Page 100 of Consumed By Fire

The door opens, and several guards stream in. My hands are shackled behind my back. I have shackles on my ankles as well. The chain between them is relatively short, which means I will have to take small shuffling steps.

I sigh.

One of the guards advances on me with something in his hands.

“No,” I say when I see it.

“Open wide, Draiger,” the guard sneers.

“No.” I grit my teeth.

“Do it, or you will be sorry,” he grinds out.

I shake my head, still gritting my teeth. There is no way I’m letting them put that thing in my mouth. It’s a large rubber ball with straps. They want the rubber ball in my mouth so that they can tie it to my head using the leather straps. I won’t be able to speak. I suppose I should have expected this. Of course, the lying prick of a prince wants me gagged.

Someone kicks the back of my knee, and I go down. Another one fists my hair, yanking my head back. The same guy kicks me several times on my right kidney.

I groan, and the ball is shoved into my mouth.

“Asshole,” the guard mutters as he does up the buckles behind my head.

I give him what I hope is a death stare.

I’m sure I must look like some sort of S&M horror show. I hold my head up high anyway as I am yanked to my feet.

“Walk!” He elbows me in the same kidney.

I clench my jaw around the ball and do as they instruct. It won’t help to fight. It’ll give them an excuse to beat me bloody before my head is lopped from my shoulders. I won’t give them any ammunition.

I am led through various hallways. I don’t see anyone other than the odd guard dressed in their regular attire.

Then we head up a set of spiral stairs that lead out into a side alley that looks like it is used by the staff. I squint my eyes against the rising sun. There is a slight chill in the air.

I hear the sound of a big crowd somewhere close by. There is excited chatter.

We round a corner, and I find myself in a large courtyard that is surrounded by high stone walls adorned with intricate carvings of mythical creatures. In the center stands a grand fountain, the water cascading down in what should be a soothing rhythm. The gardens beyond the courtyard are filled with lush greenery, colorful blooming flowers, and neatly trimmed hedges.

It's beautiful. There are worse places to die.

My eyes are on all of the people. Aside from one or two naked individuals, they’re all dressed in red. All but one. My heart sinks.

No! No, please! Not this!

Trinity is crying, her head bowed. She is flanked by several guards. Her hands and feet have been shackled. She is wearing a black pair of pants and a T-shirt.

A lump forms in my throat when I see her. She shouldn’t have to see this.

Trinity screams my name when she sees me. The crowd goes wild.

“Welcome, everyone.” The prince lifts both his hands. His voice booms across us from speakers that have been placed at strategic points in the courtyard. I see a small microphone pinned to his lapel. He is wearing a red velvet suit. His hair looks whiter against the crimson fabric. “I am glad you could all make it out for the show,” he yells.

Show?

Trust this nasty piece of work to turn my death into a circus.

The prince is standing on a stage. There is a wooden executioner’s block to the right of him. My eyes are drawn to a sharp-looking ax leaning against the wall nearby. It glints in the morning sun.

“We are going to show the Draigers what happens when they trespass on our territory,” he shouts, his hands still in the air.

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