n's

g since he gave me this room. Not a glance

ordered me to. The routine grounded me. Chopping vegetables. Scrubbing pan

erywhere. They thought I co

's still

witchcraft is keep

aying with her. He

idn't even bother to

day, allowing me to work but never treating me as anything ot

hers stepped away, shared her portion of bread, and once, even brush

l of them," she'd whispered.

lded bundle on my cot. Clothes. Simple but new. Soft. C

ing from the laundry yard when

and wearing a gown that looked like it belonged in a painting. Her hair was braid

head instincti

her," she

up slowly. "I

whisper about. The gir

venomous, every word wrapp

ed," she said, lips curving. "Th

made my stomach twist

ot. "Since you seem to enjoy pretending you're useful, you can carry these."

ma'am,"

le. My arms ached, but I kept quiet. She led me into one

ou tear anything " she paused, smir

fingers were trembling as I unfolded

sound followed as a corner of a

," I br

room wen

d slowly. "What

n accident," I whispered, rising to

dn't yell.

ible, deli

alled. Two maids a

d her,"

at?" I

sitated, glancin

aid coolly. "She wants to play servan

ing away. But hands grabbed

s hit the marble. I cried out, struggling, but

g a whip from the wall one clear

little rats who sneak into ca

her hand and

er cracked ag

own a scream as pain e

the whip again,

before i

"Eno

t rang out turned

eryone

hip halte

clattered t

King storming into the room, fury

ll is going on h

disresp

re touch wh

ed. "I-I didn

ld finish, he shov

coldly, "you are hereby placed un

m the walls themselves. She sputtered

You c

me," he

n his eyes

ed, my cheek bruised

ed faster

om my wrists. Then he lifted me into

but his voice was tight.

to. His scent surrounded me warm, wild, safe. A co

to you?" he asked,

speak. I just

round, daring a

o one

arried me out, his arms cradling me as if

time... I didn't fee

felt