Chapter 12 #3
My little display only seems to antagonise him, his body swelling with his sense of self-entitlement.
He is the king and he can do whatever he wants, and I can see the indignation that I would dare to accuse him.
“When I made that promise, I thought you were a liar and that we would be hanging you the next day.”
Surprise makes me pause. I did not expect him to explain himself to me, after all, he is the king. Could he be trying to get on my good side so I don’t fight against him, or is feeling guilty and he feels the need to defend himself. Somehow, I doubt that it is the latter.
Clearing his throat, he appears to grapple with his emotions. “You proved me wrong.”
I don’t understand what is happening here. There has been no punishment for speaking out against him, and now he’s admitting that he was wrong. Whatever has come over him, he’s actually listening to what I have to say, me, one of the sullied.
It is time to use a different tactic. Lowering my eyes, I try and summon as much dejection as possible, needing him to see me as a young woman in trouble and not a magical charging device he can own.
Lifting my eyes sheepishly, I attempt to look vulnerable, not too proud to beg.
“I won’t use magic once I leave here, I swear it. Please, just let me go.”
The king snorts at my performance and rolls his eyes.
“You want me to release you just so you can return to a life of one of the sullied? Is that really what you want? Are you so desperate to live in a dilapidated building and never know when your next meal is coming from?” His nose crinkles up, glancing at the black bond on my arm in disgust. “The truth is, we need your magic to help the city and I have to act for the safety of the many over the wishes of one person.”
That confirms it, he isn’t going to let me go. I taste bile at the back of my throat and I stare at him bitterly. “So, what happens now? You are going to keep me prisoner forever?”
“No! Of course not.” Genuine shock wipes his smug expression from his face, and I can tell he is offended by my question.
“You shall be made a Lady of this court and live in luxury as someone with your gifts should,” he explains with a smile, clearly expecting me to be grateful for what he is offering me.
“You will have everything you ever wished for, on the promise that you will use your magic for us.”
Brow raising, I place my hands on my hips as I listen to him, not impressed.
On the surface it might seem like a great opportunity, having a safe space of my own that I can sleep without fear of attack, of knowing I will never go hungry again and have jewels and pretty dresses.
Dive further in and you see that it is just as much a cage as my cell was. I can never leave, that is not freedom.
“What if I refuse? There is nothing to stop me from running away.” They think I have magic, meaning that in theory, it could aid my escape. They might have limited my options, but I could still refuse to do what they ask.
The king looks disappointed but not surprised by my comment. “I am really hoping you don’t take that route.” Waving his hand, he starts to walk once more. “Come, I have a gift for you, to prove that we want you to be happy here.”
I watch his retreating back with a frown, the feeling of suspicion crawling up my spine. A gift? He is resorting to bribery now. Well, he really does not know me if he thinks that will work. What could he possibly have that he thinks would make me change my mind about any of this?
Although I have the feeling that I might be about to step into a trap, I follow behind the king, aware of his guards moving in close behind me. We step around a corner and I find Ella hanging limply between the arms of two guards.
“No.” I gasp, the blood draining from my face.
My worst nightmare is playing out in front of my eyes.
I have failed her. I did all of this to keep her safe, and it was not enough.
Frantically I scan her body for signs of life, noting the blood in her hair.
Is she alive? I need to get her to a healer, I need to know she is okay.
My body is frozen in place, my mind shutting down when I should be springing to action.
They have discovered my one weakness. Ella.
My fear for my adoptive sister is so fierce that I forgot that the king is standing to the side, watching my reaction. A reaction that tells him exactly what he wanted to know. That I would do anything for Ella. I have already sold my soul to a demon, what else could I possibly have to give.
“She is alive,” the king reassures, his voice airy as though we are discussing the weather.
“There was a little… scuffle, when we apprehended her, and she accidentally knocked herself out in the process of trying to get away. Such a shame.” Sighing, he shakes his head solemnly, but I know his sympathy act is all a lie.
It would take them at least an hour to bring her from the edges of the city where we lived up to the palace. His story makes it sound like she had a small knock to the head, all inflicted as she fell when running. Why is she still unconscious if that is the case? She should have woken up by now.
“She needs a healer.” I demand with far more authority than I possess, but right now I do not have a care about offending the king.
“Of course,” he waves me off. “In fact, I will grant your little… friend, silver status, and she can live here, in the palace and receive an education. As long as you continue to prove yourself, she shall be safe and happy here.”
He is offering me all I have ever wanted for us, restoring Ella’s status. I could see her every day and she could actually be a child and enjoy life rather than worry if she will be murdered in her sleep. Take it, my mind urges and I cannot deny that I want what he’s offering.
However, nothing ever comes for free, and if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. He may have worded everything nicely, but I heard the unspoken threat. If I don’t provide them the magic they want, then she shall be the one who suffers.
Pulling myself together as much as I can, I clasp my hand behind my back to stop myself from rushing forward, and attempt to school my expression into neutrality.
I keep my gaze on the king, as controlling myself when I look at Ella’s limp form is almost impossible.
“You are threatening me, and using a child’s life to do so. ”
“Threaten is such an ugly word. I am giving you both a new start in life, you just need to follow the rules.” He smiles widely but I see the cunning male shining back at me in his eyes. He is a master at manipulating people and knows exactly what he’s doing.
I don’t need any further time to think over it. Ella will be safe as long as I play along, which I had decided to do anyway. At least this way I can keep any eye on her. “Okay, I accept.”
“Wonderful.” Grinning, he claps his hands together, a gesture that makes my stomach twist with anxiety. I have just given him everything he wants. He turns to the guards and makes a loose gesture, shooing them from his sight. “Take the child to the healers quarters.”
I watch them leave, and to my surprise the king says nothing, allowing me to stare after Ella. Her body hangs so awkwardly and she seems so small between the two large guards. She disappears from view quickly, but I can’t seem to look away from where she had been only moments ago.
A wave of exhaustion washes over me, mentally drained from the day and I wish I could curl up in the dark and no have to talk to anyone for several hours.
That is not an option for me though, and the feeling of several sets of eyes on me eventually makes me look away and return my attention to the king.
“Let’s return to the palace and you can be shown to your rooms where you can rest.” He explains, clearly wanting a reaction from me.
I am so numb that I just stare at him. This does not bother him though as he smiles once more.
“You will need it, you have a big day tomorrow!” There is a slyness to it that I know there is more to what he’s saying.
None of this feels real anymore and I retreat inside myself, my mind shutting down to allow me to cope in this new, twisted reality. Without saying a word, I follow the king through the rest of the maze and to my new life.