SENA

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Zorya

Dying.

Knowing I died because of manipulation by others had always bothered me. The knowledge that my hell experience wasn't because of my own choices. I mean, outside of my choosing to love a man who never loved me.

Even then, if he'd denied my hand and rejected my father's marriage proposal, nothing would have come of it.

But he didn't.

It was better for him to marry me and make my life miserable to gain a title that allowed him to get close to my sister without anyone questioning their relationship.

Now, I rejected the idea of dying because of someone else. If I were going to die, I would die by my own hand, or at the very least, I would die because of my own choices.

All that is to say, when I saw another experiencing death due to the manipulations of others, I immediately felt like I'd met a kindred spirit.

The dark room wasn't as dark as I expected it to be.

Once you fully entered the room, a low blue light filled every corner. The dark black splotches that decorated the walls, floor, and rack of torture devices truly added to the hell-like décor.

Walking past these things, I noticed a throne-like chair and a table beside it. A recently opened wine bottle, food, and glass were on the table.

I closed my eyes as memories crashed against the door of my sanity. Control, I'd fought to keep a hold of breaking bit by bit.

Terrible demons roamed behind it, eyes black with little remorse or sympathy.

I tightened my hold on the cold handle of my blade. The bit of pain from pressing my thumb against the pointed decoration soothed my spirits. Re-opening my eyes, I looked at the shackles on the wall. Nothing was chained up there, and I didn't know whether to be happy or sad about that.

Walking past the chair, I frowned as I couldn't find anything until my gaze landed on a small cage in the corner. It was about the height of a five-year-old and as wide as one. Something shifted inside.

"Jui, open it."

The shadow rippled before it slammed into the lock on the cage.

My throat felt thick, like something was choking it. I slowly approached and went to my knees. At this point, I no longer cared how dirty my gown would become. The pungent smell of blood filled my nose and waste.

Keeping my expression empty of emotion, I reached for the now-unlocked door and slowly opened it. The cage door hinges groaned as an all-black wolf pup was revealed. His body was torn to pieces, as if some beast had mauled him.

Barely able to move, his nose twitched, but nothing else. His eyes had scar marks that were thick with blood and puss.

My fingers froze on the door. My body felt like it had been plunged into an icy river; reality was the waves that crashed into my heart.

I don't know how long I'd sat there staring. My heart was pounding in my ears as I remembered another helpless soul spilling from my body as blood pooled at my knees.

I'd never had the joy of hearing my child call me mother.

On this thought, I moved and reached inside, taking the little one into my hands slowly. The beating of his heart was faint, but I refused to think about what that meant. The minute I pulled him out, he whimpered and tried to move, but it was impossible with his injuries.

"Shh, shh, I have you, little one. I have you," I said, pulling him close so he could feel not only my warmth but also my heartbeat. I promise you; I'll take you to safety. No one will ever hurt you again."

The door I'd closed behind slammed open, and a masculine demanded angrily. "Who are you?! How dare you attempt to steal my property!"

Not responding to him, I slowly rose to my feet. Instead, I continued to whisper to the shivering pup in my arms. "When we leave here, you'll get a warm bath and delicious soup. Then we'll sleep in a warm bed so comfortable that you'll think you're sleeping on clouds."

A few men joined him in the doorway.

"Listen, you bitch! I'll teach you to ignore your betters. I'll have you on your knees, and maybe I'll give you grace after playing with you."

"Jui. Shae." The shadows slowly peeled from the wall until the two stood behind me. "Kill all of them, and bring me the speaker's head."

When the first scream came, I didn't bother to see who'd gone first. Turning around, I calmly walked out, not caring about the blood dirtying my hem or the dress itself as I walked out. The blade I'd been holding appeared beside me as Shae caught up with me. Her silence was a comfort, and I motioned to the cells with the other children with my chin.

"Take them and hide them in your shadow."

She disappeared, and the children within the cell were swallowed out of sight.

As I walked, I could still hear the men screaming as they begged for help but were ignored.

"It's interesting how quickly the strong become the weak and how they beg after being deaf to others' pleadings ," I mused aloud. "A will of fortune spins for everyone; sometimes you're at the top and other times," I paused at the bottom of the steps when the screams stopped short. I half-turned and saw Jui running toward me with a head in his two hands and a bright smile on his face. "You're just prey for those at the top."

Crawford's eyes were wide in terror, but he could do nothing.

Since he was only a head.

I smiled, "Good job."

Facing forward, I ascended the steps and reached the landing in time to meet a group of men I hadn't expected to meet.

Amoux, Sena, Elio and...Countr Qupar.

The four seemed to be arguing about something, and they took a minute to notice me.

Incidentally, it was Enilo who spotted me first. Those lovely red eyes widened in astonishment when he noticed the blood that covered me, and then his expression turned into one of concern.

"Zorya?"

He pushed past the other three and rushed to me. Looking me over, his lips slowly thinned into obvious anger. "What happened?"

His voice sounded stiff like he was choking on something. How peculiar.

"I just got caught by a few bugs and decided I'd do my father a favor and clean them out," I glanced down at the pup in my arm. "I even saved a puppy."

"You—" Whatever he was going to say was stalled by the sound of something rolling toward me.

Everyone's eyes, including mine, lowered to stare silently at Crawford's head. Jui must've been too shy to come forward and had pushed the head into the light instead.

"Is that Lord Baile's son?"

Sena looked horrified, while Amoux's expression was grim. Both were looking at me for answers.

"I said I was cleaning up bugs, didn't I," I lifted my foot and kicked the head. "Would one of you be so kind as to pick it up? It's time we revealed the Baile's crimes to the public."

I leaned forward, still careful with my little wolf; "It's about time these arrogant children saw some red. It is my favorite color."

Straightening, I waited for one of them to pick it up.

Of course, Enilo didn't disappoint me; he grabbed it up by the hair with his gloved hand. I offered him a warm smile; after all, he'd done something worthy of my praise. "I knew you'd be a perfect first husband."

"First?" Amoux dully repeated.

Not paying him any mind, I headed toward the banquet hall. "We should hurry. His father will arrive shortly, and I would hate him to miss the surprise I have for him."

I'd wanted to handle everything slowly, with a pacing that would build suspense and romance. Evil doesn't seem to rest, nor does it have patience.

If I must be the hero, I will do it my way and, unfortunately, for those who did me wrong. It's because of them that I've become ruthless and heartless.

I have little sympathy for others; if I must have a bit of it, the only ones who can receive it are those who swear loyalty and fealty to me.

I'm a princess and demand complete submission—nothing more, and Nothing less.

Enilo

The mad princess Zorya.

She was just as mysterious as I remembered.

No, before, she'd been silly, willful, and wild.

Those purple eyes are ever-shifting as if searching for something that could soothe the restlessness inside of her. The information she'd given me had been looked over by closest associates, though, like myself, they were suspicious of where she'd gotten the information.

Still, what she'd given me to do had helped me, my people, and my father immensely. Maybe that's why I felt impatient with the emperor, who seemed bent on dragging our engagement.

The night I'd left, I'd find myself thinking back to that night when she looked at me with a mischievous smirk filled with taunting. No fear for the man who'd suddenly shown up on her porch, filled with questions and demands.

No, beautiful, mad Zorya didn't blink at my appearance.

Only later did I learn how she'd handled her rude servants, dispatching them by using the blades of her recently acquired knights. Did I remember she was Argyos, just as dangerous as her siblings. Later, I heard that she was far more daring than her siblings. Daring enough to speak with brash words to her father.

I couldn't lie to myself about my interest; after the hundredth time, I'd checked my mail to see if she'd sent me anything. Was she making me crazy? Is it possible to pass that on?

It didn't matter; I had to see her again.

I wanted to know why she'd exposed the third prince to the masses. Did she do it because she genuinely cared, or was it for the throne?

I wanted her to dance around me, shooting teasing glances and whispering riddle-like answers that she urged me to answer. Only for me to dream of catching her hand, only for her to slip from my hold and leave me with longing.

When I followed the commoner Sena, I saw his concern for her. Another man saw the princess, and I could instinctively see he could threaten me and my desire to have a relationship with her.

Like a batch of ants, their numbers grew about the fragrant flyer that pretended her thorns were threatening.

And she quickly proved just how sharp her thorns were when she stepped into the light. Gown covered in blood, and her skin bare the dirt of those who'd probably been stupid enough to defy her.

Her purple eyes were as dark as night as she gazed at us. Though she smiled, I could see rage pooling in them. Like the depths of the ocean, they swirled and captivated me. Since the day she'd claimed my lips, the madness inside of her had never scared me. No, instead, they drew me in like a drowning man.

So, if she wanted me to pick up the head of man she'd slain, I'd do it.

If she wanted to wipe out the Bailes family, I would send Qupar to get my men and line them up.

...Her madness had infected me.

And I had no desire to be healed from it.

Only I hope she doesn't test me too much. I wouldn't be able to stop myself from locking her away so only I could keep her close.

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