Page 149 of The Doll and The Domination

I can feel Warrose’s pleading stare clawing at my face to look back at him. My eyes fall to my knees, grating into the gravel. I try to keep my breath even despite the wild bull trapped in my chest. I can’t decide between the vengeance boiling hot in my gut or the sweet, gentle Skylenna that first saved Ruth from Dessin’s wrath on the conformists. She was so kind, so bright and accepting. I was excited to have a real friend.

But it wasn’t real.

Without lifting my gaze, I shake my head.

A blizzard of feelings war against this decision, but I push it down in the depths of my soul, fighting the urge to cry at everything I feel.

“Very well,” Kaspias purrs, signaling two sentinels. “Take her to the stage for the last performance of the night.”

I raise my head reluctantly, catching Ruth’s stoic gaze as she’s being secured in chains. If I look past the betrayal, past the lies, all I can see is my best friend. My soul sister who would do anything for me.

And it’s like she feels it. too, as tears rim her bloodshot eyes.

I take one last look at the tip of her upturned, pink nose, her perfect posture, and those curly lashes surrounding her soft brown eyes. A tear drizzles over her scattered freckles.

My heart cracks like a rock thrown into a glass window.

“Ruth,” Warrose finally chokes out.

She makes a noise, a cross between a sob and a laugh. “I know you all hate me. I don’t know how I could have done what I’ve done. But I do know that I love you all…my family. Maybe it isn’t real for any of you because of my lies. But it was real for me.”

And they tug her away, ushering her down the long hallway leading to the barbaric stadium. We’re left sitting in shock, watching her thin figure slowly disappear into the darkness.

I inhale through my nose, sucking in the smoky aroma of the burning torches.

“We can’t let this happen,” Warrose grunts, voice cracking with a sob that is desperate to escape his iron hold on his sadness.

“She’s made her choice.”

Dessin and Warrose gawk at me as the soldiers force us to our feet. Did those words come out of my mouth? Yes, they did. It’s impossible to sort through my murderous hatred of her lies. Those damning thoughts collide with the fond memories I have of her. The ones I’ve kept close when I need to feel the love of my family the most.

Before stepping into the blinding red and yellow lights, Kaspias turns to us with a half smirk. “Enjoy the show.”

And we’re left standing at the back of the stadium, waiting for the Ringmaster to calm the audience and announce the next round of entertainment. But my focus is nailed to the spot where Ruth stands on the side of the stage. She holds her head high, viewing that platform with determination. A pinched brow and a look that could slice through concrete.

I mentally grab myself by the shoulders, shaking until I rattle my teeth.

What are you doing? It’s Ruth! No matter the lies, those moments were real! She loves you!

I squeeze my eyes shut, forcing myself to pick an emotion—any emotion—and fucking stick with it! Do I try to stop her from being humiliated and harmed on stage? Or do I pull my shoulders back and accept this form of revenge on the woman who gained my trust and stabbed me in the heart?

A sentinel jerks Ruth forward by her chain leash, causing her to stumble to her knees. She scrambles to the wooden table they lead her to. Its surface is slanted at a seventy-five degree angle. An incline that allows the crowd to see her strapped down, facing their boisterous activity. Her forehead, chest, forearms, wrists, shins, and ankles are locked down. Yet, she doesn’t falter.

Ruth stares out at the audience in defiance. Unwilling to let them see an ounce of fear. Unwavering to remain strong in her solitude.

Just as I’m about to pick the emotion that is wrapped in the warmth and profound love of my best friend, I’m slapped with that one pungent visual of Ruth kissing Kaspias. The vicious fury that tore my skin from my bones. The way she clung to him, nibbled at his lip. The look on her face when she realized the jig was up. We finally discovered her face without the beautiful, loyal mask she once wore.

And I’m suddenly sure Kaspias won’t let her get hurt.

It doesn’t matter what emotion I choose.

They’re lovers.

This is all a trick.

Dessin cocks his head in my direction, pinning me down with those close-set eyes turning a shade of bronze and gold in the streaming circus lights.

“Skylenna?” He lets a stream of alarm enter his voice.

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