Peony
“You’ve not eaten much, flower. Are you okay?”
I don’t even know how to answer him. I don’t want to be here. He’s always made me uncomfortable and since the day with the poker I’ve been downright petrified of him, but today, every millimetre of my skin is crawling in his presence.
“I’m not hungry,” I say quietly. Rage flashes across his face, and I drop my eyes down to my plate. “Sir.”
“Come. You must eat. A growing girl like you needs to keep her strength up. I don’t know how you ever managed to keep up with my boy and those friends of his if you eat like a bird. You can’t have any stamina at all!”
His sick insinuation makes me cringe but for the sake of self preservation I carefully cut a little meat and bring it to my mouth. The General watches me so intently I can barely chew and swallow. When I do he nods and gives me a smile.
“Well done, my little flower girl.”
I have to fight to keep it down.