Chapter-3

I could hardly concentrate anymore, not that I was not attentive but my attention was solely stolen by the dark-haired man sitting across me with a prosaic look of boredom on his face.

Despite his attractive features and arctic blue orbs that held depths deeper than an ocean, his attractiveness evoked a wave of anxiousness inside me. This man had succeeded in attaining my notoriety with the stunt he pulled in the garden earlier. Liana had somehow convinced me to join the family and give some time to our father, whom she still believed would make everything better.

Even though, I knew it was near impossible. Even after giving him time, the time I had lost waiting for him would never come back. Also, there was one other problem. I would not call it a problem but it was closer to one. Cassius's brothers.

It took me a long minute to recognise them. Veles was the complete opposite of his brothers. His icy white, shoulder-length hairs, twisted in a low bun, just above his neck, spoke for snow. His golden eyes were enchantingly alluring, they held the power to provide you warmth when needed, and the same eyes dared to burn you into ashes. Veles had a fire in his eyes and darkness within him.

The top few buttons were undone and his upper chest was left bare for my sister's eyes to feed upon. "Lord Veles," my father bowed to pay his respect as the said man smirked.

"No need for formalities Harvard, I'm not one to get easily lured." He strode towards where Cassius sat in two long strides, his muscular arms flexing as he pulled the chair. Annoying laughs and high-pitched voices of my dear step sisters were making me hold back a laugh. My brows furrowed. My father cleared his throat uncomfortably as he chuckled nervously.

"How is everything going? Hope everything is going fine in Nithilorc-"

"Everything's fine." My father was cut rudely by other brothers. I narrowed my eyes at his audacity. My father was a king, the leader of a prestigious kingdom. And he was talking to him like that? His long coat flapped as he took the seat next to Veles. His coldness matched his dark blue eyes, and his tight-lipped expressions created more awkwardness. But despite his handsomeness, he had no audacity to talk to my father like this, he should respect to take respect.

I was getting annoyed by his rebellious behaviour.

"Oh....glad to know." My father was ashamed; I could see clearly. And trust me I didn't miss the slight twitch in Ezra's lips. He seemed rather amused.

The three of them were talking to themselves, slowly so that no one could hear. It was rude, to ignore a king, and exclude him like this. On the other hand, my sisters were trying hard to gather their attention. I rolled when Isabella knowingly pushed her chest upwards, the tight corset made her cleavage more transparent. Well, if her lewdness could lure Cassius then that would be a match made in heaven. Since both of them were shameless.

"So, where are others? I wonder if they are as handsome as you are." Tiana asked, biting her lower lip seductively. I almost gagged. Cassius purposely ignored her question, as he chewed up his food.

"Why, sweetheart? Aren’t I doing enough to hold your attention?" Veles smirked, slightly leaning back, his hands resting on his thighs, as his eyes looked at Tiana. God! Tiana blushed.

"Just hoping to meet them also... you know, I wonder if they're as good as you." My eyes immediately landed on my father, who ignored Tiana's comment. She was shameless. I choked on my food when Veles rubbed in between his pants. It was too late when I realised all eyes were on me.

Feeling ashamed, and flushed, I mumbled a small excuse. I could feel everyone's eyes on me.

It was getting too hot in there. My feet automatically bobbled up and down, the longer I felt their eyes on me, the more anxiousness engulfed me.

"So, about the offer?" My eyes snapped towards my father as he placed his spoon down and looked towards the trio of brothers. "It was a beautiful evening, Lord Harvard," My breath hitched when Cassius suddenly looked my way and my cheeks flared with shame remembering what he did to me in the garden.

"But there's something you need to know." My father's brow furrowed along with every other member present at the table.

"I-I do not understand, My Lord." Cassius sighed and my heart hammered as he pushed his chair back. His tall frame towered over the table as he motioned towards the hall.

"We are not interested in your offering." He said and my father followed his action.

"What do you-"

"But we would love to offer something else." Veles interrupted, standing behind Cassius as Ezra followed him.

My father's expression changed into one of happiness hearing their words as he raised a toast. "It's my pleasure to fulfil your request, My Lords. Toast to our raising bond."

Ezra was standing beside Cassius and Veles was just behind them. Now that they all were standing close enough, I could see differences in their physiques. Ezra was a quiet one. His dark hairs not only represented the canvas of night but his icy blue eyes spoke for summer skies and those calm, deep oceans.

And any number of crystals you could name, you could drown in them and you wouldn't even care. He had his hands embedded deep into his pockets, the off-white linen shirt clung indecently against his torso, the outlines of his pectoral muscles faintly visible. I somehow felt bad for the girl who would marry Ezra. I also noticed that the three of them shared similarities.

Other than their tall statues, and muscular physiques, the trio possessed the power to allure any woman. To make her beg for them till they have their fill. My brows narrowed as the three of them leaned into each other. Loud cheers were echoing through the hall as my father raised a toast.

"Tonight is an authentic moment," he said raising his goblet. "Lords of Nithilorc will not only choose my five daughters as their brides but also it represents the union of two kingdoms." I sadly smiled. Of course! My father would always think about his other five daughters. Cassius clasped his hands behind his back as he stared at my father. His face was stoic and emotionless as usual.

"Union?" Veles stepped forward as he took my father's hand. I looked confused at him for a second when my father groaned in pain as his bones cracked from the sheer strength of Veles crushing his hand. "This isn't union, you old bastard," Veles snarled with a sinister grin. "It's a fucking CONQUEST!"

I looked at him wide-eyed as he raised his sword in the air and before I could process it, my father's head was rolling on the floor. People screamed at the abrupt attack as the doors of the hall were opened, many unfamiliar men stormed the banquet hall as the invaders charged at the people.

I stared wide-eyed as people screamed and cried. Irene let out a blood-curdling scream. My mouth dropped open in shock, I shook with terror as I quickly rushed towards his cascade trying to avoid the hooded invaders. I could hear frantic crying and screaming behind me as I tried to move through several scrambling bodies.

"HAZEL!" I looked over my shoulder just in time as Liana grabbed me by the arm. Her once perfectly styled hair looked dishevelled, and the tears cascading down her face had ruined her black kohl. Her clothes were torn from places as he looked terrifyingly at me. "We need to leave! We need to leave!"

My heart raced as she turned around and dragged me with him.

"F-Father," I whispered as more tears dripped down my eyes. I couldn't believe what was happening. The once supposed to be a memorial evening turned out to be this way.

"He's dead, Hazel! He's dead!" She cried whilst we both rushed to the nearest exit. Scream, terror-filled cries, echoed through the castle. Swords clashing against each other, growls, gasps.

"HAZEL! LIANA!" We both were stopped when the familiar voice of Dominic pierced through my wars. Looking back, he was already coming toward us.

"Dominic!" I gasped. Taking my dress into my hands, I ran towards him. He caught me in his arms just as I jumped on top of him.

"They killed him, Dominic! They killed him." I cried in his arms as I hugged him tightly. He quickly pulled back and looked at me seriously.

"We need to leave. Nithilorc has betrayed us. We need to leave immediately-"

"And I thought she was available." Blood drained off my face as Dominic snarled whilst pushing me behind him. Liana was quick to wrap her arms around me. In front of us stood Veles and Ezra, their gazes hard and sinister.

They were not alone, an unfamiliar man with short silver hair was standing beside them. I would have admired his features if it wasn't for the terrifying situation. Dominic looked at us before mouthing three and pointed towards the door to our left.

At first, I didn't understand but Ruby quickly jerked me towards her. I took a deep breath.

"Available? Who's she?" The unfamiliar man said, his brows narrowed as he looked at Veles.

One.

Veles rolled his eyes.

"She caught Cassius's interest."

Two.

I gulped. Ezra scoffed.

"Probably his dick."

Three.

I just took a step when I stopped short as a sword went careening past my face and lodged into the wall adjacent. I glanced over my shoulder in shock and saw the unfamiliar man grinning at me. He tsked as he waved his fingers at me.

"There's my girl," Veles grinned. I lost all the feeling in my limbs. I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't speak. Dominic groaned behind me when I turned back. He had blood seeping through his shoulder when I looked shocked at him. I was about to step towards him when an arm was smacked securely around my torso. My screams filled the hallways as I was harshly pulled away from him.

"Leave me!" My ears twitched when I heard Liana's screams. Veles had her dragging by her hair. He threw her against the wall as she cried in pain.

"Who's this lover boy?" The man with short silver hair asked as he narrowed his eyes at Dominic before pressing his foot on his wounded shoulder. Dominic cried in pain as he tumbled over. "Let me go, please!" I sobbed as Ezra dragged me away. His arms around my waist seemed to get tightened as he tugged me away.

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