Chapter Ninety-Two

Chapter Ninety-Two
Ellie watched Ozul light a series of white, red, and pink candles. He moved slowly, deliberately. She felt sick looking at him, knowing everything he had done as the Master. He glanced at her and smiled in what she assumed he thought was tenderly, but came across as creepy. She turned her head defiantly and stared at the cold, hard cavern ground.
“Now, now, pet. There’s no need to be that way. You wouldn’t want me to punish you, would you?”
“I’d rather you just kill me,” she muttered. She pulled against her iron restraints again, further bruising her wrists. It didn’t matter. No matter how hard she pulled, she just couldn’t get free.
“Oh, there will be none of that. You’re mine for as long as I live. Rather, you will be in just a few short moments. Once the ceremonial candles are lit, we’ll begin the ceremony.”
“I’ll never consent!” she yelled, facing him. “I’ll kill myself before I allow you to complete the ceremony!” Ozul was instantly in front of her now, his face frighteningly calm.
“Pet, what makes you think that I need your consent? All I need is to recite the words and join our blood. It’ll be over before that oaf can even find you.” He grinned widely now, his perfect straight teeth glistening eerily in the candlelight.
Ellie, angry, exhausted, and scared, spat in his face.
Ozul closed his eyes and licked his lips, relishing the taste of her saliva.
“Mm, I see now why he favors you so. You smell divine, but your taste? Oh, I can’t wait to make you mine.”
“You’re a fucking pig. I can’t wait for Avery to kick your pathetic, creepy ass.”
Ozul grabbed her chin hard and pulled her until her face was inches from his.
“Avery won’t find you down here, pet. This is my special place – not even Dorian comes here.”
“Dorian?” Ellie blinked, momentarily stunned. “Dorian works for you?”
“Of course. That idiot is in love with me and is convinced that I love him, too. He was far too easy to control. It’s almost sad how readily he offers his services to me.” Ozul laughed cruelly and released her. He turned his back to her and resumed his methodical candle lighting.
“It doesn’t matter. Avery will be here soon, and when he gets here –” Ozul was grabbing her chin before she could finish her sentence.
“Avery won’t be able to do a damned thing. Even if he kills me, he won’t have you.” Ellie felt the cold, hard edge of a very sharp blade press against her neck. “And even if I kills me, if I can’t have you, then neither can he.” For the first time, his calm façade broke. She could see a wild, frenzied obsession in his eyes and knew that he was serious. Ellie felt her body shiver involuntarily as Ozul slowly lowered the blade to the top of her dress. His other hand traced her jawline, his nails painfully dragging across her skin. “You are mine, pet.”
With a jerk, Ozul sliced the top of her dress open, exposing the top-half of her chest. Ellie tried to back away, but her body was already pressed into the jagged wall. The iron chains clanged as Ellie fought against Ozul’s advances. She could feel his hands trying to tear at her dress, and a deep panic set in.
“No! Get away from me! Get away, you monster!” she screamed. Something in Ozul seemed to have snapped. The wild obsession in his eyes had been replaced with a deeply unsettling lust. “Stop!”
“Get away from her!”
Ozul and Ellie both froze. Avery stood in the doorway, sword drawn. His glare sent chills through Ellie’s body – even she could feel his intent to kill. Ozul shook with rage as he turned to face his brother, holding his blade up in defense.
“You cannot have her. I saw her first. She is mine,” Ozul growled. He took a menacing step toward Avery, but Avery seemed completely unfazed.
“She is a woman, brother. No man may lay claim to her. She is free to choose who she wants to be with, and she has chosen me.” He spoke with such finality that Ozul seemed to hesitate before laughing.
“This is why you are a poor choice for a king. You lack the balls to do what is necessary. If you want something, you take it.” Ozul took a step back and grabbed Ellie by the hair, pulling her up to face Avery. “This is why she will be mine and you… will be dead.
Ellie saw the figure behind Avery too late. She screamed, trying to tell him to turn around, but the sword was poking through Avery’s chest before she could open her mouth. Avery turned quickly and dispatched the orange-haired man, but it was too late. She could see the blood beginning to pool on his shirt, see the blood start to trickle from his mouth. The next second he was down, lying on his side near Xenos’ twitching body.
Something inside of her broke then. She screamed, a deep, guttural cry that encompassed all the pain she’d felt over the last few months, all the heartache and love she’d experienced. Ellie pulled against the iron chains that bound her, feeling the searing pain on her wrists until a white light emanated from her body and broke them. The remaining candles flared to life, the flames high and strong. Ozul gasped and dropped his dagger, shielding his eyes from the glow that encompassed the room.
Ellie pushed herself from the wall and grabbed the dagger as the light began to fade. Ozul lowered his arm and gasped as Ellie plunged the blade deep into his chest. He opened his mouth to speak, but Ellie pulled out the blade and jammed it through his throat, silencing him forever. She turned away from Ozul and ignored his gurgling gasps, rushing to Avery’s side. She cradled his head on her lap, pushing his damp hair away from his face.
“You… are amazing,” Avery whispered.
“Hush.”
Avery coughed, sending blood pouring down his chin.
“It… it’s too late… Get to safety, Ellie… Leave me… and go…”
“You’re an idiot,” she muttered, wiping tears from her face. “I’m not going to leave you. I’m sure Elvin already has more people coming. Just hang on, okay?”
Avery smiled, his pointed teeth glistening in the candlelight.
“You know… you’re the best thing… that’s ever happened to me… I love you so much… Ellie.”
“I love you, too,” she whispered. She stroked his face tenderly as he closed his eyes. “Please don’t leave me here,” she pleaded softly. Avery didn’t respond.
Without a word, Ellie pulled the sword out of his chest, sliced her hand, and pressed it to his wound. She closed her eyes and prayed that it would work. She kept praying until she heard familiar voices coming closer.
Suddenly her body began to ache, her head began to spin, and before she knew what was happening, she was unconscious.