“Suck, Avina!” He orders.
Despite her deep repulsion at him and his games, she closes her eyes to avoid witnessing the sight. Her mouth closes on his fingers, and she sucks them in.
Deep in her chest, she feels her heart constrict. Young Princess Avina had been a bright-eyed girl who only sought love and affection to release herself from the shadows that drug her under. As Queen, she finds solace in the same darkness that once haunted her steps. As her husband forces her to suck another woman’s arousal off his fingers, she wonders what fate will befall this evil man?
And if she can help destiny along.
Goddess of Wisdom, I beg you to save me from the Abyss of Rendel. Have I not yet earned a King who will love me unconditionally?
“Good, Avina.” His praise churns her stomach, and she is almost sure she will vomit.
“Again.”
The guards drag her across the plush rug to his other hand, where two more fingers await her mouth.
She steadies her breathing as he unceremoniously shoves his fingers into her mouth.
Moans from the women draw her attention from Rendel.
The women are focused only on each other. Their lips meet with an excitement Avina has only experienced with her Salt warrior.
While their hands explore each other’s supple breasts and flawless skin, Avina snorts at the irony despite herself. Under any other circumstance, she would eagerly join the women. But this?
Never this.
At least he has not triggered my gag reflex.
As if on cue, the stress of the situation got the better of the Queen. His fingers brushed the base of her tongue, and she heaves violently.
Red wine and bile erupt from her mouth onto his arm, the bed, and the squealing naked ladies.
The guards yank her back as Rendel rages, tossing stained pillows and blankets to the floor as all three scramble to dress themselves. After dismissing the ladies-in-waiting, Rendel stomps to Avina and backhands her so hard she sees stars.
“Take her to the dungeons. Perhaps after a few weeks of starvation, she will appear more pleasing to the eye.”
Queen Avina kicks and screams as they drag her to a dirty, dank cell with no windows to the outside world.
Her tormentors force her into a corner on the grimy floor. They do not chain her to the wall, and there is no cot or bedroll for comfort.
15
SIGVID
Two Winters Ago
Year 98, 9th Era
Battlefield, Timber Province
Atop the hill of the battle sets Sigvid’s command tent. King Rendel’s ignorant strategy led Sigvid to pin him along a gulley in the Timber Province, giving his army an advantage over the high ground.
“Slode,” Sigvid addresses the man he’d grown up beside. “Across the battlefield, do my eyes deceive me, or is that a glint of gold armor?”
Only a fool would spend an excessive amount of coin to wear gold armor—a glistening sight but worthless in protection. The exact affront Rendel would commit upon a battlefield packed with hardened warriors.
Slode chuckles. “Our friend is out of hiding. Should we take him now?”
Sigvid sheaths his dual axes at his hips. “Ihave to take him. Remain here while I collect his head. Oh, and ensure the battle goes our way.”
