Chapter 17

Adelia's Point of View

The concubine was sitting poised at the end of what I could only call a throne room. Draped over the large stuffed chair like a queen dominating her surroundings.

Not like a painted traitorous whore.

Her cruel smile spread wide the deeper Siya and I walked into the room. Having left Nessa behind in the hall, I almost felt vulnerable under Phaedra's gaze. As if Nessa granted me an extra layer of protection that was now gone to the wind.

There were no guards to speak of. Only our footsteps echoed as we went.

Siya, to my delight, remained a healthy distance away from me. But had my hands shackled in front of me. To put on a show. When Nessa had suggested it, I balked at the thought.

My father had used handcuffs to teach me a lesson every time my hands were idle according to him.

I relented, seeing the logic in his thought even though I hated it.

"Welcome, welcome. Brother, I'm glad to see you are in one piece. Did those barbarians treat you well, at least?" Ph