Vanished Sisters: The Lycan King's Slave Island Chapter 208

Mordred's POV

"I love you," I said, and the words felt torn from my soul. "I love you, Natasha. You're my mate, my heart, my everything. And I would rather die than watch them take you from me."

She made a sound that was half sob, half laugh. "You're an idiot," she whispered, but there was no heat in it. She reached up and touched my face. "A beautiful, noble, completely insane idiot."

I pulled her close and kissed her—desperate and hungry and tasting of salt and fear and goodbye. When we broke apart, we were both breathing hard.

"I love you too," Natasha whispered. "God help me, I love you too."

"Then let me save you—"

"There is no way to save me," she said, pulling back. "Mordred, please. You have to accept that. You have to let me go."

"I can't."

"You have to," she insisted, tears streaming down her face now. "Because if you don't, you'll destroy yourself. And I can't be the reason you lose everything."

"You're not the reason," I said fiercely. "They are. The people so consumed by fear they'd rather see you dead than admit they might be wrong."

"Then give them what they want," Natasha said. "Sacrifice me. Save yourself."

"No," I said again, more firmly. "I'm not giving up on you. There has to be another way, and I'm going to find it."

She looked at me for a long moment, and I saw resignation in her eyes. "You won't find it," she said quietly. "Because it doesn't exist. This is a death sentence, Mordred. The only question is whether it's mine alone, or if you'll be standing beside me when the blade falls."

"Then I'll stand beside you," I said. "If that's what it takes."

"Don't say that," she said, her voice breaking. "Please don't say that."

"It's the truth."

She closed her eyes, fresh tears streaming down her face. "I wish we'd had more time," she whispered. "I wish we'd met differently. In another life, where we could have been together without all this hatred."

"We still can," I said desperately. "Natasha, please. Don't give up."

She opened her eyes and looked at me with such profound sadness it made my chest ache. "I'm not giving up," she said softly. "I'm being realistic. I'm going to stand trial. And no matter what evidence we present, they're going to find me guilty. Because they've already decided."

I had no answer for that. Because she was right.

I kissed her again—softer this time, trying to pour everything I felt into that single gesture. When we broke apart, I rested my forehead against hers.

"Your sister is here," I said quietly. "Outside. They wouldn't let her in, but she wanted you to know she's here. That she loves you. That she hasn't forgotten you."

Natasha's breath caught. "Davelina? She's here?"

"Yes. I brought her with me, but the crowd outside—they blocked her. I'm sorry."

Fresh tears spilled down Natasha's cheeks. "Is she safe? Is she—"

"She's safe," I assured her. "Fergus is taking care of her. She's his mate."

Natasha's eyes widened. "His mate? Davelina and Lord Fergus?"

"Yes."

She let out a shaky laugh. "So we're both mated to Lycans. Both of us. What are the odds?"

"I've said the same," I said quietly.

She was silent for a moment, then said, "Tell her I love her. Tell her to be strong. Tell her..." Her voice broke. "Tell her I'm sorry I couldn't protect her better."

"You have nothing to apologize for," I said.

"Just tell her," Natasha whispered.

I nodded, unable to speak past the tightness in my throat.

I forced myself to step back. "I should go."

"I know."

I moved toward the door, then looked back at her one last time. "Don't worry," I said. "I won't let you get hurt."

"I know you will," Natasha said softly. "But Mordred... if you can't find a way... promise me you won't destroy yourself trying. Promise me you'll survive this."

"I can't promise that," I said.

"Then promise me you'll try," she said. "That's all I ask. Just try."

"That I can promise," I said.

She smiled sadly. "Then that's enough."

I left the cell, and the guard locked the door with a clang that sounded like a death knell.

I walked back down the corridor alone, my footsteps echoing in the silence. When I emerged from the dungeons, the crowd was still there—larger now, more hostile.

Davelina stood where I'd left her, surrounded by Lycans who looked at her with open contempt. Her face was streaked with tears, and when she saw me, she took a step forward.

"Did you see her?" she asked desperately. "Is she alright?"

"She's alive," I said quietly. "And she wanted me to tell you she loves you. That you should be strong."

Davelina's face crumpled, and she pressed her hand to her mouth to hold back sobs.

The minor lord stepped forward. "I trust your visit was... enlightening, Your Majesty?"

I looked at him, and he must have seen something in my eyes because he took a step back.

"Get out of my way," I said quietly.

The crowd parted without hesitation this time.

I walked through, Davelina following close behind, and we didn't speak until we were back in the main corridors, far from the dungeons and the hostile mob.

"I'm sorry," I said finally. "I'm sorry they wouldn't let you see her."

"It's not your fault," Davelina said, her voice hollow. "It's theirs. All of theirs."

We walked in silence for a moment, then she spoke again.

"She's given up, hasn't she?" Davelina asked quietly. "Natasha. She's accepted that she's going to die."

I didn't answer.

"I can see it in your face," Davelina continued, tears streaming down her cheeks. "She told you to let her go. To sacrifice her. Didn't she?"

"Yes," I admitted.

"And what did you say?"

"I said no," I said firmly. "I said I would find a way to save her."

"But how?" Davelina asked desperately. "The whole kingdom wants her dead. What can you possibly do?"

"I don't know yet," I said. "But I'll find a way."

We reached a junction in the corridor, and I stopped. "Go back to your quarters. Fergus will be waiting for you."

"What about you?" Davelina asked.

"I need to think," I said. "Alone."

She looked like she wanted to argue, but finally nodded. "Your Majesty... thank you. For trying to bring me to see her. Even if it didn't work."

I nodded, unable to speak.

She left, and I stood alone in the corridor for a long moment.

Then I turned and walked to my study, closing the door behind me.

The room was dark except for dying embers in the fireplace. I moved to the window and looked out at the citadel grounds below, watching torches move in the darkness.

One day left.

I had only one last day to save her.

And I had absolutely no idea how.