My wild movements managed to leave jagged scratch marks down Ezra’s neck, which he rubs, wincing. “I have to meet with someone in the city. You’re coming with me.”
“Joy.” I rasp, the word coming out as smoothly as sandpaper. Tangling my fingers into my curls, I wind my hair into a large knot at the crown of my head.
Shoving my feet into my boots, I march my way over to the sink in the corner of the room. The cold water hits my face, and I stand there for a minute. My body is prone over the bowl, my hands braced on either side as I feel the cold droplets slide down my cheeks and off my chin.
I don’t dare look at myself in the dingy mirror. I can feel how sickly I am. The cocktails of magic suppressants he’s forced on me have drained almost all of my energy, and I don’t have to look at myself to know how harrowed I’ve grown. How haggard I am. It’s why he glamors me anytime we’re in a public setting.
That and he doesn’t want anyone recognizing you.My conscious notes. The thought’s almost laughable.
The only people outside my own court who’d recognize me would have to be Obsids — or the handful of Vellarans I’d come into contact with. But, given the current militaristic situation over in Vellar, I highly doubt we’d run into anyone.
Which leaves only one other reason he’s Wielding on me –power.
And as if he’s reading my mind, I feel the nauseating sensation of his magic cloaking my skin. Glancing down, I watch as the Wield takes hold. My serpents disappear, my skin tone changes hue, and I can feel the ends of my hair brushing just under my chin.
“Let’s go.” He grunts, tugging on my wrist.
SQUEEAAKKKKK!
The hinges do us no favors as they screech loudly in the otherwise quiet hallway. “Subtle,” I murmur, my feet following reluctantly out the door after him.
Briefly, I think about what could happen if I tore my wrist out of his grasp, slammed the door, and locked it behind him. I’ve mapped out pushing him out that window half a dozen times – I’m sure I could jump. But he’s too aware. He’d know my plan as well as I would, and by the time I’d take the jump, he’d already be at the bottom waiting.
Besides, just escaping wouldn't be enough satisfaction for me. No, he deserves to suffer as much as I have. He deserves to feel the same as I do. To face those two roads without the choice of going down the one he wants.
Death will be merciful – and I am anything but merciful.
He brought us to a brothel.
Abloody fucking brothel.
The place is packed full of sad, pathetic, and sweaty patrons. Looking at the clientele, I feel sorry for the men and women who have to cater to them.
However, I feel the most sorry for myself.
I’ve been stuck inside a dark corner booth and forced to watch Ezra disappear and reappear every so often in the crowd. And each time he shows back up, his face looks more deranged and desperate.Good.I think to myself, my arms crossing tightly across my chest.I hope he’s struggling with whatever he saw fit to drag me out here for.
He could’ve saved himself the energy of using his Wield if he’d just kept me at the inn. But his insecurity clearly got the best ofhim, because here I am, with a front row seat to Ezra scurrying around like a cockroach caught in daylight.
You could just leave. Run.My conscience suggests.That would fall under the same group as escaping. We agreed that wasn’t enough.I reply.
“Explain to me why you haven’t gotten up yet? Screamed for help even? You’re prideful, E – but not that prideful.”
Axel’s voice has me jumping in my seat. Slowly, my head turns to see the bastard grinning at me from across the booth, his brown eyes glinting in the dim light.
“What… the… fuc– H-how the hell are you–”
He lifts his calloused hand, that grin closing into a smirk. “I’ll stop your stammering there. You needed me, and sopoof,” he waggles his fingers around, “I appear.”
“Oh-kay… that answered nothing. I’m not asleep right now.”
“You are drugged, though.” Axel shrugs, leaning forward to take in the place. “Where’d he go?”
I roll my eyes and slump back into my seat. “I don’t bloody know. He camped me in this booth, demanded I stay put, and–”
“And you listened?” My bottom lip rolls between my teeth, ignoring the question, because the only answer I can give him is the same one I’ve been giving myself. I can’t leave without his head coming with me. And I can’t do that without these fucking shackles off and tonics gone.
I scratch at the faded rune on my wrist. “Can they see you talking to yourself?”
