“Please stop,” I cried out in Grave’s direction or at least where I’d seen him standing last. “Please.” He didn’t need to stand up for me; his interference would only make matters worse.
Carefully, I shifted onto my knees and sank into the dirt, letting the earth press against my legs under my skirt. The contact with the land lessened the insult a scrap, but it wasn’t enough to stop my eyes from overflowing. I stifled a sob and dropped onto the heels of my boots, feeling the hard soles bite into me.
Humiliation filled every corner of my soul as I waited for Ryder’s dismissal. The silence was deafening, but I didn’t dare look up. I wasn’t willing to risk facing his increasing anger.
Ryder pushed me down by my neck until my forehead was flush with the dirt. The sole of his boot replaced his palm and forced me even lower. My cheek met the soil, and for a moment I thought he might place his full weight on the back of my neck.
“This is fucking ridiculous,” Grave growled. “You are nothing but a coward.”
“Just because you allow those in your kingdom to blatantly disrespect you, does not mean I will stand by and allow the same,” Ryder’s voice boomed over me.
“I refuse to stand here and watch this horseshit!” Grave’s voice echoed from my left. Out of my periphery, I watched as both his and Amalee’s boots walked past. Orlan and the guard stayed frozen as minutes passed.
“Get off the damned ground and pull yourself together,” Ryder demanded as he removed his boot from my body. “I won’t have a wife covered in filth.”
I wiped my eyes and stumbled to my feet, but my legs gave out, sending me falling forward. Fisher caught me by my arms, keeping me off the ground. Tears and dirt streaked my cheeks as I righted myself, then lifted my chin to meet Ryder’s eyes.
His face dripped with disgust. Somehow he’d gone from the affectionate man I’d shared meals with, to someone who looked at me with only contempt. And it was all because I went into the workshop—a place that had always brought me so much joy.
“In the future, I expect you to listen to me,” Ryder continued. “Your dissent ends here. Defy me again, and the consequences will be worse—especially if you cannot address me properly in front of others.”
“Yes, Prince Sutton.” I forced the words out; they were thick and heavy.
Ryder moved his hand toward my chin, and I took a single step backwards, staying just out of his reach. His strength outweighed whatever I could muster. Space would at least buy me a bit of time to run if he was considering hitting me.
He moved forward, and I stilled, my chest heaving while the proverbial warning bells alerted me to run from the danger pressing against the front of my body. But I remained, grounding into the earth with my feet and letting magic thrum through me, just in case I needed it. I’d risk using magic to keep myself alive, even if it cost me my life in the end. And if Ryder felt it buzzing through the air, it was worth it for the chance to survive.
Slowly, he bent down to my ear, and I closed my eyes as I felt his breath blow past. “Never pull away from me. You are mine." His tone was caught between tenderness and loathing. "Get yourself cleaned up and be sure to use the soap I’ve given you. You’re repulsive.”
He turned quickly and stomped toward the castle. Hunt, who I hadn’t realized had escorted the prince, gave me a big, toothy grin before he stalked off with him. Fisher and Orlan avoided looking at me altogether, and I was grateful for it.
I inspected my arm, peering down at the half moon shaped nail imprints still carved into my skin. If he’d chosen my other arm, at least my tattoo could have hidden the lingering proof of the damage he’d caused, though my mind would never forget.
24
RYDER
“Find Elowen,” I roared, “and bring her to the royal common room now!”
Hunt moved down the corridor quickly. Thankfully, he’d held back any smart remarks if he had them. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with him or anyone else. What happened could never occur again—wouldnever occur again. I’d lost every bit of control and turned into my father in an instant.
My boots smacked against the stone as I made my way through the halls. Anger and remorse battled with each heartbeat, no other feeling existing between the two extremes. Rage had won at the workshop and was still attempting to control my every thought and move.
The room shrank around me while I paced. There had to be an explanation for the hatred I felt toward Audryn. Logically, I knew she’d done nothing so egregious to deserve my wrath, but somewhere deep down, it didn’t matter; I’d needed to punish her.
The door creaked open less than five minutes later, and I spun on the inky-haired woman. “What did you do to me?” I demanded.
She sauntered into the room and casually sat in the chair at the head of the table. My father’s chair. My chair.
“Answer me,” I demanded once more. “What did you do? I just lost my shit on Audryn for no fucking reason. And in front of others.”
“There’s always a cost, Prince.” The woman smirked. “You accepted the terms and now you pay.”
I stomped toward her, where she remained seated and unflinching. She was fearless.
“Take a breath and sit.” She kicked a chair out with her foot, causing it to teeter and nearly topple over.
Tentatively, I grabbed the wood and sat. Not only was I in the wrong seat at the table, but I was also too close to the woman who’d caused so much angst in my life in such a short amount of time. She needed to fix whatever she broke or I’d sentence her to death. Using Macabre magic was grounds for execution without a trial; fuck my father’s stay on executions. I was the fucking prince and would proceed how I saw fit.
