XENDAYA. The sun is shining through the window as, yet another morning dawns. The weather seems to have improved in the last few days, and it doesn’t seem as hot anymore, but it is still very warm. ‘Is that really not a dream?’ Shayara moans as memories of last night swim in my mind. I’m unable to remove the images of last night from my head. She’s jealous, but I don’t understand why she would be. Agnarr can rot in hell. I don’t want him, nor do I want his hands on me. ‘But his hands seem to hold some magic.’ Shayara protests. I wish to stay in bed but I am unable to when my three ladies-in-waiting enter. I know they’re slaves but the more time I spend with them; I am unable to address them or see them as slaves. “Good morning my lady, the King has ordered for you to dine with him today,” Karza says as she opens the sheer curtains that hang around the bed. ‘Not bathe?’ Shayara says almost unhappily. ‘We were burned to the doors of hell the last time we bathed together.’ I remi

XENDAYA. A few hours have passed, and I have been locked in my room all this time. I’m frustrated and agitated and I hate feeling so helpless! ‘Calm down, he is only taking care of us,’ Shayara murmurs. She’s bored too. We were never the type to just stay home and be locked inside. That is something Morwenna would be ok with as long as she had a good book. ‘I don’t know about that. I’m not a useless treasure that needs protecting! Goddess, this man!’ ‘He fixed our hair,’ Shayara reminds me. ‘Why do I feel you are on his side and not mine?’ I ask as I look down at my hair. ‘Of course not!’ she protests. ‘I am you, so I am on your side.’ ‘Mhmm.’ I shake my head, examining my hair. It’s beautiful, I can’t deny that, but it doesn’t mean I hate him any less. And the cheek to ask me if I wanted to hump after! What the fuck does he take me for? Hump! He can go hump a cushion like the dog he is! ‘We are closer to dogs than dragons.’ Shayara inputs extremely unhelpfully. ‘Did you ju

XENDAYA. My heart is pounding as I stare at him. Nefzaan… I’m seeing Agnarr in a different light, but there are still so many questions… He braces his hands on the table on either side of me, caging me between them as he watches me, his head tilted. I notice the blood that is trickling down his chest, but he is unbothered by it. “Then… how are you alive?” I ask quietly. Did Nefzaan somehow not realise he had a brother or what? But the way he told the story was as if he experienced everything himself… Especially the murder of his sisters and mother. Agnarr smirks as he glances up at the mighty chains, but it’s just a movement of his face. There is no humour in his expression and for the first time, his crystal gem-like eyes are clouded. Shadowed by the memories of a time long past… “That is where we come to now… I was unable to protect anyone, overpowered and defeated, but something protected me. I don’t know how, but when Nefzaan tried to kill me, he could not do so.” He says qu

XENDAYA. It’s the following day and last night I possibly slept better than any other day before. The sun is burning through the window; the heatwaves rippling in the air, but I’m getting used to it. I have just showered and decide to keep my hair down today as I apply my makeup, sticking to some eyeliner and lipstick. Going for a deep red today. I feel a little sexy today, so I run my fingers through my locks, smoothing them back. Shayara is on time out and I am not speaking to her for humiliating me in front of that arrogant man! Yes, she apologised, but it’s not so easy to simply say sorry after all that. I have given her control at times, but to push forward? No. I’m still angry. I’m absolutely annoyed! Yet… despite the mortification of her actions, the story he told me has left an impact on me. There is a personality behind the cruelty and rage. If only he wasn’t so despicable. I slip on the gold and grey blue crop top, part of the outfit I had selected today. It pairs with

XENDAYA. That was something I did not need to witness… I was partially worried that he’d do something to hurt her, but at the same time, I didn’t know why I even came to check. If I intervened, he would have just attacked me… I don’t even know why it affected me. She is also his wife. His first wife. I’m the second one here… ‘How dare he!’ Shayara growls. I don’t have the energy to argue with her, not when she was team Dragon Dick up until now. ‘You are in time out, remember?’ I say before I shut her off, just wanting some peace in my mind. The fortress suddenly feels too small, and I change course, heading towards the exit of the castle. There are guards stationed here and there, but no one stops me. I’m almost at the front door, the moans and screams of the queen following me. They make me sick. I’m not sure what he is trying to prove, but she sounds like she’s in equal pain and ecstasy. He has no shame… these people are barbaric! I exhale, refusing to get worked up over scu