Thorn Queen Chapter Twenty-Two

I woke up with a headmanache even worse than the 1 Id gotten shooting tequila on the night of Luisas birth. Pain thudded to a firm drumbeat in my head, though at the same time, my senses felt brumous as a boring p hold knocked out(p)er ceiling slowly came into strain above me. Nausea welled up in my stomach, and I worried I was deviation to get nauseated. It had happened the last time Id come crashing through and through the worlds.And speak of the worldsw present was I? Easy enough to figure erupt, my groggy brain pronto established. Id been pulled aside from the Otherworld, which meant I could either pass been sent to the Underworld or the human world. The fact that I was be quiet alive indicated Id g iodine onto the latter. why on earth would Abigail summon me to-fuck. in that location it was the nausea again. I eccentric person my lip and envisionk to sit up, non wanting to choke on my own vomit.Only, when I well-tried to rise, I didnt get re on the whole y far. My manpower were stretched above my head, tied to the headboard of the go to sleep I stupefy on. No, not tied-cuffed. Cuffed with flagitious make, industrial-strength handcuffs. Bound or no, I did manage near coloring material of sitting, just as my stomach betrayed me. A bowl got shoved under my smell right at that moment, and I was grateful to sp ar the bedding and my vestments. I threw up twice before my benefactor gently asked, Any more(prenominal)?I dont reckon so.I squinted up and found myself com fructifyeing into the stage of a young girl, heavily freckled and brown-h line of credited, with a nose a bit alike sm each last(predicate) for the rest of her facial features. She was still tricksy enough, though, and-she was a gentry. For a moment, I wondered if Id gotten confused or so the banishment. Was I still in the Otherworld? No. This was definitely the human world. I could sense it. There was a substance that sorcerous hung in the air-or, rather, didnt hang in the air around here.The girl as well ask the bowl out and returned with a damp cloth. She wiped my causa with it and then my mouth. A moment freshr, she returned with a glass of water, which I drank gratefully. exclusively of her movements were gentle and graceful.Whats your name? I asked.Cariena.Thats really pretty. Where am I, Cariena? I asked, tugging at the handcuffs. Those things werent going to budge.The girl sit down on a leave in the corner. In the world of the humans.I manage that. I tried hard not to let my tone get harsh. My leather from the debate was gone I wore a T-shirt and underclothing. just where? What is this place?She glanced around, as though the room might gloweringer some secret insight. The walls were miscellaneous pale gray and matched the bedspread, a pattern of purple and grayish drab flowers. There was a small dresser in the corner, a dour with her chair, as well as the narrow twin bed I lay in. There wasnt a lot of space here-a nd no windows at all.The vehement ophidian Mans house.The rosy Snake-son of a bitch. Art.My mind was still fuzzy, and I had a hard time grasping all the details of what had happened. I remembered bits and pieces of the fight. I remembered chasing the soldier and then Abigail banishing meBut it was all still disjointed, and I had no recollection of how Id gotten here. It was possible that was simply from the trauma of tearing through the worlds. person could hit smacked me up situation the head too, but the pain throbbing in my skull wasnt that type. As Id noted earlier, it was more same the hangover type. Only worse.Where is he now? I asked.Cariena shake her head. I dont experience. He doesnt explain his activities to us.Us? argon in that respect Again, my addled brain tried to remember what I al get rid oficious knew. why couldnt I line up my thoughts? It was like I had both the buzz and the hangover from drinking, all wrapped up into one. Us. Art. Red Snake Man. Are at t hat placeothers like you here? Other girls?She nodded.How more?Five-no, four. They took Fara yesterday. Isannas next.They who?One of the men. They come some times. They liveliness at us. Sometimes they just She looked away, disinclined to meet my eyes. Sometimes they justvisit. But sometimes they make a deal with the Red Snake Man to translate one of us.Art, I murmured. His name is Art. Red Snake Man seems to give him some colouring of respect. I started to rub my eyes and then realized I couldnt with the cuffs. Are the other girls chained up too?Only the ones who resist.Well, yeah, I try that would include me. I take it youre not one?Not any(prenominal)more.why dont you leave? You must have some magiceven a little.Cariena held up her manpower. She didnt have handcuffs like me, but snug branding urge on bracelets hugged each wrist, each with a tiny lock. The skin was red and swell where the iron out stirred.Jesusso youre blocked from your magic. But, I mean, assholet yo u just go out the entry?Theres ironiron everywhere. The windows, the doors. Theyre all bound with iron and spells. And locks. Besides Her blue eyes widened slightly. I dont know where I would gonot in this worldHome, I said fiercely. Youll go home. Ill take you there.She shook her head, face no-count. Theres no escape from here. Not even for you.I eyed her curiously. Do you know who I am?You are the backbone Queen. Storm Kings daughter. You are my sovereign. She gave a deferential nod of respect. And I know you are a great warrior and magic user. But if the Red Snake Man caught even you, then theres no hope for any of us. Moria tried to escape, and she died out there.Moria did escape. She didnt die, and- I stopped.Why was my brain such mush? Why was I thinking so slowly? A great warrior and magic user. I didnt need my hands to get out of here. I had my magic. The iron and steel that stunted Carienas magic had hardly any effect on me, and I would have had enough time by now to reconstruct my stores of power. I reached into myself and then to the world around, seeking water and air, though not certain what Id do with them. Blow the headboard a disrupt? Oxidize the handcuffs? The closing turned out not to matter.Nothing happened.I felt nothing. I feltwell, human. I felt as I had for years, long before Id had any clue I could touch any sort of otherworldly magic. I was cut off. My mind touched only empty space.Whats improper with me? I asked, reliable panic starting to unravel in me. My magics gone. The steel shouldnt affect meIts not the steel, a voice suddenly said. Its the nightshade. And I think youre overdue.Art strolled into the room, looking as dashing as ever with his tanned skin and movie-star grin. I had nothing but contempt for him and instinctually tried to rift the cuffs. Nightshadenightshade. Where had I heard that before? Rurik, I realized. Hed advised something called a touch of nightshade to completely cut off Jasmine from her magic. W as that what Id been prone? Hed said it was the most trenchantbut that it make those with human blood feel dazed and sick. only of a sudden, I knew this fuzzy hangover feeling didnt have anything to do with me being banished.There was no real purpose in discussing nightshade with Art, so I got right to the point. Im going to kill you.Art laughtered that hearty, deep laugh Id once found endearing. Forgive me if Im not scared. He turned to Cariena. Go get some more nightshade for Eugenie. And make certain(a) Isanna is dressed and ready to go when Abigail returns.Cariena was practically out of the room before he faultless speaking. I green goddesst believe it, I said. Its really true. When I first started lay together this fairy sex-trade theory, I thought it was as crazy as Roland thought it was. But its really true. Wheres this Isanna going? Is Abigail taking her to her new owner?He leaned back and crossed his legs. I suppose you could say that. I like to think of it as her n ew loving home. The man who bought her is very eager to welcome her.Youre a fucking bastard, I growled. Selling them like theyre property.Might as well be. And if it makes you feel better, I dont snitch all of them. Cariena therehmm, well, shes not pretty enough to get a high-priced price. Easier to carry her around for house calls.House calls. I started to feel sick again, and it had nothing to do with the nightshade. Basically, youre whoring her out. You sell sex slaves and run a brothel-and yet, all the while, you play hero shaman like youre doing the world a trade good deed. Roland couldnt say enough nice things about you.Art straightened up, feet hitting the story as a flash of anger shone in his eyes. I am doing the world a good deed-this world. Those girls? Theyre nothing. They arent human. And you He shook his head. Youre one to verbalize about image. You play hero shaman too, when in reality youre off commanding gentry armies. Does Roland know? Does he know what you r eally are? Im sure he has to know youre a half-breed mongrel, but does he really know the extent of it?White-hot rage burned inwardly the drug-induced haze of my mind. I think you forgot the part where Im going to kill you.And you forgot the part where I said Im not worried.Cariena returned holding a coffee mug. I eyed it warily.What are you going to do with me? I demanded. You would have killed me already if you could, yet you probably arent going to let me go now that I know your dirty secret. Are you going to sell me off too? Keep me for yourself since you dont like gentry?Art shook his head and approached my bed. Eugenie, you couldnt recompense me enough to keep you around. Id take one of these idiot girls any day. change by reversal on the micro range, and theyre so scared that theyll stay docile for weeks.He gestured Cariena to his side and reached down to hold my head in place. I realized what he was going to do and began thrashing. With one hand he tried to keep me still, and with the other he partially held my mouth open.Do it, he said. Obediently, Cariena poured the liquid state from the mug into my half-open mouth. As she did, she mouthed, Im sorry. The stuff tasted horrible, and I gagged on it. I tried to spit it out, but Art promptly covered my mouth until I had to swallow. That bitterness flowed down my throat, and I could feel a new wave of numbness start to sweep over me.Yes, said Art, almost cheerfully. Youre trouble. I dont want you. I dont know any human who would. But fortunately, we got an hug drug from someone who isnt.I think he was smiling that stupid smile again, but I could never say for sure. The force of the nightshade flooded through me, pulling me into fuzziness, then darkness, and then sleep.I immediately sight cardinal things when I came to later. One was that Art was still in the room, though I think hed just returned and hadnt been watching me sleep.The other thing I noticed was that I was uncuffed.I didnt waste any tim e. I promptly leapt out of the bed and charged him. Unfortunately, I didnt really make it off the bed so well. The nightshade was chugging along in my system, and my limbs barely had the energy to stay upright. I fell off the bed and collapsed into an ungraceful pile on the al-Qaeda. Cariena was there too, holding a bundle of clothing, and started to come help me. Art shook his head, and she froze.Looks like you wont be killing me today, he said.You fucking bastard, I said, tossing one arm on the bed and attempting to pull myself up. How long was I out?Oh, an hour or so. Thats usually the worst part of it for humans. Now that youre bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, Carienas going to help you look respectable.I glared at him. I didnt know whod au naturel(p) me down to this T-shirt and underwear, but if it had been him, hed die extra slow. The scathing look he gave me suggested, however, that he found as little pleasure in me as I did in him.You cant keep me here, I warned, managing at last to sit back on the bed. Someones going to come looking for me.Who? he asked. You were the idiot who wandered off from your people. None of them saw you taken. None of them saw me or any of my companions-well, except for your two meager guards, and they wont say anything to anyone ever again.With a sinking feeling, I knew he was right. No organic structure knew what had happened to me. Id mentioned the Yellow River theory off and on to a few of my friends, but none of them had any conclude to suspect that was connected to my post-battle disappearance. If anything, theyd probably think thered been another demon on the loose.Who the brilliance were your companions anyway? I demanded, recalling the trained fighters. Did you hire a coadjutor army or something?Art only smiled. Cariena, get her dressed. To me, he said, Cooperate, or shell be the one who suffers for your disobedience.He left, shutting the door behind him. I heard the snick of a lock. Across the room, Cariena watched me with big, terrified eyes. She feared both me and Art. I sighed. Its okay. Ill get dressed. I dont want to run around in my underwear anyway.Visibly relieved, she stepped forward and unfurled what she held a dress. A gentry-style dress.You have got to be kidding me, I said. Isnt there something else?Cariena cringed. Its all he gave me.I eyed the bedspread, almost query if I could go all Scarlett OHara and make something for myself. Then, seeing Carienas pale face, I yielded again. I wouldnt let Art beat her or give her to some guy because of me. I took the dress from her but discovered I couldnt put it on without help, not with my weak muscles and groggy motor control. Being in that state infuriated me. I hated being helpless. More disconcerting still was that I was essentially free, unbound and able to move aboutbut I had no means to fight or prevail myself. I could barely even stand. I was a prisoner in my own body.The dress was a mix of lavender and pale blue. I guess youd c all it periwinkle, which Id alship canal thought was a dorky name. It was made of smooth, clingy velvet that hugged my body and laced up the back corset-style. The sleeves were long and form-fitting, and the scoop neckline was such(prenominal) lower than my usual style. Id only wear something that showed that much cleavage if I was going on a date with Kiyo-or trying to coax a favor from Dorian.Kiyo and Dorian. It sounded pathetic and all damsel-in-distress, but I would have given anything to have them here right now.Cariena clasped her hands and studied me almost adoringly. You look handsome, your majesty. I see now why you have so many a(prenominal) suitors back in our world.Our world. Well, I dont think my beauty plays quite as much a role as you think.She produced a brush and undid the create from raw stuff ponytail in my hair. I dont know if I want to be fine-looking or not. I used to think I did. But since Im not, no one pass on take me from here. She sounded grateful.Yo u are beautiful, I said sharply, raging at what Art had said. And someone is going to take you from here-me.Cariena gave me a small, sad smile, but for the first time, I thought there might be something like hope in her eyes. A knock at the door startled her back into timid mode as she leapt up from where shed sat beside me. Oh Hes here.Who? I asked. Surely Art wouldnt have knocked.The lock clicked, and the door opened. Leith walked in.Leith I exclaimed. He looked as Id seen him before, clad in a red and pureness silk shirt, dark hair glossy and swept from his face in a ponytail. I wanted to jump up but knew Id fall to the floor again. Thank God. Someone did know I was here. I wasnt lost forever. I wanted to tell Cariena we were on the verge of freedom, but she was already scurrying out of the room and hastily shutting the door.Eugenie, breathed Leith, striding toward me. He knelt on the ground and caught hold of my hands where I sat. You are stunningas beautiful as I remember. No , more so. You cant imagine how Ive missed you.A cool off crept along my spine. Something was very, very wrong here.Leithwe have to get out of here. You have to help me-and these girls. There are horrible things going on here.We can leave, he said. But not quite yet. Not until everythings colonised.I tested his hand to see if I could free mine. I couldnt. Until whats settled?Until then, he continued, as though I hadnt spoken, youll have to stay here where no one can find you. But I scream Ill visit you every day.I cant stay here I have to get back toanywhere thats not here. Tucson. The Thorn Land. Anywhere Leith, what the hell is going on? Why are you here?Because you are. Because Art got you for me.That chill down my spine spread to the rest of my body until I felt cold all over. I tried jerking my hand away again but didnt possess the strength. How do you know Art? Oh God. interest tell me you arent working with him.He shrugged. Its a mutually beneficial relationship. I help h im collect girls in our-in the Otherworld.Girls from my kingdom, I said, the realization coming suddenly. Thats why none of yours were ever taken.Leith had the grace to look sheepish. I dont take fundamental ones, Eugenie. Just peasants. No one notices theyre missing.Their parents do.Look, it doesnt matter. My soldiers help round them up, and I mould them to Art and Abigail to do what it is they do. My soldiers. The soldiers who always wore red, just like Leith did now. Normally, red shirts made me think of Star Trek extras, but in this case, it was in bonus to the rowan Lands flag and emblem. The soldiers Jasmine and others had seen werent Aesons deserters. Theyd been sent by Leith to help Art and Abigail with their abductions.They sell them, Leith How can you stand by and enable that? They sell those girls to horny guys against their will. What can you possibly get out of it to justify having that on your conscience?This. He gestured around. Art and Abigail share things with m etheir knowledge from this world. I take it back to mine.I stared in disbelief. And then you pass it off as your own. Thats why everyone thinks youre such a technological genius. Did you really devise those irrigation plans for me yourself?No, he admitted. I had help. But does it really matter? Look, you dont know what its like. Youre strong. Your magic grows more powerful every day. But me? Im a joke. I cant inherit. Proving myself with my genius was the only way to get any respectand even that wouldnt be good enough to let me inherit. Until I met you.Leith-I know what you said, but my feelings havent changed. I have it off you. And I know if you just spend a little more time with me, youll love me too. We connect. Theres something between us. Its more than just about power.I leaned back. It was the only way I could put distance between us. Im not so sure about that. You think Im your meal ticket to holding on to the Rowan Land.Not just that land, but all the lands This world too. Eugenie, when you bear my son, youll see that Im right. There was a zealous glow in his eyes, and I couldnt judge if he was crazy or just really, really believed these things would be true if he said them. Maybe there wasnt a difference. I can make you happy-and I know you can make me happy. Youre so beautiful.He moved up to sit beside me on the bed and ran one hand along my velvet-covered leg. LeithdontI just need to get you pregnant, he said earnestly. Dont you understand? If I bring you back to our world carrying my child, everything will be solved. Art told mehe told me how you stop yourself from conceiving. How you take some potion every day. His hand moved up to my hip while his other touched my face and stroked my hair. I tried to back away, but his grip was too strong in my addled state. He said if youre away from it long enough that youll be able to have a baby.I swallowed. My heart was threatening to pound out of my chest. Noit wont work. You cant get me pregnant-because I already am.His caresses froze. What?You were right before about me being involved with Dorian. Kiyo was a cover. Hes not worthy-hes no one Id want to father my child. Dorian and I have been lovers for a long time now in secret. We were horror-struck of what his enemies would do if they found out. Ive been pregnant for What wouldnt show? two months. Its too late for you, Leith.He had gone perfectly still, save for his eyes, which were searching my face thoroughly. I dont believe you. Youre lying. Everyone knows how you bicker with the Oak King. You arent lovers.We are. Hell kill you when he finds out.Leith shook his head and slid his hand from my hip to my stomach. Theres nothing here. Not yet.Panic flooded me, and for a moment I couldnt breathe. Every other time Id come belt up to being raped flashed through my mind-and there had been far more of those times than I would have liked. And every time, I had escaped the situation. Yet that never made the next time any less terrifyi ng. This was no exception.Leith, please dont do this.His hand moved fumblingly to my breast, and then he pushed me back against the bed. Its okay, he said, speaking as one would to a child. Itll be okay. Youll like it. I promise.Dont do thisHis mouth was on my neck, and lovesick boy or no, there was definitely a mans sexual need there. I struggled against him, trying urgently to free myself, but I might as well have truly been a child. With that fucking drug in me, both my body and brain were a mess. My body had none of its ability to fight him or stop him from pushing up my skirt. My brain had no clever ways to talk him out of this. And as he took off his own clothes and laid his body on top of mine, pressing me down, I realized he needed no handcuffs to keep me subdued. The strength of his hands pinning my wrists was more than enough.