Palace Prisoner- Chapter 33

Four guards surround me as I am escorted to the king’s study. Before a knock is wrapped on his door it flies open.

“Mallory, step inside. The rest of you, I want this floor cleared immediately.”

I shuffle inside the open door. The moment I am inside he shuts it and switches two locks into place.

My head is low and my breathing rapid. The king’s very presence in a room is enough to instill fear in the highest-ranking officials. Having his sole attention in this small room is overwhelming to say the least.

“I did tell you not to leave the palace.” He states it as a fact. He takes steps around me. Circling me like a lion on a prowl.

“I was told I was not allowed to leave the palace before the ball. I was never given any stipulation about afterwards.”

His heavy hand is on my shoulder forcing me to my knees. “Do you recall me giving you permission to leave the grounds?”

“I was unaware I needed it after the ball.” I feel sweat on my brow. Only now do I realize a fire has been lit in the fireplace. An incredibly odd thing to do in a stuffy office on a warm spring day.

He notices the fire has caught my attention. “I use the flames to burn old confidential documents that are no longer needed. Toss these in for me.” He drops a pile of papers on the floor in front of me.

Kneeling in front of the fire I place a few papers in at a time.

“I am incredibly angry with you Mallory. I do not tolerate anyone going against the crown’s authority.”

“I sincerely apologize your majesty.”

“Do you regret your decision?” He stoops down to my level to address me in the eye. “Given a second chance would you have stayed in the palace?”

I open my mouth to lie, but I shut it. “The truth of the matter is this, I do not regret being there for my sisters.” I place the last sheets of parchment in the flames, watching them turn to ash almost immediately.

He sighs. “It’s times like these I detest strong willed women.”

I feel cold metal around my wrists. I look down to see my wrists locked in chains secured to the floor. The king is on his feet taking a piece of cloth out of his pocket. “I will now be imparting some wisdom to you.”

“Wai-” I can’t finish the plea before the thick piece of fabric is shoved in my mouth and wrapped tightly around my head. He grabs a letter opener from his desk and slices the bodice of my dress and bra in one swipe.

“Have you ever trained a donkey? It’s less common these days. Horses are much more useful creatures. Most people will try to entice a donkey with a carrot to move in the direction they want, but donkeys can be unbelievably stubborn. So, when a carrot doesn’t work you use a stick to beat the beast into submission. The time has come for you to learn by means of the stick.”

He takes the fire spoker from the side of the fireplace and rakes it across the flames. I desperately try to get the gag out of my mouth but can barely breathe with it on let alone plead for mercy.

“I’ve heard the blue flames are the hottest. Tell me what you think.”

I tug and pull on the chains but stay hunched on my knees.

“I almost feel bad about ruining your pristine skin.” He laughs, a genuine laugh from deep inside. “Almost.”

Then he strokes my skin with the burning hot utensil. I yelp the moment the metal meets my skin. Tears immediately fill my eyes and I wonder for a moment if I might black out from pain. Burning flesh fills the air. There is no rhyme or reason to his movements as he pushes the metal deeper into my skin. Gashes overlap, high and low all over my body. Sticky blood coating everything.

I pant trying to breathe through the terrifying pain he inflicts with the slightest twitch of his wrist. My gag is soaked with saliva that drips from my mouth with each muffled scream. He cuts through skin and sinew and I swear muscle at times as well. The terrifying probability that any moment might be the last I have feeling in my legs haunts me.

One final long gash is dragged slowly down from my shoulder to my lumbar. The king drops the spoker on the floor next to me. Blood is visible on the end of it and I notice the metallic smell in the air. I gag and my body recoils from the jerk on my wounded skin.

Two light slaps are given to the side of my face. I look the king in his eye as he towers above me.

“Be a good girl and listen from now on. If Jesse happens to ask about your little scars you tell him nothing. Understood?” His hand tightens around my jaw. Wetness leaks out of my eyes as I nod.

“Good. You’re a quick learner.” He grabs the letter opener from earlier and swipes the blade next to my face to cut the gag. I swallow down oxygen like I never have before. He removes a key from his pocket and unlocks my chains. I stumble getting up and cling to a nearby chair for support.

“Get out of my sight. I will see you at dinner.”

I unlock the door and race out. I’m half bent over trying to run to the supposed safety of my room. No guards are in sight the entire trip back to my quarters. I open the door and slam it behind me. Only then do I cry out. The tears begin and cannot be stopped. I trip on the rug and slam to my knees. I crawl to the bathroom with my dying strength. Each breath is a gasp for air and each movement makes more blood trickle down my body.

I turn the faucet on full blast. I pull the dress I wear off. Dried bits of blood tug on my skin as it falls off my body. I get to my knees before entering the tub filled with cold water. I take a long inhale as I sink into the cool water. Nothing could prepare me for the agony the water would bring me. Blood immediately turns the water red. I grit my teeth and seethe in pain. I alternate between grunting and whimpering.

My fingers grip the side of the tub as I force myself to stay in the water hoping the blood will clot.

When my breathing isn’t as labored as before I take a hand and wipe away the tears. Blood is visible when I pull it away. The letter opener, it must have nicked me when the king cut the gag. I can still remember the feeling of it in my mouth. Thick and damp from my sobs. I cry harder, each tear coming out making my back burn more.

I step out of the tub. Lightheadedness overwhelming me for a moment. I steady myself on the porcelain. As I turn my head the mirror catches my attention and I see the damage on my back for the first time. I bend over and dry heave. There was more red than flesh toned skin. Blood still seeped and dribbled out of several of the gashes.

I half put a towel on my body as I take tiny steps out into the main room. I ring the bell, the one specifically for me to call my ladies in waiting. I sit sideways on Prince Jesse’s work chair seeking support. It seems only mere moments pass before a knock is on the door.

“Princess Mallory, you called.”

“Kazzie?” I shuffle to the door and open it a crack. Only my face visible.

“Yes, your highness.” She nods to me with several other girls behind her.

“I will only be needing your services Kazzie. Everyone else is dismissed for the rest of the day.”

She looks taken back for a moment but steadies herself as quickly as possible. “As you wish.” I open the door wider and she slips inside. She takes in my appearance in one glance.

“Princess, is everything alright?”

“From here on out anything I say is to remain between us. No other staff or member of society, including the crown, is to know what has transpired.”

“You have my word.” She nods.

I blink once. My vision getting hazy. I drop the towel and reach out my arms. Kazzie steadies me and eases me down to my knee.

“Princess Mallory!”

“Please, please tell me you know how to suture wounds.”

Before she replies she moves her hands to try to support me. Her fingers graze my mangled back and I wince at her touch. She takes her hands off of me and shrieks at the sight of blood.

“Do you know how to suture? Or know someone trustworthy to do so?” I look up to her with pleading red eyes.

“I can do it.” She says the words breathy. “Let’s get you to the bed. I’ll fetch the supplies in a jiffy.”

---

“Just a few more, Princess.” Kazzie tugs the thread of the needle through my skin for the hundredth time.

I lay on my stomach on the bed. The sheets draped over the lower portion of my body. My sobs are muffled into the pillow while I silently cry. My body cringing and flinching at every touch.

“Please don’t tell anyone about this. Please.” I beg her.

“I swear to you I will tell no one.”

A few more minutes pass. “You’re all done princess.”

“Thank you.” I whisper. “I need your help to dress for dinner in a few hours.”

“Princess, you’re in no condition to go.”

“I don’t have a choice.”

“I…” She trails off.

“Is there anything I may offer you as thanks?” I was selfish. I wanted to bribe her to keep her mouth shut.

“No. Nothing is needed.”

“Please, Kazzie. Isn’t there something you desire that I can help you attain?”

“Well…” Kazzie’s hand goes to her belly. “I’d like to have a month of maternity leave in a few months.”

“You’re pregnant?” My eyes go to her belly. You couldn’t even tell.

“Three months. Not many working women get time with their newborns.”

“Yes, yes of course. Take as much time as you need, but please, please be by my side until then.”

“Of course, your highness.”

The looks she gives me feels like pity. And I don’t have the energy to argue. I was desperate for any form of safety and Kazzie was the closest thing to a friend I had. Even if one day soon she would leave me, too.