Page 38 of Happily Ever Bitten (Underworld Royals 2)

Warmth.

“He doesn’t want to see you,” Napia said, her tone cruel. “He’sss busy with more important thingsss. Your tantrum didn’t work. The only reason you’re still alive isss because Queen Valora demandsss it.” She tsked. “You are so very lucky to have friendsss in such high placesss. But soon I will be queen, and what then? I say we let you rot.”

My usual snark failed me, my spirit crushed from days—weeks?—of living in these conditions. “I didn’t kill him,” I muttered. “Or if I did, I don’t remember doing it.”

Napia laughed again. “A poor defense. Perhapsss you should choose a different statement?” She tilted her head to the side. “Maybe I can help you when I become queen.”

“In what way?”

She lifted a shoulder. “I have friendsss, too. Friendsss with keysss that unlock doorsss.” She stepped back into the darkness, allowing another to move forward.

I scrambled backward, unfamiliar with the male inserting a key into my door. The light didn’t reach the features of his face, creating a dark, ominous mask that sent my heart racing against my ribs.

“What are you doing?” I asked, my back against the wall now.

My limbs shook from the effort of moving into the wall behind me, adrenaline pumping through my veins with the growing need to fight.

If he touched me, I’d lose it.

I’d rather die than allow a male to violate me again.

“Grigory said to feed you,” Napia replied. “We brought food.”

Something landed on the ground, the scent of seaweed making me want to vomit.

“Enjoy,” she said, blowing out her candle. “Grigory expectsss me to report back to hisss room now. He doesn’t believe in waiting until our wedding night, and I wholeheartedly agree.”

The door clanked closed once more, her mysterious male returning to the shadows as their footsteps carried them away.

My stomach rolled from the stench of whatever food they’d tossed into my cage, and the very heavy sensation of betrayal.

She intended to go to Grigory’s rooms and fuck him while I rotted away in this cell.

And knowing Grigory, he’d allow it.

Everything he told me was clearly a lie. He’d sent his new pet serpent down here to deliver the news of his accelerated timetable. His wedding to her was more important than obtaining my side of the story.

He’d never believe what really happened.

I’d attacked Yakariah in front of all those guests.

Then I was found drenched in his blood.

What did I expect, a miracle? I nearly laughed. Those didn’t happen to me.

I moved forward to poke at what smelled like raw fish. Eating this would make me sick. Not eating it would leave me weak and dehydrated.

I shook my head. It was an impossible choice.

I can’t live like this.

I can’t stay here.

I need to get out of this prison.

I curled back up on the bed and allowed the darkness of exhaustion and sleep to claim me once more.

“Zaya...”

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