Page 51 of Detonation
“He isn’t doing well, Doc.”
He glances up, unshed tears in his eyes. “I know. I don’t know how much longer his body will allow this. He has been in this state since the end of the war, the same time that I was forced into servitude. I have cared for him this entire time.”
Fire burns within my stomach at the rage I feel, eclipsing the pain from my injuries.
The doctor’s voice breaks, “He’s … he’s my only friend here. I don’t want to see him die.”
I force myself to sit up, holding my hands behind me on the table for leverage to stay up. “Listen to me, doc. We need to come up with a plan to help him. He must be powerful. They’ve kept him this whole time, subdued, instead of letting him die and picking a new person.”
The doc nods along as I continue. “Can you schedule for our treatments to be at the same time? I need whatever is in my body to fade out of my system but I can use my powers to try to help people escape if we plan this properly.”
He shakes his head as if defeated already. “Many have tried; all have failed.”
I scoff. “Were any of them gifted with powers from the goddess, Gaia?” His mouth flaps open and closed, stunned by my question, causing me to chuckle a little. “My name is Oslana. I was blessed with another chance to come back to free you all and heal our realm.”
He splutters, dropping to his knees. “Your Highness! I had no idea. Please forgive me.”
Full belly laughter shakes my body. “Please. No formalities. That’s weird for me.” Confusion crosses his face and I wave him away. “That’s a story for another time. Let’s make a plan.”
A brightness sparks in his eyes at my words and a small smile tugs his lips up.
I wonder how long it's been since this man has smiled.
* * *
After settling on a tentative plan, the doctor allows me to sleep in peace, leaving me alone in this makeshift cell. That doesn’t last long and I wake to the sound of the metal door slamming open, revealing Anshar.
A growl erupts from my throat as I prepare myself to fight him and jump to my feet. I immediately regret that move and wince but manage to stay upright, waiting for him to make his move.
He’s wearing a black tunic, his hair dripping with water, as a single drop runs down his forehead. His emerald eyes pierce my soul, making me ache for my Ash back.
I want to stare into those eyes in adoration again, not in fear.
“I’m moving you back to your room, where you will stay until I am back from my mission,” he states.
He prowls towards me and I put my hands up in defense. He slaps them away and swoops to pick me up, cradling me in his arms.
I shriek, struggling in his arms. “Don’t touch me!”
His grip only tightens. “Stop talking. You’re in no state to walk back to your chambers.”
No thanks to you, dickwad!“Did you get hit in the head with a bat and forget thatyou’rethe one who did this to me?” I ask in astonishment.
He grunts. “You needed to learn a lesson.”
Laughter bubbles out of me at his excuse. “I have news for you, asshole. You can try to teach me as manylessonsas you want but I will still be the woman who rejects you and fights for her family and kingdom.”
A deep growl vibrates in his chest against me. “He is gone, Oslana. I am your only option.”
He is not gone.
Before I can bite my tongue, the words are out: “I would rather die.”
My world tilts as he drops me from his arms, catches me by the throat, and has me pinned to the wall in a second. I gasp, struggling to breathe as his face creeps closer, his nose touching my own, his breath fanning my face. “We can make that happen, beloved. Have you forgotten that I’ve done it once before?”
I search for my power, a small tendril running through me. My instinct is to lash out with what I have but I restrain myself. I need to play weak. He’ll dose me again if he thinks my power is returning.Think of the bigger plan.
I attempt to claw him off me, tugging on his hand holding my neck, but there’s no give. Black dots litter my vision. “Don’t forget, Oslana: if I can’t have you, I will settle for having your power as my own. I don’t need the vessel. I just want it.” He proves that by grinding his erect dick into me, making bile churn in my stomach.
