I screamed as the lighter seared the tip of my nose; all I could perceive was the odour of my incinerating flesh. Tears cascaded down my cheeks as he withdrew the lighter. It was so severely charred and incinerated that it exhibited no signs of bleeding. It was nearly opaque and immediately scorching.
“You believe yourself to be astute, do you not?” Jack enquired, retreating from me. “However, I perceive your true nature. A solitary maid, envious of her mistress and yearning for the prince who will forever remain unattainable. Thus, you eliminated the obstacle in your path…”
“No…” I exclaimed, gasping for breath.
He emitted laughter.
“Did you engage in s****l relations with my other brothers, Abel and Ashton? Is that the reason they are all defending you?” he enquired.
“No…” I wept. “I have not engaged in s****l intercourse with anyone.”
He grasped the plank tightly in his hands as he approached me; his breath brushing against my face.
“Are you implying that a maid, such as yourself, is a virgin?” he enquired, maintaining a low and menacing tone while forcefully pressing the plank between my legs.
My body convulsed intensely as he intensified the pressure of the plank, and I grimaced at the excruciating pain it inflicted on my most sensitive regions.
“Please…” I murmured; my voice had become raspy.
I doubt I could scream even if I desired to; my throat was entirely raw, and I was excessively fatigued. I was uncertain how much longer I could endure this situation.
“No more…” I implored.
He smiled, yet the smile did not extend to his eyes. He regarded me with an unyielding stare. He was indifferent to my demise in this cell; his sole concern was violence and ensuring Jayce was wrongfully committed for a crime he did not commit.
I could not permit him to infiltrate my thoughts and compel me to abandon all that I understood. Regardless of my relationship with Jayce, I would not permit him to be held accountable for such an issue. I am aware that he did not intend to poison and murder Vera.
I am aware of this because the poison was intended for the queen, not for Vera. I failed to comprehend why Jack merely observed me alter the names on the bowls instead of expressing concern if he suspected I was poisoning someone.
Why would he merely observe me perform the task?
This was entirely incomprehensible.
He withdrew from me, releasing the plank onto the ground. He retrieved his pocket knife from another pocket, exposing the sharp blade.
I recoiled as he approached, pressing it against my throat.
“I am eager to hear your response after I sever your delicate throat,” Jack seethed.
I shut my eyes; I was unable to witness his impending actions. I recognised that my situation was irrevocably concluded. He intended to murder me. I was destined to perish in this prison, shackled to this concrete wall, powerless to prevent it.
“What on earth do you believe you are doing?” a recognisable voice resounded from the cell door.
Jack turned, and I opened my eyes to find Prince Jayce fixated on him, rage evident in his expression.
(Perspective of Jayce)
Zayden bellowed from within Jayce, “I will kill him!” “Release me!”
“Compose yourself!” Jayce admonished his wolf, striving to suppress his emotions.
If they lose their composure now, it would reflect poorly.
Jack had Molly restrained to the cell wall. She was saturated with blood, and her face was swollen and contused extensively. She was trembling significantly and appeared on the verge of losing consciousness at any moment.
“I informed you that I am extracting answers from her,” Jack stated, reinserted the pocket knife into his jacket.
Jayce entered the cell and swiftly approached Jack. He seized Jack by the collar of his jacket and forcefully thrust him against the wall, causing his head to collide with the concrete.
“I informed you that this was unnecessary,” Jayce growled.
“I will tear out his throat with my teeth!!!!” Zayden exclaimed.
Jayce disregarded his wolf, suppressing his rage deep within.
“I informed you that I would address it,” Jayce hissed at Jack.
Molly coughed, expelling a copious amount of blood from her mouth; Jayce struggled to suppress his wince. He glanced at the guard positioned at the far end of the cell, leaning against the wall.
“Release her,” Jayce commanded the guard.
The guard complied with his instructions; he approached Molly and endeavoured to unchain her. She collapsed to the ground and assumed a foetal position. A gentle sob emanated from her; her body trembled. Her dark hair obscures her features and conceals her eyes from observing Jayce.
Jack pushed Jayce until Jayce released his collar; Jack was slightly shorter, so despite his attempts to resist, it had little effect on Jayce. Jack attempted to strike him, but Jayce successfully evaded the assault and retaliated with his own punch. Jack collided with the concrete wall, striking his head in the process.
Molly raised her head to observe the situation; her eyes widened and became vigilant as she perceived that Jayce struck Jack forcefully across the cell. She exhaled, seemingly relieved by his presence.
She appeared to be in considerable distress; his heart momentarily ached at the sight, but he swiftly suppressed that emotion.
“Our companion…” Zayden murmured as they observed Molly’s appearance.
“Not at this moment,” Jayce cautioned him.
He pivoted towards Jack and forced him against the wall, fury surging within him.
“Molly is my responsibility. You will not interfere with her, understood?” Jayce hissed. “Escort her to the courtroom; the trial is commencing shortly.”
Jack forcefully pushed him aside and expelled blood from his mouth onto the floor.
“A trial? At this hour?” Jack almost chuckled.
