38. Scotlind
THIRTY-EIGHT
SCOTLIND
I still wasn’t told what I was expected to do during the broadcast. Soldiers dragged me onto an outdoor stage after servants shoved me into a new dress. I was dripping in diamonds and jewels, and my makeup was done perfectly, hiding any dark circles under my eyes.
The new dress I was in was similar to the first—silk, little fabric, and barely covering. It was more cream than white, and I realized one part of the King’s plan. Almost every inch of my skin was on full display. It was proof I was left untouched. I’d been fed. My body wasn’t too thin for my frame anymore, and there wasn’t a single scratch on me—except for the one on my palm. I didn’t look like a prisoner at all. To anyone else, I looked healthy. The picture perfect image of a guest.
Dying is better than this. Vallie’s last words kept replaying over and over in my head. Would it be a mercy for her if I didn’t obey the Lux King? My throat ran dry. I knew the answer to that. She just watched her twin get maimed and murdered before her eyes. Her twin who she loved more than anyone else in the entire world. Her twin who she gave up her dreams of studying the mortal territory for so she didn’t have to travel to Lux and be away from him. I was Vallie’s best friend, but Miles was half of her, and now that part of her was dead.
And beyond having to relive the horror of his gruesome death over and over again, of having to stare at his headless body, she was tortured, raped, and abused. While I had been kept unharmed, Vallie wasn’t. She was living through a nightmare. I knew the answer to my question. I knew what I needed to do. I shouldn’t go through with whatever the King demanded. I should set her free, even if that meant destroying myself in the process.
I thought of Sie, of when I was captured by his father, and he had to make the decision to send me to the Lux King instead of killing me himself. Was this how he felt? Because I knew, I knew , I couldn’t do it. I knew I would obey the King. I would recite every damning word he ordered of me. I would stand in silence. I would look pretty. Hell, I’d smile if he asked me to, if it meant keeping her alive. Because I couldn’t live without Vallie.
The Lux King was standing in the center of the stage with Synder as more Tennebrisians started to trickle in. I had no idea what angle they were playing at or what they hoped to accomplish by doing this. It was the first time a broadcast was going out from both kingdoms, the first time they were making one together.
I was left mostly alone, standing off to the side. I assumed it was late in the afternoon, but the sun was still high in the sky, beating down against my back, as everyone worked to set up. Monitors were being stationed throughout the area, and massive cameras were positioned at every corner, exposing every inch of the stage.
The King noticed me. “You look well ,” he said as he approached.
I straightened my shoulders. “You forgot one minor detail,” I sneered as I held my wrists up before him, my chains rattling against all the jewelry I was wearing. “It will be hard to pass me off as anything but a prisoner while I’m wearing these.”
He smiled and it was all but serpentine. “Do you see that man over there?” he whispered into my ear as he leaned forward. I could feel his breath caress my bare shoulder. My eyes went in the direction he was pointing, and I nodded. “He’s a Vir Alluse user. He’ll be casting his ability on you the entire time your chains are off so you won’t be able to use your abilities. And as far as those go…” He burned the metal off my wrists and ankles. I screamed in surprise as it melted. The King flicked his wrists and blew the remaining ash away on a gust of wind so the stage was left pristine. Then, he used his healing magic to erase the bruises where the shackles had been—the only indication I wasn’t here by choice was now gone.
The moment I was free, I felt new chains clamp around my wrists, neck, stomach, and ankles. I gasped as I looked down at my body but saw nothing. “Your new shackles are created by my air ability. If I tighten everything just right, they work just as good as metal ones.” An immense pressure pressed against all sides of me, everywhere his air touched, agony followed. He walked, and I fell forward, following him on an invisible tether. He stopped in the middle of the stage. “You will stand here for the duration of the broadcast. You will not show any expressions of malcontent or disagreement. You will follow along with everything being spoken today. You don’t even have to say a word. All I need is for you to stand there and look pretty. If you do anything I don’t agree with, your friend will be dead. Do you understand?”
I nodded.
“That’s not enough. Say it. Say you understand because this broadcast is going out to everyone . All of Tennebris and Lux will be watching today, and I need to hear that you won’t disobey me.”
“I understand.” I gritted my teeth .
“Good.” He smiled. The back of his knuckles grazed my bare arms. “I crave obedience. There is something so satisfying about it, but I don’t like leaving things to chance. I still can’t comprehend how or why you can’t be compelled, but there are other ways to force you to submit.”
Arcane emerged with Athler on cue. Both of them had changed, and I couldn’t help but notice the stiff way the eldest prince now walked. Arcane didn’t speak as he made his way to stand by my side. The King’s second crept up behind him. He looked so jarring under the sun. The only color to him were thin blue veins that wrapped around the length of his arms, and his dull, red hair that was so wispy, I could see through it.
“If you don’t smile pretty enough or go along with what we want, Athler will adjust your pheromones.”
“No—” I started, but my words were cut off. I couldn’t speak. I looked down at my thigh, the top of it was exposed through the two running slits up my dress. Arcane was withdrawing a needle from my skin. I tried to form words, but nothing came out. I looked up at the King in horror.
“I believe my son told you about Brockwich’s ability.” He paused, allowing me time to answer. It was a sick joke. I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t even make a sound. “He can take away different senses.” He paused again to smile briefly. “Arcane has been sampling his blood and studying his powers.”
I glanced at Arcane, wondering what he told the King about the day I was captured. Was Arcane hiding things? Did the King still believe they had Brock? I knew Brock got out. Everyone did. They admitted it themselves. Arcane’s expression was taut, masking whatever he was thinking as he met my stare.
“And my son found a way to single out and manipulate each of the senses. He altered them and created new abilities through serums. You won’t be able to speak for a very long time.”
Horror filled me. I wanted to scream, but I couldn’t—
The King’s grin widened. “Now, let’s begin.”
The Lux King spoke first. Most of the cameras were positioned toward him, but I felt some focused on Arcane and me as we stood slightly off to the left of the stage.
There were thousands of Advenians in the audience now and even more watching through the screens. I was told the broadcast was mandated and airing for everyone to see. Was Tezya watching somewhere? Were they forcing Vallie to watch back in the King’s room?
I could feel so many eyes on me from the audience below the stage. Their judgment was palpable, wondering what I had to do with this mandate.
“Thank you all for setting time aside from your busy day to listen in today,” the King began. I huffed, but no sound came out. It wasn’t like anyone here had a choice. A wave of calmness washed through me like a shiver down my spine. It melted my resentment, my anger, and even though I knew it was Athler’s abilities affecting me, I could do nothing to stop myself from standing up straighter, from looking longingly and hopeful at the King I hated as he continued. Internally I was shrieking. I was ripping through layers and layers of myself, trying to fight to my core, to gain control, but I had none. I was the perfect puppet.
Alec and Reagan stepped onto the stage next to Synder, waiting and listening patiently while the Lux King continued addressing the audience. Not a flicker of emotion showed on my face at the sight of them. Reagan wore a black, strapless gown that hugged her frame. Her blonde hair was twisted into an intricate bun, drawing attention to her bare shoulders. Her expression was serene until she saw me standing next to the eldest prince. I could feel her enmity radiating toward me before she quickly composed herself and looked back toward the crowd .
Alec winked as he took in my dress and kept staring. He didn’t look away. His frame had broadened since the last time I saw him, and he looked more like the kings on the stage than the boy who tormented and compelled me back in Tennebris.
“I want to cut to the chase,” the King’s loud voice carried toward the audience. “There have been many rumors swirling around about the events that took place not too long ago, and I want to set everything straight. It is my duty as your king to be open and honest with you. Sie Noren has escaped the prison.” He paused, letting the statement sink in. Loud gasps and murmuring took over the crowd, and I could only imagine what was happening beyond the screens from everyone watching at home.
The Lux King waited for the crowd to settle before he continued. “Because of this, we’re implementing a curfew for your own protection. No one will be out on the streets past eight in the evening. Sie Noren is dangerous, and his escape should not be taken lightly. If you get the opportunity, we give you permission to kill him on the spot. Do not hesitate.”
He paused, letting a flicker of grief show on his face. “It pains me to extend a similar statement toward my own children. Dovelyn and Tezya are both under the influence of Sie right now. As many of you are aware, Sie possesses total mind control. That means he can compel anyone from Lux and Tennebris, and it is believed he has my children under his coercion as we speak. It makes Sie one of the most dangerous males alive. He can compel anyone from both kingdoms. No one is safe. Even if you are an Alluse or air user of Lux, it is believed he is still using his abilities through Vir Alluse.
“If anyone comes into contact with Princess Dovelyn or Prince Tezya, you are not to engage. Do not believe anything either of them say as they are not in their right minds, and they’ll do anything to convince you of Sie’s lies and manipulation. We ask that if you see them, you bring them back to us alive. We’re aware both the Prince and Princess of Lux are incredibly strong, and if you’re a lower rank or do not feel like you are capable of going up against either of them, there will be armed soldiers stationed throughout both kingdoms at all times, monitoring the streets. The soldiers are there for your protection.” He paused, making a show of acting upset. “I hope and pray my children return to me. I will personally see to their recovery if that happens, but the safety of our kingdoms must remain our top priority. So I urge by law, if anyone has any information on their whereabouts, come forward with it immediately. Anyone found harboring or withholding vital information will be found guilty and charged as an accomplice with the former Dark Prince.”
He paused again, slowly surveying everyone in the audience. “Because of the dire situation, we’re forced to mandate some new laws. On top of the curfew, you will obey the soldiers. Whatever they ask, you’ll oblige. There will be routine home searches and randomized questioning you’re not allowed to refuse. But please remember, this is only until we have Sie Noren’s head. We’re adding these new laws for your safety. I cannot stress enough how dangerous he is.”
Synder stepped forward, his hair slicked back as he stood next to the Lux King. He looked like a slimy, less lethal version of him. Like a starved snake, who just shed its skin, and has just now realized it can leave its dead scales behind.
“Thank you, King Arcane.” Synder nodded as he took over. “I know this has not been easy for either kingdom. For Tennebris, we have been manipulated by Sie Noren in so many ways it’s appalling, but rest assured it ends now. And for Luxians, I know how saddening it is to know Sie has your prince and princess under his control. But I need to further shed some light on how dangerous Sie Noren is. You need to know the full extent of what he is capable of.
“There have been some rumors that Sie is good. That he is, in fact, fighting for you, and that is the most horrific and sickening lie he has spun. It pains me to tell you this, but King Arcane and I both found that it is imperative for you all to know the full extent of his plans and what he has already done. Sie Noren is attempting to revert back to the old ways of Allium before rank zeroes existed. He wants to eradicate all zeroes and possibly even ones and twos. He is trying to lure the weaker ranks out by falsifying claims that he will protect and fight for you, but please do not fall prey to his trap. He has and will kill any lesser rank the moment he can. It’s what he’s been doing this entire time. Many zeroes and low ranking citizens have been going missing as of late and it’s because he is murdering them, and he won’t stop until only the strong ranks are left.”
I looked out at the crowd. There were so many shocked faces who were clinging to every word they were saying. Most were holding onto their loved ones while they listened. Some had tears in their eyes. Others were shaking. Most looked terrified and appalled.
The Lux King began talking again. “Sie has never liked the lower ranks. King Lunder suspected it the moment Sie was crowned prince. We didn’t want to believe it, but when Scotlind Rumor was announced as his bride, a Tennebrisian rank zero—” All the cameras turned their attention in my direction, and I could feel the eyes of everyone scrutinizing me. My heart raced, but I couldn’t show it. I forgot that no one knew I was really Luxian. The two kings before me never made it public knowledge. The world still believed I was a rank zero Tennebrisian, and I could do nothing to prove them wrong. I tried to call to my powers, to bring my water forth and prove I was from Lux, but the Alluse user was locking them down.
“Sie was disgusted by the notion of having a weaker wife. We have some testimonies and video proof to show you his maltreatment toward her.”
Synder nodded toward Reagan who stepped forward, claiming damning words about Sie. I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe this was happening, that they were making Sie out to be evil and painting this horrid picture of him. When Reagan was finished, Alec and Kole stepped forward next.
“I need to warn you, some of the footage we’re about to show you is graphic.” My heart fell into my gut at Synder’s words. Footage. He said footage. Alec smirked at me, but my eyes were set on Kole as he handed a disc over to one of the camera men. The next moment my face flashed on the screen, but it was a still image, the video not yet playing.
Synder kept talking, “You see, Sie set Scotlind up. He framed her and made it look like she had an affair when, in fact, it was all orchestrated by him to get rid of her. And for that, Scotlind, we apologize.” A wave of sorrow and sadness washed through my body. I tasted salty tears as my lips parted in shock. For a second, all I felt was hate toward Sie. Everything he’d ever done to me hit me like a tidal wave.
Then it lessened a fraction, and I knew it was Athler manipulating me. I tried again and again to find myself, to gain some control over my emotions, but everything felt amplified. I couldn’t shake the sadness away or stop the tears from flowing. I felt the emotions as my own even as some deeper part of me was fighting against the Vir Alluse user.
“Sie has always treated Scotlind terribly. He never wanted her to be his wife. We realized the truth once we had a compulsion user go into Scotlind’s memories and what we found was maltreatment and abuse.”
The video started playing. It was edited clips of Sie and me, confirming everything they were saying. The Lux King must have saved this from when I was in the monitor room, but they cut and clipped my memories. They only showed the bad, and I was shocked at how much footage they had.
The video started the moment I was selected as Sie’s wife. The disgust on his face was evident as I walked up to the stage. How he refused to look at me, how he stormed away the moment it was done. Then it showed Sie flirting with other girls, and lots of them, and besides Reagan, no two were the same. It played clips from the night of our engagement banquet, to footage I’d never seen before. My chest tightened when the night Alec compelled me to play surrender came up next, of Sie watching me while Reagan and the brunette were kissing his neck and practically sitting on top of him. I was as mortified as the audience—everyone from both kingdoms—watched as I crawled on the floor, as I kissed his boot, as I sat on his lap, and he smirked down at me. His demeanor was relaxed and arrogant, even though I knew the truth. They didn’t censor anything. They showed me stripping while Sie did nothing to stop it. Then our wedding night was next. The screen went black, but the sounds were all but damning. It played out the loud, resounding noises of Sie flipping the table over to him pounding against the door, and then the screen flashed to the aftermath the next day. Our room was completely destroyed. Next they aired clips of me limping. I couldn’t walk right, but it wasn’t from Sie. It was because Kole cut into my leg, but they got the timeline wrong. They made it look like my injuries were from sharing one wedding night with him. I no longer went to my lessons. I looked terrified, scared, and weak. They edited it in a way that looked like he forced himself on me. They showed every horrible thing Sie ever did when we were back in Tennebris. The video ended with our marriage being annulled. The last image was a still of me—proof that I’d been beaten, starved, and on the brink of death.
Everyone in the audience was staring at me. My tears had dried, and Athler didn’t need to alter my emotions. Embarrassment and shock coursed through me. My heart was beating out of my chest, and I couldn’t suppress my ragged breathing.
Alec stepped forward now. “Sie compelled me to treat his wife like that,” he started. “He compelled me many times before that actually, all on rank zeroes. I didn’t realize what was happening. I have compulsion myself, but Sie would compel me before the party started. He’d tell me word for word what he wanted me to do to Scotlind, and I…” he stopped speaking like he was fighting what he wanted to say next. “There are even more horrific things he made me do to her that were too graphic to show. I have trouble even thinking about them. He wanted her to suffer, but he didn’t want to frame himself for it, so he used his total mind control on me.” He shuddered as he turned toward me. “I have nightmares thinking about all the ways I harmed you. I’m so sorry, Scotlind.”
I could barely stomach to listen as Alec spun his twisted version of what happened. But one thing was completely certain, after today, Sie would have a massive target on his back. He wouldn’t be able to leave the camp without having to worry about every single Advenian from both kingdoms trying to kill him, and I got the sinking feeling he would have been better off left in the prison.
He was as good as dead.