Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder
Chapter 1143 - 54 : Bye, Rion

Chapter 1143: Chapter 54 : Bye, Rion

*Daphne*

My legs were screaming at me to stop running, but I had no other choice. I hugged a precious bundle to my chest as I sped through the trees. The moon was full and high above me as frightening shrieks and deep voices echoed behind me. It was obvious that they were gaining on me.

I dared to peek over my shoulder, regretting it immediately when I spotted dark figures floating toward us. I bit back a scream and continued sprinting, crying out for Rion.

I saw him then in the distance, the moonlight illuminating his dark hair and his gray eyes. He was far away, between the trees. I ran as fast as I could, but he seemed to be getting farther away.

The baby in my arms started to whimper. I just held them more firmly against my chest, patting them soothingly through the thick blanket they were swaddled in. I didn’t break eye contact with Rion as I continued toward him, reaching one hand out to him and begging him not to go. I hated the far-away look in his eyes. It was clear that he couldn’t stay with me.

With us.

I cried out when Rion faded from my vision, disappearing through the trees. Our baby began to cry loudly, both our wails echoing through the cold air.

My eyes popped open as I shot up in my cot.

I gritted my teeth as I struggled to control my ragged breathing. I squinted at the tiny window looking out over the water.

It was the middle of the night, and the moon was high in the sky, casting a soft glow over the calm ocean. I rubbed my eyes before my hands fell to the small bump beneath my dress. I stroked it soothingly, murmuring softly to the baby.

“It’s okay,” I whispered, ducking my head so that my lips were a bit closer to my child. “We’re going to get through this. I’ll do whatever it takes to save your father.”

With Eva’s tenacity and my words of persuasion, we were able to convince Kyle and Carissa to take me back to the palace once we explained that it would bring us a step closer to finding the treasure. Kyle would also likely receive a hefty reward for delivering me home safely so it wasn’t too hard to convince them.

My heart ached as I thought about Rion, unconscious and cold in some dark room all alone. My body ached for him. I needed to see him.

As if on its own, my body rose from the tiny cot. I grabbed my thin cloak that was hanging over the foot of the cot, wrapping it around my body before I pulled on my boots.

I needed to find him. I needed to see for myself that Rion was alive.

My hand fell to my stomach as I pushed the tiny door open before stepping out into the cool night air.

He had to be.

I wandered around the ship, not sure what I was even looking for. I crossed several tightly shut doors. It wasn’t long before I started to feel foolish. I didn’t know where they were keeping him, and I had no way of finding out.

Would he be considered a prisoner even though he was unconscious? I supposed that was possible. The brig where prisoners or unruly crew members were to be kept would likely be below deck.

I tightened my cloak around my shoulders as I neared the back of the ship, my eyes locating a ladder leading down. I clumsily clambered down the rickety ladder, trying to do so quietly. I was swaddled in darkness in no time, the air seemed to get colder the more I descended.

When I got to the bottom of the ladder, I found myself at the start of a bunch of narrow passageways. I briefly wondered how many more hours there were before dawn. I had yet to see a soul. Were they truly all asleep? I doubted they all were. I would need to move swiftly and quietly.

I must have spent over an hour moving through the lower levels of the ship. I was completely lost, just wandering. I doubted that I would be able to find my way back to the main deck.

I stifled a tiny sob. What the hell was I even doing?

Completely by accident, I stumbled upon what had to be the brig. I turned a corner and immediately ducked back when I saw a heavy iron gate down a small hallway. It was flanked by a pirate guard on either side.

“Did you hear that?” one asked.

“For the last time,” snapped the second. “It was a rat. I saw it run past. Now, shut up.”

They were silent for a few moments. I debated turning around and trying to find my way back until the first guard spoke again.

“Why didn’t they put the dark witch’s son in the brig, do you think?” he asked.

The second guard sounded close to throttling his partner. “Because he’s unconscious, you idiot. It would be a waste of space in the brig in case we end up with other prisoners.”

“But what if he wakes up?” the first wanted to know.

“He shouldn’t,” answered the second in a voice that suggested he was rolling his eyes. “But that’s why he’s in a room just down the hall from us. If he happens to wake up, we’ll hear him and be able to immediately throw him in the brig.”

They continued to talk, but I was no longer listening, my heart hammering once I learned that Rion was close. I slipped further down the hall, careful to stay out of the sight of the two men. It didn’t take me long to get to a nondescript door just down the hall. I held my breath and pushed it open as quietly as I could.

I could have cried when I saw him, lying peacefully on a thick board of wood that was suspended above the floor by a couple of thick chains. I gently closed the door and made my way over to him, my hands shaking when I stopped in front of his still form.

My watering eyes traced the planes of his face, from his smooth forehead to his strong, rugged jawline. I longed to desperately look into the deep gray eyes that I had fallen in love with.

I stroked the side of his face, running my fingers lightly along his cheekbone. I frowned at how cold his skin was, but I was relieved to see that his chest was rising and falling in an even rhythm. He looked surprisingly peaceful despite the fact that he had deadly poison flowing through his system.

My hand traveled down his face and the side of his arm until it finally reached his large hand. I gripped it tightly, shutting my eyes so I could concentrate.

“Rion,” I spoke softly in my mind, squeezing his cold hand firmly.

“Daphne?”

I opened my eyes for just a moment and gasped, elated that it had worked.

“Yes, Rion,” I said, shutting my eyes again so I could focus on his voice fully. “Yes, I’m here.”

Rion sounded relieved and puzzled. His voice was deep and confused as it flowed through my mind. “I’m unconscious. What did those bastards do to me?”

My throat tightened. “You’ve been poisoned,” I told him, surprised when my internal voice cracked slightly on the dreaded word. “Don’t worry. We’re doing everything we can to save you. You’re going to be okay.”

“We?” he asked.

“Yes,” I answered. “Eva and I. We’re working together to get the antidote from Kyle and Carissa.”

“No,” Rion practically screamed inside of my head. “No, Daphne. You two need to escape. You need to take my sister and get somewhere safe.”

“I can’t do that,” I told him firmly, hearing the firm resolve echo in my mind.

“You have to,” Rion said firmly.

“No, I really can’t,” I said. I took a huge breath, knowing that I had to tell him, despite the circumstances. I might not get another chance later. The future was too uncertain. “I could never forgive myself if I didn’t do my best to ensure that my child had the chance to meet their father.”

There was silence for several tense moments.

“You’re pregnant?” Rion gasped out the words. His voice was low and panicked. “You’re sure?”

I nodded before realizing that he wouldn’t be able to see that. “Yes,” I confirmed in a shaky voice. “I’m absolutely sure. I saw the head physician at the palace as soon as I suspected.”

It was obvious that Rion believed me, even though more silence followed. I was just about to ask if he heard me when his deep voice finally came through. “I’m going to be a father.”

Tears pricked at my eyes at the absolute awe in Rion’s voice. “Yes....”

I could feel the absolute elation through our mental link at that moment. I thought I even felt Rion’s large hand grip mine for a brief second, but it went limp again before I could be sure.

“How are you here with me now?” Rion asked, breaking the blissful silence that had passed between us.

I quickly explained how we were heading back to the palace, and how I had come to find where he was.

His voice was suddenly low and panicked. “Daphne, you need to get out of here.”

“What? But–”

“No,” Rion said firmly. “Get out of here. You need to protect yourself and our child. You could get caught in here!”

I knew he was right, and that I wasn’t just putting myself at risk by coming here, but I needed to see him and now that he knew about our child, it made it that much more difficult to leave.

“I’m glad that I was able to finally tell you,” I said.

Another long pause.

“Me too,” he said finally, and the blissful awe returned slightly to his tone. But then it hardened again just as quickly. “I need you to do something else for me.”

“What is it?” I asked, knowing that I would do everything in my power since he sounded so desperate.

“Go home, Daphne,” he said, making my blood freeze as his voice lowered further. “Go back to the palace and stay there.”

“Rion, what are you saying?” I asked. “We’re going to figure this out. You’re going to be okay... and the three of us can be a family!”

“Daphne,” Rion snapped. “Please, just this once, listen to me and do as I say. When you get back to the palace, you need to stay there and stay safe. Please. Just forget about me.”

I shook my head, the tears streaming down my face freely now. “I can’t,” I said stubbornly. “I won’t!”

“Please go,” Rion said, but it sounded like an order. Then his voice softened slightly. “This is the only way I know to keep you and our baby safe.”

I could agree to leave so that I wouldn’t be captured, but I couldn’t promise to never go searching for Rion again. I swallowed. “Okay, I’ll go.”

“Thank you,” Rion said, his voice suddenly strangled with emotion. “Take care of yourself, and our child.”

“I will,” I said softly. “Bye, Rion.”

And with much difficulty, I let go of his hand and stepped away.