I’m going to be sick” he says and I nod

“I know. This was a bad idea”

“I told you I don’t trust her”

“I don’t either, but she trusts us” I say and he laughs

“Oh you wicked man” he laughs making me chuckle

“Sir, if you want to leave we have to go now, once we’re there we can’t visit her” Gunther says and I stand smiling. I haven’t smiled this much in my entire life. I’m almost 400 years old, never had a reason to smile, but she makes me want to dance. Don’t like it, waste of time, but I want to with her.

“Yes lets go Gunther” I say locking the agreement in my safe and leaving out the door. We drive to the town and park across from the university. My sight restoring as the beast surfaces, then I see her friend, she’s beautiful too, but where is she? I glance around not seeing her

“Gunther”

“My lord?”

“Do you see her?” I ask and he squints

“No sir, this is strange” he says and I strain my neck

“She’s not here, wait let me make a call” he says. I hear him speaking in German asking if he’s seen her

“Sir she left early this morning he says”

“With who?” I growl

“No she was alone sir. He says she didn’t greet him leaving” I frown

“You think she might be in danger?” I ask but he shakes his head

“Or she might just have been deep in thought. She has the final exams coming up and you know full well that she has that job she applied for at the museum” he says and I nod

“I hope you’re right Gunther. I can’t stand the fact that she might be scared or worried and she has to go through it alone” I say softly and he pats my shoulder

“She’s strong my lord, I’ve seen her train. Believe me she’ll give you a run for your money” he says and I chuckle

“I’d let her win just to see her smile” I say and he nods

“Well, would you like to wait or should we go?” he asks and I glance back, but then I see her strolling back into the university

“Oh there she is” I say excitedly. Her hair blowing in the breeze, exposing her slender neckline

“Oh goddess you’re magnificent” I breathe out, the beast sighing in content

“We should go before your fiancé has a fit” he says looking at his phone

“Fine, goodbye my sweet. Soon my darling” I whisper as we drive off and my vision goes dark. Being blind is not as bad as it sounds. I wasn’t born blind, I became blind early in my life, my sight was the only thing that was permanently affected after I was gravely injured in an attack from a clan of witches. Well that and my face. The beast couldn’t heal it, but after a long time I made peace with it. You learn to adapt, that’s why Gunther is so close to me, most people have no idea I’m blind, well actually only he knows, and dear Anja knew, but that’s it. I’ve mastered the art of using his vision as my own.

“Sir”

“Yes”

“We have to discuss this” he says and the car slows to a stop

“What Gunther?” I ask

“Sir, she’s not trustworthy, she’s going to betray you” he says and I laugh

“I know, I’m betting on it” I say

“But sir, we’ll be going to war” he says and I nod

“We will, after our chat the first time I knew she had only one intention”

“Which is?” he asks

“To get me to marry her. She thinks she’s better than Stefan, she’s much worse. There’s no way I’ll let her rule. I have contacted the royal ambassador already, they’ll advise me on what to do. Until then I need to make sure she is under the impression that I’m at her mercy”

“Oh well, in that case we’re safe”

“No Gunther, haven’t I taught you anything? We’re never safe, until this is done we’ll be sitting ducks” I say and he sighs

“Sir the girl, we need to keep her safe” he says and I nod

“Yes, I know. But as long as her being my mate stays between the two of us she’ll be safe. They can only hurt her to hurt me”

“The girl, she has power sir, I felt it when I was observing her a few months back. She is strong, yes but there’s something else” he says and I hum

“I felt it too, when I first laid eyes on her, maybe the ambassador has more information. I don’t even know her name” I say and he starts the car and pulls away

“It’s for the better sir, the less you know, should they be able to gather information, the better” he says and I groan

“Unlikely, but not impossible” I state. The next morning we’re on our way to Stefan, the little b***h clinging to me like glue. We arrive, the greeting party waiting for us. They’re all dressed in the dark blue uniforms and masks. I hate that.

“Ah dear sister, good to see you” Stefan says stepping forward and giving her a kiss on the cheek

“Hello Stefan, good to be home” she says sweetly

“Stefan” I state holding out my hand and he smiles shaking my hand

“Good to finally meet the man that captured my dear sister’s heart” he says and I’m a little taken aback. He’s being sincere, how is this possible?

“Yes, thank you” I say and he frowns

“No introductions?” he asks and I straighten up, I’m a good foot and a half taller than him

“Just call me brother” I say smiling and he laughs

“Well, you are family, so come on let’s get you settled” he says and leads the way inside. We are shown to our room, but all I smell is fear, every single person here is afraid. Of me or them I’m not sure, but I don’t like it. My people respect me, they don’t fear me. Well not all of them anyway.

“So my dear sister, how was your trip?” I turn to the window as they sit down and chat about her trip to who cares. I look out over the grounds and notice there are many, too many guards. He’s hiding something, not even Adrik had this many personal guards. Yes, I know of Adrik, was a little angry when the royals beat me to it, but satisfied that he got what he deserved.

“Honey” I hear her voice but don’t respond, until her clammy hand grips my arm

“I’m talking to you dearest” she says in a sweet voice and I turn around

“My apologies, I was captured by the beauty of the place” I say and he chuckles

“Oh I get that a lot, you should take a walk in the back garden. You seem to be a man with good taste” he says and I nod sitting down. She grips my hand, lacing our fingers and all I can think of is breaking them one by one

“I was telling Stefan about the wedding” she says and I nod

“So only three months left” he says and I almost swallow my tongue. She told him that?!

“Yes, well, no point in putting off the inevitable” I say and he laughs again

“One way of putting it. Anyway, I have some business to attend to. See you at dinner” he says and leaves with a smile on his face

“Oh, my dear, we have some time to kill” she says running her fingers up my arm

“Yes, why don’t you take a nice long bath” and drown preferably “And I will meet you for dinner?” I say and she nods

“I have just the dress that will help you with your little issue” she says winking and strolls into the bathroom. You are my issue, so unless the dress kills you it won’t help me at all. I think walking out the door. The sun is setting and I stroll down the garden path, enjoying the scenery. One of the guards inform me it’s time for dinner and I bite my tongue the whole time. She is wearing a f*****g red dress, yes that red, the one color I would eliminate from the world in the blink of an eye, groping and stroking my arms and thighs. f**k I hate her. Must say she puts on quite the show, he seems pleased with our ‘union’. A few nights later, I struggle to sleep. The beast is antsy and I don’t know why, he’s never like this. So I sneak out of the room and make my way to the garden. Passing by guards, I feel like I’m under surveillance, I take a seat at the edge of the garden, taking a few deep breaths of crisp air. The night is quiet and the stars look like they’re brighter than usual. A gentle breeze blows past me, cooling off my skin but there’s something else. I strain my ears and then I hear it, a voice, no not just a voice, the voice of an angel. My feet move on their own and the beast is begging to be released but I know better, I have to keep him contained. I sneak around the wall, making sure I’m not being followed, again she sings

“I'm a lost cause

Baby, don't waste your time on me

I'm so damaged beyond repair

Life has shattered my hopes and my dreams

I'm a lost cause

Baby, don't waste your time on me

I'm so damaged beyond repair

Life has shattered my hopes and my dreams”

Oh dear goddess, how can someone with a voice like this be so sad

“What if the night sky

Was missing the moon?

And there were no shooting stars to use wishing on you

And all of my sorrows

I just wash them down

It's the only peace I've ever found”

No, no, no this is not right, why am I so sad? How can she affect me like this?

“I'm a lost cause

Baby, don't waste your time on me

I'm so damaged beyond repair

Life has shattered my hopes and my dreams

I'm a lost cause

Baby, don't waste your time on me

I'm so damaged beyond repair

Life has shattered my hopes and my dreams” then I hear it, she’s crying. I move closer to the wall, trying to pin point the place where she might be. The smell of water leads me to a hole in the wall, the beast now going crazy

“Help her!” he yells in my head, I lay down flat on my stomach, peeping inside but it’s just darkness, I press my claws into my palm ensuring my vision is working but all I see is pitch blackness. The sound of her crying breaks my heart, how can I feel this?

“H-hello?” I say softly and I hear her still

“Oh goddess, not the voices again” she says in a hoarse voice and I swallow the lump in my throat. The f**k is happening to me? I’ve never cried, ever.

“N-no, I’m here” I say and I hear chains rattle. Is she bound somehow? Why is there water dripping?

“W-who are you?” her voice feels like the sun caressing my skin, I love it. No you i***t you have a mate!

“Nobody” I say and she giggles

“There seems to be an excess of you around here” she says and I chuckle

“Really? How so?” I ask and she sighs

“No-one remembers their names. I do, but soon that will be nothing but a memory to those I love” she says and my eyes burn. What is this?

“Why do you say that?” I ask but she’s silent

“Hey you there?” I ask again

“I’m here, seems I stay here now” she says and again I take a big whiff. The smell of sweat, urine and oh goddess blood

“Are you hurt?” I ask, begging for her to answer no

“I was” she says but somehow this makes me more nervous

“Was?”

“I can’t really feel anymore” she says and I clutch my chest. Goddess this hurts, how is this possible?

“Hey you there?” she asks and I nod

“I’m here”

“You one of the nice guards?” she asks and I chuckle

“I’m not a guard” I say

“Oh, then you should probably leave. The master will kill you for speaking to me. I’m a death sentence apparently” she says and again an immense wave of pain rushes through me

“You have a beautiful voice” I say and she giggles again. Please keep doing that

“Thank you. I sing to stay well everything” she says and I frown

“What does that mean?” I ask but she’s silent

“I loved talking to you kind voice, maybe if I dream you’d be there” she says and I feel as if a weight is being lifted off me

“I’d like that” I say

“Tell me what you look like” she says but this time I stay silent

“Please, I haven’t seen a face in weeks” she says and then the anger rises. He keeps them locked up!

“Please, tell me kind voice” her pleads break down my walls and I talk

“I have uhm brown hair” I say and she sighs

“Long or short?”

“Uh in between” I say and again she sighs. It makes my heart beat faster

“Are you tall?” I chuckle

“Yes, I’m 6’9”” I say and she gives a low whistle

“Oh wow, and strong?”

“Yes”

“Like a mountain” she whispers

“Are you handsome?” she asks and I let out a low laugh

“I’ve been told yes” I say

“Are your eyes as kind as your voice?” she asks and I have to contemplate the question. I don’t know, what do I say?

“I… they’re dark blue” I say and she hums. The sound vibrating up my spine

“Oh yeah, I see it now. You’re very sexy, oh and you have a beard, right?” she says and I chuckle

“Yes I do actually” I say and she lets out a sound that reaches my groin. It’s a moan mixed with a humming sigh. Good god that’s amazing

“Yeah, it’ll look weird without the beard” she says and I nod chuckling

“I have to go now, will you be alright?”

“Oh I’m feeling better already. Thank you” she says and it warms my heart

“Good night sweet nightingale” the pet name slipping out and she giggles

“Good night kind voice” she says and I make my way back. I hate leaving her there, I don’t know why she’s there but her words mull around in my mind. I know she might be a criminal, it smelled like a dungeon, but I could be wrong. She has to be there for a reason right? I lie down on the couch, her voice still in my ears, and I fall asleep with a smile. Dreaming of my mate, and the nightingale. The next night, I make sure that my dear fiancé drinks enough wine to sedate a squadron before slipping out and meeting up with the nightingale. As I near her I hear a different song, this one is happier than the one she sang last night, or so I thought till I quietly sat down and listened to the words

“Should I ask myself in the water

What a warrior would do?

Tell me, underneath my armor

Am I loyal, brave and true?

Am I loyal, brave and true?

Losing is easy

Winning takes bravery

I am a tiger's fool

Out in the open

No one to save me

The kindest of whispers are cruel

Should I ask myself in the water

What a warrior would do?

Tell me, underneath my armor

Am I loyal, brave and true?

Am I loyal, brave and true?”

Oh my dear nightingale, how I wish I could convince you, you are

“Cold is the morning

Warm is the dream

Chasing the answers

'Til I can't sleep

Will I be stronger

Or will I be weak

When you're not with me?

Who am I without my armor?

Standing in my father's shoes

All I know is that it's harder

To be loyal, brave and true” I feel something wet on my cheek and I touch it. What is this? Is this… no it can’t be, I’m crying

“I’m sorry dad. I tried, I wanted so desperately to be brave and strong like you. I failed you daddy, please forgive me” her words drift to my ears and I roll onto my stomach

“Nightingale?” I say and I hear her sniffle

“Don’t cry please, I can’t bear hearing you cry” I say the beast settling inside, relaxing

“You came back” she says

“Of course I did. I told you I would didn’t I?” I ask and I hear her sob, my heart clenching each time she inhales, trying to calm her crying. My claws extend, digging into the soil. I want to break this wall down

“You actually didn’t” she says choking out a sob

“You sure?” I ask and she chuckles

“Positive. I never forget” she says and I smile

“Really? Must be frustrating remembering everything” I joke but I hear her sobbing softly

“No, please nightingale don’t cry please I beg you” I plead with her

“It’s torture actually” she says and I move closer to the hole

“What is?”

“Remembering. They won’t let me out until I forget…” she trails off and I lean my head against the cold stone

“Forget what?” I ask fearing the answer

“Who I really am” she says her voice now sounding weak. She’s getting weaker, how long has she been here? Do they feed her at least?

“No, don’t say that” I say and face palm. You numbskull

“That’s what he said. He said I had to forget. They’ll make me forget” she says her voice trembling

“I want to know” I say surprised at my words

“No, it doesn’t matter anymore. I was someone once, I was loved and cared for. I loved so many things, I took it for granted” she says my nails dragging down the cold stone

“No, we can’t forget. Tell me something, anything” I plead she’s silent for a long time then she speaks

“I have a little brother, Lennox. He’s a little rascal” she says and I hear her tone change when she speaks of him

“How old is he?”

“He’d be five now. I missed his birthday this year, he probably thinks I’m not coming home. I don’t think I am going home” she says and I sit up

“Do you have any other siblings?” I ask and she sighs

“No, not yet anyway. My mom she, oh you don’t want to hear it” she says tiredly

“Hey, I dreamed of you last night” I say and she chuckles

“Really? What do I look like?” she asks a hint of playfulness in her voice

“I don’t know… I just heard your voice singing in my dreams. I haven’t slept that well in years” I answer honestly

“Glad I could help you” she says and I frown. She can’t be bad could she? I can usually tell when people are bad, I feel them, all I get form her is honesty and sadness

“I dreamed of you too, we were riding horses on a beach. Your hair was shorter though. I don’t mind long hair but I have a weakness for a man with a neat haircut” she says and I run my finger through my hair

“What style was it in?” I ask

“Something between a crew cut and a quiff” she says

“The hell is a quiff?” I ask and then she laughs, the hair all over my body stands up as the goosebumps cover me, my body shivers in delight as the sound engulfs me

“It’s a hairstyle, like short on the sides but longer on top. You can wear it messy or comb it back” she says still chuckling

“Oh. Did it look good?” I ask and she sighs

“Oh yeah” she says and I swear I hear the want in her voice

“I thought about trimming my beard” I say and I hear the chains. I want to strangle them with those chains, those specific ones

“Is it long?” she asks

“Yes, it’s uhm almost to my chest, and bushy” I say feeling self-conscious all of a sudden. I never cared for my appearance, what is she doing to me?

“Oh yeah, definitely trim that bad boy. Nothing as sexy as a neatly trimmed beard. But not too much, your lady should be able to run her fingers through it. You got that?” she asks and I chuckle

“Yes ma’am” I say

“Du hast einen schönen deutschen Akzent” she says and I swear I just fell in love with her (“You have a nice German accent”)

“Es ist, weil ich Deutscher bin. Gut wahrgenommen, meine Dame” I say and she giggles again (“It's because I am German. Well perceived my lady”)

“Oh hush your mouth good sir. I haven’t been called a lady since…” she goes silent

“Since?”

“Ssshh, they’re coming. Please go, they’ll hurt you” she whispers

“No I won’t leave you” I say desperately clutching at the stone

“Goodbye my brave knight, I’ll never forget you” she says and then it’s silent. Deathly silent. I hear keys and then a door opens, I glance around but I can’t see her, just them, well their heads

“You forget yet b***h?” the one asks and I growl lowly

“Yes sir” she says and my heart breaks. She didn’t, she just wants out

“Good, you going to defy the master again?” the other asks but his tone is more gentle

“No” she says and I hear them unlocking the shackles, she cries out in pain and I hear her body drop. My heart breaks, the beast hissing and growling inside me

“Kill them” he says but I keep still

“Get up!” the one yells

“Can’t you see she’s weak you i***t?” the other says and moves. Her whimpering and painful moans make me see blood red. I’ll kill them all, remember his voice, he dies first

“Sorry princess” the one helping her says and I frown, princess?

“It’s okay Softy, good to see you’re still around” she says her voice strained. I only manage to glimpse at her hair, matted brown hair and I sit there listening to their footsteps fade. No, no please don’t take her. What am I saying? She’s free, she’s better now. But will I be?

“I’ll never forget you nightingale, go well my singing nightingale”

“She called us a knight” he purrs and I chuckle

“Me, she called me a brave knight” I say and he growls

“Same thing” I slowly get up, my heart feels heavy in my chest. My throat is burning, my eyes sting with tears and I make my way to the garden. Sitting down under a tree listening to nothing. Nothing will ever be worth listening to again.