“You can’t make me,” I challenged, even as D’Arcy declared him the winner for all to hear. “You said no one could force me.”
Whatever Benedict had angrily opened his mouth to say next was lost as the winning draken turned and bellowed at me.
“I want her NOW!”
Brogen ripped his hand from D’Arcy, who had been holding it up in triumph. He didn’t bother with flying, instead throwing his body at the rock wall under me and easily scaling it. Benedict stood cautiously; one eyebrow cocked as Brogen launched himself over the balcony. I backed away as the massive creature stalked towards me. His biceps were as large as my abdomen, and saliva dripped down from two sets of fangs that hung from his mouth. He was a hulking, snarling beast, and my face went white with fear. Was Benedict just going to stand there—
One massive hand grabbed my neck, slamming me into the wall. I clawed frantically at his hands, but my fingers dug uselessly at his thick, brown scales. Did Benedict hate me so much he would watch my murder? I couldn’t even scream as Brogen’s free hand caressed the bare skin of my stomach. A dark, bubbling rage shot through my veins, even as my throat vibrated with the urge to scream to help. I clamped it down; I had never once screamed for help in my life. Not when Crullfed beat me, and not now. Benedict’s words came back to me, about how I was within my rights to protect myself. My hand grabbed the knife hidden in the fabric around my breast. I shoved it upwards as hard as I could. The blade entered at the bottom of Brogen’s chin, impaling his thick head as he stumbled backwards. Benedict’s gaze was stony as Brogen turned towards him, sputtering incoherently even as his hand pawed at the blade buried inside of him. Dark blood poured through his fingers as I pressed myself as far away from him as I could, massaging my sore throat. My only real regret was that the knife hadn’t been longer, and able to reach his stupid, thick brain.
Brogen reached a hand towards Benedict, but the king of the drakens had a cold, unyielding expression.
“No.”
Brogen fell back against the balcony. Neither of us moved to help as Brogen fell backwards off the railing, landing on his head on the arena floor with a dull crunching noise. There was silence, then Benedict approached the balcony, leaning casually over the stone railing. He sniffed in disgust and turned away. I buried my head in my hands, as if I could hide myself from the blood that was sticky on my hands.
Benedict turned back towards me with no compassion in his eyes, and no consideration for the ordeal I’d just been through.
“Since you’ve killed the winner, you must pick another.” The blood was staining my dress, black and brown like Brogen’s scales had been.
“Go to hell.” He was in my face a moment later, snarling.
“Pick someone or I will, siren.”
“I hate you,” I spat, unable to imagine being forced to spend my evening with anyone, let alone someone he picked.
“This wasn’t part of any deal I made; this is… whatever Crullfed told you—"
Benedict turned back to the crowd, ignoring me completely.
“Wren has chosen—"
“THE RED HEAD AND HIS FRIEND!”
I blurted out the first drakens I could think of, terrified at what Benedict could expose me to if the choice were left up to him. His head turned slightly to the side, and there was no denying his ugly smirk this time.
“Kinky, siren.”
I sputtered in rage.
“Kieran and Ronan, you have been chosen. Report to the great hall this evening, and you will be escorted to the female’s chambers.” His eyes took in the remaining crowd. I trembled in indignation. The female, like I was just a sack of flesh; a commodity to be used and discarded.
“You are all dismissed.”
As he turned back to face me, I couldn’t help the angry tears that fell from my face.
“You can’t do this to me; it’s cruel.”
He huffed. “You don’t know what cruel is, siren.”
I wished I’d pulled the knife back from Brogen’s neck. Never in my life had I hated someone as much as I hated Benedict. Cruel, petty, and unabashedly cocky, he was the worst man I’d ever had the misfortune to meet. Yet at the same time, my anger wasn’t helping; this was going to happen whether I liked it or not. I tried one last time to appeal to him.
“I’ve never been with a man before. Please!”
Those amethyst eyes found mine, and there was a glimmer of something behind that gaze. He sighed.
“No one will do anything against your will; remember that.”
I wouldn’t cry. I wouldn’tcry. He led me back to my chamberes and left me there. I ignored the food brought for lunch and cried into my pillow.
SIX
The rest of the day passed in a haze of terror and anxiety. I refused any food, refused to go on a walk with Georg, and screamed at Benedict any time he showed his face. It turned out the second locked door was a passageway to his quarters. I was insulted it was locked my way, but not his.
“Get dressed and ready for dinner. I have other things to attend to.”
“I most certainly WILL NOT!” I roared at him, not proud at shouting like a child. His dark eyes narrowed.
“If you do not get
