Chapter 72: The Promise And Bella’s Confession!
Cael found his brother in their father’s cave. He had gone to Soren’s cave and found it empty. He even went to Gideon, and that’s when Gideon told him where to find Soren.
The old man was there, sitting up slightly, wrapped in furs and looking considerably weaker than he had before. He coughed when Cael entered, the sound harsh and wet. Soren was holding a folded leaf of medicine in his hand, waiting for their father to finish drinking it.
"Drink slowly," Soren said gently. "Do not rush it or you’ll end up vomiting."
Their father finished the drink and exhaled deeply, setting the leaf down beside him.
"Ah," he cleared his throat and looked at Cael with eyes that had seen many winters. "You must be here about Bella."
Cael sat down opposite his father.
"Why don’t you tell Neve to check on you?" Cael said. "I know Gideon is trying his best, but you can rely on Neve. He’s good with medical things. I’m sure he’ll be able to fix you up in no time."
His father laughed, the sound weak but genuine.
"It’s old age, Cael," he said. "Everyone is going to die. I guess this is my turn."
Soren looked away at the statement.
Cael felt guilt settle in his chest. He had come here to talk about killing Bella when his father was not well. He was being selfish. He knew it, but he didn’t want that girl to go unpunished.
"Cael," Soren said.
"I know, I’ll come back later," Cael said, already preparing to stand and leave them in peace.
"No," Soren said. His voice was firm. "I’m glad you’re here. I’ve been waiting for you. We have to find a way to handle Bella’s situation."
Cael sat back down.
"What do you mean by handle her situation?" he asked coldly. "What else does she deserve than death?"
"Cael," Soren sighed. His expression was heavy with the weight of being chief. "Don’t forget she’s the only daughter of the former chief. Our father made a promise to him before he died to take care of his only daughter. He can’t go breaking that promise."
"That promise is between father and the former chief," Cael said. His fist clenched on his lap. "Not me. I never made that promise."
"Cael, I know how upset you are," Soren said carefully. "But we can’t kill Bella. I refuse to let you do that. So I order you as your chief to let the matter go." He paused. "She’ll remain in the dungeon until she learns her lesson. Besides, Neve managed to save that man. So the attempt she tried to kill him failed."
Cael smirked as he stood up.
"Maybe you shouldn’t have been chief after all," he said coldly.
He turned to leave, but his father called his name.
"Cael."
He stopped and looked back at the old man.
Their father’s eyes were kind but serious.
"Soren is only doing this for my sake," he said. "Don’t be too hard on your brother."
Cael looked at Soren. Then he looked away.
"Then Neve should suffer all the consequences alone?" he asked.
"Cael..."
"I hope she remains in that dungeon," Cael said, and he walked away without waiting for a response.
.
.
Outside the cave, Cael exhaled deeply.
His walk had not been fruitful. He had not accomplished what he wanted. Bella would not die. She would sit in the dungeon and eventually be released because of a promise made to a dead chief.
Justice was not going to happen the way Cael wanted it to.
But there were other things Cael could do. Other ways to make sure Neve was protected.
"Maybe I should go check on her," he said to himself.
He started heading toward the dungeon.
.
.
The dungeon was just another cave, but deeper into the mountain and more secure.
Guards stood at the entrance. When they saw Cael, they bowed immediately. He waved a hand and entered without waiting for the ceremony.
Isabella was pacing inside.
Her finger was in her mouth like she was thinking hard about something. Her expression said she was planning, always planning and always looking for the next way to get what she wanted.
"Whatever you did to Neve, I’ll never let you do it again," Cael said.
Isabella flinched at the sound of his voice.
She rushed toward him immediately, her hands reaching out. She grabbed the wrapping skirt that Neve had made, the one Cael was wearing.
"Cael," she said, her voice desperate. "I didn’t do anything wrong. Trust me. I wouldn’t hurt Neve."
Cael looked at her with disgust.
"Trust you?" he asked. He smiled, but it was not a kind smile. "Do not think your games would work on me, Bella. I’m not Soren. I’m not my father. If I had the chance, I’d rip your throat from your neck and watch you bleed." He stepped closer. "You should thank Soren that I’m not doing that right now."
Isabella held her throat and stepped back until her back hit the wall of the dungeon cave. She lowered her head, flinching and trembling from his words.
Then she suddenly lifted her head to meet his eyes.
Her expression had changed.
It was no longer desperate. It was cold and determined.
"So what if you’re not Soren? Or your father?" she asked. "You can’t kill me, Cael. The law won’t let you. And don’t think my plans to get rid of Neve are over."
Cael felt something cold move through his chest.
"So you’ve finally chosen to expose yourself," he said.
Isabella flung her hair to the back and folded her hands across her chest.
"Of course," she said. "Since you’re already marked and owned by him, I don’t have any need for you anymore. But I must make sure to kill Neve before he gets Ryker to mark him."
She stepped forward, her eyes burning with something darker than anger.
"Ryker is mine," she said. "And I won’t lose him the same way I lost you."