Caelum's POV
I strode angrily to Lorien's cell.
How stubborn can she be?
She might be stubborn, but she won't watch her lover die; the guardsmen opened the small gate, and I entered.
Lorien was on the floor but stood up immediately as he saw me.
"Where is Seraphina? How is she?" He asked, looking ragged.
"She is fine but stubborn, how did you tame a woman like her?" I said as I controlled my magic to show whatever was happening in this room to Seraphina through the mirror.
"Tame? She is my mate caelum, she is meant to obey and worship me till she dies." He replied aggressively.
I smiled. "But I will treat her better, I will show her how special she is…
"She is happier with me, you can't force my woman." He interrupted creating a fist.
I needed something to make him mad, spill words that would make Seraphina heartbroken.
"You forced marriage on a woman and believe she's happy? She is just trying to tolerate your nonsense."
"Tolerate." He asked as he looked into my eyes directly. " we love each other, Caelum. I was not worthy of her, but now she means so much to me. I know she can see and hear us right now, I can feel it."
He looked around and shouted. " Don't overthink Seraphina and don't attempt stupid activities. I will get us out of here….
I became furious and stopped the magic then raised my finger.
Two of my shadows knocked him down and choked him.
"I'll make sure you're present when your wife accepts my proposal," I stated and walked out of the cell angrily.
I had to do something to break Seraphina. I felt a presence behind me.
"Elara?"
"Why do you look so angry?" She asked smiling.
"Your son and his petty mate are getting on my nerves, I need to get married to Seraphina quickly. I don't have much time." I replied as we walked out of the dungeon.
"Well, that was what I expected from them."
"Seraphina believes she can't be broken, I need to think about what to do to break her ego."
"You have to stay calm and think well….
"Her body! Yes, she claims no one will touch her apart from Lorien." I chuckled.
"Is that not too much?" she asked
I turned to her and gave her a dead stare.
"I don't have much time, once I'm done with her. You have to come in and talk to her. You have to belittle her and make sure she agrees to my proposal." I started and made my way to Seraphina's chamber.
I could feel Elara's cold gaze on me but I didn't mind.
~~~~~~
Seraphina's POV
I became happy as I saw Lorien. He looked tattered and weak but still determined
He also confessed his love to me. "We love each other."
I beamed as I got up from the floor, there must be something around that I can use to escape.
I scanned the room and saw a wooden fork on a chair. "That should be able to do something," I muttered and walked to the door slowly but steadily.
Suddenly, the door opened, and Caelum stood by the door looking furious.
I immediately hid the fork behind my back.
"Going somewhere?" He asked as he walked up to me menacingly.
I stepped backward. " I just wanted to receive some fresh breeze outside."
"I want to see if you will stand up to me after this." He replied as he threw his cloak on the floor.
I was unsure of what he was doing, so I raised my hand to thrust him with the fork, but my hand twisted,d and the fork fell.
I let out a cry and was lifted in the hair at once.
"What are you….doing?" I asked stuttering loudly.
"Stealing your dignity." He retorted.
I landed on the bed with a loud thud and could feel unseen forces holding my legs apart.
This wasn't real!
He was not going to rape me? Is he?!
I watched as he got atop me and ripped my gown apart as the demon he was.
"Don't do this, Caelum; you can't take advantage of a woman. I beg you!" I pleaded as I lay naked on the bed.
"This is the reason you have been so rude and stubborn. I want to see you act rudely after I've deprived you of your dignity." He growled, his eyes feasting on my body.
I never thought another man would touch me after Lorien. I will never be the same if caelum truly deprives my dignity.
"Please forgive me, I beg you!" I screamed at him but it fell on deaf ears. Unwanted hands ravaged my body, I tried to resist but his strength overpowered mine.
I lay on the bed and stopped resisting just for my baby. If I tried anything, he could use his force and my unborn child could get hurt.
I laid on the bed as if I had no life in me, he stole my dignity truly. What will Lorien say to me?
Tears rolled down my eyes as I heard Caelum's laughter fill the air. He got off me and laid beside me. I cried silently, how will I face Lorien?
He got up from the bed, dressed up, and threw his cloak to me.
My gown was torn.
"That's the reason Lorien could not leave you." He chuckled. "Now let's see how he will treat you after he has learned that I made love to his beloved wife."
I could hear him leave, I felt like stabbing him continuously. I threw his cloak to the door and covered myself with the blanket. Hot tears rolled down my eyes.
How can one be so evil?
I felt my stomach churn and I placed my hand on it.
"I am sorry…I am so sorry, I've hurt you and your father." I muttered in pain.
"You should have just surrendered yourself to him when he asked politely." The familiar voice said.
Elara!
I was not surprised, she was here to tease me.
"Traitor! Betrayer !" I shouted back at her from the blanket.
"How will your son feel if he learns that you are in cohorts with a demon?" I added.
" He already knows Seraphina. Lorien is just as stubborn as you. I had warned him not to marry you, but you know love. It can blind anybody."
"So you're happy as he's torturing your son?"
"That's the reason why I am here, Seraphina; I had to support Caelum for Lorien's good…
"Liar!" I snapped back at her.
"It's fine if you don't believe but trust me, Caelum will kill my son if you don't save him."
She paused for a while then continued.
"Caelum is more evil than you think, Seraphina; my husband died by his hands. I had to support him, so he'd helped Lorien in every battle, but his request was you."
"Get out of here!" I said aggressively.
"I just want you to know that Caelum said if you don't accept sooner to be his wife, he'll kill my son and marry you forcibly." She replied, her voice low.
I looked at her and saw her look, she was distressed but that is what Caelum would do.
"Why did you send a shadow of the past to kill me?" I asked gently.
"It's to remind you of who you are, Seraphina; I know you can't remember all, but what about the one caelum showed you in the mirror?"
Truly the shadow opened my eyes to Seraphina's life when she was younger. But most of the memories were blurred.
Elara got on her knees and looked up at me.
"I know I've done things to you that will never make you trust me again but please, this is a mother pleading to a queen. Marry Caelum so he can be free, you have to marry Caelum so Lorien can see his true potential, please," she begged profusely.
I was confused but more determined.
Whatever Caelum did not break me, it made me stronger!
"What potential? How do I know if this is not part of your silly plans?"
"I may betray my son but I can't watch him die at the hands of a demon."
I understand her. She wants me to sacrifice myself to Caelum so her son will be free.
It was something I could do.
I decided to inform her of my condition.
"I'm pregnant," I said softly and she widened her eyes in amazement.
"This is wonderful news! Lorien needs to know."
"Don't tell Lorien Elara, promise me. I'll agree to caelum demands and wait for Lorien to save me. I know he will get stronger."
"I promise, you will tell your Alpha you're pregnant, yourself." She replied as she nodded.
I hope I can confide in her. She might be working for Caelum but she still pitied her.
Caelum's evil deed did not weaken me as he claimed, I felt a new surge of strength in me. I became determined and resolved.