The Fallen Prince

27

Ciaran's POV:

The castle used to be warm, before Vladimir and Daliah took over. I shiver and Rowan pulls me closer, one of his arms around me and resting over my lower stomach, because the other his connected to a long chain that is embedded into the wall. The blankets we have are old and do not keep us very warm, but Rowan's body heat combined with my own makes me feel a bit safer.

After we showered, Master thankfully only using my mouth and leaving Rowan alone, we were told to go to bed, only I in the revealing clothes and Rowan in tight underwear and his own shirt.

I am thankful that Master has not forced him into the revealing clothing that I am stuck in. It would not only be so much colder for Rowan, but I know he would be embarrassed and ashamed to wear it.

He already has that horrible, forced piercing; I do not wish for him to be shamed because I know that Rowan is proud and I cannot let him be broken.

I feed from his strength, and I rely on him when he is strong. I also know that Rowan relies on me and uses my relaxed nature to calm him, and I have strength as well that he relies on. I cannot let him down, and I know that Rowan will not let me down.

He is asleep behind me, and our bodies are slightly apart, since his belly button piercing is most likely throbbing and hurting him.

My leg is cuffed and connected to a chain that is embedded into the wall, and I am grateful that the chains connected to myself and Rowan are long enough that we can reach each other.

I know the chains are temporary; once Master breaks us down enough we will be able to wander the castle because we will lose hope. I can only hope we will be freed before then, because I do not know how long I will be able to handle the shame and torture Master will present me.

He broke me, and Rowan has healed me.

I just do not know if I can be healed a second time.

Rowan groans behind me, and I am sure it is from pain, and he holds me tighter. "Are you still awake?" he whispers in my ear.

"I am now."

"Do not lie, I can tell you have not slept," Rowan says, and I am thankful for his lighthearted tone. "We need to start planning, Ciaran."

I hum in agreement, but I cannot push away the guilt that bubbles up in me. "I'm sorry, Rowan," I whisper. "I should be stronger, I should have never let my kingdom be taken over-"

"Ciaran, please," he whispers, and I know he wants me to be quiet. "You were a child. What could you have done?"

Tears prick at my eyes, because there is nothing I could have done, honestly. It still upsets me, but it is the truth. I was fifteen years old and had been sheltered most of my life.

Gods, if I had been able to connect with my people at least I would have potentially made friends who would have supported me. I do not even know where my head guard ended up, as well as the other guards who I was close with.

I assume they were executed, but I never saw their bodies. Otherwise, I think they would have tried to save me. My guards were expected to protect me as their job, yes, but I also got along with them very well.

They were my friends, and I guess they are probably dead now, or they escaped an are living in a village somewhere. I hope they are, because at least that means they're alive.

"Ciaran, we will get out of here," Rowan promises me, and I know it is true, but at what cost?

"Yes, but what if I lose you? Or I am killed? What if we are broken to the point where it is not worth escaping?" I ask.