Chapter 188: Chapter 188 A Passage To Survival
Fiona had no alternative.
"Don’t be rough with me." Tricia settled beside her, placing his hand on her thigh, but she knocked it away. "Keep quiet, or you’ll disturb him," he said with twisted pleasure.
His tongue darted across his lips while his gaze locked onto Fiona’s exposed cleavage.
"It’s been too long, you know. Don’t you crave it?"
"Have you lost your mind?!" Fiona snarled at the deranged old man, but he pressed his finger to her lips, prompting her to shove him back. "Leave now, or I’ll scream and those guards outside will slaughter you on my command!"
"You wouldn’t want to draw the other warriors’ attention, would you?" Tricia arched his eyebrows, then looked toward Reginald, who remained unconscious. "You won’t eliminate me, beautiful. Your mate made that clear. He requires me breathing, so you might have a shot at survival, now that you’ve blown your opportunity to destroy the king."
Fiona clenched her jaw. So he’d been conscious during her discussion with Reginald about sparing him.
"I understand your feelings toward me."
"No, you don’t!" Fiona roared furiously. "Do you realize I dream of skinning you alive?"
"You dream." Tricia stressed each word. "That’s the distinction, beautiful. You dream of harming me."
"Stay back!" Fiona hissed menacingly, her claws extending as she prepared to strike. She might not be able to end him, but it would be sufficient to drive him away.
"Or what? What’s your plan, beautiful? Going to kill me?" Tricia observed her extended claws, then laughed with sick delight. "Please, go ahead and try." He taunted Fiona by exposing his throat. "Do it, and watch how you’ll survive without me and my Valerium backing."
Fiona ground her teeth, understanding the implications. She knew why Reginald needed her to preserve this vile old man. She understood, but it didn’t lessen her disgust when his hand stroked her cheek.
"Smart girl. You grasp what’s at risk. You can’t eliminate me, you comprehend that, so let’s abandon the charade, since we both know it won’t get you anywhere."
"Remove your hand," Fiona growled. She moved to swat his hand again, but this time Tricia seized her wrist and yanked her forward to kiss her. "Go to hell, Tricia!"
"I wish you would take me there, indeed," Tricia chuckled, but before Fiona could hurl more curses at him, he gripped her chin and spoke firmly. "Comply with my demands, and I’ll ensure this pathetic group of warriors has sanctuary in the Valerium kingdom once we escape and reach the border."
"I don’t want your mercy!" Fiona spat bitterly.
"Perhaps you don’t, but what about your mate?"
Tricia glanced toward Reginald. "And your brother? And those warriors outside, who remain devoted to you because they still burn for vengeance for your father? Can you let them down?"
This man knew exactly which words would pierce Fiona.
And he was absolutely correct. He could detect the turmoil in her eyes, and he seized this moment to press his advantage.
"The Valerium will embrace you all. The kingdom will gladly accept you all. Even though this mission is a complete disaster and failure, Valerium’s protection is your sole chance at survival. You won’t make it through this, beautiful."
Tricia gestured dismissively at their surroundings, then placed his hand on her chest, which jolted Fiona back to reality. She growled at him and moved to knock his hand away, but he squeezed her breast and challenged her.
"Tell me, are you still planning to kill me? I’m your passage to survival. If you don’t care about yourself, at least consider your mate, who’s dying, your younger brother, who’s devastated, and the warriors outside, who are starving. Will you be so selfish?"
"You’re the selfish one!" Fiona hissed viciously, but Tricia shrugged carelessly.
"Perhaps you’re right about that." He leaned in and kissed Fiona’s neck. She tensed but didn’t push him away, which made the old man smirk triumphantly. This beautiful girl learned quickly. "But there’s something intoxicating about power. Once you possess it, you know what you can accomplish with it. And it’s addictive."
Fiona shut her eyes as she felt his hand slip inside her shirt, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Please, not here," Fiona begged, her defiance vanishing completely. She couldn’t bear the thought of betraying Reginald again. She didn’t want to do this in front of him—it was too cruel.
However, Tricia simply chuckled. "Don’t you think this makes it more thrilling?" He pinched Fiona’s nipple, making her jerk away from his touch. "Don’t be modest, I know you want this too, right?"
He was sick. This man was mentally ill.
Fiona gritted her teeth. "Please, not here," she whispered.
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**Phoebe’s POV**
"How are you feeling today?" Timothy asked when I pushed myself up from the makeshift bed.
I frowned seeing the royal gamma inside my tent. "Perry is leading the warriors to search for enemy survivors. He instructed me to watch you closely."
The royal gamma approached and handed me a fresh notepad and pen.
"Here. Use these to scold Perry when he backslides again and lets his darker nature take control."
