Gods of Blood and Fire - A. J. Strickler Page 0,38

across the mouth, knocking the small crown she wore off her head and sending her straight to the floor. Raygan had never even been so much as spanked in her life. Now blood dripped from her busted lips on to the beautiful carpet that cover the floor of her room.

“I think you have talked to Father enough, you treacherous little bitch.” He moved toward her like a monster in the old stories. “How long did it take you to get him to do this to me? I never said anything when he spent all his time with you.” Cain clenched his fists as he spoke. “I never complained when he put you before me time and time again. Not one word passed my lips when he laid everything you ever asked for at your feet.” He walked slowly around the Princess. “My whole life I stood in your shadow, Sister, and watched as he gave all his love and attention to you and never did I once complain. I took the leftovers of Father’s love because I knew that he had entrusted me with Bandara. The one thing I had with our father, the one thing we had together. In the end you found a way to destroy that too, didn’t you?” His accusation’s hurt her as much as the back of his hand.

Raygan tried to rise, getting as far as her hands and knees before Cain kicked her in the stomach, flipping the tiny young woman completely over on to her back. She could not get her breath, and it was agony to even try. She could hear him rage on. “What was it, dear sister? Did you whisper in his ear the whole time I was in Tyro with your sweet lies and our mother’s looks, did you tell him it was your heart’s desire to be the Queen?”

She was just getting her breath when Cain stomped down on her abdomen, this time she heard a bone snap. He loomed over top of her looking down with contempt. “How did you do it, little sister? Did you take our mother’s place in his bedroom? Did you become Father’s whore?” Cain jumped on top of his sister and straddling her small body and began to scream in her face, spittle flying from his mouth. “Answer me, you worthless little bitch. I want to know how you did it!” He began to pound her face with his fists. Her head bounced off the floor with each blow. The last thing she remembered was his hands sliding around her throat.

“Cain, what the hell are you doing?” Talorn said as he and his father came through the door of Raygan’s room.

“Talorn, would you be so kind as to stop the Prince from killing his sister, please,” William asked casually. Talorn was already halfway across the room. He grabbed Cain by the arms and pulled him off the bloody girl. “You will never sit the phoenix throne, you treacherous whore,” the Prince screamed.

Cain struggled to break, free still kicking at the helpless girl lying on the floor. The Prince couldn’t free himself, Talorn’s strength was too great. The big knight began to slowly pull him back. William walked over to the struggling Prince. “Highness, I think you need some air. Talorn, if you please.” William pointed to the door and Talorn dragged Cain from the room. As he wrestled the struggling Prince out the door, Bishop Lyfair and Finn Selmac came in.

“I think the Princess is in need of your administrations my good surgeon,” William said. Selmac knelt down over Raygan and started assessing the damage her brother had inflicted on her.

Bishop Lyfair looked down at Raygan’s bloody face. “What in the name of Almighty God happened?”

“It seems the Prince thought that his sister’s treachery should not go unpunished. Cain has more backbone than I gave him credit for.” William smirked.

“You call that backbone? He has savagely beaten his sister, a mere fifteen-year-old girl, and you think that shows some kind of courage?”

“Indeed I do, Father, the Princess betrayed her brother. He may have not chosen the best way to punish her, but there is no doubt of her guilt.” Lord Blackthorn looked at the guards standing in the doorway.

“Would you be so good as to close the door? I don’t think we need any more people to see this than already have. Come Finn, let’s get her onto the bed. ” Lyfair walked to the door nodded to the guards and closed