Luna's Cruel Fate

a's

rely illuminated by a flickering candle that cast shadows over the worn, chipped walls. My hands shook-exhaustio

et in the house. I stiffened, my heart racing. I knew tha

irt that scattered on my thin, threadbare dress. I took a deep breat

ng the corners of her full lips. She was perfect, as she always was, her dark hair twisted in an elegant coiffure,

er tone like a cold, vicious spread. "You are pitiful, a blight

t when I reacted like any display of resistance was a reason to goad me

," I whispered, the w

ace slow as she circled the

e you. You think you're suffering now?"

have no idea what true suffering

and I never batted an eyelid to give her the

hrill and high-pitched. "I noticed you're late aga

ugh to feed myself, let alone the usurious taxes she insisted on taking. Every little coin I could gain running err

mmered, hating the tremor in my voice. "Just

are, still making excuses. You are nothing but a useless leech, sucking off my charity." She s

her hand, beckoning to someone behind me. Heavy footsteps sounded, and I spun ar

"She refuses to pay her dues. See sh

nic scratching at my chest. "Please, my lady," I pleaded, my v

Luna. You've had your chance. Now, perhaps a little time in t

ly fearful. "Please!" I cried, but my plea fell on deaf ears. They dragged me from t

llage was dark and quiet and empty, the few houses shuttered and silent. I could feel eyes watching fro

nds. I fell against the stones with the screaming pain of my bare feet. I tried t

hoarsely. "Please, I

mask of contempt. "Shut up, girl. W

and I went down onto my knees, a shock right through my skeleton. My eyes blurred over with unshed tears, looking up

oden holders. I felt the coarseness of the wood as they secured the stocks around my wrists

he square had turned silent and empty save for the scattered figures that passed by, looking in my direction with

had nothing and that I was hers to do with as she pleased, to punish as she so wished. It was she

ere on fire from the rough wood that dug into them. All hours melded together into some sort of torturous haze of discomfort

. They mumbled to each other and turned toward me, some with a glance of pity, others full of spite

t and speculation. They spoke of my failure, of my inability to pay the tax, of my place as Seraphine's scapegoat. In t

lly, Lady Sera

she looked down at me. The crowd parted for her, their eyes wide with that mix of

ud enough for everyone to hear. "Maybe now you understand what h

ack that wanted to spill. I wasn't going to give her the sa

g over her face. "This is only the beginning, dear. You have such a long way to go

a reminder to one and all," she announced. "Disobedience, failure, and disrespect will not be tol

nd of benefactor, not the monster I knew her to be. I longed to scream-to tell the truth for a

off to go their various ways, leaving me quite alone in th

uld find a way to break free. One day, I would make her

in this waking nightmare, holding onto the li