Sing, Canary - Ashley Amy Page 0,29

a lot of secrets, sheltered princess." He used the name against me. "Secrets that should make your wings as black as mine. Don't worry, Lyra. I plan to make you the bird you are. Sing, Canary."

Just like that, I flinched.

I just gave all of the men around me, the upper hand. They now knew the one phrase that undid my composure.

I hastily righted my face, wondering how Caine learned it. I contemplated how he knew what that phrase would do to me.

Barcel stepped up as Caine finally understood we had an audience. It was too late, though.

The two words behind my darkest secret were out, and my stepbrother was my executioner.

"Canary, huh? It's fitting." Barcel laughed and walked away, I knew my mask was surely cracking more and more. That single phrase brought back the worst of my trauma.

Everyone laughed with the king as I readied myself for the brunt of their abuse. In the coming days, I would no longer be the sheltered princess. I'd become the Canary, and they were going to try to make me sing my secrets.

18

Simone

Lyra stood under the water as it cascaded down her slim but generous body. This was the first time I had been alone with her since the cafeteria.

I had to talk myself into being okay with seeing her gorgeous frame without wanting to attack her. Though, it wasn't a secret with our lingering glances holding heat behind them.

Tonight, for the first time in two years, I'd make a move on a woman that wasn't forced by Barcel. Being nervous came with the territory, but I knew the reward could be the greatest payoff for me romantically.

Inhaling, I filled my lungs and then released it completely. Once it was out, I let my naked body move to hers. After the showdown on the blacktop, everyone learned her weakness. A phrase that seemed to be the only thing that made her show she had a fear.

I needed to let her know that when I was away from Barcel, she'd always have me. I could shower every night to help give her a safe haven.

"Lyra?" I tapped her shoulder.

She jumped away, flipping around.

I understood why the moment I saw her swollen and red eyes. Lyra came in here for a private moment, hiding away from those who wanted to hurt her.

The water running down her bare form masked the tears that were escaping through the drain, but the physical change rested around her hurting eyes. I hated her brother for this more than when he betrayed his cousin a few days ago.

Not caring of the repercussions of this moment, I quickly pulled her into my arms. I held her to me, proving she had an ally within this hell.

She broke down.

Lyra might want to look like someone who didn’t carry an ounce of feeling for anything, but she couldn't hide it right now. She couldn't even try to mask this from me.

"I'm so sorry, Lyra." What else could I say?

I learned a long time ago that words weren't needed. Sometimes, someone could feel better from the presence of someone else. Attention and time did more for someone's soul than simple words.

"They know," she cried. "They know the words that ruined me, but they don't know how they did."

I felt the meaning behind her words. I understood them on my own level. Lyra already had a taste of my secrets from when her grace called to me.

"Never be afraid to fall apart with me, Lyra. I'll never let anyone know about this." I stroked her long mane as she held onto me even tighter.

After a few minutes, Lyra stepped back, cleaning her eyes. "Thank you, Simone. I know you can't do much, but you've done a lot for me in the moments it meant something."

"How bad was it today after Caine dropped the bomb?" I hissed, imagining how rough the last few hours had been.

"I'm doing better now that everyone is saying it, but it was when the man who made me fear it, heard them using it..." She shivered. The fear ran down her spine as goosebumps covered her flesh.

"Your attacker is in here?" I nearly gawked.

Lyra just nodded, crossing her arms to rub them. "Even worse, they put my cell right across from his. Dolion can't stop cackling when he sees me. He's sworn to silence about my abduction, but it can't stop him from speaking in other ways."

"I'm so sorry, Lyra. I wish there was something I could do to help