The Skin Thief

Chapter 97

Kiora

"Follow Lady Kiora," Alethia orders behind her. "Call for more guards, seal all the exits and send a group of soldiers to guard the other wives."

Kiora runs down the corridors, never hesitating about what direction she takes. The pulse grows stronger and her desperation surges.

She practically throws herself down spiral staircases in her haste, not noticing as the corridors get darker and colder. She barely even stops when she trips on her skirts. The only thing on her mind is getting her dragon egg back.

She arrives in an old, dusty passage, lit by tiny wax candles hanging on the walls. The air is thick and musty. The ground is wet with damp.

Kiora slows down, gulping. Alethia is right behind her with at least ten guards following. Kiora pushes herself forward into the darkness. Everyone goes quiet, hearing whispers ahead.

Kiora rounds the corner and her eyes widen as she spots Beatrix standing in front of the third attacker. Beatrix lets out a shocked scream and grabs the bag from the attacker, holding the egg close.

"What have you done?" Alethia gasps in horror, her voice breaking. Kiora shakes with rage, her eyes burning into Beatrix.

Before the attacker can run away, he is descended upon by the guards. In an instant, he is dead, splattering blood all over Beatrix, who screams again.

"Beatrix?" Illyria says, having chased after the group after hearing what's going on.

"She doesn't deserve it!" Beatrix wails frantically, holding the bag close to her chest protectively, like a mother holding a baby. She backs up into the wall, her gaze darting frantically between Illyria, Kiora and Alethia.

Alethia gestures for the guards to back up away from her. Sweat drips down Beatrix's pale skin. Tears spill down her cheeks and she trembles violently.

"Six years!" she screams. "Six years I've dealt with your abuse, your cruelty." Her gaze is directly on Illyria. "I hate you. You are a callus, jealous monster who tears everyone down so that you can remain on top. Six years," she says again, her voice trembling. "I deserved a dragon for having to put up with your torment for all that time. And then she comes along. All perfect and untouchable, reminding us every day that she is better in every single way. She takes the dragon that was meant to go to me. The dragon that was meant to protect me from you!"

In any other circumstance, Kiora would feel sorry for Beatrix. But all she can focus on is the way Beatrix holds her egg, keeping it away from her.

"I deserve this. I've done everything that has been asked of me. I've been a perfect lady of the court, I've stopped communicating with my family, I've accepted your religion..." she trails off, panting to catch her breath. "I gave up everything as was expected of me. And all I got was torment."

Illyria, thankfully, doesn't say anything. Even she has enough sense to know when not to attack with her vicious tongue.

Alethia steps forward, holding out her hands.

"It's okay, Beatrix," she says, her voice soft. "You are a wonderful wife. You are a beautiful, honourable lady who fulfils her duties with the utmost perfection."

"Then why did she get a dragon?" Beatrix screams, gesturing widely in Kiora's direction. "Why is she more special than any of us? She doesn't even fuck the emperor yet he calls for her every night anyway!"

Beatrix slowly opens the bag and everyone tenses. The guards flinch, ready to move in, but Alethia stops them. Kiora almost wants to snap at the guards and tell them to get her egg. But she bites her tongue, knowing that deep down, Alethia diffusing the situation is a much better option than Beatrix being killed.