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Bonus Chapter
Roger
Pain seared between his shoulder blades, his bare skin still broken from the last thrashing.
A cold and sharp female voice called out. “Again.”
Tightening his muscles, Roger braced for the next lash. The leather whished through the air and cracked loudly when it connected with its target. Biting down on his tongue, he suppressed the scream waiting to escape his lips, and then steadied himself once more.
Irritated, the woman stepped closer and repeated herself with force. “Again.”
Gripping the chains shackled to his wrists, Roger tensed in anticipation. The whip sliced open his flesh. Hot blood rolled down his back and dripped to the floor.
“Again.” The woman shouted.
Roger stifled a scream as the whip added another laceration to his back.
“Again.”
Roger’s legs collapsed beneath him.
“Again.”
Knees barely reaching the ground as he dangled from the chains attached to the ceiling.
“Again.”
A soft moan escaped him.
“Again.”
“Again.”
“Again.”
Throwing his head back, unable to contain himself, he screamed in agony. His entire back felt like one large open wound. Stepping into his view, the blonde woman revealed herself.
“I knew we would break you eventually.” A man said, out of his sight.
Smirking the woman leaned close to him, resting her hands on her thighs. The scent of something familiar overwhelmed him. It was earthy and powerful, whatever it was. Fighting to keep conscious, he spat at her. Expecting her to step back in disgust, she surprised him when she leaned close enough to feel her breath on his face.
Her voice was low and barely above a whisper. “If you think this is bad, you should know that it can get a whole lot worse.”
She licked at the air in front of his lips before standing. Reaching into the bodice of her corset, she pulled out a small vial from the crevice of her breasts.
“This will make you feel much better.” She said as she uncorked the vial and waited for him to open his mouth.
Clenching his lips shut, he shook his head.
“Tsk Tsk Tsk. Such a naughty boy. I supposed we will have to do it my way.” Grabbing a handful of his hair, she jerked his head backward so hard that he was sure she had torn his scalp.
His mouth opened instinctually as he gasped in pain. The pain in his back subsided almost instantly as she poured the oily liquid down his throat. After several minutes, he felt refreshed and almost normal. Gaining the ability to stand, he pulled on the chains and waited for the lashing to begin again. He lost count on how many days had passed, but each day was the same. She oversaw his torture and then healed him, repeatedly. It was a game to her, one that had no rules, and one that she was winning.
Staring into the woman’s cold silver eyes Roger spoke to her for the first time. “How long do you think you can keep this up Lorelei?”
She angered at the sound of her name and grabbed his chin firmly. “Who do you think you are to call me by name?”
“That’s enough Lorelei.” The man said again.
Releasing him, she stepped back and glared at the man with contempt.
The soft pad of leather boots approached him slowly. Taking his time, the man walked aimlessly around the room as he spoke.
“There will come a time, when you hate me for sparing your life.” He paused, as if he wanted Roger to comprehend what he was telling him, before continuing. “A time when your entire miserable existence will wish you had died here today.”
Roger shifted, trying to get a better look at the man speaking to him, with no success. He always stayed just outside Roger’s line of vision.
“Why don’t you face me, instead of cowering behind a woman?” Roger spat.
Taking his bait, the man stepped out of the shadows and sneered. “You have no idea of the things I’m capable.”
Roger had been certain of the man’s identity, until he revealed himself. He thought for sure that Axiom had been the one overseeing his beatings, but the man standing before him looked nothing like the king. His dark hair and olive skin glistened as if wet and there was a look of hunger in his eye. A hunger that he was not sure could ever be satisfied.
“Why don’t you tell me?” Roger asked, hoping to anger him. If he was angry, he might slip up and divulge something.
“Perhaps, next time you fall asleep I’ll show you.” The man hissed as he circled around Roger.
Roger furrowed his brows and tried to follow the man as he moved. “Who are you?”
He laughed. “I am the nightmare you cannot forget, yet don’t remember.”
“Speak plain!” Roger shouted.
“I tire of this. You are such a bore Adaro.” Lorelei feigned a yawn.
Adaro growled and snatched her arm. “How dare you?”
“How dare I what?” She challenged him.
“When Axiom hears of this-” He started.
She laughed. “When Axiom hears of what? You think he cares what you have to say. You are a nuisance, nothing more.”
“Without me he couldn’t dream walk. Without me, she would be out of his reach. Don’t kid yourself. We both know who he really needs.” Adaro snarled at her.
Jerking her arm from his clutch, she scowled at him. “I give him things you cannot. You serve a purpose. For now.” She didn’t wait for him to respond and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
“I am not sure, but I don’t think she cares for you much.” Roger smarted.
Adaro sneered and called for the guard that handled the lashings.
“I better hear the steady crack of that whip until I return or I’ll turn it on you!” Adaro jeered at the guard and left Roger to his thrashing. Roger held on as long as he could before screaming out in pain. The sound of Ryhan’s voice carried through the air before he passed out, clearly delirious from torment.
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