Page 61 of Cages and Crowns
“What are you doing?” I ask as I stride in, grabbing a blanket off the end of the bed and throwing it over her, my eyes catching on the purple lines across her back before they disappear under the wool. Kass is sitting by the fireplace, talking to Master Lenus.
“We were cleaning the mess of a leg wound you left behind, as well as the many other slices and bruises you failed to mention.” My father says lazily.
“No, it looks like you were eyeing a naked, vulnerable girl.” I snap, making sure the blanket covers every part of her up to her shoulders.
“For gods sake, Nithe.” He mutters and climbs off the bed. “She isn’t your property yet; I don’t know who you are fooling.” He sneers.
“She will never be my property.” I snap as he strolls out of the room. “How could you just leave her exposed like that?” I turn towards Kassius and Master Lenus. “You are supposed to take care of her.”
“Did you see her scars?” He asks, and I shake my head. I didn’t allow my eyes to linger. “She has no physical wounds on the outside, aside from her leg, a deep laceration on her arm, and a few scratches, but there is something in her, something pulling her strength.” He looks back at Master Lenus.
“Like an infection?” I ask.
“Possibly. We won’t know more for a few days. We gave her some herbs to reduce infection—” The master starts.
“Take the crown off.” I demand.
“We should really wait to see what she wants to do when she wakes.” He responds carefully.
“You think she wants it on? Take it off!” I yell louder as I step towards them. Master Lenus nods as he hesitantly rises, coming to the bed.
“Can you hold her up, Your Grace?” He asks while pulling materials out of his bag. I nod as I reach for her. I keep the blanket wrapped around her like a tourniquet as I scoop her up in my arms. I sit down on the bed, resting her head on my shoulder so Lenus has access to her scalp.
Her face is peaceful, calm. Her breath fans around me, bathing me in the scent of vanilla and something floral. Sweet and warm. Her pale skin is flawless, aside from a small sprinkling of light freckles on her nose and cheekbones. Her lips are a deep pink, plush and full. Her eyelashes are dark and long, fanning across her cheeks. But her pale skin is gray, and the bruises under her eyes are deep. She’s beautiful, but she’s suffering. I brush an icy lock off her forehead, and it falls over the crown in a silky wave. Her eyebrows furrow as if she is dreaming, and I take a deep breath.
What are you doing, Nithe?
“Don’t cut her hair.” I order as he begins to part the colorless strands, exposing thick, black stitches wrapped around the metal and into her scalp. My mouth dries, dinner turning sour in my stomach as I stare at his handiwork. Her husband did this to her. He sewed a crown to her head as if she were a toy to play with.
Kassius leaves the room, giving me a sympathetic glance on the way out. The minutes are long and silent, the only noise being the sound of thread being sliced by a scalpel. I watch the black threads pull out of her skin and fall to the bed. I watch as Lenus’s face pales as he tries to concentrate on the task. What had to be thousands of stitches later, the crown slips free from her head. Blood stains the pale locks as the holes left behind are opened. Gauze is pressed to her head, soaking up the blood before it can stain her hair. Lenus puts a thick cream over the wounds and lets her hair fall back over them.
“The bleeding should stop quickly, Your Grace.”
“You may go.” I order as I watch her nostrils flare with each breath.
“There are syringes in the bag already prepped for her height and weight. Should she wake before I return, she will need them to fall back asleep. I will return in the morning.” He explains, but I ignore him. There is no way I was going to be complicit in drugging her.
“Go.” I repeat. He bows deeply before leaving the room and closing the door behind him.
I can’t help the tears pooling in my eyes as I think about all she endured. As I picture him hurting her. I shake my head and slide off the bed, setting her down. I can’t get attached. I can’t allow myself to care for her.
Whimpering pulls me out of my sleep, and I crack my eyes. Her thin body is wrapped in a sheet, sweat beading on her forehead. Her hands are clenched into fists, her brows furrowed.
“No.” She whispers and then her eyes fly open. “Tobias?” She whispers again before she sits up. A grimace crosses her face, and her hands find her stomach. She looks down and around the room before her eyes land on me.
“How are you feeling?” I ask as I stretch, leaning forward with my forearms on my knees.It’s been two days of her being asleep. Two days of mecounting her breaths for the fear she’ll stop.
“Who are you?” Her voice is sharp, clear, as she stares at me. Her eyes are wide, assessing, as if she’s deciding whether to fight or run.
“My name is Nithe.” Her mouth parts and I can see her eyes wash over me, confused.
“Where is Tobias?” I sigh.
“Back in Noterra.” I respond calmly.
“He’s going to kill you. He’s going to kill you for touching me.” She’s shaking her head, a laugh bubbling in her mouth.
“I didn’t touch you, little witch.” I sigh and she just laughs again.
