Sia hadn’t been joking when he said he would no longer be there for me. Two days have passed since he left and he hasn’t returned. Izal came in at times to apply some peppery ointment on my injured leg. ‘It heals nicely,’ he would say every time he comes, ‘it would just leave a scar’. Cocci comes in to change the pampers I’ve been forced to wear after yelling a string of curses. I haven’t showered in two days and even though I’m dying in my filth, my heart still yearns for Sia.
He didn’t come but Ruarc did in his place. The Crown Prince lingered by the door, looking quite haggard. His hair is sticking up in odd places, his feet are bare and he has a bushy beard. We stared at each other for a good number of seconds before he broke the awkward silence.
“You shouldn’t have done that… slept with Sia I mean, but you did and it triggered the rabid side of me and here we are.”
“I slept with your brother, and I don’t regret it. What I regret however is letting you go after you chopped off a piece of my leg.”
His eyes flicker to my injured leg. “I’m sorry about your leg.”
“The apology doesn’t sound genuine.”
“Drop it Crinka. What do you expect me to do? Lie and grovel at your feet? For moon’s sake your little stunt has put us in trouble. Not only has Massa slipped into a coma, but Sia has to go around explaining to the council why a mere wolf would save his life.”
I don’t suppose that he told them the truth. I narrow my eyes at Ruarc. “I’m not to blame Massa’s condition. You’re the one who put him in that state.”
“It’s actually your fault. If you had just whipped Eloive completely, Massa wouldn’t have substituted for him. You’ve put us in a load of trouble Crinka, and I wish I had never let you come to the palace.”
“That’s your problem. I’m here now and I’m not going anywhere.”
“You’ll leave on the 25th. I’ll arrange for your departure.”
“I hate you. Yes, I gave myself to Sia, but is that enough reason for you to treat me like trash? I’m your mate Ruarc.”
“That was until you slept with Sia. Now you’re nothing but a harlot!”, he spat out.
The weight of his words settled on my chest, weighing me down. Tears prick at my lids.
“Get out! I don’t want to see you here just go!”
I sit up when he refuses. “Just go Ruarc! If my presence disgusts you so much then just go! Leave! Get out!”, I threw the nearest object at him. The roll of bandage didn’t even get too far.
Ruarc walked up to me, eyes dark, and I will never forgive him for what he did next.
…..
The tears, her cries, and her screams. He couldn’t get them out of his head. He still couldn’t believe what he had done. Crinka would never forgive him, and he wasn’t so sure he would be able to forgive himself.
He hadn’t intended to do it, but Raja had gotten to his head and all he could think of was how soft she would be within those depths, and like a savage man, he had attacked her. What he hadn’t seen coming however was the rejection. The words had so effortlessly left her lips and Ruarc wondered if she had even breathed throughout the process. His heart ached but deep down he knew he deserved it. With every thrust, he received a cry of pain. He should have let her go after the rejection. He should have walked out and left to soothe his heartache in the bosom of his wives, but he hadn’t. Rather he beat her up, taking away her dignity with every unholy thrust.
And what had it all been for? To prove that he’s better than Sia at making her come? For moon’s sake, Crinka didn’t experience an orgasm, until he beat one out of her. Moreso, he shouldn’t have shot the nurse when she came at him, nor should he have hit Izal. Now as Ruarc hung from the ceiling in just his underpants, he realized that fucking her, had all been for nothing.
…..
They know.
The secret that we had so vehemently tried to keep is now out in the open all thanks to that rabid son of a bitch. The only thing the Icelanders don’t know is the blood bond between Sia and me, but every other thing has now been exposed. They know my real name. They know of the mate bond between Ruarc and me. They also know that he had raped me and beaten me. They know that I rejected him. They know that Massa had only listed me as his whore to cover up my identity and Ruarc is to blame for it all.
I’m going to die. I know it, because there is no way I am staying here alive. Even if the council would pardon me, Ruarc’s wives won’t. And I wouldn’t balm them. I’m partly the reason he had been locked up. I thought I could survive anything because I survived a blood bond, but the pain that shot up my spine as Ruarc defiled me is something I never want to experience ever again. More so, the fact that my wolf wouldn’t talk to me is heart wrenching.
The villagers and all who live in the iced mountains had come out today to witness justice being served. Since they were so many, the gates were left open. as they flooded the courtyard. The princes, except Ruarc were dressed in full regalia, even Massa who is still in a coma. A stage had been set up and that’s where the royal family, including the council and elders, were seated. Thjis along with the princes were facing the people. The council faced me, Sia, and Ruarc. I have no idea why Sia is here with us, but I’m glad he’s with me because I don’t think I can stand staying in the same place with his brother.
“Silence!”, Thjis ordered, and his command silenced the murmuring crowd.
“We have gathered here to witness justice being served. Our beloved Crown Prince has been allegedly accused of rape by this she-wolf. I know you all are confused by her appearance on our lands. but I can assure you that she no harm to us.”
If only they know, I say to myself, as I feel my wolf moving around restlessly in my head. She’s mad, and I’m mad too.
“The council has come to a decision regarding the matter, and I urge you all to be quiet as we await their verdict.”
Silence fell on all the people as Thjis quietened and Rifera rose. I’m beginning to think she’s the head of the council. She looks absolutely lovely in the burgundy dress she wore.
“Two weeks ago, a case was brought before us, whereby Crinka, formerly introduced as Stormie, allegedly accused our Crown Prince of rape. Now we know better than to blindly believe the words of a werewolf, so we decided to investigate the matter, and I stand here today to tell you that this woman here is nothing but a liar and a cheat!”
The crowd hoorayed. Izal shook his head. Sia’s jaw clenched. Ruarc smiled and my blood chilled. I was a fool for thinking that they would paint a bad image of their Crown Prince. I’m not going to make it out of here alive, but if I do, I’d be goddamned lucky.
“Our dear prince Massa, the gods bless him with fast recovery, had brought this treacherous woman in and we had accepted her because we perceived she would cause no harm. and look how she has played us all. This woman here seized the advantage of her master being sick and cheated on him with some random man. He abused her, and to cover up her shame, she comes to us, accusing our beloved prince of rape.”
My bottom lip trembles. Why is no one talking about the nurse? The one Ruarc’s bullet killed? Why are they lying? I cheated on Massa with Sia, and I don’t think that should be considered cheating since I was never Massa’s in the first place. Why is Sia not saying anything? Why is Izal keeping quiet? I was raped in his infirmary.
“Now Crinka, briefly explain why you lied. Your explanation would determine your punishment.”
“I didn’t lie,” I spit out, venom lacing my tone. My wolf is surfacing, and I fear she would break out if I don’t calm down. “He raped me. I’m sure of it.”
“I was going to give you a lesser punishment, something you can handle, but since you are in denial, I would give you what you have been asking for. Bring in the men!”
My jaw drops as twenty hefty men, all bare walked shamelessly into the courtyard. The crowd parted for them, and I shook with fear. Oh goddess, please let it not be what I am thinking.
“In respect of our customs and traditions, laws and culture, Crinka Clepp has been sentenced to the Shaming, and you’re all welcomed to watch.”
“That’s too harsh,” Sia spoke up and the crowd hushed.; “No one has ever survived the Shaming.”
“It’s either that or five hundred and six lashes. Take your pick.”
“I choose the Shaming,” I speak up.
“I didn’t expect any less. You are a slut after all,” Rifera said with a grin.
Sia gripped me by my shoulders, forcing me to look at him.
“You don’t have to do this.”
“So, you would rather I take the lashes?”, I whisper. “Sia, please just stay out of this. If you don’t want to watch, then leave.”
He refuses. I turned away from him, afraid I would break if I looked at him again.
Turning to the crown, I tore off my clothes.
With glee, Rifera shouted, “Let the Shaming begin!”