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He rips the blade free, and Taranus moves his hand. The top of mine is wide open, and warm blood pours from the wound, dripping down to the ground.
“You may kiss your bride.”
My hand falls as Taranus snakes his own behind my head. I try to move, to pull away, to do anything that might break Lloren’s hold over me—but I’m helpless even as his mouth takes mine. Cold, wet lips move against mine.
Bile burns hot in my throat as he pulls away and faces the crowd. They clap. Some smile, but most look just as horrified as I feel.
He turns to Lloren. “Take my bride upstairs and see to it she’s prepared for the final step in forging our union.” Then, he leans in. “I’m going to enjoy breaking you, Ember. I’m almost joyful you are resistant. Owning you will be far more pleasant now. And once I do, we will be one, and I will be King.”
Vomit fills my mouth, but I’m unable to even spit it out as Lloren moves her hands, and I begin walking, a puppet on her twisted fucking string.
All the way upstairs to the very room she forced me to undress in, she walks me. The moment we’re inside and the door is locked, she releases my mouth.
“You fucking bitch,” I growl as the sobs break free.
“You will thank me when you rule.”
“What are you going to do? Sit in here and watch while he rapes me?”
“If that’s what it takes to produce an heir and form the union, yes.” She moves behind me and rips my dress down. It falls to the floor, leaving me in nothing but a cap-sleeved chemise. Then, she forces me to walk toward the bed where she shoves me face-down onto the mattress. The comforter scrapes my face as she grips the bottom of the chemise and lifts it, exposing me.
Tears burn my eyes, and I begin to sob uncontrollably.
This is it.
The moment my life is over.
I’ll jump out that fucking window as soon as she releases me. There’s no world where I will provide anything to this bastard.
The door opens, and I close my eyes, preparing for some smartass comment or his hands to touch my body.
“What are—” Lloren’s words are cut short a breath before something hits the ground with a thud.
I’m released, and every muscle in my body begins to quiver. I roll to the side and throw up both fists as I scoot back toward the corner with eyes so full of tears I can’t see a damned thing.
“Ember. I’m so sorry, Ember.”
That voice.I stop and sniffle. “Rafferty?” I blink rapidly, trying to clear my vision.
“Yes, it’s me.”
“Get her out of here. The king is coming,” a woman orders.
“May I lift you?”
I nod, and a strong arm loops around my back, another beneath my knees.
“Cover the poor dear,” Bea whispers, and something warm covers my body.
“You’re sure you won’t come?”
“I am sure. Who else will scream about how the horrible brute, Rafferty, killed Lloren and abducted the new queen?”
“Thank you,” he says. “Find Heelean; keep an eye on her. The ward may be broken now that Lloren is dead. If she can escape, help her.”
“You have my word. Now, go.”
We begin to move, and Rafferty cradles me to his chest. I cannot see since tears still make my vision little more than blurs of shapes.
