Crossing Paths

13

Maven's POV
My back hurt, either from being propped against the dewy wall or the cold, unforgiving floor. A visit to my cell an hour ago granted my wrists to be unbound, only to be in a slightly less frustrating resistant; some cloth like thing that left little room to stretch out my sore muscles.
My voice grew weaker by the minute, so that was sure to be checked off my list as an attempt at persuasion of letting me go soon enough. Tears had dried on my face, all along my cheeks, and my eyes still stung. I blinked back another wave of tears as best I could. My chest heaved again for what felt like the hundredth time since I was dragged here. I sniffed and rubbed my nose, trying to ignore the obvious signs I was getting an illness. My head lolled against the wall and after I realized I had company, I spoke. "When will I be unbound?" I heard a chuckle, earning a faint grin to appear on my own lips. Don't ask why, I had no idea.

"Why is it that you are suddenly so curious as to your living arrangements?" I rolled my eyes, now staring at the ceiling that loomed over me. I closed my eyes and sighed, wishing to see beyond the many layers of cemented concrete. It hasn't even been a full three days trapped within this confined space and yet I'd give anything to be standing outside, instead trapped within Dorian's arms. That is a much better alternative. Something I'd never want to leave. My body, wracked with another sob, shoved me forward, now sprawled on the floor.
"Oh, hush now. You are a prince, do not look so pathetic." I coughed again and heaved myself back up into a sitting position. I really couldn't give a crap about my damned reputation anymore, though I still couldn't tolerate someone ordering me around.
"How many times must I tell you to not order me around?" I glared at him, but with little energy and barely a speck of food, if even, in my system, it was an effort to even keep my eyes open. In a flash of, it seemed like recognition, he turned and left swiftly. I swallowed and leant my head back against the wall. Perhaps mere minutes later he had come back with a tray and on that tray was a bowl of steaming broth, a pile of rice, and an appropriate size of bread. And water. He probably had the intention of opening the gate quickly, and he was perhaps doing just that, but my hunger made it seem otherwise. Once opened, he placed the tray gently down onto the floor, leaving my cell unlocked because he knows I wouldn't try to escape. My body scooted forward instantly, and it was noticed because my captor held up a hand to calm down.

He undid my wrists, finally, and now I was practically staring in awe at the food before me.
"Well go ahead, Your Highness." He prompted, waving his hand at me."But, do mind your tongue when speaking to me." I didn't have to look up to note the warning."I will be rescued soon enough, there is no need for such foolish remarks." My shivering hand reached out to grasp the bread, hoping for some warmth and for my stomach to stop crying at me. It was an inch from my mouth. Then he had to kick me in the stomach.

I hunched over immediately, letting out a cough then a desperate groan. The bread, to my relief, fell back onto the tray with a thud. If it hadn't, I would've just eaten it off the floor though. He pulled me up by the hair and now I was staring directly into his eyes.

"I misheard you, Your Highness, would you like to say that again?" Trying to ignore the pain in my stomach that would of had me doubled over onto the ground if it wasn't for this lunatic holding me up, I spoke, "You cannot kill me just yet. That is obvious." I rasped out. He said nothing, just dropped me heavily so that I fell down, causing my lip to split open. I hissed in pain, rolling over onto my back once again. My vision was still spotty, so all I saw were black boots walking away from me, in the direction of the door.

I was able to finish the bread and a few spoonfuls of the broth before my body gave up on me. From a distance, I would imagine I appear dead.