“And what of the indignant ones she speaks of?”
“You’re the injured one,” he stated, “as am I. And all those beat down under the yoke of Roman law.”
I stood. “She isnotinjured. She’s a patrician, a wealthy woman who lacks for nothing.” I pondered a moment. “I believe she’s saying she’s as indignant as the injured. As us. She speaks of justice.”
“And freedom and courage,” added Andreas.
We stared at one another, confused, for there was only one justice for me. But I’d surely be executed for it. I’d gain no freedom at all.
“But to what end? How can she change anything?”
She may be a dragon and a powerful woman in her own right, but this world was still ruled by men.
“Maybe,” I whispered, “she wants to ally with me for something.”
“Like what? Getting your freedom?” Andreas said it, but we’d both been thinking it.
Heavy footsteps drawing closer announced someone coming down my short hallway. Grigor appeared in the doorway, unsurprised to find Andreas here with me.
“Dominus wants you,” he said to me.
My heart plummeted. He hadn’t called for me in months, too busy with his new girl, Roza.
Andreas stepped toward the door, glancing at me sympathetically. “I’ll go to him tonight.”
“No,” snapped Grigor, turning his head to me. “He wants you. And he wants you now.”
Andreas crossed the chamber to stand in front of me. “You are the Queen of the Abyss. Remember that.”
He hadn’t reminded me of that tale in quite some time. The naiad who became Queen of the Abyss.
Andreas used to tell me the story, to remind me to go into the abyss in my mind, to help me endure my trials with Valerius. He hadn’t needed to remind me of it in a while. He must’ve caught the panic in my expression just now.
“Yes, I am she,” I tried to assure him. “Good night, Andreas.”
He took my hand and gave it a squeeze, pecking a kiss to my cheek, despite Grigor watching. Andreas was lovers with Mitko, Grigor’s brother, so Grigor ignored his trespasses and familiarity with me.
“Good night, darling,” he whispered then left the room, skirting past Grigor.
Seeking that cold place inside, I sat down at the stool facing my vanity. I’d already unpinned my hair for the night and was dressed in my white sleeping gown with green satin trim.
Grigor went to the shelf and lifted the golden bridle that kept me completely voiceless. I opened my mouth as he fitted it over my face, and put the tongue depressor in place, then he latched it at the back, turning the lock with his key.
I watched in the mirror as he stood behind me, his brow pinching. That slight show of distress wasn’t a good sign.
“Be obedient,” he told me. “It will be over faster.”
Panic rose again. Grigor never showed any emotion, nor did he ever offer advice. He remained completely detached where I was concerned, which was why this was both shocking and terrifying.
When he met my gaze in the mirror, he must have seen the question there.
“He’s been feasting.” In other words, drinking. “And something’s got his blood up.”
Then Grigor turned and marched out of my room, leaving me to prepare myself.
Queen of the Abyss.After my worst beating, when I’d last tried to run away from this hell, Andreas had told me the story while he treated my injuries with a cool salve and calm words.
There was once a naiad who was born in a shallow pond near the sea. The goddess Diana told her that this small pond would be her domain for all her life because she would be protected from the world.
