Vanished Sisters The Lycan King's Slave Island novel Chapter 89

Chapter 89

Natasha’s POV

I stared at Lord Caelan, my mind struggling to process what he’d just said.

“You want help me?” I repeated slowly, certain I must have misheard.

He nodded, his expression deadly serious. “Yes.”

“I don’t understand,” I said. “Why would you-”

A knock at the door interrupted me. The slave from earlier entered carrying a tray laden with food and drink.

The smell hit me immediately-roasted meat, fresh bread, cheese, fruit. My stomach growled loudly despite my confusion and fear.

*Slaves weren’t even allowed to eat anything during the feast. When was the last time I ate? *

I couldn’t remember.

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The slave set the tray down on a small table between the chairs near the fireplace. Two plates, two wine glasses, silverware. Like we were about to have a civilized dinner together.

“Thank you, Thomas,” Caelan said. “That will be all for now.”

The slave-Thomas-bowed and left, closing the door softly behind him.

Caelan gestured to one of the chairs. “Please. Sit. Eat. I’m sure you’re hungry.”

I hesitated, still standing near the door, my hand hovering near the hidden knife at my back.

“I’m not going to poison you,” Caelan said with a slight smile. “If I wanted you dead, there are far simpler ways to accomplish it.”

He sat down in one of the chairs and picked up a wine glass, taking a sip. “See? Perfectly safe.”

Slowly, cautiously, I moved to the other chair and sat down. The cushions were soft-far more comfortable than anything I d arriving on this island.

The food on the tray looked incredible. Sliced roast beef still steaming. Crusty bread with butter. A wedge of sharp cheese. G apple slices. Things I hadn’t tasted in weeks.

My hand reached for the bread almost of its own accord.

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Chapter 89

“Go ahead,” Caelan said. “Eat. You look half-starved. And while you eat, I’ll tell you a story. Then perhaps you’ll understand why I’m

offering to help you.”

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I tore off a piece of bread and took a bite. It was warm and soft and tasted like heaven. I had to force myself not to cram the entire piece

into my mouth at once.

Caelan settled back in his chair, his wine glass cradled in one hand. His amber-green eyes were distant, looking at something I couldn’t

see.

“This story begins about seventy years ago,” he said quietly. “Before the King went mad. Before this island became the nightmare it is

now.”

I took another bite of bread, my attention fixed on him.

“I was young then,” Caelan continued. “Only a century old. Barely more than a pup in Lycan terms. I’d recently come into my inheritance- this estate, some lands in the northern territories, a modest fortune. I was ambitious. Eager to make my mark in the King’s court.”

He paused, taking another sip of wine.

“I traveled to the capital to pay my respects to the King. To pledge my loyalty and perhaps secure a position of influence. The King held

court in those days-received visitors, heard petitions, conducted the business of ruling.”

Caelan’s expression softened slightly, remembering.

“And there, standing beside the King’s throne, was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.”

I stopped chewing, listening intently now.

“She was human,” Caelan said. “A slave, of course. They all were. But she was different from the others. She stood with her head high. Her

eyes were clear and intelligent. She moved with grace even in chains.”

He looked down at his wine glass.

“I couldn’t stop staring at her,” he admitted. “Couldn’t focus on anything the King was saying. All I could see was her. Her dark hair falling over her shoulders. Her delicate features. The way she looked at me-not with fear or hatred, but with… curiosity. Recognition, almost.”

I picked up a slice of apple and bit into it, the sweet juice filling my mouth. But I didn’t take my eyes off Caelan.

“When my audience with the King ended,” he continued, “I did something impulsive. Something I’d never done before. I as might purchase the woman. Offered him a substantial sum-nearly a third of my fortune.”

Caelan’s lips curved in a slight smile.

“I expected him to refuse. To be insulted, even. Kings don’t typically sell their personal slaves to minor nobles. But to my shock, h

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Chapter 89

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agreed. More than that-he simply gave her to me. Refused to take payment. Said if I wanted her so badly, she was mine.”

“Why?” I asked quietly. “Why would the King just give her away?”

B

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Caelan shrugged. “I never knew for certain. Perhaps he saw something in my face-recognized genuine desire rather than simple lust. Or perhaps he had no particular attachment to her and saw an opportunity to gain favor with a young noble. Or- He paused. -perhaps

even then, the madness was beginning. The first signs of the beast taking over.”

He fell silent for a moment, lost in memory.

“I brought her here,” he finally continued. “To this estate. Away from the capital. Away from the other Lycans and their cruelty. I made her

a servant—a housekeeper, essentially. Gave her her own room. Proper clothes. Food. Freedom to move about the grounds.”

“Didn’t the other Lycans question that?” I asked. “Treating a slave so well?”

“I lived far from court, Caelan said. “And I didn’t care what others thought. This was my home. My estate. I could run it however I

wished.”

He set down his wine glass and leaned forward, his elbows on his knees.

“For the first few years, we barely spoke,” he said. “She worked. I managed my affairs. We existed in the same house but separate worlds.

She was terrified of me at first-of what I might do to her. And I was… I don’t know. Afraid, maybe. Of frightening her more. Of becoming

the monster she expected.”

I reached for the roast beef, suddenly ravenous. Cut a piece and ate it slowly, savoring the rich flavor.

“But gradually,” Caelan continued, “we began to talk. Little conversations at first. About the weather. The gardens. Books I was reading.

And then longer ones. About her life before she was taken. About mine. About philosophy and history and art.”

His expression was soft now, almost tender.

“I fell in love with her mind first,” he said. “The way she thought. The questions she asked. Her insights and observations. She was

brilliant-far more intelligent than most of the Lycans I’d met at court.”

He paused, then added quietly: “And then I fell in love with the rest of her. Her kindness. Her strength. The way she smiled when she

thought no one was looking. The sound of her laugh.”

I swallowed my food, my throat suddenly tight.

“Did she… did she love you too?” I asked.

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