“Is this all you have to say to me?” Rhylan sounded disappointed, like he’d come to find me expecting a fight or something more entertaining.
“Unless you want to talk more about how much I hate you and the things I would do to try to end your life if we weren't in a contract, then please, make yourself comfortable,” I snarled.
“You say that, but every time you see me, princess, your hate and distaste grow a little weaker. Remember, I can spot those things,” he replied with a small grin. “Although, there is something I want to talk about, something more important.”
“Surprise me,” I replied without raising my gaze from the screen.
“Cressida,” he replied plainly and settled in the chair, preparing his body for a long conversation.
Chapter Twelve
I didn’t know how much time passed since the second dose and I lived in terror of the pain starting again. I knew it had to be soon, my muscles jolted with the energy of whatever they had injected but surprisingly, my mind remained clear.
I remembered my family, my kingdom and childhood, that time Vikram wanted to catch a mermaid and populate the nearby lake or when Takara kicked Damaris out of their chambers and left him completely naked on the stairwell because he had said something stupid during their mating.
My head flooded with memories, of us, of Anwen, of her sweet giggles or her frown when she tried to teach me how to use technology and my blunt head didn't understand what needed to be done. I still existed as myself and gained sensation over my limbs, I could even wiggle my toes and smell the musty air around.
I did not know if I remained unattended yet again or if Serpium was taking a nap somewhere in the room but I did not plan to discover more. I must have spent hours just sitting and waiting, for whatever they planned to do to me next.
Marreth warned about the pain, about clinging to my memories and how hard it would be to hang on. Part of me remained petrified of any changes my body made, thinking it would start any second.
It did not.
Nor did it start with the third dose.
I had probably stayed tied up for a few days, soiled in my own dirt, with no drink or food. Only with constant injections. In my muscles, my heart, and more recently my temples. Those I hated most because they tensed my jaw in such a way I could barely swallow or drag air into my lungs and my teeth crackled worse than burning logs.
“The king wants to know the progress,” a voice sounded as soon as the hinges of the door squeaked to announce its entry.
It took Serpium a moment to react and wake up from the numbness of the past few days where the only words he had uttered were insults I did not respond to and pretended not to hear, playing my role of a dozy numb prince trapped in the veil of nothingness.
“He’s taking it all without protest, the poor bastard must have been too weak to fight back,” the commander replied with a pleased tone.
“The king wants it done tonight then, no more wasting time,” the voice replied, forcing Serpium’s hand, who sounded like he wanted to protest and didn't seem too eager to give up his daily routine.
“Why does he need it done so soon?” Serpium voiced, out of concern or unwillingness to give up his task, I could not tell.
“The general will come down soon and wants to see results, you know how he is,” the voice, probably Crypto, trembled at the thought. “Give him the big one in the back of the neck, king's orders.” With this, the door shook again and a hard slam announced the departure along with fulfilled orders.
A couple of sighs, a few protests, and lots of swearing accompanied the commander’s steps in the small dark room he had tortured so many before me. Jars clicked and drawers snapped shut, then opened again and through it all, Serpium maintained his foul attitude.
Suddenly, the binding over my eyes was removed, allowing me to see light for the first time in what seemed like forever. Until then, I had relied on the few senses I had left to guess the world around me, but now I proved deserving of vision.Something important must be happening. And it didn’t seem good.
Serpium’s eyes scanned mine, analysing my tired features and the movement of my eyelids, breathing heavily over my face. I remained quiet and adopted an innocent figure, faking entrapment in the mind.
“Who are you?” he asked through gritted teeth, ready for an attack.
I remained silent and blinked a couple of times, occupying my interest with the nearby candle and forcing my head in its direction, even though the straps stopped my weak movements.
“You’re done prince; this is the last memory you will ever possess as a free male. Any final words? If we’re quick about it, I can maybe still chop you up and call it an accident. What say you? Ready to give up?” His face nearly touched mine. Serpium bent over me so low, as though if he tried hard enough, he could blend with my own skin and become a part of me.
“I don’t think I’ve seen it before,” I replied, faking lack of emotion. “Is it new?” I asked, looking beyond interested in the flame. “So warm, like a ray of sunlight made into a ball.” I even smiled idiotically, like a youth chasing butterflies in some meadow.
The commander shook his head in disappointment. He must have expected another fight, maybe craved for it. After all, I was the project he couldn’t crack for so long, he had experimented many new techniques on me over the past months, each time snapping more pleasure out of my torture. But now I had become a limp body and a trapped mind, following him with no protest towards my impending doom.
A portrait of disappointment, Serpium started the painstaking job of unstrapping me from the table. Every single tie, every muscle, every inch of my body until I remained free, splayed out on the wide chair. It looked more like a settee, I realised once I could move my head freely.
Either way, it bared marks of blood, as many before me who had been through the same fate and ended up losing themselves. It would not happen to me. I could conquer this.
