Chapter Five: Mariana

Mariana was hung from chains in a cell, her toes barely touching the cold floor. She was scared and that fear worsened as the guard walked in, a whip in hand.

The guard smiled and unrolled the whip as he walked around to behind her, she tilted her head trying to see as he swung the whip back and forth, building momentum, before he swung it at her back.

She cried out in pain as she felt the terrible lash on her back, ripping her shirt and skin. It was inhumanly yet they came one after another until she could barely feel anything as the pain knocked out her senses. She wasn’t sure how long she had been hanging there, her back being cut into shards, when she felt the chains being lowered and her feet hitting the floor.

She collapsed to her knees, her arms still in the air and hung by the chain. Something touched the wounds on her back and she moaned, her voice spent on screams, at the sting she felt.

“Shhh, It must be done, or else you will have scars for the rest of your life,” came the voice and she opened her eyes to a face framed by blurry light.

It was the prince’s face and she dropped her eyes “Oh your highness.” She stumbled to her feet and made a clumsy bow.

“No none of that.” He pulled her back to her knees. “And you can just call me Jax, you did something for me that I can’t do.”

Mariana stared at him, “And what might that be?” She asked.

“You tripped my brother up on his own words.” He smiled, “But how can I say yes or no if my mouth is closed?” He mimicked her in a high squeaking voice.

“I do not sound like that,” She said and laughed but she cried out again when her wounds throbbed.

“Don’t laugh and don’t cry out. My brother doesn’t know I’m down here.” He patted the cuts on her back with a cloth. “I’m almost done, I would get you a new shirt but my brother would know and he would punish you more. I convinced the guard to take a break,” He paused, “I’m not sure how long he will be though.”

Mariana nodded. “How long have I been down here?” She asked.

“A day and a half, the guard took a leave at one point tho, I’m guessing you were knocked out from the pain then.”

“Oh I didn’t expect that...” she said then looked up as she heard footsteps coming down the steps.

Jax looked up too then rose to his feet. “I best be going, if you are down here much longer I’ll bring some soup from the kitchen, I’m sure you’re hungry.” He walked up the stairs and she heard him converse with the person on the stairs before his footsteps grew faint and the new pair grew louder. It was the king himself.

The king stopped in front of Mariana’s cell and looked at her down on her knees. “I see someone let you...rest.” He said cooly. “I don’t think you should have but nonetheless I’m sure you are more humble.” He walked into the cell through the unclosed door and nudged her with his boot.

“Stand up girl and let me see your back.”

Mariana stood and slowly turned around, her hands still restricted by the chains, and blushed as she felt his eyes digging into her, like she was some animal captured for his entertainment. Her blushing grew into humiliation as he ripped the back of her shirt so it hung openly on her back.

“Someone has been treating those wounds, I would have liked them to scar so you would have a reminder for the rest of your life.” He said and walked around to her front. “Tell me who did it.”

“No.”

He reached out and slapped her cheek and she groaned, falling back to her knees. “Bring me my brother.” He said angrily to the guard outside and the guard ran off.

“You girl will stand trial,” he bent down and whispered in her ear, “You will be guilty.”

The guard came back just as the king was walking out of the cell.

“We can’t find your brother my lord.”

The king roared, a deep sound brought from hell itself. Mariana knew that Jax better run and he better run far.