CHAPTER 43: LUNA TIED LIKE A SACRIFICIAL LAMB

Drakon's hands trembled as he carried Shirley into the palace's east wing. Her body was limp and bruised; she felt fragile in his arms. He could still see the terror in her eyes, the way she had looked at him when he burst into the clearing where Demetrius and Amandla had held her captive. He had never moved so quickly, his heart pounding as if it would burst from his chest. The memory of her tied up, helpless, and vulnerable haunted him. As he laid her gently on the bed. She tried to speak, but he pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her. "Rest now, Shirley. I'll take care of everything." His voice was gentle, but there was a hardness that betrayed the anger she knew he was feeling. He turned to the maid standing in the doorway, her eyes wide with concern. "Clear her things from my room," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Make sure she has everything she needs here." The maid nodded quickly, disappearing down the hallway as Drakon took one last look at Shirley.