Page 26 of Brutal Fae King
It's odd. A lot of people have broken down into tears in front of me—under a myriad of circumstances, too.
But I was expecting such a fight to get her back into the dungeons, at least as much kicking and screaming as she did before. The fact that she’s just folded has taken me off guard. I… actually feel a little wretched watching her break down and cry.
She was an opponent I was trying to defeat. A strong, sharp woman who stood defiant against me in a way so few would. I liked that. I wanted to overcome this obstacle she’d become to me. It had become a game, a tantalizing little tease, and I was greatly anticipating how I would finally make her bow down to me.
But now… she has. She’s bowed, doubled over, sobbing in grief. It’s not entertaining anymore. This isn’t how I wanted it to end.
I’m silent for a moment. She just sobs. Eventually, all I can think to say is:
“I know that too. The witch told me that I would need to keep you here for the sake of the realm’s survival,” I answer. “That’s why you are here.”
She’s still weeping, but she gives a distinct nod.
“I’m… I’m sorry, Ebelor,” I say eventually.
She looks up at me, eyes balking.
“What is it?” I ask.
She seems to calm down a little, standing straight up again. Those eyes gain a little of their flintiness back.
“Nothing,” she says, a little strength entering back into her voice again. “I just… I didn’t even know you knew my name. I thought I was just another girl you’d taken, and you’d never made a note of it.”
“You were the one I was always looking for,” I answer without thinking, then realize how that sounds.
She looks away from me, but I’m recognizing her returning to herself.
I’m surprised by just how much relief floods around my body to see my mental sparring partner back to top form.
She looks back at me, wiping her eyes.
“I’ll be going back to the dungeons now,” she says. “I know that’s where you’ll be putting me anyway. Have guards follow me or don’t; we both know I can’t leave.”
I can’t fight the smirk that creeps across my face when I hear her speak back to me like that. She sends excited chills up me when she talks back to me like that.
She begins walking off and ends up pulling against my grip, still on her arm.
“Fine,” I answer her. “But I shall take you back myself.”
She just huffs, but I keep my grip on her as we walk together. I’m glad she’s more like herself again; I’m glad to have our game back in place.
Next time she bows, it will be because ofmeand nothing else. Nothing else will break her ever again. I’ll break them first.
I want her to bow, but I want it to be because ofme.I want her toknowit’s because of me. I want her bowed in front of me.
Then she’ll be mine, and she’ll know it.
Chapter 9 - Ebelor
The moonlight drips in through the bars of the tiny window in my cell. It paints a large streak of bright white light through the cobbled stones of my dungeon. It’s soft and velvety, which doesn’t match the vortex of emotions in my heart right now.
My family is not my family…
I stare at the moonbeam on the floor, lighting up the hideous stone floor. For once, I don’t care that I’m back in the dungeon. My head’s too full to worry about small things like that right now.
I’m the Queen of Faevea… How am I supposed to be? I’ve never been into politics in any way! Am I supposed to be making large decisions for the entire country? I just want to go home to Maribelle!
But she’s not even my sister, is she? I’m adopted…
