“N-not yet, sir.”
“That’s right, son. Not yet.”
He releases my arm with a shove that sends me stumbling. I bite my lip to stifle a cry, resisting the urge to rub the throbbing muscle even though it pulses with fire from his grasp.
“I continue to give you rules, Xenesis.Simplerules that even a child should follow without question, yet you defy me at every turn. What am I going to do with such a useless, disobedient boy?”
It isn’t a question that requires an answer—this much I know as fact. I stand in silence, small and shaking, while he taps his finger against his thigh in slow, deliberate beats.
“Go to your room,” he finally says, voice dripping with false calm as a flicker of dark power reflects in his gaze. “Kneel in the corner and consider your behavior. You are not to move until I say otherwise. Not for food, not for water, not foranything. Perhaps a day on your knees will teach you the obedience you so clearly lack.”
My feet move outside my control, carrying me toward my bedroom. I push through the ornate double doors and walk past the enormous four-poster bed. The few toys I own are neatly displayed on shelves, but I pass those too.
I wedge myself into the corner until my nose almost touches the seam of the walls, and I sink to my knees.
Hours go by in silence.
The sun climbs high in the sky, and my stomach growls as it sets again.
My body trembles as I fight its urges, but eventually, a warm stream of urine rolls down my thigh, soaking my trousers in humiliating defeat.
That will come with a price, too.
It’s nearly night when the doors creak open, and Bheera walks into the room, humming. “Xeni, my darling boy, are you hiding in here? My favorite assistant wasn’t there to help with dinner and I…”
Bheera spots me and rushes over, taking in my condition with wide, horrified eyes. “Oh, heavens… gracious, Xeni! What is… what are you doing?”
“Father commanded me to stay,” I whisper, shifting my hands to cover the now-cold wet patch on my pants as burning embarrassment floods my cheeks. As if on cue, my stomach growls again, and I let my eyes lift to meet hers.
They’re soft and caring, loving in a way that feels like the only warmth in this frigid house. She crouches beside me and brushes my hair back with gentle fingers.
“Darling boy, this isn’t your fault.”
“Father said I don’t know how to listen,” I say, my embarrassment deepening as tears fill my eyes and my lip wobbles. “He says I have to learn.”
Bheera wraps her arms around me and hugs me tightly even as my knees remain locked in place under his command.
“Let me talk to him,” she whispers.
I pull back in horror, shaking my head. “No, he won’t listen. Hewon’t—”
“You cannot kneel here any longer.”
“I’m fine,” I argue weakly, but she stands and gives me another of those pitying smiles.
“At least let me bring you some food, little prince.”
“Don’t call me that,” I say with a wet sniffle. “He isn’t a king—”
“Xeni!” she hisses in warning, glancing over her shoulder towards the door.
“He isn’t!” I cry. “Not anymore! And I don’t want to be a prince. I just want to be normal. I wantfriends.” My face falls into my hands as the tears spill over and dampen my cheeks. “I want someone to love me. Do you think the Fates will allow it?”
“Oh, Xeni, I love you,” she breathes, voice thick as she hugs me again. “Darling boy, I love yousomuch, but yes… I think the Fates will allow you to be happy one day.”
The door swings open and slams against the wall as familiar, angry steps charge toward us.
“We do not speak of the Fates in this house!” Father bellows.
