Page 7 of The Chains You Defy

A high-pitched noise ringing in my ear followed the pain in my cheek as Perran Feroy slapped me hard for my provoking comment. For a desk worker, he wielded unexpected strength, and the coppery taste of iron in my mouth intensified.

“Be very cautious, Miss Ortha. You’re in no position to display that kind of attitude. It’s evident you haven’t realized yet how dire the situation is you’re in.”

“Don’t worry, I’m aware of my predicament. But I choose to ignore my plight.”

This was the road I’d picked for myself once I’d woken up as a prisoner of the King of Merchants. Quickly, I’d understood that I had two possible ways to approach my imprisonment. Cave and spill everything to my captors, or accept the opposite, more painful route. The choice hadn’t been hard.

I’d never betray the men—no, males.

Yes, my friends had lied to me for months, but that didn’t mean I’d give away their secrets in return. Also, petty as I felt, I didn’t want Feroy to learn about a second world, about magic, and that not everything roaming Ivreia was human, even if everyone was under the impression and belief that this was the case.

Even more so since my own stupidity had gotten me into trouble in the first place and was the reason that my desperate attempt to escape the one I refused to acknowledge had ended with my captivity. I wouldn’t fail the males and betray their trust, no matter how much I had to endure in return.

Being a snitch wasn’t me, and this was the hill I’d die on. Literally.

“Miss Ortha, who are the men you traveled with, and where are they now?”

“None of your business, but if you have to know—”

“Yes?”

“They’re my friends. Of course, that concept must be alien to you, so I will stick with my earlier reply and state again that their identities arenone of your business.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. The company you kept prevented you from receiving your rightful punishment. So, again, who are the people who cut you from the gallows, and how did they do it?”

“Well, you mean Lord Cantor and his men. With a knife, I guess, but I can’t say for certain. You must excuse me. Back then, I was slightly indisposed with almost dying.”

“Stop the sass and answer my questions. Or you’ll truly regret it.”

“Like I told you before, and your henchmen even more often, I won’t reply to that. I’m a lot of things, but never a tattler. But you can’t understand that because to know loyalty among friends, you would need to have one in the first place.”

I glowered at Perran Feroy, who stared angrily back at me. As an Ivreian man of power, he wasn’t accustomedto a woman showing him defiance, and this was written all over his face.

He was used to intimidating people and forcing them into submission, but with me, he was rather unsuccessful because I’d collected plenty of experience around a way scarier predator. And even with that one, I hadn’t accepted any antics.

Clamping down on that train of thought almost immediately, a ball of anger formed in my insides, directed at myself as much as at Feroy. Pondering abouthimwouldn’t do me any good, and so I didn’t allow my head to go even near there. Before I remembered the royal idiot, I’d rather lose the battle against my piece of chalk.

“You and I both are aware that it’s only a question of time until you’ll cave and sing like a songbird. The only difference is how much more pain you’ll have to suffer between now and then. My men haven’t even started trying to break you in earnest, and you’re already a pitiful mess.”

“We also both know that you want to see me dead, no matter if I satisfy your curiosity or not.”

“Yes, but you can pick how painful your end will be.”

“What, you don’t even attempt to barter with me for my life so you’ll get your information?”

“No. There’s no future where I’ll allow you to survive. You killed my only son, my heir. Mercy isn’t a concept for the likes of you.”

“Jelric was a rapist and deserved everything he got.”

“Again, he had every right to use you as he deemed fit.”

“And if you had another son, and he was such a despicable person, I’d gladly wield a blade again. So screw you.”

Perran sighed, and I glowered at him. If he believed I’d cave so I could earn a nicer death, he was delusional.

“Fine, Miss Ortha. Let’s see how you’ll react when we stop catering to your most basic needs. To be honest, I always wanted to find out how long someone can survive without food or water.”

I narrowed my eyes at the merchant and glared at him in defiance, although most of my bravery was an act. If I were sincere, I’d admit that I was terrified, but was I allowing Perran Feroy to realize how weak I truly was? No, not a chance. “Well then, at least one of your questions might be answered.”