"Please."
A sharp smack across my face.
I taste blood.
"That wasn’t enough," she coos.
I brace myself.
"Crawl."
The command settles into my bones, digging into the very thing that makes me who I am.
I have never bowed to her.
I have never willingly given myself to her.
Not until now.
I press my hands to the floor and move forward, dragging my broken body across the marble.
The chains rattle.
My breath comes in ragged gasps.
Her laughter echoes.
"You look so pathetic," she sighs. "Just like your father when he begged me for his life."
I do not react.
I cannot react.
I reach the tips of her embroidered slippers.
My throat tightens.
I lower myself, pressing my lips against her feet like a dog.
I have never hated myself more.
She moans with pleasure, a sick, twisted sound.
"Finally."
Her hand tangles in my hair, yanking my head up, forcing me to look at her.
"You were made for this, you know," she murmurs, her nails raking along my cheek. "To serve me. To love me."
I shudder.
"You are mine, Varkos."
"You always have been."
The world spins.
I know the truth.