CHAPTER 94: BAD DECISIONS

Strangers turned their heads but none dared to intrude, not that their bits mattered. Just that nothing could stop Jenna and Rhane from baring their hearts in that very moment.

Earlier, after Rhane had discovered what his father had planned out with his half-brother, he sat in the same spot for minutes, different thoughts running through his mind but none came with a proper solution.

A solution to keep Jenna untouched, one that wouldn’t let her get involved in the family mess. Not that there wasn’t any solution, Rhane knew one but what it’d cost him.

Letting go of Jenna before she’s hauled away as an adulteress. That was it but Rhane knew he wasn’t going to be able to stand and do nothing while Jenna got treated as a criminal.

Pushing his jacket to the side, Rhane grabbed a box of cigarettes and took a stick and placed it on his lip. He flicked the short lighter, inhaling deeply before he puffed. Rhane watched the smoke form rings in the air before disappearing slowly.

He’d always considered his existence as a smoke, a wisp in the wind. Noticed by those close before it disappears never to be remembered. It was who he was to his father. A smoke that should be hidden. And Nikolai didn’t stop until that point was made.

Though Gerald had instigated and raised lies against Jenna, Nikolai had pushed forward the agenda to the council. The council would never listen to Gerald if he was on his own. Knowing that his own father gave him away made Rhane feel numb inside. He wasn’t sure what he was supposed to be feeling, but he knew he should be hurting.

"Look!"

The soft giggling from outside floated into the hall where Rhane was sitting deep in thought and his eyes dilated. Coming alive again when he recognized the voice.

Rhane took another drag from the cigarette then stood up. He made his way towards the window, there he found Jenna giggling and playfully nudging Kali.

Her guards were down, like a warrior laying down everything in retreat. She’d smiled with her eyes and body. Jenna wasn’t scared or trying to prove anything to anyone. Though she was still stubborn about it, Rhane had noticed the changes. Jenna didn’t try to act tough around him, she didn’t hide herself in a shell just to push him away.

Here in his mansion, Jenna was her true self. Soft, relaxed, gave her smile and meant it. She’d opened up to him without knowing but disguised it as stubbornness.

Rhane exhaled softly with smoke slipping through his parted lips. How could he take away the same life he wanted for Jenna away from her. Dropping the hand that held a cigarette down, Rhane rubbed his free hand on his face and sighed. A tired, worried sigh.

His dull gaze lazily followed Jenna’s movements. How she spoke for long and suddenly stopped to stare at the cloud, then smiled. How she’d shift her weight on one leg with her hand resting on her waist. Her belt sticking out awkwardly at the back of her trouser because she missed a hole.

"Bloody hell," Rhane cursed, taking another drag of smoke. He needed to protect her and he knew it. And at the moment, there was only one way to do that.

"Who’s out there?" He rasped the question, while his eyes remained on Jenna.

A young man entered the hall with his head bowed.

"Get Kali here," Rhane ordered, turning his back from the window. He dropped the cigarette on the floor, using his sole to crush it.

The servant bowed and rushed out of the room, in the next minute Kali entered the room alone.

"You’ll be sending Jenna back to the merchant village tonight." Rhane began the moment his sister entered.

Kali didn’t say a word but her brows furrowed.

"You’ll send her tonight, then tomorrow you leave with a few servants and the secret chest."

This time Kali was sure something wasn’t right, "Are we running?" It wasn’t out of fear she asked but shock. They never needed to run. Not anymore at least.

Rhane sucked in a breath, he didn’t reply to that but fished out a seal from his pocket.

"I have men at the port that would offer a ride if you show this. I’ve helped them a lot, also I’ll write a letter to—"

Kali pushed his hand away and the seal fell with a noisy clatter.

"Rhane! Who is it? Father...or mother? Why—" Kali inhaled deeply, rubbing her chest before she continued. "You swore, Rhane! Swore we’d never run again. Said this place were home now- us, Hendericks. Why in God’s name are we running."

Rhane bent down and picked up the seal, he wiped it on his shirt to get rid of dust.

"Father is coming...and he isn’t coming alone. He’s coming for Jenna."

Kali closed her eyes, as if to say she knew it. "Gerald- that rotten, cantankerous cur." She spat, her face squeezed in disgust. Then she raised her brows.

"Then show them, brother! Shove it in father’s face we don’t run no more. Let’s fight, aye? We have steel enough, and wrath besides!"

Rhane squeezed the seal, if only it was that easy he would have. Fighting meant going for the kill, and Jenna’s father was now involved. He didn’t want to ruin anything now that her feelings were growing.

"Don’t tell me you mean sitting here like a fat goose waiting for the axe and knives!" Kali exclaimed, backing away from her brother like she’d seen a ghost.

Rhane settled his eyes on Kali, "I’m going to meet mother and ask for help."

Kali’s face became pale, she rubbed her palms together trying to avoid them from trembling.

Rhane noticed this, he grabbed his sister’s hand and squeezed them. "I promised you’ll never go back to her," he slipped in the seal.

"What about you, Rhane?" Kali stared down at the seal then at Rhane. "Let’s run together...please."

Rhane shook his head slowly, "If I leave they’ll come for her...Gerald will stop at nothing and you know it." He patted Kali’s hair gently.

"And you know mother is the only one who can help right now."

Kali hissed, "But with your blood! She’s the Devil herself, Rhane. Devil in silk."

Pulling his sister to a hug, he rubbed her hair. "That is why you must leave, Kali," he didn’t know how fast and close the cavalry were, and if Gerald was involved he’d make sure it happened soon. Time wasn’t on his side and Rhane knew that much.

"Make sure Jenna arrives safe first, keep some men to watch her. Then off you go to the port." Rhane moved back from his sister.

"Make sure Jenna doesn’t catch a whiff of any of what I just told you," Rhane ruffled his sister’s hair then shooed her to leave.

Kali licked her lips, she looked at the seal then at Rhane before turning to leave. She stopped midway,

"Mayhap it means nothing, but the lass, she’s always got you on her mind. Always."

Rhane watched the door close and it felt like it sealed his chest with it. He could barely breathe. He was sending Jenna away. After everything! He was letting her go.

But if anyone could help him fight against his father and Gerald, it was their mother. And their mother was a monster, Rhane didn’t want to hurt Kali again by making her stay. Neither did he want Jenna to see the life he used to live.

With his mind filled with only one instinct of keeping Jenna and Kali safe, Rhane left his mansion quietly with a few of his guards, making his way to where his mother stayed.

It was on his way that Rhane had a change of mind. He had never been so restless as the few minutes he sat on the horse. He couldn’t get this lump out from his throat.

Earlier in the morning he’d left Jenna in haste and now he was sending her away with no explanation.

The thoughts churned and bothered Rhane, that halfway in the journey he turned around and returned to the mansion where he didn’t find Jenna or Kali. They’d already left. He had assumed.

Rhane’s life and stupid choices flashed before his eyes. Had he sent Jenna away never to see her? How hurt was she? Did she cry her eyes out? These thoughts burned at the back of Rhane’s mind.

"Rhane?" Percy waved, interrupting Rhane’s little moment of regret and inner anguish.

At first it didn’t dawn on Rhane that Percy used to work for Jenna and as such should be with her. His mind was too occupied to think.

Percy scanned his face, then twitched his lips. "Kali asked that I let you know that she left to the village with Jenna. I don’t know why she asked me to say it to you, but—"

Rhane grabbed Percy’s shoulder, it had taken a moment for his mind to process those words. "Jenna is still here? In the village."

"Ye— and off he goes. The people around here really live fast and wild." Percy yawned tiredly, turning back to go rest in his room.

Rhane wished he could be frozen in that moment forever with Jenna. He rode his horse then jumped down to race to the market when he found Jenna walking back into her carriage. Not knowing what else to do he had screamed her name so loud.

He expected her usual banter or annoyance or anything at all. Rhane was going to be grateful, just seeing her was enough! Being together was the world, but to his greatest shock, Jenna crashed into his arms and hugged him tightly.

It was perfect. The happiest day of Rhane’s life.