Page 31 of Cages and Crowns
“Laris?” I croak, my throat protesting.
“Are you alright?” I place my hand on the marble floor, pushing myself up into a sitting position as I take in the guards combing the room.
“What happened?”
“The prince, he’s gone.” My eyes widen and I glance around the room. The bassinet is tipped over, the balcony doors wide open. I scramble to my knees, my hand coming up to touch my temple. I wince as my palm grazes the bruise I have no doubt is growing.
“What do you mean he’s gone?” I whisper, tears pricking my eyes. I planned this, Iknewthis was going to happen, but I still feel an overwhelming sorrow weighing on my chest as if a horse stomped on my heart.
“He’s been kidnapped, Your Grace.” His voice is soft, and I know he is going to get in trouble with Tobias. I foresaw this, but I knew he would be alright. I had to believe he would be alright. I almost feel bad. Laris is the only one who hasn’t hurt me, who hasn’t forced himself upon me.
I am helped to my feet and walked over to the settee where I collapse with a wince. A cool glass is handed to me by one of the menders, apprentices to Master Pakin, and I know it’s the tonic. I take a sip and relish in the feel of it sliding down my throat.
“A rider has been sent off to alert the king. He should be here any moment; he was already on his way.” I nod and the mender scurries off. I relax into the chair as guards search the room. I don’t hide the tears sliding down my cheeks as they look for evidence, a few of them lingering on the balcony. Lydia and Malia come in and wipe what I suspect is blood off my face with a warm cloth. They each offer me a sympathetic smile, but the relief in their eyes is there.A blanket is wrapped around my shoulders as we wait in silence.
“What happened?” Tobias’s voice is loud, and I jump. He rushes over to me, his cold hands brushing hair back from my face as he searches my eyes.
“I don’t know. I was rocking him to sleep and then I awoke on the floor with Laris yelling.” My hands are trembling as I bring them up to fist his tunic. “He’s gone, Tobias.” My voice cracks as he slides his hand to the back of my neck, holding me to his chest. He looks around the room, anger brewing in his eyes as he sees that his men have nothing. No evidence, no leads. They are just standingthere, useless. The thought of his men being useless used to terrify me, because I knew they couldn’t help me, but I have never been more grateful for their inadequacy as I am right now.
“Search the grounds and the woods. Alert every port town. He is not leaving this kingdom!” Tobias snaps, his voice deep and ancient as he orders his men. He sits beside me on the couch and pulls me onto his lap as everyone rushes out of the room. “It’s okay, my love. We will get him back.” I nod into his shoulder and relish the feel of his warm arms around me.
My tears soak into his tunic as he rocks me, his hand brushing hair out of my face. I close my eyes and let myself picture Cyn, a few years older. His copper hair shaggy and tied up, his blue eyes—
I gasp as I feel the pinprick in my arm. My eyes open, and all I see before the darkness takes over is anger.
Chapter Eighteen
The Caged
My head is throbbing, that’s the first thing I notice when I awake. My mouth tastes like blood, my ears muffled. I try to open my eyes, but I am met with darkness, my eyelashes rubbing against something rough, like cloth.
“Tobias?” I whisper, my voice barely above a croak as my dry throat protests the act. I hear rustling around me, as if someone is moving things around, but I can’t see. A sharp inhale of ragged breath leaves my mouth as I feel something slide down my arm, something sharp. “Tobias?” I call out again. My voice echoes and I know exactly where I am. He’s brought me to the dungeon.
“You couldn’t protect our son.” I scream as the thin blade cuts through tendon and bone, the spikes catching on sinew and muscle. My back arches as I fight against the restraints. It’s been so long since I’ve been downhere. So long since he’s tortured me like this.
“Tobias, please!” I beg, my voice cracking.
“What good are you if you can’t protect our child? You failed!” I scream again as I feel the blade hit bone. My head is spinning, I feel like I am falling. I bite my lip, drawing blood. “You failed as a mother. You failed as a wife. You failed as aqueen!” The blade disappears and then I feel his hand slide in my hair, fisting around the crown sewn in place. He pulls on it, ripping at my scalp. I can feel the strands breaking, feel the permanent stitches slicing through the delicate skin. I don’t fight the scream as it feels like my head is being cleaved in two.
“I’m sorry! I am so sorry.” I stammer out, sobs wreaking havoc on my body. I knew this would happen. I knew he would blame me.
“I don’t believe you.” His voice is close to my ear, I can feel his breath against my cheek, smell the whiskey he must have drunk.
“Things were better, they were better. I don’t understand.” I whimper as the pressure is released.His footsteps dissipate slightly, and I can hear him toss the blade he was using on the table, the metal clinking against the other instruments.
“They were, Ela, but you ruined that. You let our son, ouronlychild, be taken by the gods only know who. Were you being reckless? Purposefully endangering our son?” Silence fills the room, the only noise my ragged breathing. “Answer me!” He snaps and I hear his hands slam down on the table, sending blades flying to the ground.
“No, I-I didn’t stand a chance. Please, Tobias. I never saw it coming. I-I never saw it coming!”
“Now you won’t see for a while.” My pulse skips. I wait for pain, I wait for anything, but nothing happens. My hands tremble as I strain my ears, trying to listen.
“What do you mean?” It’s quiet, my voice echoing around me. “Tobias?” He’s gone.
My hands pull at the restraints, the metal digging into my wrists. I pulland push in every direction trying to slip free, but they don’t budge. I slide my head down, attempting to catch the blindfold on something, anything, that might help me slide it off. I don’t know how long I work, but it doesn’t move an inch. My neck is cramping, my wrists and ankles burning. I can still feel the icy air brushing up against my open wounds. Every time I take a breath, it feels as if my arm is going to fall off. Tears soak into the material as I relax. There is nothing I can do. I’m stuck.
I hear shuffling around me, someone walking towards me slowly. “Who’s there?” I whisper. Rough fingers graze my cheek, then I feel hot breath in my ear.
“Guess who?” His voice is deep, and I know it is Davel who is standing next to me.His rancid breath makes me gag and I turn away from him.
