"Prince Shaxs, I am willing to give you another chance but my kindness has a limit, do well not to reach it."

Slowly the vines that had pierced into his skin and held him down in place retreated and the small wounds from their thorns started healing on their own, Thorn holding out a hand to him.
There had been whispers about the Prince of Sapphia, since the day of his birth he had been rumoured as an illegitimate child and since he could remember his father had thrown him aside as if he shared no blood relation whatsoever. Not being in his own father's kind graces left him vulnerable in his own home to everyone, despite this Shaxs strived to gain his father's approval even if it took forever.

Never in his life besides his mother did anyone spare a kind word his way, especially after returning from a previous war at his father's command, his scars only brought more insults from around him and yet...now in the unfamiliar kingdom of one of his father's enemies he felt the sincerity in the Queen's voice.
Shaxs took her hand instinctively waiting for an attack but nothing happened, if anything Thorn turned to some servants.

"Please get Prince Shaxs some better garments, a hearty meal and plenty of fluids, anything you need just ask."
The Queen directed the last part of her sentence to Shaxs himself whose eyes shot wide open, he hadn't expected any kindness from the woman he had tried to eliminate last night.

Thorn turned her gaze to King Soroph who had watched without a flicker of interest, tutting to himself as Shaxs was led away before Thorn continued.
"King Soroph it seems you too decided not to bring your heir upon arrival illegitimate or not, however, I am in a joyful mood today and will allow this disrespect to slide. But,"

The morning light that had gleamed through the stained glass of the hall suddenly vanished, the room darkening as if the sun had lost all its power.

"Prince Shaxs is no longer in your care, as of today he is recognised as the official and legitimate Prince and Heir of Sapphia within Relica and such will be protected under our laws as you have so dutifully failed to do so before."

King Soroph seemed taken back by these words as he opened his mouth about to protest but with a second look at Thorn's gaze stopped himself. In her eyes a storm had brewed, the Queen who often appeared regal and composed looked menacing with her demeanour now, it was almost the storm in the hall with them.
Thorn spoke no more but turned and walked out, slamming the door so loud behind her it was almost like thunder. Her people felt electrified by the sight, immediately whispering amongst themselves.

The Queen wasted no time making her way to the room her servants had put Shaxs in, In her mind she couldn't help but make a connection to the young man.
So it wasn't until she saw him sitting in the corner of the room that her emotions simmered down, he didn't even glance up just waited for the expected beating.

When nothing happened for a few minutes he looked sideways at her, Shaxs didn't expect to see the Queen biting her bottom lip and her eyes looking clearer than a cloudless blue sky. She sat across from him, pushing her dress fabric down and whispered.

"You must've been so young when it started, four? Five?"

At first, he had no idea what she was referring to but then she pointed to his hands, she had felt it earlier when lifting him from the floor. Against her skin it felt like he had never healed properly, uneven and drier than average, Thorn assumed the punishments started roughly around that age, she doubted the King waited longer than that.

"It's nothing..."

Thorn shook her head,
"It's not nothing, your hands..."
"Why would you care? I tried to kill you."

Shaxs sneered and avoided her eyes, the silence between them rising for a few moments before she spoke, her voice light.
"I knew you were going to days ago, I was serious about giving you another chance...you and I are more alike than you know."

The Queen knew right now she was letting her guard down, if anyone walked in at this moment she wouldn't look anything like the image she'd built. But she was thankful that this room was going to be undisturbed, her people knew better than to seek out Thorn before she wanted to be found, she had plenty of people to lead the day without her.
Shaxs whispered,
"How are we anything alike?"