Page 84 of Essence of the Throne

I really,reallydo not want to know of these plans, because they're obviously not fucking dinner parties.

“Going to bore me to death instead?” The words slip out before I can stop them. Stupid, foolish idiot.

He chuckles, the sound devoid of warmth. “Still some fire after all.” His hand grips my hair, yanking my head back so I’m forced to focus on his upside-down form. “You’re going to help me build an empire, little wraith. Once I fill you with enough essence, you’ll be the perfect weapon. The strongest warrior this realm has ever seen. A few of the others didn’t survive the process—turned into pitiful, disgusting creatures after their injection. I thought they might serve some purpose, grow into something more, but alas, they’re just as worthless as my son at this point. Truthfully, you did me a favor in killing them.”

The things from the library and tunnel—they felt so wrong, and I can't help but wonder if there was any ofthemleft in those abnormal heads, or if it was just the essence unable to escape? “Is that what happened to Raine?” I keep my voice steady despite the awkward angle, swallowing loudly. “How did that work out for you?”

His grip tightens to the point of pain as what I can only describe as a grimace falls over his features. “Raine was a learning experience. But I’ve refined the process since then. The young’s essence, you see—it’s more pure and malleable. The perfect foundation.” He shoves my head away, though my scalp continues to sting. “But enough of that. It’s time you be taught a lesson about remaining involved with my son. I thought your friend would be enough warning for you, but you’ve proven rather annoying and stubborn.”

Loud footfalls approach from the corridor just as two sentries file in and stand before me. My heart pounds wildly in my ears, but I keep my face steady and breathe through it. Whatever they’re about to do to me, I can endure. I have to.

The air is damp, thick with the metallic tang of blood and a sharp chemical that burns my throat. It clings to my skin like an additional layer, suffocating every pore. I shift against the ache in my ribs, my neck. Each breath tastes bitter, and the coppery slickness in my mouth only makes it worse. The place reeks of pain—the same kind I’m about to experience.

“Begin,” Thalion commands, leaning against the far wall with an air of ease.

The first blow catches me across the face, snapping my head to the side. Blood fills my mouth as several teeth cut into my cheek. I move to spit it onto the floor, but the crimson doesn't even make it over my shoulder, earning another strike that blurs the fuck out of my vision.

They’re methodical in their brutality. Precise hits that cause maximum pain without risking unconsciousness—at first. My ribs crack. Fingers break. Still, I don’t scream. I won’t give him that piece of me…the one thing I still have to myself.

Another hit lands against my temple, something much harder than knuckles, and the world tilts violently as colors bleed together in a curious medley. My limbs jerk hard at their prisons when one of the sentries punches the base of my sternum—cheap fucking shot. I can’t help the sound that shoots from my throat while every ragged breath feels like fire scorching my lungs.

Sweat and blood drip from my face, burning my eyes as I'm unable to wipe any away. Thalion watches in silence, his expression unreadable, but I can feel his satisfaction humming through the air. He’s a predator savoring his hunt.

“You’re a fucking coward, Thalion,” I grit through my teeth, my voice coarse and muted. “Do you often need to restrain women just to have them beat? How would your daughter feel if she saw you like this, hm?”

He chuckles, far too arrogant and unbothered by my bait. “What you think is no matter, Ariella—youare the one strapped to the chair, after all.” I’ve no response, because it's the truth.

He continues to study me while his guards become more erratic in their torture, his gaze cold and detached, as if I’m nothing more than a mere moment of entertainment.

I bite down on the inside of my cheek, hard enough that a fresh wave of blood coats my tongue, focusing on the pain to ground myself.

Youwilltake this. If you break, he wins. If you break, his attention will shift to Caspian.

The next strike is delivered in the center of my shattered ribs, but I’m too engrossed in being outside of my body to care about the sickening crunch that reverberates through the lab. I involuntarily lean forward to cough up a disturbing amount of blood, watching as it spatters against my legs and the floor like some grotesque painting. I whimper as a boot lands to my stomach, shoving my back against the chair once more.

“Pathetic,” the king mutters, scraping his feet against the stone as he stops in front of me. “Thisis what my son chose to align himself with? You’re weaker than I hoped—but it will have to do.”

My throat sputters a laugh. “When I send you to meet the Angel, Thalion, you’d better find a good place to hide in the Aether.” My lungs are ready to give out, but I’m not done yet. “Because the moment I arrive, your soul is mine.”

My ears barely catch his hum before shadows descend on me once more. Time loses meaning in a haze of agony. My body feels distant, disconnected. The edges of my vision darken…

The lab fades away, and I’m standing in a meadow filled with silver flowers that glow iridescent in the different colors of the night sky. A mix of blues and purples swirl above, highlighting the red-tinged trees lining the clearing around—

“Ariella?” The voice is soft, achingly familiar.

Mom?

I whirl to find my mother standing before me, exactly as I remember—long silver hair, kind eyes, gentle smile.

“My brave girl.” She reaches for me and I freeze, pain forgotten as her arms wrap around my form. She feels real. Solid.

This can’t be a dream.

“How?” My voice breaks. “You’re dead.”

“Death is not the end, my love.” Her hand strokes my hair like she used to so many years ago, and I realize my body is trembling when she begins swaying us in a calming gesture. “What’s happening, Ariella? Why are you here?”

My head shakes as I pull away from her hold, checking my clothes to find them devoid of blood and tears. “Am I dead?”

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