“Are you certain, Graely? Are you truly fit to go?”
“As long as my brain isn’t spilling out of my skull, I’ll not be left behind.”
*****
“Tell him! Tell him to speak the oath!” Vindrake brought the scorching iron down before her eyes.
“You’ll torture me either way.” Alora made a vain attempt to hold back her tears. Her nerves were electrified with agony, and even the air hurt her raw skin.
“Not if you submit to me.” His indigo eyes shone, malevolence flowing from him in waves. Intense nausea rolled through her body as if she were tossed about in an ocean storm. “Simply answer me with, ‘Yes, Sire.’ That’s all you need do to avoid more kisses from my rod.”
Searching deep within, she found enough strength to shake her head, praying somehow the next burn would bring the sweet release of death. She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth inside dry parched lips, anticipating the searing pain.
“Very well, if you need yet another mark to prove my ultimate control, you shall have it.”
“Wait!” Kaevin cried out.
Vindrake lifted the iron, turning back to Kaevin, and Alora whimpered at her temporary retrieve. Vindrake, with black tunic and pants to m
atch his black hair, brandished the iron tipped with the glowing red disc. His dark form appeared surreal against a rising cloud of smoke within the room.
“Ah, Kaevin… you’ve come to your senses at last? Will you speak the oath of fealty and accept the bloodbond? As a man of honor, it is only what you ought to do, having already given your word.”
“No, Kaevin! We lose everything and gain nothing if you take the bond.”
“Silence!”
“I won’t be silent, and I won’t submit. I’ll die first.”
“No, my dear, you will not die. You’ll only wish for it.” Vindrake swung the smoking iron back and pressed it into her palm. White-hot agony blistered her hand. She heard a girl screaming, a shrill piercing sound mixing with the flaming pain in her mind. The shriek went on and on, tearing at her eardrums. Only as the scream turned raw and hoarse did she realize it came from her own throat.
“Stop! Stop! Please stop!” Kaevin’s coarse sobs rent the smoky air in the room.
“No, she’s chosen to deny my authority, and she’ll pay for her decision. You’ll both pay.”
“What if she only speaks the words? If she doesn’t mean them, will you spare her?”
Vindrake inclined his head as if considering his offer. “I’ve no desire to torture her further. If you take the oath and she speaks the words, I see no need for either of you to suffer more.”
Alora tried to catch Kaevin’s gaze, but tears blurred her eyes.
“It’s inevitable; no one can resist me. No one can bear the pain forever.” In a haze of agony, Alora tried to ignore the draw of his smooth voice, the attraction of his reasoning.
“No one, but me. Right, Brother?”
Vindrake’s face turned ashen at the voice behind him.
~ 19 ~
Markaeus, elected as spokesman by his brother, utilized his practiced acting skills to sound weary and contrite as they approached the four guards blocking the corridor junction. He wondered if there might be some unknown gift for this, as he seemed eerily adept at lying with a straight face. Only his grandfather had been able to detect his lies and truth-stretches without fail.
“We’ve come to surrender, good sirs. We beg your mercy. We know there’s no escape from your able custody.”
“And well you should.” A squinty-eyed sentry with a soot-smudged face ogled them with suspicion. “What’s that behind your backs? Let me see your hands.”
Markaeus edged forward. Just a little bit closer. The furthest two guards are mine, and I’ve not got a clear shot at the last one.
“It’s only a peace offering... we found a bit of food.” He slowly moved his left hand around to expose a piece of soggy bread.