Chapter 7
How embarrassing.
Terror and embarrassment held her captive as the guards dragged her back toward the castle. She’d not been at fault for anything other than protecting herself and running from the guards out of fear. The humanoid male wasn’t far behind her. She could almost sense him, like a warm beacon in a cold winter’s wind. She had no clue who he was, but Terap’s words continued to play in her mind, over and over.
A savior is coming.
Was it true? Could she really cling to the hope that life had the possibility to turn around and be something better? Was a savior really coming? Surely not. How could that be possible?
She could almost hear Terap’s scratchy voice in her ear again as if the woman were right beside her. “A savior is coming.”
Was he the dark-haired god behind her with strong arms and a beautiful smile? The warmth in his chestnut eyes as he studied her left her heart fluttering in her chest. Did it matter?
It did. It mattered more than anything in the world might. It was as if he’d really seen her. Seen beyond her ugliness and found something of interest. She could see it in his eyes as he questioned her, though she tried hard to spare him from having to look upon her. It was futile. It almost seemed like he was taken by her.
Tears dripped down her face as soft sobs left her weak.
“That’s right, bitch. Cry over what you’ve done. No one will spare you from punishment. Not even the princess. Death will be your reward or something far worse.” The guard to her right gripped her arm more tightly.
“I hope he gives her to his sons. Can you imagine their delight to deflower an oracle? Isn’t it against her religion to fuck?” The other guard laughed before popping her in the back of the head.
Their words, though easy to understand, were muted by the warmth racing through her. The tears dripping over her dirty cheeks had little to do with her punishment and everything to do with being seen, maybe for the first time ever.
Maybe she wasn’t the horrific creature she believed herself to be. Was there a possibility that they had beaten her down emotionally? Maybe they were trying to break her enough to never allow her to believe herself capable of being whole?
The male had been so familiar, but maybe it was because of the visions she’d had about the poor boy in the dark on his face, naked and beaten. Was he the same man? Had he come to collect her on Vanfia as she was hoping to do for him in the darkness where he rotted? Had he simply gained his freedom and come for her?
Hope swelled inside of her as the guards released her. She dropped to her hands and knees on the stony ground, stifling a yelp as the rocks tore into her hands and knees.
“How dare you defy me and my house? After all we’ve done for you.” The king’s voice was tight and filled with hatred. “All of these years, you’ve eaten my food and been held under my protection, and where is the gratitude? You not only steal money from my only daughter, but you take her robe and kill one of my guards as well. What the hell has gotten into you, child? Do you wish for death?”
Yes. Everyday.
Mayra kept her head down and continued to weep as fear as hope battled deep inside of her. Would the handsome stranger come to save her?
Did she want him to?
No. He would lose his life, and something told her that he was far more precious to someone than she ever would be. Surely, he had a family back on Territh that loved him. That cared greatly for him and would miss him should he perish. She didn’t. She had nothing.
Territh. The land of the humans, of her people. How badly she longed to go back and experience the blue waters and green pastures that she’d heard stories of but couldn’t remember. The handsome stranger was from her homeland, but there was something different about him, something that didn’t quite fit. It was in his eyes, the way they’d turned dark with a pulsing crimson circle around his pupil.
Still, she’d seen too few Territhians in her time to be sure. Perhaps all human males had eyes like that. A little voice inside her whispered that he was unique, but she pushed it away and tried to concentrate on her current situation.
“Father. You need to give her a fair trial!” Demaylia’s voice caused Mayra to glance up.
The king’s boot slammed into the side of the slave girl’s face, knocking her to the ground. Blood poured from her mouth, but she remained prostrate, not wanting to take too much more in the way of punishment if possible. Her breath caught in her chest as pain raced through her face and pulsed at the back of her head. Dizziness swam inside her and caused her stomach to sicken. Bile rose up her throat, but she forced herself to swallow it back down. There was no way she was going to move to her hands and knees and vomit in front of the king. If any of it got on his shoes, she would be torn to shreds.
“Father!” Demaylia knelt beside Mayra and brushed her hair back. “Tell me what happened. I know you wouldn’t steal from me. That you wouldn’t kill without reason. Tell me, Mayra. Tell us all.”
“Silence! Stand up now, Demaylia, and move back. We will not hear the lies from this harlot’s mouth.”
Mayra closed her eyes as warmth rushed through her. The fluttering in her chest had little to do with her heart and everything to do with the power that lived inside of her. She needed to unlock it, but without the help of a worthy male, she’d remain a pitiful girl from Territh and nothing more. The great oracle she was to become would forever be lost to all of them.
The king was sure to seal his own coffin by mishandling her. An oracle was a gift from the gods to their followers, and he would have to repay his actions in full. She could only hope that she would be there the day he hit the ground.
“Father, please. Look. She had a bag with the items I requested of her. She didn’t kill anyone. You didn’t, right, Mayra?”
“Get up!” He knelt down and jerked Demaylia up violently before pushing her toward the castle. “Go to your room and do not come out until you are called upon.”
