Page 34 of Of Wolves and Wives

But the moment that my eyes land on Peirce, I can’t. I’m unable to force myself to harm him. It doesn’t matter that countless eyes watch as I tremble. I know I’m showing my weakness to the court and its cruel prince, but I have no choice. My arm refuses to raise even as my fingers tighten around the whip.

“Get it over with. I grow bored with this,” the Grey Prince says.

I glance at him, meeting his eyes. There’s a challenge in them that has my blood running cold. Still, I’m unable to raise the whip.

“Unless you are refusing to do as ordered.”

Anger glimmers in the prince’s gaze as he watches me. Slowly, he cocks his head to the side. His smile grows wider as he realizes that I’m unable to. I’m not sure if it’s the bond between Peirce and myself that stops me or something else. Gritting my teeth, I tear my eyes away from the prince and stare at Peirce’s bared back.

“For each minute you waste, human, another ten lashes will be added to his punishment.”

The words do nothing to motivate me. I know that I need to do something before the prince grows bored of this. Yet, I’m frozen. Unable to stop the racing of my heart or force my hand to deliver the punishment that the prince has declared Peirce in need of.

“No,” I finally say, surprising myself.

I meet the prince’s eyes. Anger flashes in them as he takes a step toward me. It takes every little bit of self-control to not retreat from his advance. I will not allow him to intimidate me. Not now.

“What was that?”

With my head held high, I repeat, “No.”

The prince glares at me for a long moment. Then, he tosses his head back. A humorless laugh fills the throne room. I sense those closest to us shifting even further away. It’s then that I realize I’ve made things worse for Peirce and myself.

“Fine, then I shall do it myself.”

Stepping from the dais, the prince begins to roll up his sleeves. I realize that if I allow the prince to deliver Peirce’s lashes, he will gravelly wound him. Perhaps even kill him. He wouldn’t hold back, and nothing would stop him from doing as he pleases.

“I’ll do it,” I say in a rush.

The Grey Prince’s steps slow as he pauses in rolling his sleeves. He gives me a long look before gesturing that I get on with it then. Swallowing down the vomit that’s risen to my throat, I glance down at Peirce. He’s remained motionless and silent throughout this exchange. I’m desperate for some sign from him that we will survive this.

Closing my eyes, I raise the whip above my head. It cracks the air as I bring it down. The sound of it meeting his back nearly has me losing my breakfast. It’s a sickening slap of leather on flesh. Still, I know there was no real power behind my strike. I can’t imagine how horrid it would be if someone else were in my place.

“Again,” the Grey Prince orders.

I open my eyes, taking in Peirce’s unmarked back. This is the worst kind of hell. Worse than starving on the streets and using my body as a way to survive. Then at least, I knew it was either my death or another miserable day. I’m not sure if this moment will ever end as I raise the whip again. The leather of the whip barely meets Peirce’s skin this time as I bring it back down.

“Harder.”

Again, I have no choice but to obey.

The Grey Prince takes a step closer as he orders, “Harder.”

I obey, wincing as the leather once again cracks against Peirce’s skin. This time, I have the unfortunate view of the muscles in his back rippling from the hit. His flinch is slight but enough to destroy me as guilt washes over me.

“Harder, girl.”

Again, I raise the whip and bring it down. Another ripple from the whip meeting his skin. The Grey Prince lets out an impatient sigh as he moves even closer to us.

“Harder. I want to see blood,” the prince growls. “Blood for blood. He must pay for what he did to Lyra.”

Every muscle in my clenches in protest at his orders. It goes against the fiber of my being to continue with this. Peirce doesn’t deserve a moment of this punishment. My eyes flick to Lyra, who is still upon the prince’s dais looking all too pleased with herself. Anger flashes through me as our eyes look.

The Grey Prince lets out a growl. That’s my only warning before he closes the distance between us. He pries the whip from my fingers before shoving me toward his guards. Stumbling, one of the guards catches me, pulling me to his chest and keeping me still.

“No,” I gasp as the prince raises the whip.

The crack it makes sends a deep chill through me before it meets Peirce’s back. He jerks in pain, not making a single sound. Without hesitation, the prince raises the whip again. A scream rips from my throat as I struggle against the guard, but I don’t move. My eyes meet Lyra’s again. Her eyes are wide in shock as she watches the prince beat Peirce again and again.

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