Page 23 of Shadows of Ruin

Andras’s anger over my lack of information had caught up to him too many times now. I had lost track of the ways he inflicted pain on me. The last round, he tried to skin the flesh off my back with a whip. But nothing would make me talk.

Maria’s tears were almost too much as she’d tried to heal me after the last time. Her jaw tightened when I reminded her to stay strong, and her hands stopped trembling enough to succeed in her ministrations.

It was thanks to her I knew Kalliah was safe. As safe as she could be, hidden away with the queen.

While Andras spoke true of her mourning, she wasn’t looking for revenge on Lana by his side as he’d made the Fae of Ellevail believe. She was a prisoner in her own palace. I discerned that much from the guards as they did rounds past my cell.

I rose onto my arms and twisted until I faced the metallic bars holding me captive. Thankfully they could bear weight again after being tied up for so long yesterday.

I reminded myself staying awake and alert mattered. Lucien might make an appearance, and I needed to ask more questions of the pugron.

Great, I thought. My entire chance at escape boiled down to trying to communicate with an animal who came and went as he pleased.

Distant footsteps grew louder. The distinctive click of the heavy-booted heel gave away his element of surprise. Andras was here.

“I will give you one last opportunity to spill your secrets before the real fun begins. Whips and sticks may break your body, but I can break your mind, Captain.” Andras seethed as he came into full view in front of the cell. “Where is she?”

“As I’ve told you before, I. Don’t. Know,” I spit toward the coward of a man. “And even if I did, I wouldnevertell you. You are a disgrace to this kingdom, Andras. You will not win this war you’ve waged.”

Andras’s lips twitched and he waved his hand, roughly slamming my body forward against the metal bars, pressing me against them forcefully.

“You choose pain and suffering? Why am I not surprised? You always were a martyr. Always pining for the affections of a princess so far beyond your societal rank. You worthless, insignificant nobody.”

My body seized suddenly. I felt him.FeltAndras clawing at my mind. Inside my damn head.What the fuck?

“Tell me where the princess hides and you’ll live,” he purred. “Continue to lie and I’ll take my time skinning you alive.”

“How could I possibly know where she is when I’ve been trapped here for days?” The strength it took to keep the talon-like object out of my head made my voice quiver. I didn’t allow the fear to consume me, determined to stay strong.

“Still not talking?” A voice came from the shadows beyond Andras.

Lord Casimir West stepped into view. My lips curled back, seeing the pathetic excuse of a man. Lana never would have chosen him. I didn’t bother suppressing my grin at the thought.

“I’d wipe that smirk off my face if I were you,Captain,” Casimir taunted. “I’m on the hunt for your pretty littleprincess, and Iwillensure she comes back home. You don’t want to be on my bad side.” He paused. “For Lana’s sake.”

I scoffed. “Doubtful you are up to the challenge, or I wouldn’t be bored to tears with Andras’s questions asking me of her whereabouts.”

Andras still magically held my body pressed against the bars with such incredible strength, I knew there’d be bruises. Casimir stepped forward, his hand lunging out, wrapping around my throat.

His white teeth glistened as he grinned, gripping me tighter.

Andras held his index finger forward as though pointing at me. An enormous onyx gem rested garishly atop a gold setting. I swear if he told me to kiss his ring, I might vomit on it.

“I don’t have all day, Casimir,” Andras hissed.

Unlike the first time Casimir had siphoned magic from me during the marriage trials, I realized his intentions instantly. He grinned as he took hold of my magic.

I tried to fight, thrashing against his hand while he continued to pull my abilities, zapping them from me effortlessly. As my magic left me, my body slumped forward. Andras released the magical bindings on both my body and the assault on my mind all at once, and I fell to the ground. My face collided against the bars, bouncing back painfully.

I didn’t react. I refused to let them see weakness, taunting me now that my magic had been drained from my body. I couldn’t let them think they were winning.

Casimir touched the ring, and it smoked as the air around it pulsed and glowed.

What the fuck?

Andras’s head shook wildly, lending a deranged air to his already unhinged demeanor.

“I feel it,” he said. “It’s working.”

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