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Filo brought the hammer into the air, then barreled it down until it crashed into my hand. I screamed in immense agony as I heard the bones in my hand crack and break. He brought the hammer up a second, then a third time, flattening my hand until I could no longer move a single finger. My screams seemed to land on deaf ears. No one came to help me. No one moved a single inch to stop what was happening to me.
Filo finally stepped away from the table. The others let go of me as I fell helplessly to the floor, cradling my limp, numb hand. I looked at the tablecloth, now covered in my blood. Gaelin refused to look at me. I was trembling as I peered down at my bloodied and bruised hand. I could see spurs of bone poking out from the skin. My nails were shattered, and my wrist bent in an unnatural way.
My vision blurred from the shock and tears as I curled my legs under myself, trying to conjure whatever dignity I had left to stand on my own. I heard footsteps coming from behind me and turned to see Princess Daealla walking towards me with a wrought-iron poker in her hand. The tip had a vibrant red glow. She grabbed the right side of my dress, ripping the fabric to reveal my chest before jabbing the red-hot poker into my skin right underneath my collar bone.
I opened my mouth to scream in pain, but nothing came out. She pushed deeper, allowing my skin to blister from the heat of the metal. She bent down slowly, placing her lips near my ear.
“Now, every time he looks at you, every time he touches you, he will think of me,” whispered Daealla. She withdrew the poker from my chest.
I could feel my skin ripping and tearing as parts of my melted flesh went with the iron poker. I doubled over, feeling sick to my stomach. Tears saturated my face as I forced myself to remain conscious.
“You are dismissed,” said King Lysanthier.
I slowly got to my feet, cradling my hand to my chest. I didn’t dare look at the other alfar. Some of them laughed quietly to themselves as I passed their tables, heading for the exit. I barely made it back to Gaelin’s chambers. I closed the door behind me, sliding down the wall, unsure of what to do now. Hopefully, my sacrifice wasn’t in vain.
Ten minutes passed before Levos entered the room holding a yellow scroll. I was still shaking from the trauma of my punishment. He took one look at me, and his face fell. He rushed to me, taking my warm face in his hands. I began to cry again as I looked at my hand, trying to figure out how my bones would ever heal.
“Gen, sweetheart, look at me. You’re going to be okay. Remember, you will heal. This is only momentary. Your hand will be fine,” he said.
“You need…you need to find a piece of ulyrium,” I forced out.
“What? Why?” he asked.
I pulled my ripped dress to the side, revealing my brand. His eyes widened as he looked at my burnt flesh. “I need you to go over the brand with a ulyrium stone, or it will fade, and they will find out what I am,” I said.
“Gen, I can’t. I can’t hurt you in that way,” he said, holding onto me.
“You have to. To save my life. Please, Levos,” I whispered. He his eyes darkened in pain as he nodded, leaving the room.
He returned with a small ulyrium dagger. The stone was a mix of red and orange swirled together to create a fluid design. He held the dagger over a flame, heating the stone, then gently placed a rolled piece of cloth in my mouth before removing the edge of my torn dress. I pressed my head against the wall, breathing deeply. I nodded for him to begin.
The smell of my burning flesh was all I could focus on. This branding was slower and much more painful. I yelled through the cloth as my whole body shook. It took everything I had to stay seated and not move away from the dagger. Levos steadied me with his other hand as he traced over the already fading mark.
Just as he finished the last lines of the design, the door flew open and Gaelin stepped into the room, his face horrified. He charged at his cousin, picking Levos up by his shirt and slamming him into the wall next to me. My vision was still blurry as I fought to stay awake.
“What in the god's names are you doing?” Gaelin yelled.
“Cousin, I had to. If the mark faded and they saw, then they would know what she is. It had to be done. I didn’t want to. Believe me.” Levos said heavy-heartedly.
Gaelin let him down slowly as they both turned their attention to me.
I looked directly at Levos, not able to stomach the sight of Gaelin. “Was it worth it? Is it what we thought?” I whispered.
“You were right and now we have the proof,” Levos said, picking up the piece of yellow parchment.
I smiled, knowing I could at least destroy one evil in my life.
“What are you two talking about? Tell me, now,” Gaelin growled.
I tried to get up but was too weak. Gaelin reached for me but stopped hesitantly when I turned away from his touch. Levos made his way over to me, helping me stand to my feet. I looked between the two of them, still having trouble breathing.
“You tell him. I’d like to bathe. If you permit me to, that is,” I said sharply to Gaelin.
His eyes filled with pain, and he turned away from me. I walked into the bathroom and closed the door. The water burned my brand and my broken hand. The adrenaline was beginning to wear off and my nerves were screaming in pain. I could feel the wounds of my hand beginning to mend, but I didn’t know how long it would take to fully heal. I would have to fake the injury for some time, acting as if I was healing at a normal human rate.
I curled my legs into my chest, still cradling my hand. I was shaking, replaying the punishment over in my head. Tears poured from my eyes as I sobbed heavily, letting it all go. I brought my fingers to my chest, hesitant to touch the raised raw skin. The brand was oozing as the skin began to turn different shades of green and purple. It’s just a body, Gen, I thought. It’s only skin. This doesn’t define you.
The door of the bathroom opened slowly. Gaelin stepped inside, keeping his eyes to the floor. I curled my knees as high as I could into my chest, trying to cover myself. He walked over to me and knelt beside the tub. He couldn’t look at me.