The Stains of the Crown

Chapter Twenty Two

It's four days later when Mazus loses his temper. It wasn't because of me, or even because of Dane. But suddenly, I'd become his own personal punching bag.

"That fucking miscreant," he says, catching my cheek. This was about the third punch he'd thrown, and I was doing my best to do what Dane had asked, but I could feel my own temper getting the best of me. "He thinks he can storm into my meeting whenever he pleases." Another punch, this time to my ribs. He hits so hard it knocks the air out of me. "He thinks he knows better than me." He throws another punch, this one hitting the top of my ear. My ears were one of the most sensitive parts of my body anyways, but being hit in the ear feels like absolute murder. I fall to the ground, pressing my cold hands against the hot skin there. "Get the fuck up!"

A door opens behind him. I see the man I'd met in the woods back by Finley's house step in. I glare at him. He shies away, though I was sure it was because of the way Mazus snaps at him.

"Kadri, what the fuck do you want?!" He flinches, glancing at the ground.

"Sorry to disturb you, your majesty. Lord Elrond his here for his appointment." Mazus pushes his hair back.

"You stay here with her. Do not let her escape," Mazus commands, walking out. Kadri locks the cell door, sitting on the stool in the corner.

"I'm sorry, Echo." I scoff, pushing myself into a seated position. I could feel blood running down my cheek.

"Were you spying on me?" He nods, bowing his head in shame.

"I had no choice." I scoff again.

"No choice, huh? I'm calling bullshit. Everyone has a choice." He shakes his head.

"Very few of us here have any choice, not if we want our families to live."

"What are you talking about?"

"Mazus has my sister and a bunch of others locked in cages in the courtyard. The few who are loyal to him by choice guard it. If we disobey or fight back, he shoots whoever we love. Not to mention the fact that he has missiles aimed at our villages. He can destroy every single thing we love if he wants." I sigh, running a hand through my hair. I cringe at how disgusting it feels. I couldn't even remember the last time I'd had a shower.

"He's fucking insane," I say, wincing as I pull myself onto the cement bed. Kadri nods.

"His moods switch with a change of the wind. One minute, he'll be the sweetest person ever. The next, he'll be beating the shit out of you. It's terrifying." I nod, laying down. I was restless, tired of being trapped in a cage, but during his beating, he'd busted open one of the burn marks. I wouldn't be able to do much even if I was magically able to escape. "You're not looking too good." I huff.

"Gee, thanks."

"No I just mean, are you okay?" I sigh.

"I'm fine."

"Your face is bleeding."

"I know, Kadri. But honestly the only part of me that hurts badly is my fucking ear." He steps closer, looking at my ear.

"Shit, was he wearing his ring?" I nod.

"I'm going to go get Dane." I watch him rush out. My eyebrows furrow. I didn't understand any of what just happened. But he comes back a few minutes later, my mother in tow. She gasps when she sees me, rushing him to open the door. She runs over to me.

"Jesus. I told him he had to take his rings off," she mutters, fussing with a first aid kit.

"What is going on?" I ask, trying to ignore the nausea setting in.