Page 26 of The Shadow of Polaris

Someone cleared their throat behind me, causing Rune to rip away. Breathing with an unsteady rise and fall of my chest, I turned towards the light of the now open back door. It was Frya, wild with panic. Behind her, in atrocious purple uniforms, stood two city guards.

Chapter 15

Every muscle in my body clenched and an immediate, frantic sweat flushed itself through me. Frya stared, silently apologizing, as the two guards pushed her aside and marched towards me, the hems of violet cloaks dragging flurries of snow behind them. My eyes darted to each corner of the courtyard, looking for something- anything to help me out of this situation.

Rune’s head jerked toward the two men, then back to me, confusion pouring from his gaping mouth. My lips still tingled from where his had been as the guards continued to march forward, their motion slowing with every approaching step. I had only seconds to make my move, or I’d be captured. I couldn’t go back to that fucking tower.

Everything became much, much worse, however, when a plump old woman with auburn hair stepped out from behind Frya.

“My, my,” her voice was like venom, “Lady Elpis. You’ve got a lot of explaining to do, my dear.”

Hela knocked the handle of a brown leather whip across her open palm as she hobbled towards me. The guards, now circling my position, nodded at her as she waved them to take a step back.

“L-Lady Elpis…” Rune stammered, “as in the Queen Slayer?” His eyes were wide and bright with uncertainty as he processed the situation at hand.

I looked at him, mouthing an apology as I backed away from the approaching handmaiden.

“Don’t even think about going anywhere. We’ve got the yard circled, dear. Might as well accept that you’re coming with us. Do you know exactly how many rules you’ve broken?” Hela grinned, her chin doubling over in layers of swollen flesh beneath her neck.

I scanned the yard again. There had to be something. Anything.

“I think I’d like to deliver your punishment before we return to the tower.” The whip glowed in her fat hands. Glaring at me, yearning to be cracked against my bare flesh.

My feet, frozen beneath me, refused to move as I tried to run. If I could reach the wall on the opposite side of the courtyard, scale it and escape through the neighbor’s flat, I’d be free. I’d need my legs to work, though.

Frya sobbed, falling to her knees in the tavern’s threshold, the deep navy skirts she wore pooling around her fragile frame. I couldn’t leave her to face the punishment alone. What was I thinking? They’d arrest her for helping me, and after everything she’d done, how could I possibly abandon her?

Then there was Rune, the innocent, charming man whose lips I’d just attacked. Thousands of thoughts probably zipped through his head in this moment. Queen Slayer he had called me. Regardless of the innocence he’d try to claim, the guards would accuse him of aiding me. They’d most likely arrest him, too. My throat was dry as everything around me collapsed. This couldn’t be happening. I just gained my freedom back, tasted a future without fear.

“Guards, hold her down for me, please,” Hela snarled.

The men grabbed my arms and threw me to the ground, ripping away my cloak and slicing down the fabric of my cotton tunic, exposing bare flesh to the frigid night air.

With a mouthful of snow, I struggled beneath their firm grip, trying to tear myself free. Cold, clammy hands traced each of my shoulder blades as Rune’s screams of protest echoed across the yard. Frya’s sobs grew into wails as the two guards pulled at the sleeves of my tunic, exposing more of my back to the pale wash of moonlight.

I took in a breath, no longer struggling to escape, and preparing for what was about to come. I’d been through this before. This time, I’d remain still. Emotionless.

I would not show her my pain.

I would not show her my tears.

There would be no begging or pleading.

No cries or sobs.

Just silence.

Biting my bottom lip until the metal taste of blood soaked into my tongue, I flexed every muscle beneath my skin, building up my fortress walls.

Crack! Pain erupted across my flesh as the whip whistled and retracted back to its handler. Clenching harder, I fought against the automatic jerk of my body. Thinking only of Rune’s lips against mine. Igniting flames at the pit of my stomach. Only of Frya’s stews and peeling potatoes until my fingers cramped and grew numb. Only of Arcturas and the feel of her thick fur beneath my hand as I stroked her to sleep.

Crack! Another lash sent me spiralling into torturous ash as the welts across my back rose like mountain ridges of red, stinging flesh. Crack! Crack! Crack! With each swing of her whip, Frya’s breath deepened until she heaved for air like a fish out of water.

My entire being was trembling fiercely now, so much so I struggled to stay on my knees. Drops of red sprayed across the snow beneath me as the lashings oozed and dripped down my spine.

Crack! Rune, hoarse from roaring at the guards, had sunken to his knees- tears pooling from his lower lids. I prayed to the gods for strength as a tear escaped from my scrunched eyes.

Fight, Elpis. You must fight. A whisper licked at the back of my neck. I recognized the silkiness of her voice.

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