Never. The defiant thought shot through Laya’s mind without hesitancy. The monster roared and plunged Laya back into the searing flames. As she fought back, the renewed pain pierced deeper. An imagined knife sliced through her flesh, tearing it from the bone in slow, harrowing strips. The monster wanted her to beg. Laya refused. She would last until the monster grew tired of its torture⁠—maybe then Imeria would kill her.

Between wave after wave of agony, she heard Luntok pleading. He sounded a thousand miles away. “Leave her. Mother, please.”

An eternity later, Imeria complied. The pain finally ebbed to a dull ache. Laya opened her eyes to find herself plastered across the floor of the throne room. Fresh blood trickled from her mouth and splattered against the tiled floor. She must have bitten her tongue, helpless against the pain that wracked her body. Salty tears ran down her cheeks. Sweat soaked through her dress. When she tried to push herself off the ground, her arms shuddered beneath her weight.

With tremendous effort, she lifted her head. Several of the palace guests were on their feet. They stared at Laya in worry and terror. Not even Luntok dared rush to her side. They were too afraid⁠—of her.

Imeria laid a hand against her cheek. Laya blanched, but no pain came. “You know, when Luntok told me a Gatdula girl had caught his eye, I prayed to the gods he didn’t mean you,” she said in a quiet voice. “Couldn’t he have gone after the little one? She’s just as pretty and twice as weak. But no, Laya. He had to have you.”

A faint spark of pride swelled within her heart⁠—the one place the pain didn’t reach. Steadily, she met Imeria’s gaze. “You would not crown me if I were weak.”

“No, I wouldn’t.” Something twinkled in Imeria’s eyes⁠—something akin to respect. Her mouth hardened. “You will marry Luntok,” she told her. “Or whatever pain I inflict on you, Bulan and Eti will receive tenfold.”

Laya’s eyes widened with the threat to her sisters. “No, Imeria, please. Leave them out of it.”

“So complicated, just like your mother,” Imeria said. “I’m giving you what you’ve always desired, Laya. I merely ask for your cooperation in return.”

How dare she act as if she were doing Laya any favors. Fury slashed lines of red down either side of her face, clouding her vision. With her last ounce of strength, Laya lunged for Imeria. But Imeria was too fast. She sidestepped the attack easily. Instead of digging her fingers into Laya’s mind, she struck her hard across the cheek.