Lover's Curse (Red Queen Awards Winner)

Chapter Ten - Choiceless Choices

Sometimes giving up is the strong thing                                                                                                  Sometimes to run is the brave thing                                                                                                                            -  it's time to go by Taylor Swift

Iris

He recognizes me.

I spin water in my palm to steady my breathing.  Maven struts in front of his brother's cell like an insecure peacock, gaudy badges crowded over a garish scarlet sash. The military uniform is unconvincing on his delicate frame, and the hollows under his eyes do nothing to help.  I am not his concern.

That honor belongs to Tiberias.  His eyes flicker to me, not for the first time.  He asked me if I was happy having married a monster.

No one ever asked if I would be happy.

"Do you know what today is, brother?"  Maven leers just beyond his reach, flames licking his palm.  "Father never remembered, though you'd always pretend otherwise."

His expression softens.  "Nineteen.  You're not a boy anymore.  But you're not a man either."

"How rude."  Maven chuckles.  "And without a present, too."

"You've borrowed my throne a year.  I thought that present enough."

"So generous. I shouldn't be surprised."  He strokes his chin.  "You always gave the best presents.  You even gifted a sword to Father's neck."

"Husband, is there a point to this?"  I let a tendril of water curl against his wrist.  "I don't care how long your dick is."

His eyes flare to me, hands pinching my tendril.  "There's no need to be crude, Wife.  Interrogating a prisoner is a valuable skill, one you must perfect to survive my court."

Tiberias clears his throat.  "So am I gonna die, or . . . ?"

"No!"  Maven's hands burst into flame, then extinguish.  "Yes.  I mean, I--No one asked you!"

I clap.  "Good one."

"Didn't ask you either."  The air frosts as he turns away from both of us, muttering, "I definitely didn't ask you."

Tiberias's eyes widen.  "Who are you--?"

"You're dying!  Shut up!"  Maven grips the bars like a lifeline.  "You will drown before my court, for all of Norta to see, and there is nothing you can do to stop it."  His eyes dart to the side.  "I know.  Shut up."

"Who--?"

"What did I say?"  Maven yanks Tiberias's hand until one of his fingers is close to snapping.  "I could burn you.  Do you realize that?  Do you realize how powerless you are within this cage?  Do you realize how tempting it is for me to light up a rag and toss it inside?"

Silence.

"Are we done here?"  I yawn.  "This is growing tedious."

Maven composes himself.  "Wife, I presume you know where the Bowl of Bones is.  Escort the prisoner there.  I will announce when you are to begin."

"I do not take orders.  But very well."  I unlock the door and Tiberias staggers out. "Should I hand him his flamemakers?  It would be more humiliating."

"On the platform.  And not a moment sooner."

Tiberias folds his arms.  "Who were you talking to?"