“So how did the Princess walk out her only door and you did not notice? Honestly, I am starting to truly question your skills as a guard.” I shouldn't provoke a fight, but her safety is left open so many times that it really is concerning at this point. He will have to do a better job of protecting her if he wants her to survive Shaston. Sure, I was the one who kept him away today, but that was so I could be in her presence without him. I think we'll continue our little sparrings in the mornings.
“When you went to the toiletries I stepped out,” she answers quickly, her tan cheeks turning crimson. She puts her hand back across the lover's mark and never meets his eyes, instead turning to me.
“Thank you, Ereon for the escort and conversation. Perhaps I'll see you tomorrow.” She tilts her head ever so slightly, turning away, and I can't control myself as I grab her by the wrist. She turns back toward me and looks up.
“Goodnight, Carnaxa.” I lean down and kiss her cheek, making sure my eyes never leave those of her guard. The fury that blazes behind his eyes is immiscible. I watch as she goes through the door, while Thylas’ eyes never stray from me. I can feel his rage, I know he wants to act on it, but he can’t.
As I return to my own rooms, I can't help but smirk. I may never gain her heart, but he'll never fully have her either. All of us are the same, our desires and duties divided.
twenty-six
ANARA
The sting from the leather whip radiates from where it connects with my back. My hands are bound by these ridiculous obsidian cuffs as always, I don't know why he keeps them on me. He knows I'm powerless to do anything here, just like he is. Well ... mostly anyway. I guess he did retain a small amount of what was left, didn't he?
Another crack in the air and the pain again. He's been doing this for what feels like hours. He's being gentle in his mind.Creating small breaks in my skin, ones that won't leave scars. I've been lucky that he seems to forget me for days at a time, only to try to break me once more.
“What is taking him so long?” King Atlas questions no one in particular. “Messengers disclosed Antalis’ people are reporting the deluc is spreading rapidly. I need her here before it spreads to Shaston,” he snarls and drops the whip beside him. My knees buckle and my hands are pulled tight by the chains. I close my eyes wishing for the darkness to take me, at least it would be a reprieve from seeing this room. It's bright with the many torches that line the walls. He wants to see the pain he inflicts and the blood he spills.
“And this little plan of yours better work, or there will be blood to pay.” His footsteps thump behind me and I feel his hands grasp the back of my head, twisting my hair tightly. His breath, smelling of wine and goat, envelops me. “Do you think he's already fucking her?” He licks up the side of my throat and I know I should fight back, but I'm tired. I'm so tired.
A king Atlas may appear, but a monster is his real form. I was young when I came to this land, and just wanted to survive. I was also naïve. He releases my hair and my head falls forward. His boots are all I can see as they step through my blood.
“Look up, Anara.”
I can barely feel my face, and I find what little strength I have left and do as he commands. Why? Because I have to, I won't let this be the end of me. Not by his hand. I've lived too long for this to be how I die, by a king still wrapped up in the past. He grabs my chin roughly and leans down close to me.
I bet he was handsome once before hate and war changed him. His dark hair was once full and lush from the paintings I’ve seen, but now, it’s oily and missing in patches. His eyes that once might have been green? No, maybe they were brown, either way, they are dark and lifeless now. He's as tall as Ereon and hassimilar broad shoulders but he doesn't have his dimples. I miss those dimples.
“I'm going to give you a choice today.” He pushes hair gently behind my ear in almost the same way Ereon does. “You choose how this will play out. Do you understand?”
I nod softly, or at least I think I do. My knees are growing numb and warm blood still drips down my back and I try to think of home. San'doma. The city is unlike any other as far as I’m concerned. I remember what it was like to be with my mother, running free through the forest. This is my last chance, I've already messed up once. Atlas slaps me across the face drawing my attention back to him.
“Oh, there you are. I thought I lost you for a moment. As I was saying, I can either fuck you like a whore on the mattress here or I can take you to my room, take care of you, and you can treat me like a king.”
I glance toward the mattress. How many women have been taken there? The blood and fluids that stain the mattress have it almost unrecognizable. I've been on it before because I refuse to give him what he wants. I refuse to break in front of him, and I will never be with him like he wants. He wants me to pretend he is my king. He is no such thing. I have no king. I couldn't live with myself if I abandoned what I know to be true. Whirling my tongue in my mouth, I gather all the moisture I can before spitting every bit of it onto his face, hitting him right below the eye.
“Tsk … tsk ...” He wipes his cheek with his thumb before shoving it into my mouth. He pushes so far back that I gag, but he doesn't stop. “That's not very ladylike. I will never understand how Ereon was able to tame you. I guess you made your choice then.”
He pulls out his thumb and grabs me around the throat, using his other hand to fetch the key to release me from my shackles.He squeezes tightly, before tossing me onto the mattress. My back aches as it touches the stiff fabric. For a brief moment, I want to go back, I want to make a different choice. But if I had, I would never have felt Ereon’s love, and that's not something I want to lose.
The king steps behind me, grabbing my ankles roughly. “Act right, Anara or I'll make sure to do this in front of him too, while I let him know all your secrets. Because let's remember I am not the one who actually put you in this situation, and I would hate to break his heart. ”
twenty-seven
CARNAXA
Siphonie's gorgeous, purple dress billows around her slim frame and when combined with her pink hair, she creates a lovely mix of colors.
“You look like you haven't slept all night.” She eyes me, coming closer. Her hand grabs mine and she squeezes tightly, concern lacing her voice, “Are you okay?”
She can always see through the façade I try to keep. She was made to be a mother, she has the instincts and always has. She comes off as being uncaring but she honestly sees everything.
“Just had a long night after dinner, that's all.” I watch as her eyes glance at my neck. I knew the mark Thylas left would be visible, I just didn't find it in me to care at the time, but now? Now, I feel stupid. I shouldn't have even let him go as far as he did last night, regardless if we both wanted it. It won't happen again. Having Ereon show up last night in the kitchen was another surprise. I know he saw the evidence of my betrayal of our betrothal, he didn't get mad last night but will today be different? Will he publicly punish me for it?
Shuffling in my seat in front of the vanity, I grab a large, silver necklace from my jewelry box and hook it around my neck and mark. The chain drapes across the front of my chest tapering into a triangle ending between my breasts. I've chosen a simple dress in dark grey to go along with it. The freckles on my neck won't be visible, but I'll suffer the bulky necklace if it means I can keep the mark hidden. The small marks are a reminder of my mother, she had two of them. I always thought I was lucky to get three.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Siphonie releases my hand and slides down the wall, her back against it and stares up at me as she situates herself on the floor.
