"I know I was wrong." Cassian's voice came out rough and hoarse.
"If you know you're wrong, then you'll take your punishment. Under the Vale Family's rules, that's 20 lashes."
The servants forced him face-down across the punishment bench, and the first lash came down with a vicious c***k. Agony exploded across his back, burning through his flesh.
Crack, crack...
The sharp snap of the whip echoed through the family memorial hall. Cold sweat soaked through his shirt, and raw, bleeding skin stuck to the damp fabric.
When the twentieth lash finally landed, his back was a mangled mess of torn flesh and blood. Every ounce of strength had drained from his body. The servants half-dragged, half-carried him back to his bedroom.
He could only lie facedown on the bed, utterly helpless. Even the
