Page 117 of Scars and Burns

They begin to beat in tandem.

Dinalia takes in a deep breath.

My own falters. I grip her closer than I ever thought possible.

Her eyes are still closed. She’s still unconscious but she’s breathing. Slow and steady.

Then I feel her.

Not just her breathing from holding her in my arms.

I feel her heartbeat.

In rhythm with mine.

Our souls, one in the same.

50

Aeron

Ilet her rest. Informing Aemond of what has transpired. Instructing him to keep a watchful eye over her until I get back.

Returning to the cave where I left those primitive beasts.

I stalk over to them. They are not prepared for the agony that is about to come.

“So, you think you can touch what is mine?”

Glaring over at them. Fear on their faces. One of them has already soiled themselves.

Huff, and they call themselves soldiers.

“W-we didn’t know she was yours. We were just doing as we were told.” One says with a shaking breath.

I reveal King Elio chained in the corner of the cave. He doesn’t look the least bit afraid.

That will change.

“So, you thought it was acceptable to hold down an innocent women while she was raped. Solely by order of your king. And to make matters worse… your king is the rapist.”

“Don’t you dare degrade me!” King Elio screams from the corner.

I turn toward him. Giving him a devious smile, “I don’t need todegrade youKingElio. You’ve already done that yourself.”

“It was his idea. He wanted her. He was the one hurting her. We were just following orders. It’s his fault.” One of the soldiers says.

“You hear that King Elio. Your soldiers fear me more than they respect you. Ready to turn on you and sell you out. And the fun hasn’t even begun.” A laugh escapes from deep in my chest.

King Elio sneers at me. Not wanting to acknowledge the truth of what I just said.

I strip all of them bare. Ripping their clothes off. “W-what are you doing?!”, another screams at me.

“I’m exposing you the way you chose to allow King Elio to expose Dinalia. The sound of clothes tearing shouldn’t be off putting. As those are the same sounds you just heard.”

Once they are all bare I step away. Taking in their meek forms.

“You think yourself strong. It took three of you to hold down a single female. My female. You thought no harm would come to you if you followed the order of your king.” I pause, “You were wrong.”

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