‘Aeryn?’ Elias whispers, surprised when I stumble back to his chambers, ‘what happened?’
I take a seat closest to the fire, my legs shaky and body surprisingly heavy. I was sore all over, but I held myself up, willed myself to get up off that dungeon floor without uttering another name three times. I hadn’t cried… or maybe I had, I wasn’t sure but I done it. I had got up off the floor and got myself back to safety. My mind replayed the events over and over, my words against his, the scent and feel and look of Rhydien being replaced with the sensation of hate and disgust of the King. I think on how I’d blindly obeyed, been subservient to a man, a male once again. I had all this strength and skill and yet… couldn’t save myself. Elias could have saved me, maybe. I would never know now… my pr
