I do as he says. I kneel. ____________ He reaches to my collarbone from the loose collar of my torn bloody shirt. His fingers trace the lines that form an M . My brand I want to scream at his touch. It burns. It hurts. It blinds me. Maven continues to examine it with his fingers,aware that his touch is a torture to me,"You remember who gave you this?" He whispers. "You remember who owns you?" You don't own me ,Maven, I want to tell him. But as feeling this pain becomes unbearable,I tell him the answer he wants . Maybe he stops the pain. "You"I say. He smiles deeply,nodding his head. "I thought you being stubborn was intriguing, I have a hard choice now though."he says pulling away to retreat to his throne. "Obedience suits you better." _________________ Mare was a sword. She was the face of the rebellion. Now she's broken . Will someone pick up the pieces? Will her wounds ever heal?