From chains to crown

, my soul bruised. I simply followed Valentina as she dragged me

g - anything - but she didn't. Not

in the first time. The moment the iron door screeched open,

me inside

whole dungeon to hear. "You're a slave, not my equal." Then she slammed the do

I br

ll. My body ached, my skin still raw from the last attack - but

ly. "Where is my father? Where is my mother? I want to go

off the stone, un

ant to go back! Let

o one

they

guard stepped in, clearly irrit

er peace," he muttered. "Keep quiet."

im, stunned. Dis

re what peace me

asn't f

lf to the door. "You people are wicked! Treating human

get out of here, I will sue all of yo

froze on

ente

sence made the air colder. Her eyes gleamed

ommanded, her voi

One grabbed my wrists and pinned me down. The other yanked

squirming helplessly. "I was only callin

ncess was a

maybe it was over. Maybe

he ret

the other. "Animals should be tamed," she said coldly. "And if

er over me. My breath caught as the chill soak

he first st

cre

nded harder. Then

y thighs, my arms. I twisted, screa

lling me!" My voice was almost un

ame. Not eve

pping. The cane hissed through the air like a ser

she dropped the cane beside me. I lay

time you raise your voice without per

th regal indifference. The guards dropp

dn't cry out lo

ivering heap, tears slipping sil

his kingdom, your voice meant

? Beauty w

yed blind. I regr

blind, the world ma

east I live

coul

t was