The Shadow and The Draw by RD Baker

Author:RD Baker [Baker, RD]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: RD Baker
Published: 2023-05-20T18:30:00+00:00

12

Cora

It’s raining.

There’s a podium set up in the clearing, with an a-frame in the middle of it, thick ropes dangling down each side.

I don’t even feel sick anymore. I’m beyond terror. I can’t believe this is happening. Tears burn in my eyes. This is my fault. I should never have called Amryn to my bedroom. I was stupid and selfish and now he’s going to die because of me.

Lordain and Roche sit on either side of me, silently. My hands are bound to the chair I sit in, and it’s all so ridiculous. Where would I run to? The rest of the clan is gathered behind us, hushed conversations going on about the whore of a Queen who betrayed the Alpha with the Draw.

I suppress a sob as Amryn is hauled out into the clearing by the guards, his hands bound in front of him. He keeps his head down. Please look at me. Please just look at me one last time. One last time. Ice runs through my veins. I had to watch him die once before, and now I have to watch it again.

The guards raise his hands and hook them into the ropes on the podium, tying them securely. He’s facing the crowd. His eyes stay on the floor. Please, please just look at me.

Finn sidles across the clearing, his veins glowing red, a long black whip in his hands.

“Lordain,” I turn to him. “This doesn’t need to happen.”

“Shut up Cora.” His eyes stay fixed on the podium.

“Please.” My voice cracks. “You don’t have to kill him. Just send him away.”

“He will always find a way back to you.” He turns to me, his eyes cold. “And we can’t have that.”

I look back at the podium, and Finn is circling Amryn, leering at him triumphantly. “You’re charged with betraying me, your Alpha, with my Queen. Do you admit to these charges?”

Amryn keeps his eyes on the ground. “Yes.”

“You admit you fucked my Queen?” Finn says.

“Yes.”

“You admit that you’re a traitor.”

Amryn takes a deep breath. “Yes.”

“And do you repent?”

Amryn’s eyes move from the floor, up to meet mine. Rain runs down his face. His jaw flexes. “No.”

The crowd behind me murmurs, and Finn’s face drops a little. “I asked you if you repent.” He says.

Amryn turns to look at Finn. “No. Never.”

“It’ll only be 10 lashes if you repent.”

Amryn scoffs. “10, 50, 100. I don’t care.” His eyes move back to me, and I see him brace himself. “I don’t regret it. I’d do it again. And I will never repent.”

Finn lunges forward and grabs Amryn’s hair, yanking his head back. “It’ll be 50 lashes, bitch.”

“So get it over with, you fucker.” Amryn replies through gritted teeth.

Finn releases Amryn’s head, and steps back, swinging the whip back and forth. Amryn’s eyes are fixed on me, and then there’s a loud crack, and his hands grip the rope as the whip snaps across his back.

Pain shoots through my shoulder as I turn to Lordain. “Please, don’t do this.” I struggle against the bonds tying me down as Finn’s whip cracks again.

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