From over in the carriage Elaina watched, (well, as much as she could with her vision so inhibited,) with mounting horror as Vincent first became suspicious, then belligerant, then threatening, then something terrifying out of the stories her brother preferred.
“Wait!” Elaina called out.
Vincent turned to look at her. For a moment that terrifying, hate filled gaze was focused on her.
“Take him prisoner for now Vincent. Please. There's already been enough bloodshed and violence and awfulness here. The man is so scared he might trigger your curse without realizing it as is!”
Vincent looked pensive for a moment. Looked at the mayor, then back at Elaina, and finally addressed the guardsmen around him.
“Take him away. Keep him under guard, at least two guards at all times, and so help me if he slips away...” Vincent shut his mouth and glanced over at Elaina
“Just, don't let him escape.”
Elaina's mouth had dried out in over the last few minutes, and she felt a lump forming in her stomach.
Stolen story; please report.
Up until now everything had been like something out of a fairy tale, her dashing fiance, off fighting an evil empire, her cleverly swooping to the rescue, then them escaping Vincent's cloying family and experimenting with lost magic...
But she had just been slapped in the face with the reality of the situation. First the room with the dead spy, and now Vincent threatening and brutalizing this man...
Elaina had no illusions as to his guilt, but watching Vincent go from the charming and handsome young man she'd spent the last few days with to this brutal and vicious person in front of her was disturbing her more.
Vincent nodded to the guards who swarmed the mayor, taking him away, presumably to the local jail.
Elaina failed to suppress a flinch as Vincent approach, and even with her dimmed vision she was able to make out the hurt on his face. The two of them crawled into the carriage in silence, and headed off for Vincent's Manor.
Elaina didn't make eye contact with Vincent for the rest of the carriage ride.