Within their dreams (Reverse Harem)

Chapter 31

Ivy's POV

It turns out, that while Simon cannot physically scar me, there is a lot that can be done while still 'keeping me in one piece'. Each morning, I'm brought down to where the coven's children study to attend lessons with them. They're all grim-faced, dressed in dark blues, greens and browns with elaborate detailing that looks as though nature is ready to sprout from the seams of their clothes. They don't bother giving me much of their attention as I walk in, escorted by Erica. Not one of them cocks a smile. They just look down at their desks, flinching as the door bangs shut.

I quickly learn why no one smiles. The Elders who teach us are strict and cruel to those who cannot perform the spells they demand. I've found myself on more than one occasion punished for not performing a spell correctly, whether that's being made to watch the children eat lunch while I have none, or burning my palms with their magic as they correct my mistakes. When I'm not there I'm back in the cramped, makeshift room under lock and key.

My sessions with Simon are worse.

While the Elders attempt to train the excess magic inside me, Simon wants to take it for himself.

"Please," I whisper, too exhausted to raise my voice more. I'm back in the windowless room, shackled by my wrists to a long wooden beam running along the ceiling. This is where I spend most afternoons, chained up like a prisoner.

"If you're parents had done their duty, your powers would be mine anyway. Taking what's mine will help you regain control of yourself."

He's breathing hard, his dress shirt rolled up to his elbows and small beads of sweat forming on his brow. Tiny slivers of green and gold run up his arms, echoes of my magic. He only takes a small piece each time, but the act siphons every ounce of energy I have. I burn from the inside out. The wall Leo taught me to build remains strong, but I can feel them tugging on the other side. If they know I'm in pain, they'll come running, creating an even bigger divide between them and the council. If I can get through just a few more days of this, I can get back to them. I chant this over and over in my head, hoping that if I say it to myself often enough, I'll actually start to believe it.

Simon cups my hot cheek and I don't have the energy to move away.

"This, is what you were destined for," he says, resting his forehead against mine. "You could be an asset to this coven if you give in to us. We could be the most powerful coven with you by our side."

I close my eyes, picturing the palace. The room I spent my nights in, tangled between Leo and Owen, safe in their embrace. I feel him pull away, walking round to my back. I grit my teeth as I feel myself pulled apart once again, my wrists burning as my legs collapse and I hang there.

Simon leaves the room, letting me hang lifelessly, clinging to consciousness despite the dark spots invading my vision. He doesn't return, but I vaguely feel two sets of hands uncuffing my wrists as I fall into their arms. Each grasps me under my arms and half-drags me to my room, setting me down on the small bed. I must fall asleep because the next time I open my eyes it's dark outside and a tray of food is sitting on the window ledge.

I sit up on the bed, ignoring the ringing in my ears and stumble over to the food, kneeling on the floor beside it. There's a lukewarm cup of green tea which I gulp down greedily before eyeing the slices of meat, buttered bread and plums. I eat them with my hands, savouring the flavours as if I Haven't eaten in days. Once the plate is cleared, I take it over to the door and climb up onto the ledge, resting my forehead on the cool glass. If I squint my eyes, I can almost make out the peaks of the palace. A familiar sting burns my eyes but I clench my jaw, not allowing the tears to fall.

A sharp knock sounds through the room and I stumble off the ledge as Erica steps into the room.

"The princes will be making a visit tomorrow," she says. "Simon trusts that you will tell them all is well here."

I scowl at her, clenching my fists.

"You want me to lie?"

"You could be a lot worse off than you are, you know." She strides towards me, gripping my chin.

"Right, because being locked in my room and drained of my magic is living in luxury."

She huffs, dragging me to the middle of the room as two more Elders walk inside. The two Elders take hold of either side of me as panic claws out my throat. I try to fight them but they hold fast as Erica rips open the back of my dress to expose my bare back.

"Simon may have promised not to return you without a scratch, but that doesn't mean you're safe."

I feel her nails running down my spine, now sharp as a thorn. She leans down over me until she's right beside my ear.

"If we hurt you, we can heal you right up," she whispers before she slashes my back open with her claws. I let out a wail as the burn from the cuts spread across my back. I can feel the blood dripping, disappearing into the fabric of my dress. She slashes again, cutting my skin like butter. In the reflection of the window I see her smile, her hands covered in my blood. Tears drip down my face and onto the floor as sobs rack my body. The two Elders holding me wear expressionless looks on their faces, but their eyes glint with menace.

She steps back for a moment, admiring her handiwork before placing her palm on my spine and muttering an incantation. I can feel my skin pushing back together, fixing itself as if I'd never been touched. Then she does it again. And again.

By the time she's done, my back is covered in my own blood and the metallic stench fills the room. The Elders drop me to the fall where I land harshly on my knees, the back of my dress still gaping open.

"Remember, we're the ones deciding whether you leave with them or not," Erica says as they leave, reminding me of the power she holds over me. I push myself to my feet, the anger and humiliation at being tormented overflowing. I yell, thrusting my hand towards the door as it slams shut. Roots flow from my hand, covering the door in thick leaves. They curl around the hinges until I can't see the outline of the door anymore. Flowers sprout along the edges, the only real colour in the room.

I lower my hand, exhaustion taking over my limbs as I walk numbly to the tiny bathroom. I strip off the dress and get into the shower, letting the tepid water wash off the sticky blood clinging to my back. The water at my feet turns a light red, the only reminder of what I endured.

I can't imagine my parents living in this place, having a child here. If I hadn't been forced to live in hiding, would I be like the other children? Dull-faced, used to harsh words and forced to perfection. It doesn't surprise me that Simon rules the coven with an iron fist, but I wonder who those children will grow up to be.

I step out of the shower, walking over to the small chest of drawers in the main room to grab some clothes. My back is technically healed, but I still feel the pain each time I move. I slowly throw on a T-shirt and shorts, curling up on the bed. The only good thing about my visits with Simon is that they leave me exhausted and after my encounter with Erica, I can barely keep my eyes open. My eyelids are heavy and I let myself succumb to the darkness, despite the ball of anxiety forming in the pit of my stomach.