Belladonna
"Stand guard."
My back went pin-straight.
The Keiserinne's order was like a knife cutting through the air as the door to my cell opened with a creaking sound that resonated in the empty halls of the thrall quarters. Her eyes appraised me on the other side of the door, dark and filled with a malicious wonder that made me nearly shiver.
I held my breath.
Behind me, the wolf, whose eyes had been turned to the moon peeking through the outside bars of my cell, slowly turned his snout, devoting his attention to anything other than the world outside for the first time since we'd been brought in. To say he'd been giving me the cold shoulder since what'd happened outside was probably a stretch, but he had been quite honestly ignoring me as if I wasn't even there in the room with him — like we hadn't both been locked up together in the same cell for the better part of a day. After what he'd done to protect me in the snow, it did sting a bit.
I shook my head, annoyed at my own narcissism.
It was a wolf, for the Gods' sake.
I was, in no way or shape, the center of its world.
The Keiserinne looked back at him, firm and unafraid, but he didn't move. He simply watched as she walked in with the door closing behind her, remaining sitting on the cold stone as if he had no cares in the world. He blinked a few times, his eyes swinging only once to me before poising on her once more.
Weighing, judging, assessing, calculating.
It was quite enthralling to watch.
The intelligence behind the eyes of a creature as magnificent as him.
I backed away from her until my back was pressed against the wall furthest from the door, hiding my trembling hands beneath my cloak to conceal my fear.
It'd never been a secret that I was terrified of the Keiserinne. After that first time I'd seen her and she'd had her Vefari brand her mark on my collarbone, I have been horrified by the mere sight of her. I'd come to know her well enough over time to realize just how far she was willing to go and how many atrocities she was willing to commit to get what she wanted. She was relentless and ruthless. And even though I'd defied her on many occasions, I'd always felt the heavy hand of her disappointment afterward and it had brought me as close to her as I thought I could ever get when it came to someone so dark, polluted, and heartless as she was.
I didn't crave any closer looks.
The sound of her heels cracked off the stone pavement —
I heard a low growl and seconds after, the Keiserinne stopped short a few feet away, looking down at the ground where the wolf had moved from his spot and had come to sit in front of me, his hind and tail literally on top of my feet. He reached a few inches above my waist even though he was sitting and his ears perked in vigilance, though there was no sign of violence on his posture — yet. He stopped snarling when the Keiserinne stopped walking, almost as if he was seeking to mark a position or take a stand to let her know this was as close as he was letting her come to us both.
One of her brows shot up as she stared at the wolf. "You truly are a magnificent beast, aren't you?"
The wolf lowered his snout, sniffing the air with suspicion as if he, too, could hear the sugary sweetness in her voice but tasted the venom beneath it.
I was more thankful than ever that he was here.
"How did you touch him?" She inquired, switching her attention to me when the wolf's aggression seemed to waver.
I shrugged. "I don't know."
She tilted her head. "My Belladonna…" She chuckled, shaking her head. "Always lying to me… don't you ever learn?"
I swallowed.
"How did you touch him?"
I looked down at the wolf, just as he looked up at me, his blazing eyes reflecting both my face and the moon outside perfectly. "I… I don't…" My voice died down and I forced myself to swallow the saliva balling in my throat when the wolf quietly lifted his snout and rested it against my thighs. He tipped his eyes at me, which shone like golden emeralds with such pure strength and blind fierceness I felt empowered by that gaze. "I don't know."
It was the most amazing thing.
Such a beautiful, powerful being rendered so soft and gentle by a mere stare.
I couldn't explain it, but the way he was looking at me was with such devotion that I was certain it was an unnamed type of love of its own form and shape. It was like when he stared back at me, he could see deeper than the skin. He could see inside of me, into the insecurities and fears I wore so close to my chest and he could touch them all ever so sweetly, erasing them with a simple stare until they felt like past remembrances. I'd never felt anything like that before, but that same feeling from my dreams emerged in my chest, a warmth so deep and strong and potent it speared through me as if I recognized this animal to the last cell of his being. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, but all I could detect in his stare was pure love and warmth. There was no wildness, no rage, no hate in his eyes, now. No resentment. Only love and concern of the purest kind, like a friend who knew me so well all he needed to do was take a look into my eyes and know what I was feeling.
It was the strangest thing.
I'd watched him many times in his captivity, ever since he'd been brought to the fortress. He was a wild animal, untamable. And yet, he'd defended me outside. He'd protected me from the Sentry and he'd stood by me when the Keiserinne came. He'd withstood the Vefari's touch for me and he hadn't relented.
There was nothing that could explain that — no wild animal could ever be that selfless.
And yet, it'd happened.
I'd seen it with my own eyes. He'd come to my aid and he'd stayed. He'd allowed me to touch him and caress him when I'd seen him not allow that kindness from anyone else in all the time he'd been at the fortress.
That's why staring at his eyes, now, was like watching him slowly being tamed.
But not by a cage, and by whips and chains.
By love. By recognition. By kindness.
By belonging.
She didn't speak for a few seconds.
The wolf blew out a breath through his nostrils as he blinked up at me.
The Keiserinne smirked as her head tilted to the side, observing. Her smirk deepened, the corners of her lips twitching with a malice that only those who knew her intimately could decipher as excitement. "There have always been stories about humans who shared special connections with animals."
I didn't really know what she was talking about, but I'd heard about the remarkable bonds humans were recorded to have with animals in the ancient days.
What did that have to do with anything?
"But your connection…" She paused, her gaze piercing. "It's something else, something… more. It reminds me of the stories of the bonds spoken of in the ancient tales of the times before. A bond of mutual love and loyalty, unlike any other forged between humans. I've always thought it to be a myth. I've never seen it, especially not bonds that formed well into the human's life," the Keiserinne's voice was low and pensive, as if she was putting something together that was of great importance and even bigger intrigue. "But with your abilities, I suppose anything would be possible," she continued, her voice sliding through the tension-coated air, whispering secret lore that pricked my senses.
Before I'd been dragged here when my entire town was slaughtered and burned, the stories of the old days had been lullabies I'd fallen asleep to like the whispers of the wind rustling in my ear. The tales of animals endowed with a soul who carried immortal bonds with those they shared their soul with had been nothing but that to me. Tales and legends of times that had been. I hadn't ever believed they didn't have a simple snippet of truth in them, nor that they might come to pass again. Those tales spoke of creatures who were gifted to the humans by the Gods and made to share their soul with the sole purpose of aiding, guiding and protecting them. I'd thought those days had been over and long gone. To me, creatures such as the one the Keiserinne was talking about were extinct. Gone from the world. Myths I'd never get to see and prove for myself. But I also knew the Keiserinne was an old woman — maybe not in physical age, but in wisdom —, and if she herself was mentioning these tales and rendering them as more than folk tales, then maybe it could indeed be true.
But if so, why had it happened to me?
Why had this wolf bonded to me?
I clutched at the wolf's fur, my fingers tangling in the thick undercoat, seeking reassurance from the silent creature whose presence had become my shield. "What would you know of loyalty? Or bonds?" The words slipped from me, a whisper meant only for the walls but loud enough for her to hear.
Her chuckle was like the whisper of leaves in a dead forest, and it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. "Oh, my dear…" She cooed and took a step closer. "I indeed don't know much, but trust me when I say this. I will make sure to learn all there is to learn."
So I can use it, it's what she didn't say but was very clear.
The wolf's ears twitched, and his body tensed, but he did not move from his protective stance, glancing from me to her as he assessed the situation almost as if he could understand what we were saying.
I held my breath.
"Still, even now, I know that bonds, like chains, can be forged and broken. But whatever link you have woven with this creature —," she gestured negligently at the wolf who now glared at her, "— reeks of an ancient magic, long forgotten by the civilized world."
My eyes watched my own reflection in the wolf's eyes. "I've woven nothing," I protested, but my voice wavered with doubt, betraying my fear to her ears.
She smirked. "You know so very little, my Belladonna, it is quite endearing." Her head tilted as she studied both me and the wolf. "There is nothing you needed to do. Bonds such as yours are born of the wyrd, not of your own volition. This wolf is bonded to you because it was meant to be so, and it would die for you, just as you would for him." The Keirserinne smiled then and if I didn't know any better, I would have sworn there was a shine of something soft in her eyes. "It carries a shard of your soul and it will stand by you as long as it breathes. There is no more loyal vow than the one he's offered you."
Oh, wolf of the wild, why did you choose me?
The wolf whimpered softly, rubbing the underside of his snout against me almost as if answering me.
"That is why your shadows didn't hurt him. It's why you can touch him," the Keiserinne said, sounding slightly bewildered. "He is your Skera."
My Skera?
I lifted my eyes. "Will you take him from me?"
"That remains to be seen. For now." She blinked slowly, tilting her head. "However, I am a woman of my word. Make sure he keeps in line and no harm will come to him by my hand." The Keiserinne's eyes glinted like twin daggers in the dim light. She then pivoted gracefully, her cloak swirling around her like a dark storm cloud. "I will leave you to ponder the nature of your… companionship." She strolled to the door, the steady tap of her heels a countdown to my reprieve. "And I will send for you when I have need of your presence."
I was inclined to say 'thank you' but decided against it when I realized she wouldn't do this out of the kindness of her heart.
As she reached the threshold, she halted and glanced back at me, her gaze softening for a moment — a hunter admiring her prey. "But remember, Belladonna, in this keep, walls have ears and shadows have eyes. Thus, what secrets you think you own are mine to discover."
And with that bone-chilling statement, she exited, the door closing with a finality that echoed through my bones. The wolf exhaled, the warm huff of his breath striking my leg, a lifeline amidst the suffocating dread.
I slid down the wall, the wolf's head falling away from my legs as he sat back, watching me, and as the moonlight cast an ethereal glow about the room, I pondered the Keiserinne's words and what they meant for me — for us. Somewhere between the ominous warning and the mysterious bond I shared with this creature, a fear began to take shape and form.
Pure dread.
For a second, I wanted to scream.
As the echo of the door's closure faded, I felt the fortress's oppressive silence settle around us, the wolf's presence a solitary comfort against the weight of it. The nature of our bond, acknowledged by the Keiserinne, might have been a curiosity or even a delightful anomaly to her before, a mere trinket in her collection of oddities within these walls. But her words, 'a bond of ancient magic', recast our connection in the light of power, and power was something the Keiserinne never took lightly.
And something she held on to tightly.
I would know.
The mystery of the bond she'd talked about invoked the shadows of these stone corridors, where whispers of long-dead magics lingered, where secret alliances formed as swiftly and silently as they dissolved. I pondered if perhaps our bond, born of the wyrd and the old magic, could be a dormant thread of those ancient times, reawakened within me — a thread that might just be strong enough to bind or blind the very shadows that the Keiserinne so confidently claimed as her own.
Undoubtedly, the Keiserinne would seek to exploit what she perceived as a weapon to be wielded, a new kind of chain to yoke to her whims. But in her eyes and those chilling final words, I perceived her thrill of the hunt, the excitement of a new game. Her acknowledgment of our bond was an unintentional validation — a confirmation that perhaps there was a power here she didn't yet control, one that could alter the dynamic of predator and prey within the world.
The wolf shifted, his head rising as a distant murmur reached my ears.
"What is it?"
The wolf shifted his stance, ears twitching as he listened intently to the faint sounds echoing through the stone corridors. I held my breath, straining to hear what had caught his attention, but there was nothing I could hear except broken echoes of sounds I couldn't discern. The wolf's eyes narrowed, focusing on some unseen point past the metal door before us. I tensed, feeling the hair on my arms prickle. The Keiserinne's words echoed in my mind once more. Had she set something in motion already, aiming to test or manipulate this 'bond of ancient magic' she spoke of?
Holy Ancient Ones.
The wolf edged forward, nose twitching, drinking in scents and sounds I could not perceive. His muscles bunched in readiness beneath his pearl-white fur.
The faint sounds grew louder, echoing off the stone walls of the corridor outside. I strained to make out their source, my heart pounding. The wolf let out a low growl, his hackles rising and his shoulder blades rolling as he stared intently at the metal door barring our way.
At last, the noise filtered through the door — footsteps, voices murmuring —, just as shadows flickered in the torchlight beneath the door.
I exchanged a glance with the wolf, whose only sign he could sense my stare was the small step he took to the side, placing himself in front of me, his large frame nearly hiding me completely from anyone who opened the door and tried to gaze upon me, huddled on the ground.
He bared his teeth, poised to attack, nails clipping the floor.
I steadied my breathing, my heart thundering in my chest.
Guards.
It had to be.
But what were they doing here?
"Do you think they're coming for us?"
The wolf flipped his ember eyes on me and if I wasn't sure I was insane for believing so, I would have sworn he shook his head.
Impossible.
Wasn't it?
The wolf's steady gaze and protective stance gave me a small measure of comfort, despite the ominous sounds outside our cell. His calm confidence helped slow my racing heart.
The voices grew louder as multiple sets of footsteps echoed down the stone corridor, interspersed with the clanking of armor and weapons. The wolf flattened his ears and bared his teeth as the sound intensified, but he held his ground in front of me. Shadows danced wildly across the gap beneath the heavy door and the floor.
I heard a door creak open, though it wasn't mine.
The one next down the corridor?
The one directly in front?
"On your feet, thrall!" A male voice barked.
My heart dropped to my stomach.
The wolf snarled, poised to lunge, but it was clear the guards hadn't come for us, but for whatever slave was locked in the cell in front of mine.
"The Keiserinne requires your presence tonight. Seems you're Terosi's favorite and she means to appease him tonight," he announced, though his voice was cold and mirthless.
I couldn't make out what the slave girl answered, her voice frightened and weak, but she definitely answered.
The girl's frightened voice sent a chill down my spine. Though separated by a heavy door, her terror was palpable. I shuddered, imagining what fresh horror awaited her at the whim of the Keiserinne and whoever this Terosi man was.
The wolf turned and met my gaze, his eyes burning with rage on the girl's behalf. He let out a fierce snarl, baring his teeth towards the door, as if he could rip out the throat of the unseen guard.
The girl cried out as the rasp of the door against the floor grated my ears. I heard her yelp and then the very recognizable sound of something metal hitting flesh flooded my ears.
She started screaming.
The girl's screams pierced my heart like daggers. I wanted to cry out, to beg the guards to stop, but the wolf turned and fixed me with an intense stare and his topaz eyes seemed to say 'don't make a sound'. So, I bit my tongue and trembled, hating my powerlessness. The guards' laughter echoed down the hall as they kept hitting her. Soon enough, the sound of something heavy crashing against the floor and the walls echoed around my cell —
I couldn't think.
Couldn't breathe.
The guards' laughter turned my stomach.
They were enjoying this cruelty, these monsters who served the Keiserinne without question —
Suddenly, the wolf launched at the door, his claws digging at the metal of the door as he howled and snarled until saliva pooled on the floor beneath him. His nails scratched at the door, the sound as loud and brain-splitting as the sound of the girl's screams. Despite brutal in a way, it dawned on me moments after that it muffled the sound of her cries to the background, though not enough for me to shake in fear. Nausea traveled up my throat, threatening to bring out the breakfast I hadn't been offered earlier in the morning.
He was —
Shit.
Was he protecting me? Again?
I shut my eyes.
I opened my eyes as the wolf's howls finally died down.
The girl's screams had faded to broken sobs that echoed faintly down the corridor. My heart ached for her, even as my skin crawled at what new torments awaited her. The guards' voices receded as well as footsteps were heard, their vile amusement echoing behind them.
The wolf turned back to me, his sides heaving from the effort of his frenzied howling and his attack on the door, which now at his back was completely wrecked, the metal scratched until it dents were perfectly visible where he'd pushed and scratched wildly. His golden eyes burned into mine, filled with a rage and pain that mirrored my own and in that shared anguish, our bond grew stronger, tightening us further, if that was possible.
At least now I wasn't the only one who carried the cruelties that forged this place.
Footsteps and voices sounded again outside.
The wolf stiffened, a growl rumbling deep in his chest as he slowly stepped back until he was once more standing in front of me, his tail weirdly close to my arm. But the steps receded down the corridor, fading into silence. I reached out a trembling hand and rested it on the wolf's head. His fur was soft and warm beneath my fingers. The contact soothed us both. He leaned into my touch, a low whine vibrating in his throat. I hadn't realize I'd started crying, but as he leaned into my touch, a low whine vibrating in his throat, I felt a tear slip free from the corner of my eye.
I let out a shaky breath.
At last, the heavy door at the end of the hall slammed shut, leaving silence in their wake.
The wolf turned in one swift movement and nuzzled my hands in comfort, his nose caressing my skin gently. But nausea still trembled through me and before I could control the urge, I bent over to the side, supporting my hands on the cold floor, and vomited.
I heaved until my stomach was empty, bitter bile burning my throat.
The wolf watched me. I could feel his stare and his heavy breathing as he waited for me to regain my composure. When I was finished, I remained a few more seconds in the position, shutting my eyes against the convulsions wrecking my stomach apart as the nausea slowly subsided, giving place to a terror that left a bitter taste in my mouth. When I didn't move, I heard his nails click the floor as he stepped forward and gently licked one of my hands. The lick of his tongue was quick and single, but in comforted a part of me that I didn't even know needed comforting. Slowly leaning back against the cold stone wall, I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, feeling my body trembling from the exertion and the chill of the dungeon. Slowly, almost like he was measuring every step he took, the wolf pressed against me, a barrier of warmth between my horror and the unseen brutality of the world outside these walls.
He was incredibly gentle.
I couldn't understand it. My eyes flickered to the door behind him. How he was capable of such savagery, such brutality, such mayhem and then such kindness and such protectiveness was a complete mystery. I couldn't understand what'd driven him to attack the door, but I also couldn't put it past me that what he'd done had drowned out the sound of the guards spanking the thrall on the other cell. How could he be so gentle? So caring? When he was capable of such destruction?
What had changed?
I tipped my eyes at him. "Why?" The question was almost a prayer.
His eyes burned into mine, unblinking as he grew even nearer, his front legs somehow finding their way between my thighs as he sat inches from my face, his snout so close I could see that his eyes had small freckles of black mixed with the amber. Despite the threatening teeth I knew were behind his jaws and the fact that him sitting brought his eyes to eye-level with mine, I was surprised to find there was no fear in my heart at his proximity. Only comfort. His ears leaned down as he blinked slowly and what I could only describe as the purr of an extremely large cat echoed in the cell.
I inhaled sharply.
How —
He leaned in incredibly cautiously like he was worried about scaring me and I felt his breath shift the hair at my temple, though he didn't touch me, just stayed there, his serene breaths blowing my hair around my face.
Suddenly, I didn't care why or how.
I just cared that he was here.
I closed my eyes, heart rate growing increasingly more steady. "Thank you," I whispered into his ear.
He huffed in response.
I settled my head back against the wall.
The wolf lay down beside me, pressing his body against my side, his head nestled against my hip. I buried my fingers in the fur of his loin, focusing on slowing my frantic breaths. Gradually, my pounding heart calmed.
We sat in silence for a long while.
So long that I found myself growing drowsy despite the hard floor. Exhaustion from fear and sickness weighed heavy on me. I slumped lower, my head coming to rest on the wolf's loin and, for some reason I couldn't fathom, right before I drifted back to sleep, I felt him turn his snout so his head was cradled under my neck against my chest, his fur so warm and his steady breaths so firm I found myself relaxing even further.
My eyelids drifted closed.
And a dreamless sleep overtook me.
***
A sharp clang jolted me awake.
There was something warm and soft behind my head, cushioning as I slept. I realized with a distant surprise that the surface my head was lying in was moving softly up and down and only registered seconds before through the white fur at the edge of my vision that it was the wolf. It hadn't been a dream. He'd really curled his snout underneath my chin and fallen asleep snuggled into me. And he hadn't moved ever since. Neither of us had. Words escaped me for a few seconds as I tried to wrap my head around that fact. In my position, still curled up on the ground, I heard a snarl emanating from his chest, but he remained uncharacteristically still, as if not wanting to move not to startle or wake me.
My heart chipped.
Outside the cell, heavy footsteps and voices echoed down the corridor once more. I felt my heart race, startled at the unexpected noise, and fear immediately knotted my stomach.
What new horrors would they bring this time?
The wolf blinked slowly up at me as I righted myself, lifting my body from the soft embrace that he presented me, him too seeming disoriented for a few seconds as he pushed himself up and sat on his hind legs almost like an obedient dog in front of me. He shook his head as if to clear it and then whipped his head to the door, his muscles immediately tensing as if he knew something was very wrong. His eyes rolled quickly back to the bars where the moon now shone in the dark, starless sky.
I realized night had fallen while we slept.
A key turned in the lock and the door creaked open —
Torchlight flooded the corridor, momentarily blinding me. I blinked against the glare, mentally bracing for the brutality of what was to come as I righted myself against the cold wall. I raised my arm to shield my eyes from the sudden brightness, feeling the wolf pressing against my side, a low growl rumbling in his chest. Through the spots flashing in my vision, I could make out three hulking shapes entering the cell, the torchlight glinting off metal shackles and several blades in their hands.
My heart stuttered.
Were they here to take me to my next horror?
The figures approached slowly, as if wary of provoking the wolf.
Serves you damn well.
As they drew closer, I could see that two of them were carrying large chains and metal shackles. All of them carried sharp blades at their sides and multiple other weapons glinted off their garments. The third had his sword in his hand, though, its blade glinting in the torchlight. My heart raced with fear as they stopped before me.
In response to their advance, the wolf bared his fangs, poised to strike, but held his ground in front of me.
"Stand down, wolf," one of the men growled. I recognized the voice, but I didn't know his name and I truthfully didn't care to find out. The less I knew about these barbarous, inhumane men, the better. The wolf's ears flattened against his skull. The man took another step forward, raising his blade. "Don't make me repeat myself."
The wolf snarled in response but stayed put. His eyes flickered to meet mine before he let out a huff and lowered himself back down onto all fours in a gesture that was both peaceful and compliant. He refused to break eye contact with the men, still ready to defend me if needed, but the aggressivity seemed to ease off his attitude a little.
I looked at the guard that had talked.
His entire stance was menacing, but there was a wariness in his eyes that didn't escape me. Clearly, he was scared of the wolf, given that the animal was about half his size and had enough claws and fangs to be a big hassle to control and be more than capable of killing, but that didn't entirely stop him from acting like they had the upper hand on the situation. After all, as the wolf seemed more inclined to protect me than it looked prone to attack mercilessly, and without reason, the guards saw that as an opportunity to be the threat instead of the one threatened.
"Get up," one of them grunted, pointing his chin at me.
I complied, my body trembling as I stood. The wolf growled lowly but still didn't make any move to attack. The men seemed uncomfortably aware of him, eyeing him warily but not daring to make any sudden moves.
"Keep that beast under control and we won't need to shackle or harm either of you," the one with the sword snapped. "Just follow us."
I hesitated for a moment, looking from the men to the wolf and back again. But there was no escaping this fate. With a deep breath, I stepped away from the wall and started walking towards the door.
The wolf followed quickly at my side, his eyes never leaving the figures around us as two walked ahead of me and another stayed behind.
We were led down the long corridor of the thrall quarters — by which I meant cells — and up a flight of stairs before coming up to the courtyard, empty except for the moving shadows created by the moonlight striking upon the shaking treetops. The thrall quarters were on the northeastern side of the fortress, as far away from the imposing stone building of the old keep the Keiserinne used as her center of operations — the pavilion, as she called it —, as well as for housing herself, the guards and her guests. The girls had told me after I'd arrived, that while our numbers had been lower, we'd been housed above-ground in barracks, but as escape attempts were made that ended in near success, the Keiserinne had one of the underground parts of the fortress that had once been used to store weaponry adapted into fortified cells for her thralls. As our numbers grew over time, the number of cells had grown, as had the underground space, to the point it now had a single bathing chamber we all shared and a chamber she essentially used for her punishments whenever one of the girls misbehaved.
My eyes squeezed at the memories of my time there.
My knees wobbled.
Shit.
I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to block out the memories of that horrible chamber as we started across the moonlit courtyard. The moonlight bathed the courtyard in an eerie glow, casting shadows that danced and shifted as the trees rustled in the wind. The old keep loomed in the background, its stone walls and dark windows hinting at the secrets and horrors that lay within. The weight of the past pressed on my eyelids as I attempted to shut out the dark memories, but they pulsed and throbbed like a live wire, threatening to electrocute me with their power. The wolf pressed against my leg, steadying me as we walked across the open space.
With a long sigh, I focused on the feeling of his soft fur against me, using it to anchor myself in the present moment.
We approached the imposing fortress at the center of the fortress, the home of the Keiserinne and her most trusted garrison. Torches lit the entryway, casting flickering shadows on the stone walls. As we stepped inside, the temperature increased considerably, but I suppressed a shiver as dread corroded my insides.
Our footsteps echoed down the torch-lit halls as the men led us deeper into the old fortress.
I knew exactly where we were going, but I wasn't sure what fresh horrors awaited me. The wolf stayed close by my side, alert and ready to defend me if needed. But for now, he seemed to sense it was better not to resist as we were clearly outnumbered.
The wolf and I followed the men down twisting stone corridors. The air grew colder and damper as we went deeper into the old keep. Though my heart pounded, I kept my chin high and my steps steady. I would not show fear, not to these men, and certainly not to the Keiserinne.
At last, we reached a heavy iron door set into raw stone. One of the men produced an intricate key and unlocked it with an echoing clank. He nodded for me to enter.
I took a deep breath and stepped inside.
The pavilion beyond was dimly lit by torches along the walls. Spacious and decorated with restraint, the space was dim, meant for as much secrecy and discretion as possible in a place such as this. The only light came from candlelights spaced on the walls that aided the vibrant atmosphere. There were a few tables and chairs along the corners of the room, but it was common knowledge that little to no customers usually lounged enough time in them except for quick drinks and nourishment while they picked the slave they wanted to take to the bed offered for a fair price on the above floor. There was a small dais on the right and the pathways between the booths were already filled with the Keiserine's slaves as they paraded for the customers they're obliged to attract until the carnal temptation of their flesh became too much for the men. Some of the regulars came and requested specifically the slaves they wanted, most having coursed their way through nearly every one of them, but the new ones were usually shy, hesitant to take their pleasure even though they'd come fully planning on getting it and loaded with enough pennies to pay for it. As the guards closed their triangle formation around me and the wolf, I watched as three girls passed by us, one of them tilting her hips so hypnotically it earned a low growl from the guard on my left as need definitely poured through him. I'd never heard any of the girls admitting it, but I was fairly sure that the guards also had their way with the girls, whether in trade for favors or simply because they wanted and could. My eyes skittered around the room and I noticed all the girls were dressed in simple thigh-long tunics crafted in the finest silk that came imported from the south chosen specifically for one reason alone — it's see-through —, usually matched to create a multitude of attractive colors that matched the girl's skin and hair.
My stomach convulsed.
We passed through a group of three men sitting on a booth and they all watched me as we passed by, sparks of interest glowing in their eyes, though I wasn't sure if it was my body that reclaimed such attention or the fact that three guards and a wolf strode in time with me. I was sure the latter had probably more importance than my mere appearance. I could feel their eyes tracing every curve and angle of my body, their desire palpable in the air as they wondered at the reason for my unusual companions. All three of them were dressed in expensive clothes, adorned with intricate patterns and made from the best materials. It was clear they were wealthy, if not high in the class of society. Still, their stare made my skin crawl and I quickly diverted my eyes to the floor as spider webs of awareness skated across my shoulders, tensing my muscles.
I shivered.
"She's off limits, gentlemen," the Keiserinne's sharp voice said from my left as she lazily strode in our direction, regarding me with a faint, cruel smile.
She was just as I remembered — tall and severe, with bronze-blonde hair and blue eyes that glowed like chips of death. Fear gripped me for a moment before anger rose up to replace it.
I would not cower before this woman.
We were forced to a stop as she crossed in front of us, her eyes on the men. The guards stopped around me, their unease at the assessment the other men clearly annoying them. If I didn't know the idea that either of them cared was preposterous, I would actually consider their discomfort a sign of concern for me.
"Is that truly so, Keiserinne?" The man leaned in, his breath reeking of mead as he stared at my petite frame in the center of the group. "I don't recognize her. Is she new? You've been hiding her away, haven't you?" He exposed a wolfish, hungry smile. "You're holding out on us if you've been keeping her all to yourself." He grinned lecherously as he eyed me up and down, making me feel uncomfortable and exposed.
At his words, a wave of unease washed over me as the other men at the table turned to look at me with similar expressions.
My eyes fell to the floor again.
The Keiserinne's laughter rang out, melodic and honeyed — sweet, sugary. "She serves a greater purpose, one that I find her exceptional for," she said with a sly smile.
The man in the center furrowed his brow, interest written across his features. "Is it because of the enormous wolf by her side?" He asked.
"Partly," the Keiserinne replied, her eyes glinting mischievously.
The man on the left out a low, dangerous chuckle. "I'd be willing to pay a hefty sum for both of them."
Gods in the Heavens.
The gods must have been listening above, watching this exchange play out like a wicked game, and for some reason must have decided to work in my favor, because I was completely sure they were not joking and and I was terrified that the fucking wyrd would laugh in my face and have the Keiserinne accept the coin they were so eagerly offering.
I felt a shiver run down my spine.
This was the danger I had feared in coming here, the darkness that lurked beneath the surface of the gilded walls of my cage. The Keiserinne may keep me for her purposes, but to these men I was only an object to possess and use.
My fists clenched as I kept my eyes lowered, not wanting to draw more attention. The wolf tensed beside me, a low growl building in his throat. I silently prayed he'd stay quiet.
Now was not the time.
The Keiserinne laughed again, the sound grating. "I'm afraid she is not for sale. Her talents are… unique, and therefore quite invaluable to me."
The man leaned back, his eyes still roving over me. "Pity. We could find some use for her, I'm certain."
Bile rose in my throat at his implication.
The Keiserinne's smile turned icy. "I'm sure. However, she is bound to me and my needs alone," her voice sounded just as sugary, but a bitterness stung beneath it — her words were honest politeness, but there was an edge of warning beneath them. "You understand, certainly."
The man held her gaze for a long moment, then shrugged. "Another time, perhaps." He lifted his goblet in mock salute. "You do know how to find the best treasures."
The Keiserinne inclined her head. "I have an eye for quality. Now, if you'll excuse me, gentlemen, I'm afraid we must be going." She turned, gesturing for the small ensemble around me to follow. "I have matters to attend to."
I quickly fell into step with the guards as I sensed all three of them clearly take a breath of relief that they were moving away from the group of customers.
I breathed a quiet sigh of relief myself as we left the men behind, their leering eyes no longer following my every move. The Keiserinne led our group up the winding staircase, the walls adorned with lavish tapestries and gilt frames housing portrait after portrait of beautiful women.
Her 'treasures', no doubt.
My feet clicked on the marble floors as we walked down an ornate hallway. Intricate spirals and patterns decorated the walls and ceilings, every surface shining as if freshly polished. This was the inner sanctum of the Keiserinne's gilded cage, where only her guests or personal companions were permitted. It reminded me of the glamour she cloaked herself in, hiding the rot within.
Beautiful on the outside, putrid on the inside.
At last we reached an arched doorway. The Keiserinne paused, turning to me with a smile both chilling and amused. "That was well done, little Belladonna. Our customers so enjoyed your performance." Her sharp eyes searched my face. "But we must keep your talents exclusively for me. After all, I did go a long way to add you to my collection."
I lowered my gaze, hating the possessive gleam in her look as a wave of rage nearly took over me.
She hadn't found me. Hadn't paid for me. Hadn't bought me. She'd burned my fucking home to the ground and killed my entire family to own me. The way she talked made it seem like her invasion of my home had been some form of noble act or, even, a strike of luck, but she'd branded me like cattle as soon as she got her hands on me and then dragged me away to his Gods-forsaken place, half dead with grief and sorrow. She hadn't just found me. She'd gone after me. She hadn't saved me. She was the thing I needed saving from. I had been a target for a long time and she'd searched all around for me until she found me and instead of using whatever influence she had to make me leave with her, she'd just killed everyone in sight and made sure there was nothing or no one to get back to, before she branded me to make sure I'd never be able to be free of her hold.
She had no idea how much I loathed her.
The wolf stiffened at my side, a rumble emerging in his throat as if in tune with my thoughts and my own fury as it washed in waves over my veins.
I was her songbird in this cage, my body and my touch belonging to her alone.
For as long as I lived.
The Keiserinne waited, expecting some word of gratitude or submission.
Neither of which I would ever give to her.
Silence hung in the air until she turned on her heels and strode forward into a small open hallway with six doors. These were the most private rooms, where she usually kept her utmost important customers. The ones who paid better and were steeped higher in the chain of nobility. The ones who needed the most secrecy and discretion. The ones who usually came on regular days and spent the most money as they ran through as many thralls as they could through the nights they spent secluded inside. Not to mention the amount of food and beverages they consumed, as well as the kitchen thralls they usually possessed when they brought the trays of food or drinks, only to send them most often bloodied, bruised and limping back to their chores.
It was all so…
I had no words.
The injustice and cruelty was beyond anything I could have imagined. But I refused to be broken.
Some day, I would be free.
I looked around the opulent hallway, each gilded door a gateway to depravity and misery.
The Keiserinne unlocked the second door to our right and gestured for me to enter. "I expect your best behavior this evening. So, no rebellion."
My stomach turned, but I kept my face neutral.
She would get no satisfaction from seeing my disgust.
The wolf at my side tensed, a low growl rumbling in his throat.
As the door closed behind me, I took in the posh surroundings meant to delight nobles and torture thralls. Silk sheets on a canopied bed, plush rugs, and finery that barely concealed the room's true purpose. Shackles on the bedposts, whips and chains in a cabinet to the side. A window draped with heavy curtains to hide the sight from passers-by.
My pulse quickened, but I kept my face serene.
The wolf lifted his head as he stopped at my side just inside the threshold, amber eyes meeting mine. And even without any words, I knew he understood my feelings exactly, though he also recognized how helpless I was.
How helpless we both were.
With a deep breath and a steeling of my nerves, I walked further into the room —
The muffled sound coming from the doorway caught my attention at the same time two guards moved from the entryway and marched to the bath chambers on the side of the room, opening the door and rushing in even as a yelp of surprise sounded from a girl and a man's voice rumbled in disgruntled displeasure. The third one remained by my side, his back tense and his muscles stretched so taught he looked like he might break.
I took a deep, settling breath through my nose.
Please, Odin, let this be over quickly.
Within seconds, the guards were dragging a man from the bath chambers. His wet skin shimmered as he was dragged across the room and thrown onto the bed. No one in the room seemed to care about his exposed state, but I quickly looked away from his evident arousal. Having lived in this keep for 321 days exposed to this madness, it was no surprise that I was no stranger to the male constitution, but that didn't mean I was attracted to it in any way — or interested, even.
"What do you think you're doing, Keiserinne?" He demanded, face flushed with anger.
Moments later, a thrall I recognized stumbled out of the bath chambers and she hastily grabbed a robe from the cabinet beside the bath chamber's door and slid into it as quickly as possible. It was made of soft velvet and shimmering silk, adorned with jewels and lace that would make any noblewoman envious. But on her petite, fragile frame, it looked like an armor of shame and humiliation. The girl's skin was flushed and glistening with water droplets as she scrambled out of the bath chambers, her blonde hair dripping onto her shoulders. Her eyes darted around the room, filled with both fear and shame as she tried to cover herself as best as she could with the robe. Despite her beautiful appearance, there was an air of fragility and vulnerability about her that didn't escape the eye. Her movements were hurried and awkward, as if she was trying to escape from the situation as quickly as possible.
Which we both knew wasn't possible.
"Jarl Terosi, it is very nice to see you tonight," the Keiserinne greeted with a fake smile. "First, let me present my apologies for the rough treatment."
The name rung a bell loud and clear in my mind as I remembered the soldiers who'd mentioned the same name. My eyes strayed to the girl still shrunk against the wall on my right.
Had she been the one they had come for?
The one they'd beaten?
The one who was Terosi's favorite?
My eyes scanned her body more closely and, sure enough, I found bruises over her body I'd failed to notice before. They were scattered across her skin, still light enough to go unnoticed, but I could see that they were quickly gaining color in her fair skin, turning her arms, legs and face a light purple. She looked up at me with wide blue eyes through her wet hair, filled with both fear and confusion, and it became increasingly clear she also had no idea what was happening here.
The man bristled with indignation, his bare chest heaving as he struggled with the guards who held him on the mattress. He wasn't tall and his build seemed to consist more of fat than muscle, so he was no match for the strength of two guards that held him down by the shoulders on the bed. "What in the hell is this, Keiserinne?" There was a blind fury beneath his voice, seething in the fierceness of his eyes, even as he sounded weirdly calm. "What are you doing?"
"I merely wish to have a talk with you."
His brows rose. "Talk with me? Couldn't you have found a more appropriate moment for that?"
The Keiserinne smiled, though there was no warmth in her expression. "My apologies, Jarl Terosi, but this matter could not wait."
"It couldn't?" His eyebrow arched skeptically, casting a shadow over his piercing blue eyes. "I find it hard to believe that. So, what's the real reason behind this?"
"I have a few questions for you."
Terosi bristled at the words, but he knew better than to defy the ruler of the kingdom he'd stepped into. He seemed to consider his words carefully, before answering. "While this treatment is less than becoming of my nobility, I am willing to hear what you need of me, so long as you make your men stop manhandling me." He gave a piercing gaze at the two guards still holding him down.
"You're willing?" She repeated, smiling sardonically. The Keiserinne narrowed her eyes, cunning calculation churning in her eyes. "You forget yourself, Terosi. I don't think you're in any position to be making demands, Terosi." She smiled. "This is my house, and that means I do whatever I want to whomever I want. Sadly for you, at the moment, what I want is information I believe you won't be too forthcoming in providing me."
The Jarl's face flushed an even deeper red as the Keiserinne's words cut through his indignation. He opened his mouth as if to protest, but thought better of it and snapped it shut, his eyes dancing with uncertainty before he made up his mind. "Why would I not be inclined to give you this information?"
The Keiserinne's head tilted to the side like a predator's. "I suppose the answer to that depends on where your loyalties truly lie," she answered bleakly. "And whether or not you value your well-being more than the trust of your king."
His eyes widened. "Excuse me?" His eyes traced the outline of the Keiserinne's frame and then jumped to me and the wolf at my side, before finally settling on the thrall girl he'd been with still clutching the robe around her small body and the guards in the room. "You're talking about treason, I'm assuming, which can only mean that what you want is sensitive information about the King." His eyes narrowed as he seemed to connect the dots, staring at her maliciously as he confronted her. "And it clearly isn't anything trivial like what he likes to eat at dinner or what his favorite color is, or you wouldn't have me laid bare on a bed to question me. So, what could you possibly want to know?"
I stood silently, watching the tense exchange unfold. Though my face remained impassive, my heart raced, hoping the Jarl would have the wisdom not to challenge the Keiserinne further.
Please, just tell her what she wants to know.
Her dark eyes glinted dangerously at his accusatory words. With a slight flick of her fingers, the two guards holding the Jarl tightened their grip, eliciting a pained grunt from him. "You seem to have misunderstood the situation," the Keiserinne said, her voice deceptively mild. "While I am primarily asking for your cooperation, I will have no problem demanding it, and I'm willing to use whatever means I need in order to ensure the truth comes out of your mouth."
I had absolutely no doubt.
The Jarl's face paled.
Now, that was the exact reason I was standing in this room.
Terosi's chest heaved with anger and, I would assume, panic. His eyes darted around the room, as if looking for an escape, but the guards' grip was like iron, pinning him firmly to the luxurious bed. "I don't know anything," he offered unconvincingly, a sheen of nervous sweat forming on his brow. "And I won't tell you anything."
The Keiserinne clicked her tongue. "Now, Jarl Terosi, let's not start off on the wrong foot here. I know you frequent the King's inner circle. You know things, important things, that I need to know." She began to circle the bed like a shark, her lithe form casting a shadow over the portly Jarl.
"Yes, I am part of the Royal Council," Terosi said through gritted teeth, though his voice trembled slightly. "But you know I've been vowed to secrecy about everything that is said in the meetings. You're talking about treason, and I won't do such a thing."
The Keiserinne paused her circling, regarding the Jarl with those piercing amber eyes. "I understand you have taken vows, but I'm sure exceptions can be made under the right circumstances. Can't they?"
Terosi's eyes darted around the room again, as if looking for some way out of this predicament. He knew the Keiserinne's reputation — ruthless, cunning, willing to do anything to get what she wanted.
If he refused her, there was no telling what she might do.
"I have served the crown of this kingdom all my life. I will not betray the King," he said, voice incredibly tranquil when he looked like he wanted to be screaming the words in the Keiserinne's face. "And especially not for one such as you."
"One such as me?" She raked a hand through her hair, looking around the room as a chuckle left her lips. "It seems I am only good to serve you women with which to find your pleasure, is that it?" She asked nonchalantly, but the weight of her words made him shudder. "To be honest, it's funny that you speak of betrayal, because when you find yourself needing sacrilegious pleasure your wife isn't capable of providing, you are all too willing to betray your king, coming to me and enjoying the company of my thralls at your leisure."
The Keiserinne's words struck deep, and Terosi's face flushed an even darker shade of crimson. He opened his mouth to retort, but no words came out. Instead, his eyes flicked down.
"But I can see why you're hesitant. After all, the King has served you well, has he not?" The Keiserinne purred, resuming her pacing around the room. "Titles, lands, riches." She numbered the Jarl's privileges with her fingers. "But how quickly can the King's favor turn? One whisper in the night, and all you hold dear could be stripped away. I mean, exactly who knows you're here visiting my brothel, frittering away your coin, Jarl Terosi? I'm assuming no one, otherwise you wouldn't be so well stationed among King Evren's court, would you?"
Terosi swallowed hard, sweat beading on his forehead as his chest heaved. "You — you can't —," he stuttered, eyes shut tight as if that would erase the choice that was being placed in front of him.
"Loyalty is an admirable quality, Beron Terosi, but unfortunately, it goes both ways. And if you break it for your own gain, you better expect that someone else will make you break it for theirs." The Keiserinne leaned in close, her breath hot on his ear. "Help me, and I shall keep your secret. Refuse me, and you will have a very difficult time ahead of you."
Terosi's eyes widened in shock as the Keiserinne's words sank in.
She knew his secret — that he often slipped away from court to indulge in the pleasures of her establishment — and she also knew that if word got out, it would ruin him.
His jaw clenched. "You wouldn't dare," he hissed through clenched teeth.
The Keiserinne cut him off with a laugh, a musical sound that held no warmth. "I think we've already established that I would. Now, let's try this again shall we?" She leaned in close once more, her breath hot on his skin. She schooled her features into an impassive mask — cold and predatory. "I need to know the details of this year's festivities in honor of the Lost King."
Terosi clenched his jaw stubbornly. "I'll tell you nothing," he growled, turning his head away, staring resolutely at the far wall. A light sheen of sweat had broken out on his brow.
Sighing, the Keiserinne stepped back and looked at me, one brow rising as she clearly signaled it was my turn to perform.
Terosi's eyes went wide at the sight of me as if he was just noticing me for the first time and then the wolf at my side.
"I believe Belladonna can help me encourage you to speak," the Keiserinne purred, her hand moving to call me further. "Now, let's not make this any messier than it needs to be…"
Terosi thrashed in panic, his breath coming fast. But the guards held him fast.
My heart fell to the floor.
I didn't want to do this.
Please, don't make me do this, I pleaded with her in my mind. Please, please, please.
My lashes lowered, but the second I felt a hand land at the small of my back, I knew I'd have no other choice. The guard's hand shoved me forward and I stumbled a few steps until I was less than two feet from the man completely defenseless on the bed. The wolf stayed where he was, though, surprisingly silent as he sat on the floor and stared at me advancing to the bed.
Like he knew moving would only make this even worse.
Like he knew fighting would get us both tortured.
Like he knew protecting me would get us both killed.
The man looked up at me, fear and defiance warring in his eyes.
I hesitated, silently pleading with the Keiserinne to show mercy. But her gaze was hard as stone, and with a sick feeling in my stomach, I knew what I had to do. I steeled myself, pushing down my nausea, and centered my gaze on the Jarl.
His struggles increased as I approached.
This wasn't what I wanted. But the Keiserinne's will was law. And there would be nothing I could do but watch and hear, my soul dying a little more with each cry.
My eyes brushed closed —
Pain.
I heard the crack of the whip against my back and before I could process more than just an ounce of the pain, my knees smacked the ground with bone-splitting force, robbing a strangled scream from my throat.
Help me Gods.
I gasped for breath, trying to regain my bearings, but another lash cut off all rational thought as it cracked against my skin, splitting open the skin and drawing blood that I could feel, warm and slippery, dripping down my back. The pain was overwhelming, consuming every part of me until I felt like I was nothing more than a vessel for agony. But despite the torture, I refused to scream.
My screams only seemed to please her more.
I could hear the Keiserinne's laughter ringing in my ears as she continued to whip me mercilessly. The sound sent shivers down my spine and filled me with a sense of dread that only grew stronger with each passing moment.
Tears streamed down my face, mixing with the sweat and blood that covered me. But even through the haze of pain and fear, I couldn't help myself from the onslaught of pain that flooded me as the shimmer took full hold of my body, forcing the fire to dim until only my skin and my eyes glowed black.
This was a technique the Keiserinne has used on me ever since she'd found out what I could do with the shimmer and even though she'd used it enough times for me to predict exactly what she'd do, it never stopped working. As much as I hated it, the glimmer was a protecting mechanism, a way of self-protection and survival that was triggered whenever the same set of circumstances presented itself, and being whipped, sadly, was one of them. I felt the fire die out in my chest, its warmth depleting from me, leaving only the icy tendrils of the shadows extending over my skin.
The Keiserinne landed another blow —
This time, I let out a whimper, cracking under the pain. My body trembled and contorted in response to the sharp, stinging sensation of the whip against my back. I felt tears streaming down my cheeks as she landed another blow before I'd even had a chance to recover. Sweat dotted my eyebrow as my head fell forward, my strength evading me almost completely. As I haphazardly blinked, trying to keep from blacking out, I saw that my veins had now stopped glowing and the aura covering my skin had now turned a dark, ominous black. My body shook as it anticipated another blow, which landed seconds before, making me wail my first scream of the night. My breaths come in ragged gasps and it wasn't enough.
It's not enough. I can't breathe. I can't see. I can't scream. I can't breathe.
In my pain, I didn't fight as I felt someone grab my hand and move it until it was touching the Jarl's.
And I feel it.
The shadows.
Slithering along my skin onto his, like a snake crawling through me into him, venomous and torturous. The same glimmer started to cover his fingers, then extended to his full hand and slowly made its way up his arm, making his screams grow pitchier, as he started to buck in the bed, trying to escape my hold. His body started to seize, convulsing with the pain. It took less than a second before his screams joined mine, the sound agonizing enough to make nausea swirl in my stomach until I feared I might vomit again all over this screaming man.
The guards suddenly released him.
After all, there was no need for their restraint when the man was as helpless as a newborn under my touch.
The air was suddenly filled with the man's aching cries of pain and mine, echoing off the walls. The sound of leather striking bare skin is audible as the whip continues its assault on the my back, blood dripping in rivulets down my back, smearing the legs of my pants and making the fabric stiffen as it dried. Heavy breathing and gasping can be heard as his lungs seize by the contact of the glimmer that extends slowly into his skin and mine convulse uncontrollably at the pain eating me. A strong scent filled the room, like rusted iron and salt that made the world swirl around me as dizziness joined the nausea.
Heavens, it's too much.
It'd only happened once, but I'd blacked out once in one of these sessions. Slept three days straight afterward as my body in a dead-like sleep and woke up shaking and shivering uncontrollably as my body somehow recovered from the shock of over-exertion.
My hand was suddenly jerked away —
I gasped, feeling the connection sever, my eyes snapping open.
I stumbled back, completely off balance.
I collapsed onto the floor, my vision swimming as I struggled to remain conscious. The whipping had ceased, but I could still feel the searing pain radiating across my back.
I had to get control.
With a arduous effort, I pushed past the agony and reached for that quiet place inside me, that island of calm where the fire usually dwelled, though it now faltered as the embers weren't there. I focused everything I had left on tapping into its warmth, letting it flow through me, bringing relief from the pain. The fire soothed my frazzled heart and slowed my frantic breathing, even if it didn't make the shadows any less active or lethal.
When I finally managed to open my eyes, the Keiserinne was watching me, her eyes calculating. Our gazes locked and I saw a flicker of pride and bewilderment there. Like always, seeing the sort of pain I could create never ceased to amaze her.
It was fucking disgusting.
The wounds on my back still throbbed, and leaning on them was too much agony, so I rolled to my side, watching the wolf gingerly cross around the guards and come my way. He skidded to a stop in front of me, lying on the ground and placing his snout near my face, his breath easing the iciness and numbness settling over me. I felt the wetness of his nose against my cheek and, gently, he lifted my face so he could snuggle his snout beneath it to cushion me.
For too stupid it might be, I was so thankful for the kindness I felt my heart nearly rip apart in my chest.
Odin, save me.
The Jarl's screams quieted, though his body seemed to be convulsing in the bed, whimpers leaving his lips.
The Keiserinne approached him as he rolled into fetal position on his right side and she leaned down so she could see his face as she spoke. "So, Terosi, are you ready to help me?"
"What do you want?" His voice was breathless, throat raw.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself despite the waves of pain still radiating through my body. The Jarl's tortured screams echoed in my mind, amplifying my own agony.
But I knew I had to push past it all.
Slowly, agonizingly, I lifted my head to meet the scene before me. The Keiserinne's eyes were alight with twisted excitement, like a child who had just discovered the thrill of inflicting suffering.
Though I knew better than anyone that was the furthest thing from the truth.
Revulsion churned in my gut.
The Keiserinne let out a cold, satisfied laugh. "That's better. Now, what are the King's plans for Sigrblót?"
I'd heard the term before.
In Thorneval, we didn't follow all of the kingdom's traditional festivities, but we feasted to Sigrblót. Falling on the fourth full moon after the winter solstice, it usually happened towards the end of the winter season, signaling the promise of summer on the horizon. In Thorneval, what the people from the south called the summer season was merely a few months out of the entire season the snow usually only fell at night when it was colder and the sun frequently shone in the sky during daytime. According to the eldest, this time of the season was a time for optimism, sewing seeds, and laying plans for the warm months ahead. The word literally means 'victory celebration', specifically referring to the summer's victory over winter. Thorneval, like most of the northern villages, survived on the good fortune of this time of the season, when we'd grow our crops and cattle in order to endure the winter. It was also the most amenable time of the season to travel through the rivers by Drakkar in search of commerce. I'd grown used to seeing some of the eldest making blood sacrifices to Odin to request safe travels and prosperity for the village.
"I believe all the usual events are planned. The Fog Rites are scheduled near the river and then the Royal House will host a ball for the high society."
The Fog Rites?
And a ball?
My knowledge of the kingdom's lore and map was limited, to say the least. As a child, I was too consumed by my illness to pay attention to such matters. And after miraculously being healed on the same day my parents were killed in a brutal attack by beasts, my priorities shifted even further away from understanding the workings of the kingdom. Emotions overwhelmed me on a daily basis, leaving little room for thoughts about citizenship or belonging.
So when they spoke of such things, it was no surprise that I had no clue what they were referring to.
Or who.
"Will the entire royal family be there?"
"Yes." Was the strangled response from the Jarl as he blinked his eyes, body trembling. "King Evren has invited all Fourteen Kingdoms to the ceremony, against the judgment of even his own Slayer. He was adamantly against the idea, but the King means to use the festivities as a platform to raise alliances and he's unyielding."
"Why?"
The man shook his head. "Nobody knows."
"It'll be a miracle if it doesn't turn into a bloodbath," the Keiserinne muttered. "Which might actually come in handy…"
I stared in shock as the Jarl revealed the plans, my mind racing to understand the implications. A procession and ball attended by all the royal families of the allied kingdoms? It was the perfect opportunity for the Keiserinne to enact some plot, though its full shape still eluded me.
"Will all the Melig be there?"
"Yes," he answered. "He's requested that Kairo bring them all in and he's demanded that he attends as well. Even though he usually does as he pleases, the King was extremely adamant that his presence wasn't a request and the agreed consensus is that he'll fulfill his orders, despite the fact that the number of beasts have increased here in the north, so they've all been hunting for the better part of the winter," he answered and I held my confusion at all the names the people's names I'd never heard before. He ran a hand through his face, taking a deep breath that made his entire body shudder. "He's supposed to be back in a week, right before the festivities."
Kairo?
The name reverberated in my mind, evoking a vague sense of familiarity, but I couldn't pinpoint the reason. I remembered hearing the name, but I didn't remember where or when. I struggled to recall where I had heard it before, searching through the recesses of my memory, but there was nothing. What I did know, however, was that ever since I've been here the Keiserinne had done all she could avoid any attention from the kingdom's Melig and more particularly of his Slayer, so I wasn't sure what she'd do now that she knew they were supposedly so close.
Her eyes widened in surprise, the whites of her irises expanding around the dark black of her pupils. "He's back?"
"He?" Terosi echoed brokenly.
"Kairo."
"Oh." There was a pause. "Yes."
The man's brows furrowed as he tried to follow her line of thought.
"How long?"
He stared at her blankly.
Her voice sounded strained. "How long has he been back at court?"
The Jarl furrowed his brows as he stared at the Keiserinne as if he couldn't understand her reaction, his expression serious. "He's returned to court at the beginning of winter past." His tone implied he expected her to know this, among all the other things she seemed to know.
"And he's here in the north, now?"
The man nodded grimly. "Hunting beasts."
Why did she care?
I racked my brain trying to understand the Keiserinne's sudden interest in this Kairo person. Who was he that his presence here would cause such a reaction from her?
I struggled to sit on the floor, feeling the wolf accompany my movement and support some of my weight as I leaned on him. He whined once as I nearly lost my balance and splattered on the floor on my back, placing his body angled at my side to keep me steady.
"Do you know why he came back?"
The Jarl's eyes narrowed. "Why do you care so much about Kairo? He's of no consequence."
The Keiserinne's eyes flashed in irritation. "He is no mere Melig. He is different from the rest of them," she spat. "His return to court could threaten everything." She began to pace, muttering under her breath. I strained to hear what she was saying. "The King trusts him too much… he'll have him protecting the ceremony and the ball. He's too powerful… he could ruin it all." She whirled around to face the Jarl once more. "He will be most vulnerable while here in the north."
My eyes widened.
The Jarl looked like he'd eaten a rotten apple. "You intend to have him killed?"
Her eyes snapped to the man like a predator sizing its prey. "Kairo's return threatens to unravel all of my plans," she hissed, her voice dripping with venom. "He must be dealt with swiftly and without hesitation. And in the chaos of his death, we can finally take down the King as well." Her lips twisted into a cruel smile, revealing her true intentions.
The room fell silent, the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air.
My heart missed a beat at her words. Kill the King and this Kairo person? I knew the depths of the Keiserinne's cruelty, but this seemed beyond even her.
My breath caught.
She wouldn't be bold enough to do this, would she? And stupid enough?
He paled. "You cannot be serious."
I stared in disbelief as the Keiserinne revealed her sinister plans. This was far worse than I could have imagined. Not only did she intend to kill this Kairo person, but the King as well? It was treason of the highest order.
"Why do you want to murder the King?"
"He's no king," she hissed, her mask of nonchalance falling off for the first time since I knew her. "But he will fall to a blade like all false kings do."
The man blinked, rising on his elbow as his head tilted to the side like he was seeing the woman before him clearly for the first time. "You hate him."
It wasn't a question.
The Keiserinne's icy gaze snapped to the Jarl, her eyes flashing with sudden fury. "Hate is too gentle a word," she said, her voice low and lethal. "I have dreamed of the day I would have my vengeance for all my life, and I will have it. I swore that I would bathe in his blood one day." She began to pace again, hands clenching and unclenching. "And I will keep my promise."
Jarl Terosi watched her warily as she ranted, seeming unsure what to make of this sudden torrent of venom.
I listened with rapt attention, piecing together hints about her motivations.
"And now, on the eve of my triumph, Kairo dares to return and threaten everything I have worked for." Her eyes flashed with icy fury. "I will not allow it. The time has come for Evren to pay for his sins. And Kairo…" A cruel smile twisted her lips. "Kairo will perish like the mongrel he is, slain by the very beasts he hunts."
She took a deep breath, visibly composing herself once more. When she turned back to the Jarl, the mask was back in place, only the smoldering hatred in her eyes hinting at the depths of her rage. "You will help me, of course," she purred, though it was clearly not a request, but a demand. "And once I eliminate him and his loyal mutt, no one shall stand in my way."
He swallowed thickly. "You do know there are rumors… that he is immortal."
"Rumors?" The Keiserinne pressed.
"Yes, you know how the elders say he's been alive when they were children… they believe he is immortal. How do you expect to kill someone like that?"
My thoughts strayed to the Keiserinne's Vefari.
Clearly, she had even that part of her path planned.
The Keiserinne scoffed. "Mere rumors and superstition. No man is truly immortal." She began to pace again, hands clasped behind her back. "But I admit, he has proven… difficult to kill in the past. Slipped through my grasp more than once." Her eyes narrowed, lost in memory. "But this time, I will not fail." She turned and fixed the Jarl with an intense gaze. "I will deal with Kairo my way. After all, the northern forests can be so very dangerous, even for a seasoned hunter."
The Jarl still looked uncertain. "And if the rumors are true? If he cannot be killed?"
The Keiserinne smiled, cold and sharp as an icicle. "Every immortal has their weakness. Achilles had his heel. Kairo is no god. We need only discover his vulnerability." She crouched down beside the Jarl, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "And I can assure you, Beron Terosi, he has more than one. He showed it to me the day he exiled me in this fortress."
I gasped.
She'd been exiled here? In the fortress?
I shifted slightly, wincing at the ache in my back. The wolf nuzzled me gently in response, steadying my aching body, although my palms grew sweaty against the cold stone floor.
Whatever was going to happen — whatever war the Keiserinne was buying right now —, I knew whose side I was on.
And it wasn't the Keiserinne's.
A cruel smile curled her lips as she fantasized about her gruesome plans. The Jarl looked sickened, but held his tongue. I could tell he was terrified of defying her further, so he kept his thoughts to himself like any intelligent person would.
The Keiserinne nodded absentmindedly, her mind already working through this new information. A sly smile spread across her face as a plan began to form. "Now, about your loyalty," she purred, straightening and pushing her long locks of hair behind her shoulder. "Betray me, Terosi, and you'll taste the touch of Belladonna's venom once more, and I can assure you I will not have my guards stop her from killing you next time." She turned and strode to the door, pausing to look back at the broken man on the bed. "You've been most helpful, Terosi. I'll be sure to put your cooperation to good use."
The Jarl flinched at her words, but said nothing as she swept from the room.
I shuddered, both from the cold stone floor and from the ice in the Keiserinne's voice.
Whatever she was scheming, it did not bode well for anyone.
The wolf nuzzled against me, giving comfort the only way he could. I leaned into his warmth, taking solace in the fact that at least I was not alone in this hellish place. My back still screamed in agony, but I pushed the pain down, locking it away to be dealt with later.
Survival was all that mattered now.
I had to recover my strength, heal my wounds.
Closing my eyes, I retreated deep within myself, to the quiet place where my fire dwelled. I coaxed the embers back to life, flames rising to soothe and restore me. It flickered like a candlelight slowly burning alive, but the light barely gave off any warmth.
I sighed.
I would endure this.
I had to.
Before she crossed the door, though, her voice boomed through the room once more as she turned to the guards. "Arrange clothes and food for the Jarl and bring Belladonna downstairs," she snapped at the guards. "Prepare ten men to depart at dawn headed north and warn them I will be providing my express orders tomorrow before their departure."
All three guards nodded.
They were leaving to kill the Slayer.
She truly was insane enough to do this.
I kept my eyes fixed on her as she restarted walking, leaving the room and turning the corner back to the pavilion.
She was doing this.
She was going to have the Slayer murdered.
And then the King.
I let out a shuddering breath as the Keiserinne's footsteps faded away, her vile words still echoing in my mind. The wolf whined softly, pressing closer against my side in a gesture of comfort. I rested my head on his broad shoulder, taking solace in his warm presence. My heart sank, but I kept my face carefully blank as the guards approached.
My eyes brushed closed.
This woman would surely be popular in Helheim, one day.
Where I hoped she'd rot for all eternity.