The room was dark and cold when he finally woke. His head throbbed as his brain sloshed around in his skull. Slowly he started to feel his body sent a prayer into the darkness that he didn't. his body was screaming with a burning pain and he was sure his organ had been torn from his body. Sure if he reached down his hand would be covered in wet , sticky blood. Scared to know, but terrified not to he let his hand settle between his legs wanted to cry because he was still whole. Let the sobs fall because the pain wasn't coming from there, it was however coming from just above the area.

Letting his finger feel the area he felt a cringe in his chest. His ring of honor was gone. As his finger passed lightly over the area he bit his lip from screaming into the night. The pain around the area was excruciating. Not knowing what else to do he let the sobs fall. let them fall till remembered where he was. Remembered that he was in Kaeleer and not in Terreille and fought to remember that his wife wasn't doing this but someone was making her.

Slowly he forced the sobs to stop. Forced them back as he tried ever so carefully to make a witch light. Tried and found he could barely do that much. Pain gave way to his anger. He was pissed now. Pissed because she wasn't just content in hurting him she was also doing something to drain his power.

In the dark he forced himself up. Growled because the bed had been stripped down to the mattress. He would deal with that later. Right now he wanted a warm shower and hope that it would ease the pain enough so that he could find the source. He stumbled and nearly fell as he took the few steps into the closet that had been turned into the bathroom. Was glad he would have to walk more then what was necessary.

Fumbling around the strange room he found a wall sconce and struggled to light it. After a few tries was relieved to have some light. Relived because now he could at least see what was causing the pain he was feeling or at least see the worse of it. He couldn't see anything except a small scratch mark just above his organ . Knew a small mark like that couldn't cause the pain he was in.

Frustrated he turned the hot water on. The pipes hissed and gurgled but no water came out. Not amused he turned the cold on. A full spray came from the head of the faucet. He glared at the steady cold stream. Cursed because he knew someone had the hot water turned off on this side of the hall. Knew that someone would have been the High lord because no one came over here. He knew better then to take a cold shower, and turned off the water. No relief tonight. Not even a warm bed to curl up in.

He whimpered as he laid on the cold mattress. Cried till he fell sleep. Tomorrow he would confront his tormenter. Tomorrow is what he told himself.

He woke to the feel of sharp pain striking across his back. Couldn't rise to the killing edge. Panic raced through him. More so after he got his eyes open.

Witch stood next to the bed, a piece of a willows branch in her hand. A piece cleaned so that it could be used as a temporary switch. His didn't move as the branch stung his back. Didn't move when Witch threw it to the side and decided her claws were better suited for torment. Refused to so much as yell when those claws dug into his skin and blood trickled out from the wound.

Satisfied he was scared enough she finally spoke, " would you like to know where your jewelry is , prince?"

He swallowed hard. Jewelry not just his ring of honor. His hand felt for his pendent, for his rings. Worried, and riving in pain he forced him self to speak. Forced himself to say what had been acceptable in Terreille, " yes Lady, that would be most welcome."

Her finger groped her pended. For a moment it caught his eye, the twilights dawn. Hope filled him. Maybe he could use the black to get around her gray shield. To step out just far enough to call for help. To call for his brother.

" your ring was missing last night. So I expect that you shall give it to me today. As far as your pendent it's safe in the abyss. Where I can make sure you won't be tempted to call it in to help you."

" and my other rings, lady." he wanted to scream. Knew his wife must have fought to put the pendent where she could reach it. Had to because he was sure what ever was standing in front of him wasn't worried about giving it back to him.

Her finger passed the are that was sore last night. Smiled as she put just enough pressure for it to become painful now. " the shield was made to protect, but where it is if you call it , it will rip through your body. Oh it will still protect you prince, but most of you will be splattered on the wall before it settles on what ever is left."

His eyes widened in fear. The ring of obedience had caused pain, but this ….. He would die. Would be killed and with hope of becoming demon dead. Maybe a threat…. " Lady , how will you explain my death to your papa?"

Her eyes shifted cleared then quickly filled with tears, " forgive me." she whispered before the spell took over once more. " a warlord prince is expendable a good queen is not. His words are they not? Besides he called for your execution once…. Who knows he might still be pleased to get rid of you…."

He fought to get up, fought to meet her gaze, " Your lying…"

" no prince….. Maybe you would have done better to speak to the demon dead before I sent them to their final deaths."

Rage built inside him. Would have continued to let it build if he hadn't' felt the hum coming from his ring. If he hadn't believed her that it would rip him apart. Wouldn't have believed her if he hadn't started to feel pain shooting through his body. Forced himself to calm, " my apologies lady, I know not of which you speak."

She ran her fingers through his hair. Calming, soothing. " there, there prince. If you behave the pain will be minimal at best. And at worse…. Well I'm sure I can think of something to make you remember who you serve."

" your too kind, Lady "

" now why don't we eat. I'm famished."

He saw the tray of food. Two plates piled high with bacon and sausages , two omelets several pieces of toast. Jellies , and a large canter of coffee. His mouth watered. Hunger over powered his sense to know not to reach for it. Pain flowed from his body the moment he touched the tray. It Didn't stop till he was screaming in agony. Till tears streamed from his face.

" no prince this isn't for you. You may eat when I say you may eat and only what I say you may. Is that under stood."

He fought to catch his breath. Managed to meekly nod. 1700 years of being a pleaser slave now seemed an easy walk in the park compared to this. Compared to having the woman he loved do things to him no other queen ever dreamed of…. Or if they dreamed never dared.

Breathing quietly he watched her eat. Watched as she stuffed herself. Hoped he could have a taste. Out of two plates of food she left him a few bites of omelet a couple pieces of toast, along with a spoon full of jam. A single piece of bacon and enough coffee for a single cup.

" there, you may have the rest. Remember prince you do not eat till I give you permission. Even if a tray is brought in for you…. You may not touch it till I say you may." she left him with that thought as she left the room.

Looking at the tray he knew he needed help. Also knew he had wounds under the skin he couldn't heal. He could call in his black ring and hope he could get a singe message to his brother. Hope he wouldn't be dead before Lucivar got here. Decided to play this out. He had to because Lucivar would kill long before he remembered it was Jaenelle who was laying cold on the floor. No he could wait a day of two. And if the darkness was kind it would only be a day or two.