Rowan's POV:

I know when we arrive, because I can see brighter light through my blindfold, and I assume it is from the lanterns of the village outside the castle. A warmth flows through the air, and I am sure that it is from a fire in the town, like the large ones that people will light in the village outside our castle.

The man that Ciaran told me to call 'Master' in their language calls out, and I think he is talking to his troops. I do not know enough of their language to make out words, and I hope to not be here long enough to need to learn the language.

My horse is stopped and someone grabs my arm, pulling me off of the horse. I stumble, but I am caught around the waist and helped to my feet. From how harsh the hands are, I know it is not Ciaran's hands on me.

We are lead inside somewhere, and my blindfold is ripped off, making me blink at the sudden light, even though it is dark outside the building.

"Ah, the prince!" a woman's voice exclaims, and I see Daliah sitting in her throne.

I know it is her, because Ciaran has described her to me and I can tell it is the same woman who encouraged him to kill his own mother years ago.

"I would call him prince," she says, pointing at Ciaran. She gets up and skips over to him, pulling up his shirt and touching the jewel on his belly button. "But we know he is only for pleasure."

I glare at him. "Do not touch him!"

Ciaran's eyes widen in fear, and I know it is for me.

"You have no power here," Vladimir says, licking his lips. "Weak prince. Could not even save his own father."

Gods, when I escape, I will kill him first.

My aunt, uncle, and Emily approach the throne, bowing to the two murderers! I take what I said back; I will kill these three first, then I will kill Vladimir and Daliah. Of course, Ciaran will get to kill the evil man who claims to be his Master.

"My father died a hero. You will all die villains," I snarl, glaring at the horrible people who have hurt me and the love of my life so bad.

Daliah cackles, waltzing over to me and taking my chin in her palm, her nails digging into my flesh. "You think you are strong... poor little prince. You are nothing here. We will kill your other father and you will stay here as slave."

The evil man who calls himself Master says something in their language, and Daliah releases me, smirking at the man as she walks back to her throne.

"Have a good night," she says, making sure I can understand it.

Master chuckles and grabs my arm, putting the blindfold back over my eyes.

I assume he is trying to make sure I cannot find my way around the palace, which is smart, but I know Ciaran knows his way. I stumble as I am pulled away, but my muscles relax when I feel a familiar, welcomed hand takes my own and guides me.

A door opens and my blindfold is pulled off when I am in a room that brings a sense of cold and fear all over my body.

Ciaran stands beside me, and I want to lean on him, but with the evil man standing in front of us, I know it is not safe to do so.

Master says something to Ciaran in their language, untying his hands and nodding.

He grabs my hand, pulling me toward the corner of the room where a small pile of blankets lay, as well as a pillow.

"Master says we will sleep here together," Ciaran tells me, gently untying my hands. "He says is going to put you in metal chains for a while so you cannot get away, and if yours are off, he will put them on me so we cannot leave without each other."

I nod, and as he said, our Master returns with chains and locks the metallic cuffs around my wrists.

He grabs Ciaran's arm and tells him something in a harsh voice, making my love tense and nod, though I know he is not happy to comply.

Ciaran runs off to the closet and returns a few minutes later, shame burning on his face. Gods, if we were not in the hands of an enemy, I would like what he is wearing!

He is in a small, lacy garment that does not cover much except for his privates and the strings from it wrap up and cover his nipples.

Of course he is always beautiful, and in something this revealing even more so, but I can tell it brings him shame so I refuse to enjoy something that brings him shame.

Master says a few words to Ciaran, and my lover's eyes widen in fear.

"Please do not," he begs, in the language I am familiar with, and I am ready to get up and protect him, but then I see that the fear in Ciaran's eyes... it is not for him.

He is glancing at me, and I know he is afraid for me.

Master snaps at Ciaran, and my lover shivers from the harsh tone and goes to sit down, not looking at me as he does so.

"Ciaran, what-" I do not get a chance to finish my sentence, as Master grabs my neck, his eyes narrow.

"You do not speak. Only when you have permission," he says in broken tongue, dragging me over to the bed and laying me down.

I know he is not going to rape me, because Ciaran is the love of my life, and he would put up more of a fight. Or, I at least hope my logic is the truth.

Master lays me back and forces my chained hands above me. He orders Ciaran to do something, and my lover comes up and holds my arms down, shaking as he does so.

"I am sorry," he whispers, and I know that my poor boy blames all of this on himself. "If you are not still it could hurt worse."

I want to ask him what he means, but Master grumbled a few words, probably ordering Ciaran to be silent, and my lover closes his mouth, looking away from my eyes.

Master pulls up my shirt and I look down to see a blue jewel attached to a needle.

I try to struggle, but Ciaran's worried expression makes me stop; I am not a fool, and I know that if I struggle, the needle could be inserted wrong and lead to an infection.

The pain is not bad, but the knowledge behind its representation stings even worse. Even if it is removed, I will know what has been there... I will understand how Ciaran felt every day before we communicated on behalf of his piercing.

And it feels horrible, having this gross symbol of ownership from a horrid man.

I fight myself to stop tears from falling, and I am successful but still in immense mental pain. Knowing my tears will satisfy Master only drives me to fight back harder; I need to stay strong, because I know Ciaran will, and our combined strength will be the only weapon we have to help push ourselves to find a way out.

Thankfully we are still together, and while I know I will regret being thankful when Master tries to put his hands on Ciaran, I am grateful that I get to be with him. I will know he is alive, and our bed on the floor will lead to sore muscles, but I will at least get to be beside him, and when Master falls asleep we will be able to talk.

I just hope he does not end up in the same state I found him in; broken, hopeless, and terrified that everyone is out to get him.

He is too strong.

Master's words bring me back to reality, as he drags me up by my arm and orders Ciaran to follow him. We end up in the bathroom, and I see a strange contraption that Master fiddles with and water pours out of it.

Oh, so this is the shower that Ciaran spoke of.

We are both stripped of our garments (Master forcing me and Ciaran hesitantly pulling off his own clothes) and Ciaran gently guides me inside. For a brief moment I am grateful to be alone with him, but then I feel Master open the door and stand behind me, pressing his naked body against my own.

I cannot even force him away because my hands are cuffed in front of me.

Gods, I need to add to a thought I had before.

While I hope Ciaran gets away from this without being scarred, I need to start to hope the same for myself, because I have never experienced what he has. I know that Ciaran is strong and will be able to escape and have a sense of who he is.

However, I do not know what I will do.

I am already lost, and I am afraid.

I hope I can escape from this and be okay.