Chapter 72
Gavriel’s breathing was still rough when he finally pulled back from her lips. His weight pressed heavily on her, but he didn’t move right away. For a moment, it almost felt like he wanted to stay there, buried deep inside her warmth.
But then his expression shifted, hardening again. He slowly withdrew and rolled to the side, sitting up at the edge of the bed with his back to her.
Althea lay there catching her breath, her chest rising and falling as she tried to read him. She couldn’t. His mood always changed too quickly.
At last, Gavriel spoke, his tone low but cold. “From now on, you can walk wherever you want in the North Palace. No one will stop you p>
Althea blinked, surprised. She pushed herself up on her elbows, studying him.
He didn’t turn to face her. Instead, he continued, “The three guards outside will remain with you at all times and ensure you’ll manage to roam around with ease p>
Her brows furrowed but she didn’t say a word.
He finally looked back at her then, his eyes dark and unreadable. “You were right earlier. I need you well. As a pawn. As bait for Cain.” His jaw clenched as he spat out the words, as if forcing them.
Althea’s stomach twisted at his bluntness.
“I don’t want you thinking otherwise,” he added, his voice rougher now. “Don’t mistake this—” his eyes flicked to the bed, to her body, still flushed and marked by him, “—for care. You are nothing to me but a body I want. Nothing more p>
Althea swallowed, trying not to let his words sting, but they did. She wrapped the sheet around herself, lifting her chin so he wouldn’t see the hurt in her eyes.
‘Liar,’ she thought. Because no matter how hard he tried to act detached, the way he kissed her, the way he held her just moments ago, said something different. But she bit her tongue, refusing to push him further.
The more Gavriel insisted she meant nothing to him, the less convincing his words seemed.
His actions spoke differently, betraying what he refused to admit. But for her own sanity and her own survival, Althea would always remind herself not to expect anything from him. It was safer to expect nothing at all… or rather, to expect the worst.
Then Althea remembered her promise to Melva. She had sworn to keep her safe, no matter the cost. She sat quietly on the bed, holding the sheet tighter around her body as Gavriel finished dressing.
Swallowing hard, she lifted her gaze to Gavriel and gathered her courage.
“How about my abilities?” she asked carefully. “Am I allowed to perform more magic… to create elixirs? Could I have a spare room for it p>
Gavriel’s head snapped toward her, his frown deepening. “And why? So you can plot an escape p>
Althea pouted without realizing it, humming softly. “It’s medicine. How could I escape by making elixirs p>
“And why bother?” Gavriel shot back. “We have Uriel and the royal guild of healers for that.” Thıs text ıs hosted at.net
“I know,” she admitted, “but will they ever make anything for Melva? They won’t—she’s still bound to my father’s pack. I want to make her elixirs for the future… and maybe a protective bangle she can use p>
“Simon will claim her as his mate. That will be enough protection,” Gavriel answered flatly.
“I know,” Althea said quietly. “But still… I want to be useful, not just—” She stopped herself.
Gavriel’s eyes narrowed dangerously at her hesitation. “Not just what?” His voice was sharp, demanding, like a blade pressed against her throat.
Althea’s lips trembled before she forced the words out. “Not just wait here for you to… claim my body. Or wander the palace halls as if I’m a caged bird. I need to do something, something that matters. If I can’t choose my fate, then at least let me choose how to spend the time I’m forced to remain here p>
The Alpha King’s jaw tightened, and his fingers twitched at his side as if resisting the urge to grab her again. “You dare say such things to me?” His voice dripped with warning.
“I dare because I have nothing left to lose,” she whispered, though her heart pounded painfully in her chest. “At least let me feel I can still be useful p>
Silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating. Gavriel’s stare was unrelenting, his expression unreadable. But deep within those stormy eyes, a flicker of something passed, something that quickly disappeared but Althe saw it.
Curiosity? Admiration?
Or she could be wrong p>
He stepped closer, towering over her until she had to tilt her head back. “Careful, Althea. Every request you make only tempts me to remind you who holds your leash. You’re a captive here, yet you beg for a place, tools, and crops. Do you not realize how fragile your position is here p>
“I know,” she replied softly but firmly. “That’s why I ask. Not demand. Ask p>
Gavriel exhaled slowly through his nose, his frown never easing. He hated her courage, yet something about it rooted him in place.
“You want your apothecary?” His tone was low, biting. “Fine. You’ll have it. But know this, Althea, if I sense treachery, I’ll crush this little dream of yours along with everything else you hold dear p>
Her chest rose and fell with a sharp breath, but she did not cower. Instead, she gave a small nod. “I understand p>
Gavriel’s gaze lingered on her longer than he intended. He hated how her defiance stirred something in him, something he could neither name nor welcome.
“Good,” he said at last, his voice cold again. “Do not mistake this for mercy. I allow it because even a pawn can serve better when it feels useful p>
Althea lowered her eyes. Yes, she was nothing but a body he wanted and a pawn he needed. Still, in that fleeting moment, the faintest spark of hope continued to ignite within her.
Gavriel glanced at her once more before leaving the room.
“That servant you saved keeps asking to see you,” Gavriel said abruptly. “She says she wants to serve you. Do you want to accept her p>