The Serpent's Chains

Chapter 56: Time to Face the Truth

Author's Note: This chapter contains descriptions of injury and violence and makes torture references that may be upsetting to some readers. 

Sabine

"Why do you care about breaking the curse?" I rose and crossed my arms, standing fast as Cole turned toward the library door.

He glanced over his shoulder. "I have political motivations."

"How so?"

"You're not going to help until I tell you, are you?"

I shook my head.

Cole chuckled. "Fine. Fine." He shook his head. "King Verill is clinging to his throne because he has no continuation of his bloodline. If one of his children produced an heir, he would step down and perhaps we could resume negotiations for peace."

"But only if you stepped up to take your father's place here," I pointed out.

He shrugged. "My father might yet be swayed."

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. I knew that Prince Cole wasn't averse to responsibility. He took his command and the security of the country very seriously. He loved this country and wanted to see its people prosper in an age of peace.

But he refused to do the one thing that would ensure all of that. It made no sense.

"You don't really believe that."

Cole sighed and turned to face me. His eyes darkened and he slid his hands into his pockets.

"The king likes you. He has high hopes for you. If King Verill surrenders the throne to one of his children, I believe you could be instrumental in creating a lasting peace between the two countries."

I balked. "I'm not capable of that and I'm not sure I want that responsibility... Why are you working so hard to change who is on the throne of another country when you could take your own throne here?"

He turned away from me and walked toward the library door. "Believe it or not, it is less complicated to change who is on Stivalia's throne. Let's go talk to Cara." He waved me over his shoulder.

The interrogation room had a drain in the marble floor. The walls were the same, white marble. Smooth and glossy. It wasn't a rough, porous stone that could absorb liquid.

On the drain cover, I saw some rusty residue.

The thick, wooden door opened and two guards came in. One carried a wooden chair and the other dragged Cara by her bound arms. Cole came in behind them.

The guard slammed the chair down and the other practically threw Cara into the chair. She didn't utter a sound, because of my spell. Her cheeks were hollow and her eyes red and puffy. She had layers of purple and yellow bruising around her eyes and down her thin arms.

Fresh and partially healed cuts patchworked her arms and what I could see of her legs. Some of her fingers and toes were bent at impossible angles and grossly discolored.

She'd been tortured, repeatedly.

"Bring a warm meal and clean water," Prince Cole ordered the guards.

I couldn't stop staring at Cara. I'd known what would happen to her but seeing it... she looked like she lost half her body weight since the last time I'd seen her.

Slowly, Cara lifted her head. Her eyes widened when she saw me. She stretched her neck out and I saw finger-shaped bruises around her throat.

They must have done everything to make her talk not realizing a spell kept her silent.