Chapter 65 Writer's POV
The party returned to the grand palace halls, the next day, Duke Ryker carried Onyi, still unconscious and bound in dark shadows, to a secure chamber. Servants moved quietly as the king spoke to advisors about the gold they brought back.
In a nearby corridor, Amanda stood crying against a stone pillar. "It's all because of you, Father," she sobbed, her voice audible to passing guards. "You sent them to that temple." She ran up to the king and punched him on the face, but her father didn't react.The king paused but didn't stop to comfort her. He moved on to oversee the gold's storage.
In the secure chamber, Onyi lay motionless. Suddenly he muttered something in rapid Hindi. "अँधेरे में खो जाना... " ("Lost in the darkness..."). Duke Ryker watched closely. Onyi fell silent again.
Amanda's cries echoed faintly in the halls. The king didn't seem to react to her words beyond a brief pause.
Amanda's cries grew louder, more desperate. Guards nearby looked concerned but didn't intervene. Duke Ryker, watching Onyi in the secure chamber, heard Amanda's sobs echoing down the hall. Suddenly she appeared at the chamber door, her eyes red, face tear-streaked.
"Amanda," Duke Ryker said, stepping aside. "He's unconscious."
Amanda rushed to Onyi's side, falling to her knees. "Onyi...baby.... wake up, please wake up!" She grabbed Onyi's limp hand, pressing it to her cheek. "My mate... come back to me,I'm sorry,I won't leave you."
Onyi didn't respond. He muttered something again in a foreign language, this time in whispers of old Persian, "شبهای تاریک... " ("Dark nights...").
Amanda glared up at Duke Ryker. "Leave us. Get out!" She sobbed harder, words tumbling. "You brought him back like this. Leave me with him, leave"
Duke Ryker hesitated briefly then turned to leave. He too had great concerned for Onyi.
Amanda didn't look up. She stayed with Onyi, crying softly, begging him to wake.