Chapter 17 Sybil #2
The other lords nodded, grunting their agreement.
Ambrose studied Lord Troya, Ivara, and Daelan, his finger tapping impatiently against the desk.
“We will put it to a vote, then. All in favor of holding a public execution?” Ambrose’s face lit up in triumph when five hands rose into the air, and I fought to keep my mouth shut.
I moved my hands behind me, letting them curl into tight fists.
The bite of pain was the only thing keeping my head clear.
“Well, there you have it. We will hold a public execution in three days, along with a celebration to keep the public’s morale high. ”
“What about the ones you agreed to let go?” The words came out before I could stop myself. I felt Samian tense beside me, but I kept my focus only on Ambrose.
“What about them?” Ambrose drawled, his lips pressing together in a thin line.
“Sybil,” Samian warned, his voice tight.
“You promised them their freedom,” I pressed on. “You told them that if they confessed, you would let them go.”
“Did I promise them?” Ambrose smirked. “Did I make any bargains? Or did I just tell them what could happen if they confessed?”
The lords chuckled at Ambrose’s remark, and I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. I could feel the heat gathering on my face as my anger rose.
“Sybil, calm down,” Samian pleaded, but I ignored the insistence in his voice.
“You told them they would go free.” I forced out, my breathing becoming erratic. “You told them if they gave you the information you asked for, you would let them go.”
“Yes, well, that was before they ignored my offer. If I remember correctly, you had to force it out of them.” Ambrose sighed and moved toward his chair, easing himself down.
Leaning to one side, he rested his cheek against his hand.
“Last time I checked, Sybil, you are my grand paladin. Your job is to do as the king tells you, and as king, I’m telling you that those found aiding the rebellion will be punished by death. ”
My nose curled, unable to keep the anger from my face. The lights around me brightened as the control of my magic slipped, my eyes boring into Ambrose’s. I could hear Samian’s shouts in my head, the alarm in his voice increasing, begging me to stop.
“She’s a feisty one,” Lord Bramwell chuckled, snapping out of my trance.
“Feisty indeed,” Ambrose repeated, though his words felt empty. Breaking his stare, he glanced around the room. “I believe that is all for now. The execution will be set for three days' time. I’ll send out more information once the time and place have been decided.”
The lords stood, each making their way out of the room.
Ivara and Daelan kept their eyes ahead of them, and a knot formed in my stomach, making me queasy.
My gaze fell to the floor, not wanting to see the look on Samian’s face, when a pair of boots came into view.
Lifting my head, Lord Bramwell stood in front of me, his eyes trailing down my body in a way that sent warning bells ringing in my mind.
“My offer still stands on helping you break her, Ambrose,” Lord Bramwell flashed his rotten teeth at me, his gaze dipping to my chest.
I stood still, keeping my breath steady. Samian moved closer, his arm brushing against mine. My palms became clammy behind my back. The last time Lord Bramwell offered his services, Ambrose refused, though I knew I couldn’t count on him to continue his objections.
“Breathe, Sybil. I won’t let him touch you.” I swallowed, not wanting to react to Samian’s words. As much as I wanted to let Samian protect me, I knew it wouldn’t end well if he made a move toward Lord Bramwell.
“As I said before, that won’t be necessary. I can break her myself.”
I should have been relieved; however, the bite in Ambrose’s tone told me what was coming soon. He was going to punish me for speaking out of turn, especially in front of the lords.
“Have it your way,” Lord Bramwell sighed, though he leaned in close. His hot breath washed over me, the putrid smell of his rotting teeth making me gag. “Next time I’ll make sure we have some fun,” he whispered, chuckling as he walked out the door.
A shiver shot down my spine, goosebumps pebbling down my arms. Samian brushed his hand against mine, and I let that touch calm me. I was safe for the time being, protected by Ambrose’s odd need to keep me to himself.
Samian pulled back his hand and walked past me. I moved to follow when Ambrose called my name, stopping me before I could make it to the door. “We need to have a little talk,” he ground out. “Samian, you may see your way out.”
Samian stood at the door. I could feel his eyes on me, assessing if he should ignore Ambrose’s command.
“Go,” I whispered. “I’ll be okay.”
Samian hesitated briefly before giving Ambrose a quick bow and leaving the room.
The door behind him clicked shut, and I turned to face Ambrose when a force rammed me into the marble wall behind me.
The breath in my lungs burst out of me, pain splintering down my back, and I wrapped my hands around the arm that held me harshly, keeping me from moving.
Icy fingers dug into my cheeks as Ambrose stood in front of me, breathing heavily. My eyes widened when water appeared along his arm, inching closer to his hand. The air in the room dropped, ice forming along the walls and on my uniform.
“Ambrose,” I whispered, my body trembling against his hold.
“Ambrose, please.” The water drew nearer, and the chill of it pressed against my face.
“Ambrose, stop this,” I pleaded, gasping when the frigid water crawled up along my jaw, covering my mouth and nose.
I held my breath, trying to keep my heart steady when Ambrose bared his teeth at me, slamming me harder against the marble wall.
“When are you going to learn to keep your fucking mouth shut?” Ambrose growled, slamming me into the wall again.
A whimper tore from me as my lungs burned and pain ripped through my body.
“You are mine to control, mine to do with as I wish. If I fucking tell you to run, you run. If I tell you to kill, you kill. If I tell you we are going to have a public execution, you will DAMN WELL KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT,” Ambrose bellowed, slamming me harder into the wall.
Spots danced along my vision, my ears ringing from the force, and I felt hot liquid drip down my neck. My breath rushed out of me, making bubbles in the water. Bubbles that Ambrose drew out as I kicked out my legs, scratching and fighting against his hold.
Having had enough, Ambrose threw me to the ground, watching me as I bucked and clawed at the water, fighting for air. My vision was beginning to blacken when he waved his hand, letting the water drop away from my face.
I turned toward the floor, gasping and gulping down air, coughing up the water that burned my lungs.
“The next time you speak out of turn, I will let Lord Bramwell have you, and trust me when I say this, he is far worse than I. Now get out,” Ambrose spat.
Standing on unsteady legs, I rushed out of his office, colliding with a wall of muscle. I looked up, finding Samian, his eyes blazing with rage. Before I could say anything, the world faded away until we stood in the middle of my room.
Unable to hold myself up, I fell to my knees, Samian following me, moving the hair from my face. My eyes burned, heavy tears falling down my cheeks. I heard someone curse behind me, but I let my head fall against Samian’s chest as I broke down.