Chapter 43
Chapter Forty-Three
The broken glass
blythe
The chains were always there when I woke.
Cold iron at my wrist, another at my ankle, tethering me to the carved post at the side of Snake’s bed.
The links were short enough that I could sit, stand, pace a few steps—but never reach the door.
Never reach freedom. He only unlocked them when he was in the room, and even then, only when it pleased him.
There were no windows.
No sense of time.
Just one heavy door reinforced with iron and guarded on the other side.
Snake liked it that way.
He lounged against the far wall now, arms folded, watching me like I was something he’d purchased, deciding how best to display his treasure.
There was no way of knowing exactly how many days passed by since Nik was ripped from me and ordered off into the dark. The moment Snake sealed me in this room was the last I’d seen of Nik, and it was tearing my soul apart.
It didn’t matter how many times I asked him where Nik was either. It was always the same answer. He’s alive. Snake's response was never enough to quench the dread riddling my body, but each time he said it my heart stayed intact for a little bit longer.
Nik was coming for me. For us. I knew it deep down in my soul. I just had to be brave one more time. I just needed to hold on.
“I’ve decided to throw a party tonight,” he said casually while flipping a thin bladed dagger in one hand. “Music. Drink. Entertainment.” His mouth curved. “Fights.”
I lifted my chin, refusing to shrink under his steel gaze. “Where’s Nik?”
Snake sighed and rose from the chair, crossing the room in three strides.
I held my breath as he towered over me, his sharp fingernail tracing down my cheek.
Light, deliberate, meant to remind me just how close he was.
“He’s still breathing,” he murmured. “For now.” Then his smile sharpened.
“Maybe I’ll let him watch you dance later. ”
I couldn’t stop the sharp intake of breath. Snake caught it and his eyes gleamed. It was more than he’d given me in days. Was there a chance I’d be in the same room as Nik? Could this be the moment we fought our way out of this mess?
As his smile widened, I realised the foolishness in trusting his word. Revulsion surged hot and fast. I yanked my face away from his touch, chains rattling. He only laughed, delighted by the reaction, and took a few steps back.
He stopped in front of the dressing table, running a hand through his long white hair, admiring his reflection. “If you behave, I might even take the chains off for the evening.”
I kept my gaze locked on the floor, anchoring myself to anything but Snake’s appearance. I refused to give him any more of my emotions. If I played Sapphire right and just kept my mouth shut, I’d see Nik again. And that’s all I needed.
Snake sighed, moving for the door. The hollow click of locks sliding out of place echoed through the cramped space, followed by the creak of metal hinges as he yanked the heavy wood open. “I’ll be back for you soon.” he called over his shoulder. “Get her ready.”
Flicking my gaze up, I watched two female Thorns enter, dressed in black leather and lace, their expressions cold and disinterested. Snake left without another glance, the door closing with a final, resounding thud.
I waited until I was certain he was gone before I stood from the bed, tremors wracking my bones. I’d had little to eat, and no sunshine. Not that either of those things were pleasant in this kingdom anyway.
Panic tightened in my chest as the females approached me.
“Please,” I said quietly, then louder when neither of them responded. “Just leave the door open. Say I ran. Please.”
One of them laughed under her breath as she pulled a small key from her pocket, bending down to unlock the shackle around my ankle.
I flicked my attention to the second one who was pulling a gown from a box on the end of the bed. “Please let me go. I’ll do anything.”
Her eyes remained dull and lifeless as she removed the tattered gown I was wearing. “Snake hasn’t sent your soul into the black abyss of nothingness. If I were you, I’d be grateful.”
They dressed me like I wasn’t there.
Fabric too sheer. Too revealing. Cold fingers tugging, adjusting, tightening. I let my mind drift to the ocean when they started on my hair. They pulled it back, pinned it into place before brushing my skin with cosmetics until I became Sapphire.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, focussing on breathing. Sapphire was playing her part, but Blythe was in control.
One Thorn reached for a small glass bottle on the table, the scented oil that Snake liked to marinate me in. Her elbow clipped another one just to the right. The bottle slipped off the edge of the dresser.
Time slowed.
It hit the stone floor and shattered, the sharp crack echoing through the room. Clear oil spread in a darkening puddle, thick glass shards skittering in every direction.
“Idiot,” the other Thorn snapped.
They cursed under their breath and knelt to clean it up, backs turned to me as they swept the larger pieces together with quick, irritated movements.
I didn’t hesitate. My foot slid forwards as if by accident, hiding a shard under the sole of my boot. It was the neck of the bottle, wickedly sharp, its edges catching the light.
My heart hammered so hard I was sure they’d hear it, but both of them were too busy cleaning it up and getting snarky with each other to notice.
By the time they stood again, the glass was gone.
The floor was wiped clean. All that remained was the heavy scent of violets lingering in the air and the shard hidden under my shoe.
I’d wait until they were done with me and I’d tuck it inside the satin sash around my waist.
The Thorns resumed their tugging and pulling until they seemed somewhat satisfied. I remained quiet the whole time, feigning compliancy. The minutes melted one into the other. Snake would be back soon.
They finished and turned to straighten out the bed. I took the moment to stoop down as quietly as possible and retrieve the glass, slipping it beneath the sash as I straightened.
My chains clinked softly, drawing the attention of one of the females. Her head snapped around, fixing on me. I offered her a half smile and pretended to itch my arm . . . all docile and innocent.
She glared at me and resumed her task. I willed my heart to calm, but it was useless.
The door burst open and Snake stepped inside, clad in colours darker than before. A crown rested on his head—crooked, wrong, like it didn’t belong to him.
The force of his entry had me up and out of the chair before he made it across the room. His gaze snapped to me, his grin widening with every step. His cold, grey eyes swept over me with open approval. He caught my jaw in his hand, and turned my face, spinning me once, rough and possessive.
“You look perfect,” he said. “Our guest will be . . . delighted.”
My stomach knotted, but I kept my composure, eyes locked on his, not wanting to draw any extra unwanted attention. Tonight, if the chance came, I would use the glass. Not to run. Not to beg. But to end him.
As he took my chained hand and led me down the dark tunnels once again, I held onto the image of Nik. Of seeing him again, and how I could get a silent message to him that we would make it out of this.
Alive and together.