Sia tried hard not to stare at the bruises on Crinka’s neck as she slept. He had done that to her. She had begged him not to do it, but he did it anyway. The council was watching, so he had to make sure that she was punished. He risked one look at her again, taking in her slightly parted lips, the steady rise and fall of her chest, the small blush on her cheeks from the midnight cold. Her shirt had slightly risen, revealing the fading scars from Ruarc’s violent grip. Sia gritted his teeth.“Awwn, is someone mad? That I left a mark on her body and he didn’t?”, Ruarc asked sweetly, his anger forgotten when he saw the one on Sia’s face. He breathed in, hating the scent of his brother’s room. The scents of two scents becoming one.Sia glared at his brother, before reaching for the chamomile tea he had prepared fr himself. He liked the tea because it helped him relax, and if Ruarc wanted to leave here alive, he needed to drink it fast. Carefully, he put the cup to his lips, held his brothe

“Have you spoken with the other concubines wolf? Have you dined with them? More importantly have you learnt from them?”.I frown, munching quickly on the piece of pancake Sia had shoved into my mouth. Learn from them? What exactly does she want me to learn from them? Sex positions that will enable one to conceive sooner?Swallowing, I bow low to the queen. “No my queen. I haven’t had the opportunity to meet with them”.There’s a snort, and it’s coming from one of Ruarc’s wives.“You haven’t had the opportunity? You mean to tell me wolf that you don’t know the other concubines?”.I slowly nod.“Unbelievable. How then do you want to join the threshold of concubines if you simply have not met them wolf?”.“I would make sure I meet with them today my queen”, I speak quickly. Sia’s knuckles skim my thigh, and I shift nervously on his lap. He growls lowly. Goddess the sound!“There’s no time for that I’m afraid”, Ruarc says, skillfully peeling an orange.“And why not?”, Massa asks, popping

“Mila, bring out my suitcase and pack my things. Be fast about it”.The confused maid looks at me. “Are you travelling with the prince my lady?”.I glare at her. “Of course not! Don’t worry. I would pack it myself. Just get me a suitcase.”The maid scrambles to her feet. I lean against the wall, catching my breath. Tattoos? Moving eyes? Needles? Fuck every other thing but needles? Oh no. I have to leave before Sia learns of my plan to escape.The door jerks open and my plans to escape are destroyed as Sia steps into the room, face etched in fury. He knows. Goddess, he knows.Mila curtsies once she sees him. “Good afternoon my prince”.It’s just 11:59!His eyes flicker to Mila. “Leave us Mila. And tell my father that we won’t be joining him for lunch”.She curtsies again. “Should I bring lunch my prince?”.“No. Don’t bother yourself.”She curtsies again, leaving me to my doom. Sia shuts the door, before turning to me. He unclasps his wristwatch, dropping it on the bed. Still holding my

Meet me in the cellar now Thane. Sia frowned at the little note on the desk. He was just in the middle of his haircut when the note came in. He didn’t know what Thane wants. Lifting his gaze from the tiny piece of paper, he checked the time. 6pm. Dinner would have been served by now, but after receiving Thane’s message, he isn’t so sure he would come down for dinner. He didn’t even have lunch, and Crinka was to blame for that. Sighing, Sia took note of all the hair strands on the ground, his chest tightening. It would grow back, he said to himself. “Pharix, it’s enough”. The woman paused. “But my prince, I am not done with the curls.” “Leave them like that”. “But your highness…” He rose gradually and Pharix was forced to step back. Sia looked at himself in the mirror. He didn’t like having so much hair in his face, but it was the least he could do to please Pharix. Let her touch his hair. She seemed to like it anyway, but Crinka loved it better. Maybe more than she loved R

Sia woke up a moment after Thane exited the cellar. He sat up groggily, stretching out his limbs. Suddenly everything came back to him. The dress. The gun. The ink and Crinka. Most importantly Crinka. He shot up to his feet, ignoring the weird look Izal was giving him. What was he doing here anyway?“Where’s she?”, he asked in a raspy voice.“You should take care of yourself first. Here have some water. It will help with the sore throat”.“How did you…? You know what? Never mind. Where’s she?”.“Behind you”.Sia quickly turned and was livid to find Crinka locked in a cage with silver bars. She was awake, her eyes filled with sadness. Sia felt his chest tighten. He averted his gaze, turning to Izal.“Who the fuck put her in there?”.“It was only necessary. She’s a wild brat”.“Let her out”.“No”.“I don’t want to fuck you up Izal, let her out”.“I’m sorry but I can’t. She’s unstable at the moment and a threat”.Sia suppressed the urge to laugh. His little spitfire, a threat?”.“Whose i