Page 15 of Bitter Queen (Advantage Play 4)

“You’re welcome,” I return before leaning forward to rest my elbows on my knees. “Can I ask you something?”

After another minute of studying me, she gives me a jerky nod.

“Did you think I poisoned your food?”

“No.”

“Then why didn’t you eat it?” I push.

“I thought you might’ve drugged it.”

My brows almost reach my hairline. “Drugged it?”

“Wouldn’t be the first time.”

“Did Sei drug you?” I demand.

With another jerky nod, she drops her gaze to her lap.

“Why would he drug you if you were already kidnapped? What’s the point?” I wonder aloud.

Her dry laugh is haunting as she answers, “To see my face when I woke up in my own blood the first time.”

Nauseated, I drop the subject, positive that if I hear another word, I’ll find a way to get Sei out of prison just so I can gut him the way he deserves. Keeping my expression indifferent, I announce, “The housekeeper dropped off a bag of clothes that should fit you. Get dressed in something comfortable and come downstairs.”

“Why?”

“Because we’re going to teach you how to defend yourself.”

She rolls her eyes, giving me a glimpse of the sassy woman she was before she was kidnapped.

“That won’t be necessary,” she deflects.

“Why not?”

“Because no matter how much you kick, scream, bite, and scratch, they always win. Always. Trust me. I’ve been there.”

My astonishment is palpable as I stare at the broken girl in front of me. The one that accepts her shitty past, practically embracing it to become her future. And it pisses me off.

“Were you always this weak?” I snap.

Her jaw drops. “Excuse me?”

“I want to know.”

“How dare you—”

“No. How dare you,” I spit, my frustration boiling over. “Fuck Sei. Fuck what he did to you. And fuck all those memories that haunt you at night. But the sick bastard doesn’t have to win. That’s still within your power. Even if he held you down and raped you right here on this floor, he couldn’t take your strength and your fight unless you gave it to him. Unless you let him win. That choice is still up to you.”

“Screw you, D. You don’t know what I’ve been through—”

“You’re right. I don’t. And even the little glimpses you’ve given me have gutted me, Q. But the second I try to give you back an ounce of the power he stole from you, you push it away. Like it wouldn’t have made a difference. Like you’ve already given in. Hell, you won’t even look in the mirror, you’re so ashamed.”

“Can you blame me? He used me. Tortured me. Chewed me up, then spit me out.” Her voice cracks as she clutches at the pillow tucked against her chest, desperate to end this conversation. But I refuse to let her off that easily.

“Don’t you hear yourself?” I growl. “He did those things. Sei. Not you. You have nothing to be ashamed of.”

“Bullshit,” she starts, her face red with anger and shame.

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