A Touch of Shadow: The Duke's Obsession

Chapter 77: A Stain

She turned her face away, refusing to meet his eyes.

"You understand well enough. You should leave."

For a long moment, he said nothing—only watched her.

Then suddenly, he reached through the bars and seized her wrist.

His hand was burning hot, his grip iron-strong, as though he meant to anchor her in place. Pain shot through her arm as she instinctively tried to pull away—but his hold only tightened.

"Caelith," he said, each word heavy and controlled, "look at me."

Caelith did not move.

Rhaegar’s patience broke.

With a sharp pull, he dragged her forward until she stood against the barred door. Their faces were separated by nothing more than the narrow space between the wooden slats. His breath fell against her skin, warm and unsteady, edged with restrained fury.

"Do you even understand what you are saying?"

Caelith lifted her head and met his gaze.

"Lord Rhaegar, I understand perfectly." Her voice was calm—shockingly calm. "I have made myself clear. There has never been anything between us."

His hand froze.

And in that instant, he understood.

She feared for him. Feared that their bond would be exposed. Feared that she would become a burden—a weakness others could exploit.

This foolish, stubborn woman.

Slowly, he released her wrist. His voice dropped, the anger draining into something far quieter.

"Caelith... you need not do this."

She gave no reply.

Instead, she stepped back, retreating into the shadows of her cell. Sitting once more in the corner, she drew her knees close and turned her face away, refusing to look at him again.

Rhaegar stood outside the cell, watching her for a long, silent while.

Then, without another word, he turned and left.

His footsteps echoed down the corridor, fading into nothingness.

Only then did Caelith lower her head into her arms, silent tears slipping free at last.

***

Two days later, within the dungeons of the Northern Command, Dorian hung bound upon the torture frame.

He had endured two days and nights without reprieve. The methods of the Shadow Guard had stripped him of all pretense—his fingers crushed, his body torn and bruised beyond recognition. At last, he had spoken. The crimes of his house were now laid bare.

When Rhaegar entered, Dorian’s head hung low, his breath ragged and uneven.

"So," Rhaegar said, taking a seat before him, his tone indifferent, "you have finally decided to speak."

Dorian lifted his head.

Firelight flickered across his face, revealing a man utterly undone—no trace remained of the once-charming noble he had been.

"Rhaegar..." he rasped. "Why... why have you done this to me?"

Rhaegar said nothing.

Then Dorian began to laugh.

It was a broken, trembling sound, shaking his entire body, the chains clattering with each movement.

"I see now... I see..." His eyes fixed on Rhaegar, madness creeping into them. "It was for her, wasn’t it? All of this—for that damned woman, Caelith!"

Rhaegar’s gaze turned cold.

"You were plotting against me from the very beginning!" Dorian shouted hoarsely. "You and her—you were already entangled long ago! You were together on my wedding night! Right in her man’s house!"

Rhaegar rose and stepped forward.

Standing over him, he looked down with utter contempt, his voice cutting like frost.

"And you dare speak of the wedding night?"

Dorian froze.

"What were you doing that night?" Rhaegar said, each word slow and cutting. "You left her alone in the bridal chamber... and went to dally with Yvaine. You said it to her face—that she was nothing more than a substitute."

Dorian’s face stiffened, all color draining from it.

Rhaegar looked at him with undisguised contempt. "A scum like you... dares call himself her man?"

Dorian opened his mouth, yet no words came.

Rhaegar turned to leave.

"Rhaegar! Stop!"

He halted, though he did not turn.

Dorian’s breath came ragged, his voice trembling as he forced the question out:

"Tell me... Caelith... will she be buried with me?"

Rhaegar turned sharply.

The look in his eyes was terrifying—cold, sharp as a blade. Dorian recoiled instinctively, shrinking back as though struck.

"Buried with you?" Rhaegar stepped back toward him, his voice low and absolute. "Listen well. Caelith is innocent. When this case is concluded, she will return to her rightful place as a daughter of the House of Emberlyn. She has no ties to your family whatsoever."

Dorian froze—then suddenly began to struggle wildly, the chains clattering loudly.

"Impossible!" he shouted hoarsely. "She is my lawful wife! In life, she belongs to the Valehart family—in death, she remains our ghost!"

Rhaegar regarded him with icy disdain.

"Lawful wife?" he scoffed softly. "You know full well why you married her. Your father had her parents killed. You took her as your bride only to keep her under your control—to ensure she would never uncover the truth and let others know it."

Dorian’s face turned deathly pale.

"You think I do not know?" Rhaegar leaned down, his voice dropping to a lethal whisper. "What your father has done... what you yourself have done—I know it all. Caelith knew nothing. She was merely a tool to you—a shield to conceal your crimes."

Dorian stared at him, terror and madness twisting together in his eyes.

"So what if you know?" he rasped. "What does it change? She was still married to me! That stain—she will carry it all her life!"

Rhaegar straightened and looked at him one last time.

"A stain?" he said coldly. "You are her stain!"

He turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing through the chamber.

Left bound to the frame, Dorian gasped for breath, his expression growing darker—more twisted with each passing moment.

Caelith...

Did Rhaegar really think she could go free? That she would reclaim her name—her honor—untouched?

Impossible.

Even in death, he would drag her down with him.

That night, Dorian was returned to his cell.

He leaned against the wall, waiting.

At last, an opportunity came.

A guard approached with water—one of the men he had once planted within the Northern Command.

"My lord," the man whispered, lowering his voice, "what are your orders?"

Dorian leaned close, his voice barely audible, cold with malice, "Find someone... and kill Caelith."