The Djinni & The Royal

❂ Don't Say My Name ❂

She was scrubbing the floor on her hands and knees. Her ginger hair fell out of its bun as the stood up, only to be knocked down again. Her master towered over her a strong, cruel, man. Fear shot through her body, freezing her.

"You think you're done?" He bellowed. She shook her head franticly.

"N-No, Master." She answered shakily. He backhanded her across the face. She winced, a metalic taste flooded her mouth.

"Did I give you permission to speak?" He demanded, gripping her by her hair. She glimpsed her mother standing in the corner, her knuckles white as she clutched a mop. She gave her mom a pleading look. 'Stay away' she mentally begged, knowing that if she interfered it'd be harder on them both. The man brought his face within an inch of hers.

"Do you know what I can do to you, Avalon?" He whispered, smiling cruelly. "I could turn your body inside out, break every bone in your body and force you to live. Is that what you want?" He hissed. She shook her head, squeezing her eyes shut, forcing herself not to cry in front of the beast.

He laughed darkly and threw her back. Her head hit the floor and bounced with a loud crack. She gasped in pain but forced herself up just in time to receive a lash across her back. Her now exposed skin, burned. The pain came again and again, liquid streaming down her sides. She washed the floor for nothing more than a beating.

The Djinni shot up in her bed, unwelcome tears finding their way down her face. She wiped at them quickly. The taste of blood still fresh in her mind. The memories faded slowly. She drew in a shaky breath, hearing a pounding on the door. She got up, stumbling as her feet caught in the sheets. Finally she ripped open the door.

"What?" She demanded angrily to the empty air. She frowned and looked from side to side, before looking down to see Najwa. The girl sucked in a sharp breath, her eyes widening. She stared at the rough scars on the older girls back. They ran in thick straight lines from her neck to under her dress. Djinni reached inside her door slowly, pulling a robe over herself.

"What do you want?" She scowled at the pest. The girl gulped and stroked her hands down the thick brown braid over her shoulder.

"I-I-I, y-you w-were scre-eaming." She stuttered out, her face reddening. Djinni stared at her in surprise. She had been worried? About her? Was that possible? She looked down the empty hall again, expecting to see Edna or Jasper.

"You heard me screaming and came without protection?" She demanded, angry again. The child's eyes teared up. "No-" The Djinni pinched the bridge of her nose.

"I mean.." She sighed and bent down to the kid, bringing herself eye level. "Listen, first rule of survival; always bring protection. If I was being attacked, what would you do? You would scream. Then the assassin would go after you instead. Understand?" She asked. The girl nodded quietly. The ginger straitened.

"Go back to bed, kid. Edna piles the lessons in as soon as she can." In a rare display of affection, she reached out to stroke the girls cheek as she turned away. She was halfway down the hall when she stopped to look over her shoulder.

"Good night." She called. Djinni leaned against the door frame with a small smile.

"Pleasant night hallucinations." She answered. The girls cracked a confused smile and hurried away.

Djinni awoke to the smell of tea and biscuits. She lifted her head to see Patsy busying around the small corner table. Light streamed in from the sky light, the only window in her chamber. She sat up and yawned. Patsy gave a frightened jump. "My Lady!" She mumbled, lowering her head.