I'll do it.

Hazel eyes flew wide with fright.

Heavy boots on the carpet, stepping toward her.

Small, delicate hands came up automatically to protect herself.

Don't - no wrong that we have committed against your people will be remedied this night!

Pain exploded in her jaw - a harsh blow to the face.

A gasp of pain.

The carpet beneath her cheek.

Don't speak to me of wrongs done, you murdered my son! You and your husband.

Hazy, swimming thoughts.

Fear.

Uncertainty.

Hung him upside down on a cross like something evil! He - my boy. A man of God.

Realization.

The Protestant minister in the village.

Fear. Regret.

Severin? Severin. She's a queen.

The crunch of glass underfoot.

Throbbing in her cheek.

Rustling from one of the men in the corner.

Doesn't look like a queen now, does she?

A table crashed against the wall as he hurled it aside.

Hands around her ankles, dragging her across the carpet.

Her own fingers clawing at the rug, trying to get away.

You took my son! You destroyed my family, you destroyed me.

Terror.

A scream ripped from her lips.

Her nightgown yanked up her legs.

He said he had a bomb, it was your people who killed him!

Another scream.

Hands closing around her throat.

Pressure over her mouth, preventing another cry.

Desecrated in the town square. You should know desecration. You, who claim to be anointed by God! You godless bitch.

Couldn't breathe, couldn't breathe, couldn't breathe.

Choking.

Everything hurt.

Hold her down, hold her down!

The hand tightened around her throat.

He pushed inside her.

Agony.

She felt violated.

Fear.

Shame

Empty.

Wasted.

Sinking and floating.

Breathing and drowning.

She was ruined.

She was nothing.