Entwined Fates (Editing)

Chapter Five

Eli locked the last chain around my waist, it snapped shut with a satisfying click.

"Done. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes. If it's possible to have this extraordinary power, why shouldn't I claim it?" He chuckled.

"Same old Ari."

"We'll start the process. Have a bite to eat." I couldn't help the groan that escaped my lips.

"I've been eating for the past hour or two! If I eat anymore, I'll throw up."

"Well. Zephyr, you may start." He opened his mouth, but I stopped him.

"Wait! Can you please leave? Do it outside the door." Rhys and Zephyr looked towards the King, who nodded his consent.

"I assume Eli will be staying?" I nodded hastily as the rest of them made their way out. Eli checked I was chained up tightly one more time, before he yelled to Zephyr, "You can start!"  The pain spread like last time, up my arm and into my shoulder. I tried my best to bite back the screams.

"It's okay Ari, scream. The room is soundproof. With those simple words, a whimper made its way out of my mouth. Sweat beaded on my forehead and my hands clenched and unclenched at my sides. Eli took them one at a time in his larger ones, and massaged them until that hand was relaxed, before moving on to the other. He massaged my shoulders, back and feet as well as he could through the chains that held me in place. It helped, but not enough. The burning sting reached the very tips of my fingers now, it was as if someone had dropped my in the fire. A stronger wave of pain hit my chest, and I screamed loudly.

"Shh, it's okay. Do you want to stop?"

"Eli, I don't care what I say after this, but t doesn't matter if I beg on my knees, you do NOT let Zephyr stop," I told him through gritted teeth. He looked pained, but nodded. Tears were sliding down my face now, and I screamed occasionally as sharp bouts of pain made me flinch and jerk against my metal restraints. I could make out Eli's faint voice as he told me the time every three hours.

"33 hours left."

I tried to keep my agonized screams to myself, not wanting Eli to know how much it hurts.

"30."

He kept up his massage, though his hands must be tired by now.

"27."

Eli fed me little bits of food and sips of water.

"24. One full day, then you're done."

My voice was hoarse, but nothing could stop the tears that silently slid down my face.

"18 hours. You're halfway there."

I drifted in and out of consciousness.

"15."

The pain only felt like a dull throbbing now.

"12. You can do this."

I started screaming at him to make it stop, screaming at him to get me out of this void filled with pain.

"9. Less than the time we spend training each day."

Eli didn't listen to my pleas. Good.

"6. Less than the time the kids spend in school."

6... I can do 6.

"3. Come on Ari, stick through it."

The front of my tunic was soaked with salty splotches.