Chapter 4

4

U gh . How long has it been since I’ve seen the outside world? Not that I really want to see the outside, but this near-constant dark cell has me second guessing myself. Do I really want a reminder of what my kingdom looks like now? Hum … no. I think I’ll pass. My days consist of staring at myself in the mirror above my cot. I hate mirrors. Dark memories try to seep in, and I thump my head against the bed to push them away. I don’t want to remember.

I hear a clunk down the hall, and I know it must be time for the day guards to take over. How do I know it’s daytime, you may ask? Well , I happen to see a brief sliver of light that shines down the hallway during shift change. It’s also the only way I’ve been able to keep track of time. Otherwise , it’s dark and dreary all day… every day.

I hear a guard groan as he stands. Always predictable. “ Have a great day, Henry !” I say in a false, cheery voice. I don’t know if that’s his name, but it’s the name I’ve given him. He looks like a Henry , or maybe a Paul … hum. Maybe I’ll change it up tomorrow.

The guards mutter greetings to each other as the door shuts. “ Morning , Charles .” He doesn’t respond… like always. Again , that’s not his name, but they’ve never once introduced themselves in the four years I’ve been stuck here. Though , I didn’t really expect them to, considering they are only here to make sure I’m kept alive. Hum … I suppose that answers my question. I haven’t seen the outside world in four years.

I rub at my wrists, the metal chafing my skin. I hope the king doesn’t come by today. Though I doubt he will skip it. Since sticking me here, he’s never once skipped a day of trying to break me. To be honest, I’m getting tired. So tired I wish he would just kill me already.

I stiffen when I hear a clang against the door. It’s as if my thoughts summoned the man I wished to avoid. I hear his mumbled words to the guard before the door shuts. They always leave. The guards never stay when he’s around, which I think is a copout. As if not being here gives them some sort of pass because they aren’t here to physically see or hear what is being done to me. Self -righteous pricks.

There’s a tap on the metal bars of my cell, but I refuse to look in his direction. I may want to give up, but I’ll never give him that satisfaction.

“ Little Snowflake , Little Snowflake ,” he singsongs. “ Have you melted yet?”

I hold up my middle finger, and he roars in laughter. “ I’m so glad I get to play with you again. You have lasted so long, but I wonder if today is the day.”

“ Never .”

I hear the whine of the metal door to my cage opening, and he enters before closing the door behind him. He even locks it to make sure I can’t escape. Again . I’ve only managed it once, but that was all he needed to ensure he locks the door behind him each time.

My body stiffens as I sink into the bed as much as possible as if to disappear. But it never stops him, and I never disappear. I flinch as his shoes scrape across the floor with each step. “ Should we summon them today?”

My eyes flick up to the ceiling to see the mirrored surface begin to waiver. My image morphs in the reflection as it begins to melt into tendrils. I whimper when the tendrils fall to the bed beside me, and I squeeze my eyes shut when I hear him move closer.

I refuse to open my eyes, even when I feel the cool touch of the mirror’s smooth surface. The tentacles seem to vibrate with power as they brush across my skin. Think of better days Eira . Your body may be stuck here, but that doesn’t mean your mind has to be.

He tuts, and I feel the cold tip of his knife slide across my chest, further reminding me that I’m completely naked. “ Open your eyes, Little Snowflake .”

I HATE it when he calls me by the name my father used as an endearment. It makes the beauty of the nickname feel dirty and poisoned. It no longer holds the sweet and loving memories of my father.

My eyes shoot open when I feel the knife pressed deeper into the skin of my thigh, and the tendrils slide across my breasts. They massage my mounds, and I bite my lip, refusing to make a sound. I hate that these things bring my body pleasure as he watches. I hate my body's reaction, no matter how much I try to force it to do otherwise. My eyes meet his dark, mirrored pits as he smiles down at me. “ There you are, Little Snowflake . Are you ready to have fun today?”

I gather all the spit I possibly can, which is proving difficult, considering how dry my mouth is. Taking a deep breath in, I shoot the glob of spit into his face.

Black smoke begins to swirl around him, and his smile darkens. “ So glad you haven’t lost your fight. It wouldn't be fun otherwise.” He quickly reaches over to tighten the shackles attached to my ankles and wrists.

I hiss as my limbs are stretched out as far as possible, giving him access to every inch of my body. He taps the tip of the knife to his lips while his eyes roam over my body. When his eyes meet mine again, they seem to ripple with power. “ I do hope I can make you scream.”

Before I can reply, I feel his knife slice my thigh. I bite my lip to keep the screams inside as he continues to make small cuts down my thighs. A tentacle slides between my legs as the others caress and massage my body. The tip slides between my folds, pressing softly on the sensitive, peaked flesh. I feel a gush between my legs when the tentacle presses hard on my sensitive nub. My lips are split and bleeding from me biting them so hard. But no matter how hard I try to keep the tears in, they fall anyways. I hate that my body betrays me like this. That I somehow find pleasure from this torture.

I feel him looming over me as his tongue laps the side of my face. “ I do love the taste of your tears, Little Snowflake . Like the sweetest of tarts. Your pain is so delicious.” He pulls back, and I allow my eyes to open just enough to see him licking my blood off the knife. His eyes roll back, and he groans. “ Your blood tastes exquisite. I can’t imagine anything tasting as heavenly as you. My own personal dessert. I am going to miss our sessions together.”

My eyes widen at his words, and he laughs. “ I did promise to give you to my son. I am a man of my word, after all. I do hope he enjoys you as much as I have.”

Panic bubbles up in my chest. No . No . No , no, no, no! I’d rather stay with the villain I know than be handed off to a male I know nothing about. His son could be worse for all I know. He must see the panic in my eyes because his smile grows wider. “ He does make me proud. He rules Wylan for me while I am here. I’m sure you will enjoy your new home.”

He snaps his fingers, and one of his favorite guards comes around the corner. “ I know you love your sessions with me, but I figure it's only fair to let your favorite guard have one last taste as well.”

Shit . Shit ! Go to your happy place! I hear the click of the door, signaling it’s unlocked before it clicks closed again. I feel his disgusting eyes roam over my bloodied and bruised skin. I flinch when I feel his fingers slide over my thighs.

I hear the shifting of clothes, and I can’t stop the images of having to watch his pants drop to the floor before each session. I hold myself back from saying how I wish the tentacles would stay between my legs instead of this horrid man. At least with the tentacles I can pretend they don’t matter, that it doesn’t mean anything. I bite my lip again, feeling the guard's thumb circling my entrance before pressing inside me. I squeeze my eyes shut tighter when I hear another set of clothes hit the floor.

The tentacles slither up my body to caress and play with my breasts as the guard grunts. He continues to slide his thumb in and out of me. “ She is just as tight as yesterday, My King . Always so tight.”

“ Fuck her already before my son gets here. I wish to come before I must greet him,” the king says and grunts.

I feel the guard's cock press against my entrance, and I know he will be just as rough as he was yesterday. Like he is every day. I also know that the tentacles are going to pleasure me until I come, whether I want to or not. It’s as if the tentacles know I need to be wet enough to handle the guard’s rough fucking.

He slams into me with a satisfied grunt and begins to fuck me fast and hard. I hear his panting and grunting as his grip on my thighs tightens.

The tentacles cup my breasts while another slides between my legs to play with my sensitive nub. I feel my body betraying me; I never want to come for this man, for these disgusting tentacles. I can’t stop my body from begging for satisfaction, though. Begging to find that release, which allows me to slip away from this horrid place for a few blissful moments. It makes me want to vomit each time.

He growls as he continues to thrust into me, then suddenly pulls out and comes all over the lower half of my body. A tentacle slides in to replace him, humming inside of me as its slick surface strokes in and out. I grit my teeth as it hits just the right spot, and I come. I hold back a whimper as it slides out of me, circling my sensitive nub once before all the tentacles retract.

The guard groans. “ It’s a pity you agreed to give her to your son. She’s the best fuck I’ve ever had.”

The king shouts, and I feel his hot release coat my chest. He pants as he replies, “ If the others do not satisfy me the way she does, I will steal her back.” He chuckles as they get dressed. “ You look so good covered in our release, Snowflake . Best clean you up before my son sees, though.”

He and the guard chuckle before I hear the clank signaling that the door is opening and closing. I watch the tentacles slither up the wall and slip back into the mirror above me. I wait until I hear the outside door close behind them before I let a sob slip out, biting my lip to suppress any others from escaping. I stare at my reflection in the mirror, tears streaming down my face, covered in blood and cum. I can’t even wash it off because the king didn’t release my wrists.

Please … someone… anyone. Please save me from this hell.