Chapter 24

Elanor

My captors make sure to keep me alive. I suspect the thick and smelly mixture they make me choke on every day has something to do with it.

I’m covered in scars, and dried blood coats my hair and body. My head is under constant assault from the collar and the bond is drowned in pain. I can’t tell if it’s there anymore. I can’t tell if Azran is alive or not.

Each awakening leaves me yearning for oblivion. Each session pushes the limits of my body and mind. My power flickers several times, my shadows escaping me unwillingly. And each time, Airdan gobbles them up like a madman, reveling in them, taking notes, and sometimes bringing his son back into the room with us to show him. I’m no more than an exotic monster to them.

As much as I dread my captors’ visits, I’ve also started looking forward to them, for I know their end at least brings back the darkness.

The only comfort I find lies in my silence. With my screams their only gifts, I still haven’t said a word. They know nothing of the true depth of my power or my heritage. They know nothing of the Death curse I carry. That, and the gardens flooding my mind when I can’t take it anymore and insanity threatens to take over.

My gaze fixes on the bloodied ground as my mind takes me someplace where I can forget about it all. I’m picturing the dark forest when laughter stirs me from the daydream. My eyes dart around the room to identify its source.

I know every inch of this cell by heart. I’ve had weeks to memorize the shape of each stone, carve the smell of the stale, cold, and lifeless air in my brain, and bathe in its stillness.

Everything is perfectly quiet until I hear the chuckle again. Chills run down my spine as I recognize the same laugh I heard in the palace but couldn’t place. Airdan’s mysterious guest is here. That, or I’m losing my mind for good.

No. This is real.

I push back the pain to try and make out the words being exchanged outside my cell. But the poison is too strong and the blood pumping in my ears too loud.

My whole body tenses when the metal door swings on its hinges, and my heart drops in my stomach.

Amrynn saunters into the room, her blond hair perfectly combed and falling in waves to her naked shoulders. She lifts the hem of her strapless dress to avoid the pools of blood at her feet as she takes position in front of me, a cold smile on her face.

An imperceptible gleam in her silver eyes is the only indication she recognizes me and is at least slightly shocked by my state, or maybe simply repulsed.

I glimpse the shape of Nylren as he closes the door behind her.

The moment it’s just the two of us, I release the venom pooling on my tongue. My promise doesn’t extend to Amrynn.

“You treacherous bitch.”

That sick laugh of hers fills the room again as she tucks a piece of her perfect hair behind her pointy ear.

“I’m doing what is best for my people. Something you know nothing about,” Amrynn snarls back at me. “You would understand, had you dwelled in this world as long as I have.”

“You’re a stranger to selflessness. You have no idea what it even means,” I taunt.

“Shouldn’t you be trying to gain my favor to get out of this place instead of spewing hateful words?” A devilish smile crosses her red lips.

“Spare me your bullshit.” I roll my eyes at her words. “You don’t give a damn about anyone but yourself. You can maybe fool them, but you’re not fooling me.”

“If you gave in, King Airdan would forgive you.” She waves around the room, her nose wrinkling at its pitiful state, or mine. “You don’t have to die like this.”

“Save your pretend pity and snake tongue.”

She shrugs and starts studying her painted nails. “Very well, then.”

She turns on her heels, gathering her skirts in her hands. She’s halfway across the room when I realize this might be my one and only chance. I have to know.

“Why betray him?” My voice is merely a whisper, but she pauses to face me. “I understand you owe me nothing, but your own blood?”

“Azran had it coming.” Her disdain is almost palpable.

“Have you seen him?”

She cocks a brow but doesn’t respond.

“Is he here?” My voice trembles as I ask the questions burning my lips.

There is no mistaking the superior air on her face. The bitch wants to see me beg. I bet she would undo my restraints herself just to see me crawl at her feet.

“Tell me.” I fist my palms and close my eyes long enough to gather the courage to crush what’s left of my ego. “Please.”

Her victorious smile is the last thing I see before she turns and leaves the room.

My enraged screams fill the halls until my throat is raw, and I’m sure they’ll accompany her into her nightmares.

Another name.

Another name has been added to my list.

The list of people who will die slowly when I get out of here.

My eyes flutter open, finding my cell as I left it. Bare. Cold.

I pull on the shackles as I attempt to stretch my arms and relieve the pain in my shoulders. I know it’s useless, but I can’t resolve not to do it. It’s part of my routine. It’s all the fight left in me and I won’t let it go. I won’t abandon myself even when the rest of the world has.

My skin is chafed raw from the metal and I breathe out as the pain trickles through the rest of my body.

I pull once more, and warmth floods the muscles in my arms. My eyes roll back as the shortest relief rushes through me and I manage to move my shoulders. I forgot what my body could do when not bound to a chair.

A faint moan escapes my lips and I freeze. I’ve never had that much slack on my restraints.

Ever so slowly, I pull again and a link loosens.

I crane my neck to examine the handcuffs, unsuccessfully, and I brace myself, trying to tame the hope blooming in my heart. Has my straining damaged the restraints enough for me to slip out of them?

I gather my hands close together and pull as hard as I can in opposite directions.

The chain clangs heavily on the ground as one of my wrists breaks free of the restraints.

In complete disbelief, I roll my shoulders and rub my hands together to instill warmth and diffuse the pain.

I wait for Nylren or Airdan to storm through the door and tie me back down, but everything is perfectly still and silent. With no time to think, I reach for the rope between my feet and undo it as fast as I can with my chipped nails and scarred fingers.

The chain hangs from my left wrist, still attached to the handcuff around it. I grab it to prevent its noise from alerting nearby guards as I make for the door on trembling legs.

I’m out of breath when I reach the door, but don’t stop. The sadistic assholes never lock it. They don’t think I could ever get out of here. Let me prove you wrong, motherfuckers.

I step into a corridor dimly lit by torches and my hands go to my eyes. I haven’t seen light since they locked me up, let alone daylight. I have no idea whether it’s night or day.

The narrow hallway leads me to a spiral stairway. Leaning in the doorway, I brace myself for the climb.

I make it to the top with my lungs on fire and my head ready to explode, but I push on.

This might be my only chance.

I walk onto a plush rug and the soft fabric hugs my toes, bringing some warmth back to the frozen bits. The silence around me is so loud it’s like I’m screaming my thoughts.

Moonlight streams through massive windows, illuminating the corridor in soft light. I know these halls. The royal quarters are just ahead.

I freeze when I catch movement to my left. A mirror.

I wince as my reflection greets me. My cheeks are hollow, my eyes sunk into their sockets with dark purple underneath, not to mention the dried blood and cuts all over my face and chest. I barely recognize myself.

I tear my gaze away from the sordid observation and keep going until I find the staircase leading to my old room and the kitchens.

Steps echo down the hall and I dive into the stairway, hiding away in its shadows. A guard walks past me before turning a corner and disappearing.

I’m about to descend the first step when my knees buckle. I find purchase on the stone wall and steady myself as a string of curses fills my mind.

My gaze darts to the other end of the corridor, where Airdan and Nylren’s rooms are, and my right hand goes to the collar around my neck.

Each rasping inhale fuels the inferno raging in my lungs. My muscles are atrophied from lack of movement, most of my wounds are still oozing blood, and each step feels like it could be my last.

I’m so fucking tired. I don’t know if I have it in me to make it out of here. In fact, I don’t think I will.

But if any fiber of my ravaged body and soul remains intact, it is my wrath and drive for revenge. I don’t need my power to send Airdan to his doom.

Death. Give me the strength to see this through.

I pray silently to the old gods who put me on this wretched path and my purpose becomes clear as day. I was sent here to end his miserable life and save the rest of the world from his poisonous mind. I was sent to avenge the dead, to avenge Azran.

I grit my teeth as I make for his room, a hand on the wall to guide me.

All my thoughts quiet down as I turn the knob of his bedroom door and slip inside.

Complete darkness greets me, and it takes my eyes a moment to adjust to the layout of the room. A massive four-poster bed sits against the far wall. A shape takes form on top of it.

Airdan’s chest rises and falls peacefully as I get closer and look for a weapon. I’ll choke him to death if I have to, but I’ll take all the help I can get.

My gaze lands on a letter opener resting on stacks of papers on the desk to my right.

The handcuff chain rattles as I seize the makeshift weapon and I freeze, waiting for Airdan to stir. I’m ready to pounce on him, but he doesn’t move, his breathing regular.

I’m towering over him on the edge of the bed when another predicament dawns on me. I can’t reach him without stepping onto this massive mattress. Fucking hell. Can nothing ever be easy? Once I step onto the bed, I’ll have mere seconds before he wakes up.

Taking a deep breath, I leap on the mattress, my knees sinking into the soft cushion on either side of his body, the letter opener tightly gripped.

I let go of the chain in my left hand and aim the weapon at his throat.

Airdan’s eyes snap open, and I know something’s awfully wrong when I find no trace of sleep in his emerald irises.

His hands grip my thighs, securing me on top of him.

“Foolish girl.” A smile blooms on his face. “Go on. Show me what you can do.”

Alarm bells ring in my head, telling me to get away, but his hands roam my legs, making their way around the shreds of my dress.

My mouth opens but no words come out, like my voice has been stolen, and so has my free will. I’m frozen in place as he caresses my skin.

My eyes widen when his hand nears my waist. I scream for him to get away from me, but the room is utterly silent except for his accelerating breathing.

“You know you want to.” His gaze lingers on my chest.

My hands do not respond. I’m still gripping the letter opener, hovering an inch from his neck. An inch too far.

His fingers brush my bare waist through the torn fabric, and a wretched need blossoms within me at the touch, a silent scream stuck in my throat and wetness rolling down my cheeks.

I jump out of my skin when the cries reach my ears.

I’m on the chair in my cell, my hands and feet tied as I left them. Sobs shake me as my head falls to my chest, the illusion broken.

None of it was real, and yet I can’t shake the revulsion and angst. Airdan’s magic shatters my soul, chipping at it little by little, taking my will and strength, breaking me.

Since my father died, I’ve always been a force to be reckoned with. I never allowed anything to get in my way. I had one certainty; I would go to the ends of the earth to avenge the dead, save the people I care about, and fulfill my purpose. I’ve always been strong, brave, lethal even. But now, I hardly recognize myself.

I don’t react when soldiers barge inside the room. I can’t tell what’s real anymore. I can’t see through the tears and the tremors shaking my body. I barely feel their hands on me as they lift me to my feet and carry me from the room.

My feet drag on the stone as I’m pulled forward. My survival instinct makes a brief appearance, urging me to open my eyes, look around, figure out what’s happening. But I don’t care anymore.

My body hits a cold and hard surface, and I lay there. I don’t even move when the shackles around my hands and the neck collar are removed. Another trick, I’m sure.