Thirteen

EVE

That evening, a fae male came to the room and let me out, barking at me to get changed. The same purple garment I'd worn yesterday hung in the corner and snatched it. At least I knew it was clean and how to put it on.

A knock on the door startled me, and I hurriedly finished fastening the dress, but no one barged into the room.

"Hurry up, Princess! Get your ass downstairs!" Giselle's footsteps faded away as she left.

Part of me wanted to hide in my room and make them drag me downstairs by my hair. That wouldn't do me any good, or win me any favors though. All I would get was another trip to the ‘crazy' room. I survived the Royal Hunt; I could survive this.

Squaring my shoulders, I opened the door and went down the hall, joining the procession of other women (and a few men) as we descended the staircase.

"Oh, she came down." Giselle gave me a strained, frosty smile. "I thought we'd have to drag you out by your hair." Her face twisted with dislike, but it didn't ring quite true in her eyes. Overall, she just looked like she was in pain. And like she wanted to dig my eyes out of my skull. "Come here, dear. We have a special place of honor for you."

I let her guide me since there was already a large crowd present in the parlor and I had no idea where to go anyway.

"There you are."

With rising horror, I realized they'd plopped me right in the middle of the room. There was a makeshift throne sitting before me, draped with red velvet and satin pillows. They pushed me down into the chair, my hands gripping the carved wooden hand rests and curling tightly around the edges.

"The guest of honor has arrived." Giselle gestured grandly to me, striding forward in her fancy gown like she was a queen in her own right. She gave a bow to someone above us to the right, and I craned my neck to see.

Cassus sat stiffly in a high-back chair similar to mine, but up on the second floor from a small balcony that overlooked the entire parlor. His glare was murderous, forcing me to look away. Did he blame me for Ferar's death or his fall from grace? If so, why had he saved me in the lake?

"Let's give our human princess a royal welcome!" shouted a male fae.

Hands grabbed me and brought me forward, my shoes useless as they scrambled against the smooth stone floor, the fae strength far superior to my own. They pushed a rough crown made of sharp sticks and rocks down onto my head, not caring as it scraped my skin and cut into my flesh. My teeth grit against the pain and weight of it. They pushed a rough sash made of burlap around my chest even as they tore the flimsy garment I wore. I clutched at the sash desperately to keep my chest covered.

"Our princess needs her finery!" the same male fae shouted. I'd kick him in his nuts if he got close enough to me.

Raucous laughter overwhelmed me, the noise and cacophony so thick I barely made sense of it. Hands groped and touched and took as hot tears gathered at the corners of my eyes. Where was Ellis? Why wasn't he here?

I would not cry.

It wasn't like Ellis could do anything even if he barged in here with flames and ashes spewing from his mouth. I could remember and fantasize about the tavern all I'd wanted, but Ellis had hurt innocent people that day. While it was a nice thought to have your man charge in and burn the world for you, it wasn't right. It wasn't real. If Ellis tried to save me, he'd probably be right here with me, instead of … wherever he was. We would never escape by charging in like a bunch of reckless children, spewing magick left and right.

We need to learn this world, blend in, and make a plan.

A slap across my face forced me back to reality.

"There she is! Don't go away from us, now. That would be rude. We have so much fun planned!" Giselle spun in a circle, her glittering robes surrounding her in a halo of light. I glanced up at Cassus, who had his chin in his hand, giving a look of disdain to everything in his purview.

"And now, who shall come forward to kneel at her feet? She is a mighty beast of a human, but we shall do our best," continued the same anonymous male fae.

Assholes.

Tears burned at my eyes as all the taunts from my childhood came back to me, along with more laughter, and more jeers.

It was just like at home, except the bullies were stronger and prettier.

"I'll put her at my feet!"

****TRIGGER WARNING FOR ATTEMPTED GANG ASSAULT****

A fae with shoulder-length brown hair pushed his way to the front, tossing a pouch at the house matron and grabbing my hair all with one motion. He yanked me off the ‘throne' and shoved me to my knees, his free hand popping open his breeches.

"NO! STOP!" I twisted and tried to pull away, but someone put their weight on the back of my legs, forcing me still. The same figure grabbed my hands and pinned them behind my back, leaving me helpless.

And I couldn't even see who held me down.

"Give us a show, Melek!" Cat-calls and jeers rained down on me in torrents.

Melek's grip on my hair tightened painfully, setting my scalp on fire. He stroked himself with one hand, his dick (not even a very large one, at that) bobbing in front of my face.

I pushed back against the fae behind me with all my strength, but he only pushed me forward toward Melek. My lips clamped shut, and I closed my eyes. Melek would have to pry my mouth open if he thought his cock was getting inside!

The fae holding my hands reached around and pinched my nose shut.

Motherfuckers.

I'd passed out before my mouth opened. I'd fall over and die from lack of breath. I would not let his disgusting member touch me! I—

My lungs burned and my head went fuzzy until my body betrayed me. My mouth opened automatically.

I slammed my teeth down, taking in as much air as I could.

"This princess has no manners. We must rectify that." The fae behind me shoved me to my stomach, Melek's grip still strong and nearly ripping out what felt like half my hair.

"Jeret, get her knees up," Melek grunted.

An arm went under my legs and pushed me up on my knees, my head forced up by Melek and my ass in the air. A hand grabbed the hem of my dress and yanked, cool air washing over my ass.

SMACK.

Before I could process what was happening, a hand cracked across my rump, the stinging pain nothing to the shock and embarrassment that raced up my spine.

"Use your belt!"

"Harder!"

"Make a welt!"

The voices were loud and vindictive. Were all humans treated this way or was I special because I was ‘the princess?' I had done nothing to any of them! They were the ones who came to our land, killing and cursing our people for entertainment!

SMACK.

The fae behind me smacked me again even as Melek used one hand to loosen the leather belt around his waist.

He didn't hit me with it, though. Instead, he wrapped it around my neck and tightened it until I couldn't breathe.

Oh, he was going to make me pass out. Then he'd take advantage of me.

As the darkness closed around me and the pain intensified from the spanking, I wasn't sure if I preferred being unconscious or not.

I was aware enough to notice the new shadow that fell over me even as I sagged to the ground, losing my battle with staying awake.

"Melek," said a voice, oddly familiar.

My tormentor grinned, turning to face the newcomer with dark hair. "Want a turn?"

Shyllon.

****END TRIGGER WARNING****

Shyllon struck fast, like a viper, smashing into Melek's face. The crunch of his sinuses should have been satisfying, but my head spun and my throat hurt.

Silence descended so quickly I thought I'd finally blacked out. But I could still see the figure standing over me, turning to glare at the fae pinning me down until he backed away.

The weight on me lifted, and my savior bent down and gently loosened the belt from around my neck. I gasped in a breath as he picked me up in his arms.

"Where are you going? She is tonight's entertainment!" the matron shrieked, gesturing to the surrounding crowd.

Shyllon's grip around me tightened. "I bought her for this evening. Cassus agreed."

The matron's jaw worked furiously. "Impossible. The price alone—"

"Was negotiated," said a menacing voice from above as all. I couldn't turn and look. My neck hurt too much. But I recognized Cassus's lilt.

The matron stumbled. "My Lord. I apologize, I didn't know—"

"It was a late purchase," Shyllon said graciously. With no apology at ruining everyone else's evening, he yanked me through the parlor and out the doors of the pleasure house.

Hazy confusion poured through me, warring with relief. "Where are we going?" I choked out, my voice nothing more than a tortured rasp.

His grip around me tightened.

"My home."

The confusion only intensified, and I fell asleep.