Chapter NineThe lower servants' quarters were cold, damp, and reeked of wet stone and coal dust. The guards threw me onto a thin straw mat in the corner, clamping heavy iron cuffs around my ankles before locking the thick wooden door behind them.I lay on the hard floor, clutching my throbbing, bandaged hand against my chest. Hot, silent tears finally spilled over my eyelashes, burning against the bruises on my cheeks. I squeezed my eyes shut, completely overwhelmed by the crushing weight of my life. A week ago, I was a prince in Averon. Now, I was chained in a dungeon, sold like livestock, and threatened with the destruction of everything I ever knew. My body was broken, my stomach was raw with hunger, and I was entirely alone.Exhaustion slowly pulled me under. My heavy eyelids began to drop, and sleep was just about to take over the blackness in my mind…Clang.The sound of metal tapping softly against stone startled me awake. The heavy door creaked open, but instead of a harsh k
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