Chapter 19

GABRIEL

The castle halls are cold and empty. I’ve walked these corridors enough times to know their loneliness, but does it bother me? Maybe a little.

I glance at the towering stone walls, considering whether they need a change. They lack a woman’s touch. There’s no color to greet me as I pass.

The Castle of Trollar’s halls are as black as my heart. Strangely, they’re haunted not by ghosts, but by my memories of the blood I’ve shed within them.

The echo of my footsteps is the only sound. Even the servants are silent. I prefer it that way. It gives me peace to think, especially about what I’m about to do.

As I approach, guards swing open the double doors to the throne room. My council rises from their seats to greet me. I nod in acknowledgment and take my place.

Everyone waits for me to speak. I glance around and see two of my sons seated at the table, carefree.

“I believe most of you know why I’ve called this meeting?” I say, loud enough for all to hear. “You’re aware of recent events.”

Most of my council members keep their eyes down. Fear is etched on their faces.

“Now, it seems we’re the ones to be judged,” I say, smirking. As the doors swing open, guards drag in a struggling man. I can’t help but scoff at the sight.

My son, Prince Zar, fights against the guards as they haul him in. They throw him at my feet and step back. I look down at him.

“Father, what’s going on?” Prince Zar asks, looking around in confusion.

“This?” I say, gesturing around the room. “This is your trial.” His eyes widen in surprise.

“T-trial?” Prince Zar stammers.

“Yes,” I say, smiling. “For being a thief.”

“You’re putting me on trial for the stones?” Prince Zar asks, his body trembling.

I rise from my throne and descend the grand staircase. Each step echoes louder than the last. I reach the bottom.

I stand before my son, looking down at him. He’s chained and kneeling, a faint bruise marring his face.

“Are you denying it?” I ask, standing tall. Prince Zar remains silent, his head bowed. Annoyed, I kick him in the stomach.

“I asked you a question!” I snap, grabbing his hair and forcing him to look at me. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”

“Yes, I took them!” Prince Zar snaps back. “So what? I traded them for something useful.”

“Useful?” I echo, the word feeling strange in my mouth. “If I wanted something useful, it would be the hearts, not some fucking scales.”

No one dares to protest.

“I believe Prince Zar needs to be punished,” I announce, making sure everyone hears. “Isn’t that right, Zar?”

Fear flashes in my son’s eyes. He knows I don’t make idle threats. I’m not one to forgive, even when it comes to family.

“One hundred lashes, and a month in the dungeons,” a voice suggests.

I turn to see my eldest son, Prince Eros, grinning wickedly.

“Just a suggestion,” Prince Eros says, still smiling. “You can do what you want, father.”

I raise an eyebrow and scoff.

“Since when do you make suggestions?” I retort. “If you’re suggesting it, you’re the one to carry it out!”

“I wouldn’t mind,” Prince Eros says, his green eyes sparkling with anticipation.

“It seems your brother wants to punish you,” I say, turning to Zar. “But I wonder if that’s enough?”

Zar just glares at me. He’s angry, but what can he do?

“Your Majesty, if I may,” one of my councilmen interjects. I look up to see it’s my general.

“Speak,” I command, releasing Zar’s hair.

“How many heart stones did he return to the dragons?” the general asks. The councilmen start whispering among themselves.

“Silence!” I snap, irritated. “He gave enough for an army.” Zar has made a grave mistake by stealing the dragon hearts from our kingdom and returning them to the dragon king.

Zar is not only useless, but he’s also foolish. His peace treaty is a fucking threat to my rule. If it weren’t for his popularity, I’d kill him.

“So, the right thing to do is to punish him, father,” my other son, Prince Seth, says.

“Do I have any other choice?” I say sarcastically. “If anyone objects to Prince Zar’s punishment, stand up.”

I wait for anyone to defy me, scanning each face. No one meets my gaze.

“Good, meeting adjourned. Now leave us,” I command. Everyone scurries away, leaving only my sons. As the doors close, I look at Prince Zar. His head is bowed.

“How I wish to kill you,” I say through gritted teeth. My hands clench in anger behind my back. “You’re nothing but trouble. Can’t you be like your brothers?”

I have four sons. Two from my queen, and the rest from concubines. Each has unique eye colors. All are dragon tamers. Except one: Zar.

He always opposes my decisions. He’s the third-youngest son. A fucking useless bastard who only makes me despise him more.

If it weren’t for his supporters in the council and other kingdoms, I would have killed him long ago.

“Father, don’t get mad at Zar. You know he’s good for nothing. He’s just a fucking bastard, isn’t he?” Prince Seth says with disgust, looking at Zar.

“Don’t take it personally,” Prince Seth tells me. “I’m just being straight with you, brother.”

Zar spits in Seth’s direction. Seth jumps to his feet in anger, but Eros holds him back.

“Relax, brother. Don’t dirty your hands. I’ll handle this,” Prince Eros says, rising from his seat. “Bring me a whip and chain him down,” he commands the guard.

I turn my back to the scene, walking back to my throne. I sit down, my eyes on Eros as he takes the whip from the guard. Zar turns to me, his eyes filled with defiance. “Your day will come, mark my words, father!”

“My day?” I reply, a smile playing on my lips. “You should be more concerned about your own,” I chuckle.

The sound of chains scraping against the black marble floor fills the room. I signal a servant to bring me a goblet of wine. Eros tests the whip, cracking it in the air. He turns to Zar, licking his lips in anticipation.

The guards secure Zar, making sure he can’t move. They tear his shirt off, revealing a back already marked with scars from previous punishments.

“Consider this a lesson, Zar. Next time, it won’t be just a whipping,” I warn him, taking a sip of my wine.

Eros rolls up his sleeves, gripping the whip tightly. With a swift motion, he lets it fly. The sound of the whip smacking against Zar’s skin echoes in the room as Eros begins his brutal punishment.

I can’t help but chuckle as I watch Zar’s back start to bleed. Each strike of the whip splits his skin further, pulling at the old scars.

Zar groans in pain, but he doesn’t scream.

“HARDER!” I command Eros. “Make him scream.”