Cursed Blood
54.Humiliation and Protection.54

It wasn't long until whatever luck holding back the Lightblood guards was gone. Dmitri supported Rebecca and even my brothers and father backed off as several citizens came in with some familiar guards I'd seen on the training grounds. The Prince was among them as well, though he looked upset about it. I gulped, getting to my feet as my form slid away for my own protection to seem less threatening. My gown was still intact beside a few torn layers of skirt, and I faced the guards with confidence. Below, servants were cleaning the ballroom and clearing away food as Lightbloods looked on in hunger, anticipating my punishment. Charles was among them, standing near the Queen as she looked on with a clouded expression, surrounded by her advisors. Shade, Andrew and Travis were next to my brother -- though I didn't think they knew each other -- staring back at me in worry.

I wish you were here, I thought to Kai, wringing my hands together. Janora and Raeni were below as well, the seamstress shooting me a supportive thumbs-up.

Not only that, but I swore I saw a red eyed man in the background.

"Miss Rose," a tall guard next to the Prince said, "its required that you come with us."

I sighed. "Can I at least make sure she's alright?"

His expression darkened. I could practically read his thoughts loud and clear; what is some freak doing asking for extra freedom?

"Please watch out for her," I whispered, not turning my face to look at Dmitri. Gulping, I stepped toward the guard only to be jostled back by another yanking my arms behind my back. The guard who had spoken, who I now assumed to be a general, led the group back down the steps, the Prince trailing behind him without a word. Whoever was holding my arms back pressed my wrists together, inflicting pain not only on them but my shoulders as well. It was hard not to lash out at them, but I managed to remain calm as the guards strode through the Lightbloods, stopping before their Queen and her advisors. My wrists were released and I rolled out my shoulders, trying to get rid of the tension I felt not only in myself but in the air. I had spent energy on healing Rebecca and was a bit less antsy, but now I was filled with worry.

The tall guard, whom I suspected to be the General, bowed to the Queen.

"What would you like us to do with Miss Rose, Your Majesty?"

I lifted a brow. They dragged me away from healing a friend just to ask what they should do?

Assholes, I decided, subtly nodding to myself as I met the Queen's eyes. The woman who seemed to be the center of my problems lately -- if I wasn't loyal to her, pledged and bound by word, I probably would've had an easier time making decisions about who to trust. While it was true, my vow to her was making things a little tricky, it also wasn't her fault.

I made the choice. It was mine.

Queen Amara glanced at her son before looking back at me, her eyes sweeping over my dress and up to my hair, which was untouched despite horns being on my head not too long ago.

"What happened, Cloud? Why did you step in for that maid?"

I swallowed my fear, confident that I did the right thing. Confident that I would do it again if I could.

"My wings brushed the woman's arm. It was the same maid from that breakfast. I scared her, so she dropped her platter and splashed wine on your ambassador's dress. Ms. Sheamus was angry and was hurting the maid, so I stepped in. After all, I am practically a guard. I lost control for a moment because my senses were overwhelmed and that's where the dome came from. It was a mistake. I didn't know it would burn the ambassador."

My mouth went dry the second I was finished my words, my nerves still on edge.

"She has to be punished for harming a noblewoman, Your Majesty. Ms. Rose is still a peasant," the general butted in, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. In that moment, I decided I hated being called a peasant. I was a fighter, not some farm girl. Not anymore. Instead of being on the sidelines watching my brothers argue incessantly with each other, I wanted to be the warrior rushing in to win wars.

I clenched my jaw, tilting my chin up. "With all due respect, sir, I am one of the Queen's privately hired warriors. I was protecting one of her servants. The ambassador wished to harm some girl over a dress she could probably buy ten more of."

Eyebrows were being raised all around me, a whisper travelling through the crowd. I could see the rage on the General's face, but refused to flinch when he stomped toward me, hand lifted. I stayed stable even as my head whipped to one side from the force of his hit. The pain vanished almost instantly, and my gums began to throb, fangs wanting to be free and to get revenge for him laying a finger on me.

I exhaled, relaxing in my place and meeting his angered eyes. It was time for the old, powerless Cloud who used her words to resolve things to come out. Magic and overwhelming power wouldn't be much help now.

The General looked livid as I stared at him without fear.

"I'm not lying," I shrugged, "I have signed my entire life off to Her Majesty. I have the ability to make a call to save a servant."

Queen Amara and Prince Elijah said nothing, simply watching. The guard lifted his hand once again, and I kept myself from lifting my fists against him as he swung his palm for my cheek. I didn't, however, hesitate to step back out of the way. The other guards tensed, some of them even drawing their blades as I once again froze in my place.

Cloud, please stop this, the Prince's voice popped into my head. You'll only make this worse.

I met his eyes from where he stood next to his mother, sighing. It was late, and the failure that was this ball had taken away all my energy. I still desperately wanted to curl up into a ball and sob away my worries, but now I was in the middle of a room of Lightbloods with a man dead set on causing me pain.

"Are you saying I should be sitting here and taking this?" I said, my voice sharp like the cracking of a whip as I addressed the Prince, ignoring everyone else. He winced, grimacing as many people followed my gaze to him. Now their stares bored into his body, and he shot a sheepish smile to his mother.

She nudged him and he straightened up, swallowing his embarassment.

"Cloud, you need to be punished. Accept a few smacks and get it over with," he ordered, as if it didn't sound like a barbaric way to treat someone who was just trying to protect another. Two others, really.

This is what I get for being a force of protection. Punishment and pain.

I glared at the Prince, too angry to express myself. Instead, the temptation to give the General a few smacks nearly sent me into a fit of rage. He strode toward me, confident that I would submit after receiving an order from His Highness.

This is humiliation. He really believes I would just give up like that.

I rolled out my neck, leaving my eyes trained on the ground. Weighing the options, counting his steps toward me.

More violence will lead to further punishment. I can't push my luck too far.

They clearly don't need me in tip-top shape if they're willing to let me get thrown around a bit without a word in my defense.

I hate this, I thought, feeling the General's breath on the top of my head. I was frozen, unable to take control of myself as a conflict went on inside my head. The pain barely even registered when his fist met with my gut, causing me to double over in pain that only lasted a split second. My power was alive beneath my skin, trying to break free.

But I couldn't let it.

Tears ran down my cheeks here and there as the sound of fist hitting solid human girl echoed through the room, broken only by the sharp inhales of horrified Lightbloods. I took every blow, feeling my body repair itself almost instantly. Still, I couldn't stand it, and began to sink to the floor as the General began to pant. The tear streaks on my face were the clearest symbol for them all.

The symbol of my humilation.