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“Yes, patron.” Both men bowed, snapped to attention, then waited until I moved away from my shadows to march in front of them.
March.
Ha!
It didn’t matter if I thought of that word in Turkish or English, it was still a mockery to the way I moved.
Hobbled was more apt.
Staggered could also work.
I would never march again.
“Iyi geceler, Aslan.”
I looked back at my father. “Goodnight to you too, baba.”
A few generals stood from their seats at the table as I moved past. Some tipped their wine goblets in my direction. Not one of them mentioned the way I moved or whispered behind my back.
Not until I was out of ear range at least.
The moment I was out of the dining room and standing in the echoey foyer with its metallic-mosaic tiles, crystal-dripping chandelier, and dark-oak doors leading off to other rooms, I paused and turned to my two guards.
I knew they would lay down their lives to protect mine if we were attacked.
But they wouldn’t hesitate to take mine if I tried to escape.
I knew first hand.
I still wore that scar.
I won’t make that mistake again.
“Which way?” I asked in Turkish. Faint remnants of English crashed inside my brain. I’d been fluent once, but now I struggled to remember certain words. I struggled to remember a lot about that place, those people, that time...
“Follow.” The shorter of the guards strode ahead, leading me down the long intricately tiled corridor to the sweeping staircase in the heart of the mansion. Forest green, navy blue, and vibrant gold all swirled together, flowing down the marble steps with carpet thick enough to sleep on.
The two guards began their ascension. Their holstered pistols appeared at their lower backs as their blazers swung.
I slammed to a stop. My hand fisted the polished banister; my other sweated around my cane.
Kahretsin.
“Efendim?” The guards paused and looked back at me. “Did you forget something?”
I clenched my jaw.
I shook my head.
I climbed the first step.
It hurt.
Fuck, it hurt.
It pinched and stabbed, bruised and ached. No matter how much weight I put on my cane, I couldn’t get away from the pain. No matter how much I tried to walk like a lord, I almost crawled up those stairs like a fucking beggar.
Tears shot to my eyes as I locked down my agony and stepped to the next and the next.
