Page 23 of Cages and Crowns
“You forgot something.” A deep voice growls in my ear and I freeze.
“What are you talking about?” I stammer as I feel Tobias’s hot breath on my neck.
“You forgot your crown.” My mouth opens in disbelief and then I am being pushed forward.
“Tobias, this is ridiculous.” His hand tightens against my scalp as he drags me up the stairs. Servants hurriedly pass us, refusing to look. “Tobias.” When we get to the room, he throws me against the couch.
“Why did you take it off?” He yells, slamming my crown on the table.I push myself up into a sitting position and look at him.
“I forgot it, I’m sorry.” I reply. He snatches the crown from the table and slams it down onto my head, the teeth digging into my scalp.I flinch, but don’t let the pain show.
“Never take this off! Do you understand me? You are myqueen.” I nod, tears pooling in my eyes.
“I’m sorry.” I whimper. His fingers squeeze my cheeks, his eyes filled with rage.
“Laris!” He snaps.
“Yes, Your Grace?”
“Apollo, needle, thread.Now.” He demands, and the door closes quickly after him.
“Tobias?” My eyes widen and I can feel the shaking coming on. The fear as adrenaline pumps throughout my body.
“You don’t fucking take it off. Ever. You are a goddamn queen not some whore. You don’tevertake it off!”He yells, his face inches from mine. His eyes are red, frantic.
“I said I wouldn’t.” I stutter as he rips me off the couch. He drags me over to the chair by the vanity, tossing me into it. It nearly topples over, but he catches it just in time. He grabs two of the cuffs he uses to attach me to the bed and straps them around my wrists. “Tobias.” He connects the other end to the arms of the chair, holding me down. “Tobias, what is happening?” My heart is pounding in my ears, my breath forced as I try to swallow the lump in my throat.
The door opens and Master Pakin enters with a small basket.
“Your Grace?” He asks as he makes his way over to us.
“Make sure she can never take her crown off again.” He snaps. My eyes widen in panic as I look at my husband. My king. My torturer.
“Tobias, please!” I cry out, pulling at the shackles holding me down.Laris joins Tobias as he orders him to help hold me down. Master Pakin doesn’t say anything as he comes around behind me. I can hear him rustling around in the basket before his fingers are in my hair.
“No, no. Please.” The tears are flowing freely as I stare up at Tobias. The first poke of the needle elicits a scream from my throat. I can feel the thread pulling through the skin and then another poke. I’m squirming as much as I can, but Laris and Tobias are too strong.
No, no, no, no. It’s been weeks.
Weeks since he tortured me beyond shallow wounds.
Weeks since he has kept me in the dungeon, bloody and destroyed.
Again and again the needle goes in and out of my scalp. I can feel the blood dripping down my neck and tickling my forehead.
In and out.
In and out.
The needle and thread weave through my skin.
The pain is indescribable. It feels as if he’s ripping my scalp off of my head, peeling it away one layer of skin at a time.
I’m screaming, my throat going raw as I cry out. I shut my eyes, squeezing them as tight as I can.Willing for anything to make the pain go away. Begging for some sort of reprieve.
A room flashes behind my eyes as electricity shoots through my veins like lightning. Yellow banners, a man with black hair and amethyst eyes staring at me, as if he’s worried I’m going to snap.As if he’s concerned for my safety.
Who are you?
