From chains to crown

e chains - but the deeper pain, the betray

ight was the worst thing th

s wr

saw was a nightmare stitched toget

t, I must've

of boots outside the cell door

d in, this time without the mocking smi

said, unlock

she clipped a cold iron lead from my wrist

sparing me a glance, "Do n

eep your e

d-step, gaze

" A hollow smile. "You won't make it far.

wept moisture; torches crackled; voices echoe

it by thin shafts of sunlight and oil lam

I fr

od-streaked tiles. Some no older than ten. Others a

s. Li

g a rag at my feet. "Scrub the bathhouse floo

ried blood, rot. I dipped the rag in a grimy bucket and scrubbed

, laughing. One stopped,

he drawled.

shrinking

han words. Beside me, a pale girl murmured, barely mo

my jaw, bli

s my li

hen a sound plunged t

gr

ep. Com

Girls dropped like stones.

omeone whispere

t mean

I

crimson thread, dragging a woman behind him like sh

the dagger from his belt, and - wi

the floor a

m, every bone in my

aze just in time, heart hammering

at happens to any slave who d

. The guards dragged th

ath before - now I'd watched a life snuffed out in seconds. I wanted t

yanked my

ave way. Darkness

--------------------------

vinegar. A basin in the corner dripped rust - stained water.

ned to me?"

ou

dn't f

s voice sliced

you ask he

ld tell by her posture, her glittering blue -

ou're getting too close to this one. I see

" Valentina said,

I hadn't realized I'd whisp

my throat and slammi

tier than me," she hissed. "Do yo

iting into my skin. "

into this kingdom." Her breath reeked of wine. "Bu

arting to Valentina - but she

e floor. My skull cracked ag

lave," she said, smoothing he

ce was taut. "Y

cheeks. I didn't

n what

e. "No slave will ever outshine me. Never."

auled me up

't beg. Don't cry

mouth - th

spoke f

t just afraid o