Page 23 of A Reign of Roses
But when I stood from the water, cool air veiled in steam kissing across my neck and breasts and thighs…I wondered if I was not evenmorehelpless than I had been before. Equipped with shreds of my power and unable to use any of it. It was barely a spark. I’d be overpowered immediately.
With as much courage as I could muster, I walked to Octavia. She was only a few inches taller than me, and I lifted my chin as she appraised my dripping body.
“You can’t imagine,” she hissed, “how long I’ve waited for this.”
And I understood why now. She saw me as ungrateful for the only thing she craved: the throne at Lazarus’s side. I wished I could tell her she could have it. I’d never wanted anything less.
With a soft whisper of words I didn’t know and a whirl of earthly wind around the marble and suds, a bed of crackling coals presented themselves at my feet.
Each hiss that sounded when a bubbling pool nearby spit a drop of water atop them reminded me of the sound I’d hear—the sounds I’dmake—when I was forced to kneel, still utterly naked. My skin, melting—
“Or,” Lazarus said from the opaque turquoise pool, undulating as he waded through it, “you could attend the Solstice.”
Hatred etched itself into my heart, my neck prickling as sweat gathered along my brow and underneath my arms. My body knew the agony. It knew, even as I chose now to let this happen, how desperately I’d fight the minute the glowing red coals touched my flesh.
How completely exposed and humiliated I’d be. Already was.
But if he wanted to announce me as his queen to the court—if he needed to show his power, hisbounty—then I couldn’t let him. Not under any circumstances.
So I said nothing.
“Goody.” Octavia grinned.
Bravery failing me, I flinched as she moved for my head. Her snake smile grew as she grasped my hair, my scalp already screaming.
“Wait, wait,” Lazarus drawled casually. Bored. “This won’t do.”
Oh, Stones, what now—
“Octavia, start with her hobbled guard, will you?”
“What?” My thin voice gave my horror away.
The kingsguards across the baths shifted. Maddox’s eyes flashed with delight.
“Your Majesty,” Wyn stammered. “Why?”
“You didn’t think you’d go unpunished, did you? For what you revealed?”
Wyn opened his mouth, but to say what, I’d never know. Octavia’s ruthless magic snatched him where he stood at the base of those sprawling alabaster stairs and yanked him toward the coals.
“Stop,” I cried, clawing at Octavia. Lighte rippled beneath my skin, but my body froze. With some kind of enchantment, the sorceress brought Wyn down to his knees and held his face near the coals. Ready,eagerto plunge him against the blanket of sizzling rock below.
Wyn was shaking. Stoic, but shaking nonetheless. He gritted his teeth as Octavia lowered his face.
The pleas ripped from me. “Stop,please—”
This couldn’t happen, not to him. I couldn’t stomach the awfulness. My imploring eyes shot to Lazarus and once again found his glare laced with more intrigue than anything else.
That…that was why he was doing this.
BecauseI couldn’t stand the awfulness.
Why Lazarus was punishing Wyn. Not for his indiscretion. But because he knew I’d never let someone else suffer for my choices. He was using my morality against me. Waiting for me to fold—
And as Octavia pressed Wyn’s clear, golden skin into the sizzling coals…I did.
“Fine, fine, I’ll go!”
