“Don’t call me that.”
He let out another soft laugh, and when I looked back at him, his hazel eyes sparkled with amusement.
The rest of the shower went by quickly. He took the bar of soap in hand and ran it across the rest of my back, my stomach, and my legs and feet, avoiding all the areas I requested and not even so much as peeking at them. He then handed me the soap and let me wash said areas myself, and then the shower was over. I was handed a scratchy towel and given a brown t-shirt and a pair of pants made of cotton—an outfit they must give all prisoners.
“You have enough of these for everyone?” I questioned.
“We had an estimate for how many were in your village, so there should be enough.”
“You must’ve had this planned for a while,” I mumbled.
“Yes,” he said quietly.
Roland called for a soldier to take away my clothes. I knew I’d never see them again.
“Can I have my necklace? I blurted out. He turned to me. “Please?”
Once we were to be hanged, any remaining valuables we had would be seized. I hoped Roland would extend his kindness and allow me to stay with mine a little longer.
Thankfully, he listened and fished out Ryia’s necklace, hesitating before clasping it back around my neck.
Afterward, Roland led me back to my cell and stopped when we were both inside. “Get dressed, and then you are asked to speak with the Prince.”
“Thank you,” I said softly. He stiffened at my words and then turned, exited the room, and leaned against the wall beside the cell room door, awaiting me to complete my task while giving me some privacy. He'd seen everything already, but while I didn't see the point in his gesture, I appreciated it.
I sighed as I scrunched my hair with the towel, drying it as best I could, and then slipped on the pants. Once I was ready to put on to the top, I frowned.
How am I to get the shirt on?
“Roland?” I asked meekly.
I just stood there topless with those hideous pants on as Roland sauntered back in.
“How am I—”
He walked up to me and placed a thumbprint on the metal link, and the bar split and retracted, the restraints now staying on my wrists like bracelets. The red gems on both wrists still glowed.
“They can be separated and still work?” I asked with wide eyes.
“It’s just easier to handle you people that way. Don’t want any of you to start swinging.”
I clenched my fists and gave him a sneer. “You’re saying I could’ve showered myself?” I gritted out.
He smirked, and I swung my fist to his face. Sadly, he caught my punch with his hand and chuckled.
“Just when I thought you might not be as big of a dick as I thought,” I muttered.
“Sorry to disappoint,” he teased, his laugh showing his bright teeth. “Though my dick is big,” he purred with a wink.
“You’re sick,” I spat as I pulled my fist back and flung my shirt over my head.
He chuckled, and when my top was on, he reattached the cuffs. “Come on, the Prince awaits.”
At that, my stomach dropped, and fear washed over me.
Time to face him.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
