Page 96 of Rising Out of the Darkness
When I didn’t respond, he merely chuckled and exited the room with a crash of the door.
Before I could regain my breath, the door swung wide once more and the screech of the wooden chair against the stone floor stung my ears. Father slid the chair to where I kneeled, hands bound to iron rings on the floor. Iron to make sure I wouldn’t use my dynamis.
He squeezed my shoulder, making me hiss in pain. A smug look of satisfaction grew on his face. Rage continued to build within me as I spit out the blood pooling in my mouth.
Disgust replaced his smirk. He pulled out a handkerchief to wipe away the blood from his pristine black boots. “Is there anything you would like to share about your display in my city?”
Grinding my teeth together, I tried to remain calm. “No, not really.”
My father’s face turned red, earning me another strike across my already bruised cheek. It took everything inside of me to keep my face in a state of boredom.
“Behave,” my father growled, “and this all stops.”
Rage shattered my bored expression. “Dammit, Father! I told you about those beasts! They were killing the people inside of our town, outside in the forests…children died! Children! Do you not care about the people in your city any longer?”
“They are weak. I have no room for weakness in my city,” he scoffed.
“I don’t even know who you are anymore.” My voice was ragged.
“I’m your king, and you’ll do well to remember thatson.” He tossed the handkerchief at me and rose from his chair.
“I know exactly who you are. The question is, do you? Or has Alastor washed every good part of you away to the point that all that’s left is his minion to do his dirty deeds?” I seethed, earning me another slap.
I took a steadying breath. “Once, you were brave, stoic…even compassionate. You helped those in need in your kingdom. You were a loving husband who brought fresh flowers to your wife every morning, and a father who rode horses with your sons every afternoon.”
The blood drained from his face. We didn’t talk about my mother or brother, ever.
“Can’t you see, Father?” My throat became thick with emotion as my father’s eyes glossed over. “Don’t you see what you’re doing is destroying this realm? It destroyedthem…and every day it’s tearing me apart.”
We glared at each other in silence. I prayed to all five gods that this would be the day I finally broke through to him.
“This is the only way,” he breathed.
“It’s not.”
Rage filled his eyes once more, burning away any sign of remorse. “Will Elena be ready for her display at the end of the month?”
“She will.”
“Good. Maybe you’ll be able to redeem yourself. I’m tired of the embarrassment you bring to our family.”
My teeth dug into my lips, filling my mouth again with the taste of copper.
“You leave today. I’ve spoken with Edan. He’ll be expecting you. Examine that boy’s powers and send me a post of his progress.”
“Fine.”
He gripped my chin, forcing me to make eye contact. “His daughter, Adara, you remember her, right? She’s overseen the boy’s training. She’ll report to you directly.”
Nausea rippled within me at the thought of having to spend even a moment around her.
“Please do try to not make a fool of yourself in front of your potential wife.”
I pulled my body as close to my father as the iron would allow me. “As I’ve told you several times before, I will not marry her,” I growled.
“The king decides what is best for this kingdom, not the prince. You will do whatever I say you will, boy.” He shoved my chin out of his hand and stood up so fast the chair fell with a crash behind him.
“Also,” he growled, “you will be the one to punish the guards who were on duty when the beasts entered the city. The two who were near the gate where the beasts slipped in will be sentenced to execution, by you.”
