Page 6

Annalise

T he jangle of chains fills my senses. They sound each time I move, accompanying the pounding throb against my skull. I groan in pain as I open my eyes, and when I try to move, I register the heavy weight around my arms and neck. My cheek stings from rubbing against the textured floor while I was unconscious, and as I sit up, I finally realize that my chains are bolted to the ground.

My eyes have yet to adjust to the darkness as a soft chuckle fills the air, pulling my attention. I blink rapidly as Elias comes into focus, sitting beyond the cell, his eyes filled with calm rage in the dim torchlight.

“What have you humans done?” he asks, studying me.

His eyes shift over me, narrowing as he stands to move closer to the bars.

“Can I even call you that? Human?” he asks.

I pull against my chains, my panicked whimpers filling the cell as I do. I don’t know how to respond at the moment, and I fear that whatever I say could possibly set him off more than his current state.

“Who am I speaking to at this moment? The Annalise who came across the ocean? Or the Annalise who miraculously survived that steep of a drop thanks to that curse on your ribs?” he growls.

I still don’t respond.

“Answer me!” he shouts, causing me to flinch. My fears double, making me tremble.

“I don’t know,” I whisper. “I don’t know what happened—”

“Don’t give me that bullshit! You can act innocent, but I know what you are. You’re no human. You’re a fucking weapon designed to pull us in and take us out without warning. You were bred to call to our inner beast and destroy. That is why I can’t resist you, even though I know you are nothing but trouble,” he growls.

I shake my head in confusion. I don’t know what he’s talking about or what he could possibly be trying to say.

Weapon? Inner beast?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” I scream.

Elias is silent, but his gaze narrows as he studies me. It takes me a moment to realize the heat from the marking still pulses softly against my ribs. I shift, struggling to stand, and I wobble slightly when I do, making my way as far as the chains will let me.

“You have no reason to keep me here! I have done nothing wrong. I have remained by your side even when you have doubted me! Release me,” I manage.

Elias laughs humorlessly, standing as well.

“Still as entitled as ever, I see,” he growls.

He reaches through the bars, snatching me roughly around my throat, just above the chains that hold me in place. I wrench myself from his grip, stepping back as he continues to study me. I’m sure he hasn’t realized it himself yet, but he’s already revealed much more to me in a few minutes than he has since I awoke in his palace.

One: He is not human. He is something called a beast. All of them must be.

Two: He knows exactly what this marking is, why it’s on my side, and fears it.

Three: I’m not from this land. I am from the land across the ocean.

He’s done something that he himself can’t anticipate, possibly starting a war. It is why he is so desperate to claim lands and use the people outside of these walls for labor. It is why he trains his army many times a day. And why he plans on taking over the coast as soon as he can. Something is coming—something he finds threatening. Something that could destroy him and his kingdom if he isn’t ready.

At this point, Elias should rid himself of me. If I am as much a threat to him as he claims, he should cast me out. But he can’t. Something about me won’t allow him to. He mentioned briefly my being “bred.” But that has triggered nothing in me, my memories remaining shuttered to everything except the white-haired man.

I tense, my legs trembling as they are suddenly no longer able to hold me up. I am beyond weak for some reason, and the only thing keeping me coherent right now is the constant pulse of the marking on my side. I finally collapse, lowering my head as my breathing turns strained.

“Whatever your reasons for keeping me alive, you will come to regret them,” I murmur as I collapse on my side. I keep my eyes trained on Elias as he kneels before me. And for once, I don’t fear the look in his eyes. Not since the memory of the man with white hair’s eyes assaulted me. Compared to his, Elias is not a threat.

“I will break you, Annalise, in this form or another. I will break you and any other human out there like you. You are a curse to be conquered,” he growls.

Instead of fear, I chuckle. My laugh is weak, but I manage to continue my laughter as I watch him walk away from my cell. I see now why he fears me. I am something he doesn’t understand, nor can he control. And my body has proven to me that no matter how much I try and avoid it, my past lives within me. It will make its way to the surface one way or another, and I can no longer pretend it doesn’t exist. Elias will kill me if I continue to run from it.

I have to find a way to escape before that day comes.

Cyrus

Producing an heir was always a duty to me. I knew it would have to happen someday. I knew it was my duty not only to my kingdom but to the bloodline that died with my mother. It was something expected of me, and so I never thought of the emotions having a child could elicit.

But as I listen to Ciel’s giggles for the first time in weeks, I feel a devastating squeeze in my chest. I feel pain I’ve never experienced before. And at times, I feel a different kind of joy. It’s a curious thing, having a child who has taken so much after me, from the locks that cover his head to the deep blue of his eyes, signifying his race. And yet, when he smiles, I see his mother’s face.

“Cyrus, it’s time.” Felix stands over me in the field as I watch my son chase after a butterfly. He’s fallen so many times, his stubby legs barely able to hold him up as he traipses over the uneven ground. I chuckle as he falls again, disappearing under the tall grass. It takes a moment for him to appear again as he struggles to stand.

“Ciel,” I call to him, pulling his attention. He looks between me and the butterfly before heading to where I now stand. He holds his hands up, silently requesting that I pick him up, and I oblige. He’s warm as he places his hands on either side of my face, holding my head to his. This is also the first time he’s done this in a while. Obviously, the change of scenery has been good for him.

We’ve been waiting for the ships to dock near Felix’s estate over the past week. According to the halfbreed, the gardens were Annalise’s favorite place to spend time with Ciel. He remembers it, too, his mood improving almost instantly when we arrived. I hate myself for abandoning him at this point in his life. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, but I know it will be a while before I see him again.

I remain silent as I make my way to the front of the estate, where my horse is waiting. As always, Felix’s staff stands at the front to see me off, including the halfbreed. I also note Calista is here today, her swollen belly serving as a reminder of what Annalise and I may have lost. It makes me even more reluctant to leave my son behind.

But I felt Annalise again. She used my seal. It was only for a short time, but it was too intense, and I had to cut off the connection myself, or she would have killed herself. She is desperate wherever she is. And I am almost sure she no longer carries our child. I have mourned the loss, but I know it is nothing compared to what she must feel. It is another thing I must atone for.

I suck in a deep breath, lowering Ciel to the ground. He looks up at me with wide eyes, confusion lacing his innocent expression.

“I’m going to bring your mother home,” I say softly. His eyes light up as he takes in what I am saying.

“I need you to be strong while I am gone. Can you do that, my son?” I ask softly. His smile widens, and he stumbles forward, placing his hands against my face to hold me steady.

“Dada,” he says.

I smile, bringing him in for one last embrace.

As I stand, a servant gently grasps his hand, allowing me to move to my horse. Felix watches me expectantly, hiding his irritation. The last thing he wants is to send me into enemy territory.

“Please reconsider, Your Majesty. At least take me with you,” he says.

I shake my head as the memory of the estate Elias destroyed appears in my mind. Those were my people, Joan included, forced to suffer for my mistakes. I will no longer allow my people to suffer because of me. I am the king. It is my duty to protect them. Not draw them into the crosshairs.

I look at Felix, climbing atop my horse.

“Take care of my son.”