He pointed to the post in the middle of the courtyard. Slowly, I made my way towards it, every step feeling like pure torture. Why was I doing this to myself?
Oh, right. The alternative was to watch someone else suffer through a fate just as bad. Probably even worse. At least I knew what I was getting myself in for.
I dropped my scarves to the floor next to the post. If there'd been fewer people about, then I might even have been tempted to remove some more of my clothing to stop it from sticking to the blood that would soon be running down my back. But that wasn't the case, and there were far too many people here for me to want the extra attention that would bring.
Especially with Abu in the crowd. I choked back a sob. I might only have had one conversation with him, but I still didn't want him to see me like this. It was too raw, too vulnerable.
The crack of a whip sounded, and I flinched despite the fact it wasn't even close to the skin of my back yet. I was going to struggle with this, but there was nothing else for it. I'd made my bed, now I had to lie in it. Or, as the case might be, stand in it.
I closed my eyes, hoping it would help combat the gut-clenching anticipation of what was to come. A tear slid down my face. So many people were watching, and I knew not one of them would say a word in my defence. Nor should they. I'd stood by many times myself. With a god like this, it was best to stay silent and out of the way.
Annoyed chattering filled the courtyard, and I looked to the side in time to see Abu pushing his way forward. I shook my head ever so slightly, and hoped it would be enough to stop him from coming any closer. He'd make it worse.
The whip cracked through the air, the hard spikes clawing into my back. I held back a scream. I wasn't going to give Seth the satisfaction, even if that meant enduring more pain as a result. I'd seen this before too. The longer someone stayed silent, the harsher he would become, almost like he was trying to make them cry out.
I kept my eyes on Abu, though he didn't seem to like what was happening. He was being held back by two of Ra's other priests or gods. It was hard to tell them apart. The expression on his face said it all. He found this as distasteful as I did.
The whip bit down into my back again, and I winced but kept my gaze locked with the golden-eyed man's. He was going to get me through this. Just by being this close to me.
My eyes fluttered closed as the next stroke hit. I refused to count them, even as they kept coming. It was better just to let it happen. Nothing I could do would stop Seth in his wrath.
Eventually, the strokes began to fade and I found myself able to breathe properly for the first time since the ordeal had started. And yet, every breath pained me. It shot through my system and reminded me of what had happened.
"Take her to my room," Seth instructed two of his guards. "She thinks she knows pain now, she'll think again then."
I shuddered, dreading what I knew would happen next.
"No!" Abu shouted, striding forward.
I looked up at him, begging him with my eyes not to continue.
"I invoke the sacred protection of Ra on this woman."
My eyes widened. What was he doing? Whatever it was, I could have told him that it wasn't a good idea.
"What?" Seth hissed.
"I invoke the sacred protection of Ra," Abu repeated.
"I heard you. I just want to know what you think you're doing." Seth approached my god, the most threatening expression imaginable on his face.
Abu didn't flinch. He stood his ground and glared right back. "Rhodopis is under my protection now," he said slowly, drawing out every word.
"Fine. Do what you want with her now." Seth spat in my direction, but I did nothing about it. I was too weak from the whipping to even try. "Just remember that once you're gone, she's still mine."
He turned on his heels and stormed off to his chambers. Hopefully, someone would think to send him some of his favourite wine. Or one of the goddesses who liked him would be brave and go to him.
"Are you alright?" Abu collapsed down next to me, being careful not to touch my wounds.
"I've been better," I croaked. "Do you realise what you've done?"
He nodded. "I'm pretty certain. But I saw the look on your face, and I just couldn't let it happen."
My heart melted at the words, even though I knew I should be guarding it more closely. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. Now let's get you back to my room, and we can do something about the wounds."
Despite myself, I nodded. At least going back to his room was less dangerous while I was injured. Nothing would happen between us if that was the case.
At least, I hoped that was true. He had such a strange effect on me that I wasn't sure if I could trust myself completely.
CHAPTER EIGHT
"THIS IS GOING TO STING," Abu warned me.
"It can't hurt worse than it already did," I pointed out.
"I wish you hadn't done that." The cloth touched my skin, and I let out a hiss. Sometimes, the healing was worse than the pain itself, no matter what lies I told myself.
"And then we could have all watched an innocent be whipped instead," I said through gritted teeth.
"You're an innocent too," he countered, mopping over my wounds again.
I couldn't believe I was lying on his bed. Though it looked just like all the other rooms in Seth's compound, there was still something special about this
