I shivered, the smell of the food suddenly making me feel queasy.
Yesterday, or shortly after whenever Arenn had left me in his chambers – it was so hard to tell the time in a windowless underground palace – half a dozen faery servants had filtered into the room. They’d helped me prepare for bed and replaced the travelling gown I was wearing with a shimmering nightdress. The fabric was so thin I could see the outline of my fingerswhen I dipped them beneath the skirt. I wasn’t sure if Arenn had joined me in bed after that since I fell asleep so quickly, but if he had, I hoped he’d been gentlemanly enough to at least keep his eyes, and his hands, to himself.
An hour or so after breakfast had been delivered, I heard the door unlock again. The same servants hurried into the room, this time with a floor-length faery gown in their pastel-coloured arms. Not wanting to spend any longer in my almost translucent nightgown, I allowed them to lace me into it. Though I probably should’ve taken a closer look at the gown first. The midnight blue fabric was barely opaque and the skirt was more of a thin panel that exposed the sides of my legs up to my hips. The neckline was also scandalous, swooping low as it barely covered my chest, leaving far too little to the imagination. Even for a faery, this outfit would be improper, and I dreaded to think why Arenn had chosen for me to wear this – of all the gowns in the kingdom.
Just as the faery servants were finishing threading tiny blue flowers into the curls of my hair, the door swung open. The sound made me stiffen, but I recognised the sound of his heavy boot steps long before my glare caught him in the vanity mirror.
“You shine brighter than the caverns today, dear human,” Arenn announced, shooing the servants away with a few flicks of his wrists. “How did you sleep?”
I didn’t answer, choosing instead to remain silent as I sat rigidly on the small stool by his vanity station. He might control where I go and how I dress, but he did not control my words.
The prince sauntered closer, clearly not bothered by my lack of response. His hands brushed my exposed arms in slow, sweeping motions as he stood behind me, admiring the servants’ work.
“You really do look exquisite,” he murmured while continuing to stroke my arms. “But something is missing… hidden awaybehind your pretty hair.”
Forcing down a shiver, I felt his fingers hook around my hair, sweeping it away from my neck and resting it all on one shoulder.
“There.” He smiled, stooping until his face was beside mine in the mirror. “Now everyone can see that you belong to me.”
A deep wave of shame hit me as I noticed just what he was referring to. Marring the side of my neck, blooming softly on my skin, was a small rosebud-sized bruise. It didn’t hurt, but clearly that was not Arenn’s intention when he put it there two sleeps ago. It was a visible reminder of my biggest mistake yet, second only to agreeing to marry him. Just looking at it made me feel ill.
I’d never let him kiss me like that again.
“Don’t look so displeased,” Arenn said, drawing back from the mirror. “You’ll be delighted to hear I have a surprise for you.” A devious smile pulled at his lips. “He’s waiting in the royal dining hall.”
My heart fluttered for the briefest moment before immediately sinking in my chest.
Lukas.
I whipped around to face the faery prince.
“What have you done?” My lower lip trembled both with rage and fear. So many horrible, awful visions flooded my mind. “If you’ve killed him, I swear, Arenn, I’ll never forgive you!”
“Relax, Princess.” He grinned. “Your precious prince is alive and well. My new sister is taking very, very good care of him.” He laughed lazily. “In fact, she’s arranged for us all to have lunch together in the dining hall. We’ll leave as soon as you’re ready.” His slender fingers swiped the bottom of my chin, tilting my face up to meet his gaze. “Do take your time, though. I want you to look your best when he sees you. I want him to know exactly what he’s missing, and what I now possess.” He smiled, then planted a cold kiss against my lips.
The scandalous gown, the love bite on my neck – it all made sense now. I was merely a trophy. A toy for a jealous prince to show off and prove to the world that he had won. I almost refused. If it weren’t for the chance of seeing Lukas again, I never would’ve gone.
But I had to see him again, even if it was for one last time.
“I’m ready,” I said flatly.
I could hear his screams long before the guards had even opened the huge doors that led to the royal dining room. Each roar of pain shattered my heart over and over again, while Arenn only chuckled.
“Sounds like it’s playtime! I hope she saves a piece for me.” He grinned hungrily, as though we were about to feast our eyes on a slice of vanilla cake rather than a tortured human prince.
It made me feel ill.
When the guards finally heaved the giant wooden doors apart, my gaze found him immediately. His limp body was sprawled across a long dark quartz dining table, surrounded by at least a dozen chairs. Every few seconds, he was tossed up into the air and then slammed down again by invisible hands. Each impact, another cry, followed by the awful sounds of bones breaking.
“STOP!” I screamed, racing towards him. There were other guests there too, sitting around the table, but I barely even spared them a glance. In that moment, it was only the two of us, and all I could focus on was how lifeless he looked and how his once-perfect skin was covered with layers upon layers of fresh bruises. Were it not for the yelps of pain, I’d be searching for a heartbeat.
“Lukas?” I pleaded, holding either side of his face. “Lukas, can you hear me? Please answer me.”
My own tears hit his cheeks as he struggled to form a reply. “Naria?” he wheezed in a strained voice. “You shouldn’t be here.” He coughed, wincing at the movement.
“It’s alright.” I spoke softly, breathing through relieved sobs while stroking his cheek. “I followed you into the woods to help. I’ll heal you, I’ll—”
“Arenn, could you please control your beloved? She’s interrupting our entertainment.” A frustrated woman’s voice made me flinch. Glancing up, I noticed Seraphina – or Lyssi, as I’d recently discovered – sitting at the head of the table. She wore a deep red faery gown with a plunging neckline. The typical pale blue hood was nowhere to be seen, so her faery features were on full display, and her sharp eyes glared daggers at Arenn who hadn’t yet left the doorway.
