The crowd cheered as one head rolled after the other. The sound of the sharp blade slicing through another person's neck has invigorated them.
Xiersa, drags the ball chained to her ankles, her wrists red from the silver cuffs, not because it's seering her, but it was made too tightly.
She hasn't eaten nor drank water for days, but she isn't yearning for survival. Instead, she is moving in haste to meet her end.
The people turned silent as she climbed on the execution platform. They were surprised by her indifference and willingness to lay her neck on the bloodied machine.
Before the executioner release the rope, the man in robes raised his hand and jumped on the makeshift wooden floor. It shook beneath her knees, but she didn't stagger nor flinched.
The soldiers dragged her by the shoulders forcing her to stand up. It was the conqueror, the Alpha werewolf who swept up the land in aggressive conquest, looking down on her in raw intimidation.
He cupped her chin and raised her face towards him. His green eyes glowed and narrowed. He bared his fangs at Xiersa as if to devour her wholly.
She didn't cower, the wind waving the sullied sack clothe of prison uniform on her frail and dirty body. She dared return the same glare he's giving her.
"Your Majesty! She's filthy and a criminal! Don't touch her!" One of the Alpha's advisor, Herenia, stood on her seat, clutching her embroidered fan. She wears a gown worthy of an imperial gala, yet unfitting for the current occassion.
But the emperor paid her no heed, his aura seeping out of him was enough to choke Herenia from the place she stood, causing her to faint on the spot. Her attendants hurriedly came to her aid and checked her condition.
"I know where I can put you to good use." He said, his hand not letting go of her face. Marks of blood dirtied her neck and Xiersa thought he took pity of her, considering she's a young female were, but like all men, he's a brute. She is determined not to let him lay a hand on her.
She swatted his hand away and spat on his face. She walked past him and knelt on the guillotine.
But the emperor's minions dragged her away. She tried with all her might, however the lack of sustenance these past few days has weakened her.
Ragus' smile widened and with his aura, he destroyed the platform and pulled Xiersa towards him. His soldiers on the stage groaned in pain as they fell on their butts. And the executioner almost had his body split in half when the blade fell near his torso.
"Clear this area and the remaining prisoners sent back to their cells." A sigh of relief breakthrough the prisoners, while the people only shushed themselves to avoid angering the Alpha. They felt disappointed as today's spectacle has been put to a halt.
He pushed Xiersa to a group of women who gathered nearby. Probably, commanded them telepathically. "You know what to do." He walked towards the castle, but not without giving Xiersa one more lingering look.
Xiersa's eyes widened in disbelief.
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The maids scrubbed Xiersa's body clean and made her wear a sheer night dress. A maid ushered her to meet the emperor already, but another staff immediately brought her her shoes.
"Please wear them." The freckled maid said, and it earned scorn from her colleagues. Xiersa wore them, not because she needed them, but she appreciated the effort of the kind helper.
The maid, who introduced herself as Belle, urged her to eat. Xiersa managed to eat a little as she doesn't have any appetite.
"Why are you being kind to her? She would just be the emperor's plaything and nothing more." The others didn't even bother lowering their voices as they talk harshly towards Belle. But the latter ignored them and assisted Xiersa as she readies herself to meet the emperor.
The hallways are empty, but it's not easy to miss the majestic door leading to the Alpha's chambers.
Before she could knock, a force pulled her within the room. The Alpha threw her on the bed, causing her to yelp in surprise.
Ragus, in his bathrobe, climbed on top of her, his face smiling wickedly.
"I didn't know that the emperor is interested in used goods." Xiersa said, steadying herself on the bed, her elbows resting on the satin covers.
The Alpha's wicked grin didn't disappear, instead locked his hands with hers. "Do you think I didn't know?"
"What would your people say if they hear that their great Alpha is interested with a were who's mated already?" Her question mocks the Alpha, provoking him to end her here and then.
Ragus released her hands and laughed, "You are amusing. I think I won't get bored with you in a while." Xiersa felt a shiver in her spine. He isn't faking it, he is disinterested with the fact that she is no longer pure.
He noticed her fear and laughed more, "This is exhilirating. I never thought I'd feel such excitement meeting you, Xiersa."
She felt more fear now, "How... How did you?" How come this person knows about her identity!?
"Who wouldn't?" The emperor slid in between her shaking legs and lowered his face to her ear. "Aren't you the famous general? The Scythe of the Abandoned Lands?"
She couldn't believe what she's hearing. Her heart pounded in her chest rapidly. Truly she's the great general of her country, which had fallen, but she has kept that identity a secret for a long time.
Now she understands the antagonism she felt from this man. Her eyes looked at the moonlit sky for the last time.
She smirked and grabbed the emperor's head to face her. "Now that you know, shouldn't you be ending my life now, instead of bedding the enemy?"
But Ragus pushed her more to the bed, unbothered by her behavior. "Why would I give you an easy exit? I would give you the punishment that you deserve. Slowly and surely."