séverin slammed into the ground, choking on blood as he hit the stone. shackles rubbed painfully against his skin, his wrists and ankles raw. he groaned, blood rolling down his chin as he rolled onto his side. his whole body burnt, his skin painted with blood and soot.

he had been here for months, a prisoner of the oxotia dynasty. séverin's golden eyes were hazy, his recently shackled throat feeling raw. in late winter, he'd been kidnapped by the army and shoved over into the hands of the dynasty. he hadn't committed a crime. his father was supposed to be here, in this position. he'd done it all. séverin groaned as one of the guards dragged him down the hall, his back scraping the rough ground. "h..." he rasped. the guard threw him into the cell, slamming the door. tonight, they'd bring him food. he wouldn't be able to eat it. a few of séverin's teeth were broken.