Beautiful Darkness

➵Weakness

The Nerium-laced chains burn further into my wrists as I watch the remains of my home disintegrated into the night air. My stomach clenches as the despair I have tried to contain pulls forward. After a while the tears stop flowing and the sobs refuse to erupt.

Emotion is weakness. And I cannot afford weakness in this situation.

My thoughts instantly drift to Iden. My heart craves to seek him out, to make sure he is safe. Despite my wishes, I know my presence would only endanger him further.

The vultures around me light bonfires. They celebrate the destruction they have created. The second the castle burned I was tied to a post as if to be crucified. My muscles clench against the chains as the pain in my leg intensifies. Blood is everywhere. My breathing heaves with pain, I choose to embrace it.

"How's your leg?" Romans icy voice breaks me from my thoughts. With narrowing eyes, I glare up at him.

"How do you think it is?" I snap. I expect a reply but get nothing but never-ending quiet. Bandages and medical supplies are littered in his hands. Without my permission he advances to where I am and begins examining the injury.

"Don't touch me." Pure venom is laced throughout the words. He swats my complaints aside like a fly. His hands shoot tingles through my legs as he rips open the material of clothing. The alcohol he drowns on top of the wound causes my jaw to clench and eyes to sting. He wastes no time wrapping bandages tightly around and tying them. His soft fingers linger on my skin.

Roman's eyes are assessing and calculated as he reviews his work. His eyes briefly touch mine then he is simply gone, walking in the other direction as if me being hung up like a rag doll isn't uncivilized and cruel.

I watch closely as he joins a group of soldiers around one of the fires. They hand him a drink while he sits away from the group observing his surroundings. The firelight reflects his strong jawline and deadly eyes as his muscles contract. His loose hair from before is tied back into a tight ponytail. 

Antonis' approaching voices steals my attention.

"Comfortable?" His tone is pure malice.

"Very."

"Disrespect will only worsen your situation, stupid girl." His eyebrows are furrowed in anger while his knuckles whiten.

"And arrogance will only heighten your punishment when you are caught. I have no interest in your mockery, if that is all you seek to do. Otherwise, I'm just fine hanging here to die in peace." I don't need to see my expression to know the amount of hate it displays.

He takes a menacing step forward. His eyes are controlled as if he is planning every aspect of our encounter. Stern eyes briefly roll over my leg and an irritated look consumes his face. He knows who patched my leg. I feel Roman's gaze on us without having to look at him. I ignore it promptly, not wanting his pity or help.

"What do you want from me?" I can't help the question from escaping my lips.

"To see your entire kind erased from existence."

"I'd like to see you try." I spit as my untied, uninjured leg kicks him in the stomach. He falls back while four guards are at his side in an instant. Once he is on his feet he wastes no time.

"You're almost more trouble then you're worth, girl. Don't you understand how disposable you are?" His voice is seething as he motions for the guards. My limbs sag when they are released from the chains. The full extent of exhaustion weighs down heavily as I struggle to get up. My first attempt ends with me back on the floor. Antonis is quick to drag me up and thrust me at the nearest guard.