Chapter 10: Get On Your Knees
Trigger Warning: The latter part of this Chapter includes a scene of coerced sexual activity. Please proceed with caution or skip if needed.
---
"What’s the meaning of this?" Caius asked darkly. "You dare block my path, peasant!"
Caius adjusted on the horse. His erection was discomforting, and the reason why he was hard was even more disturbing. The culprit was right in front of him, her head bowed to the dirt, but it wasn’t her appearance that made him want to splay her on the streets—it was her actions. To ride through the trees was not only dangerous but unexpected, and she had done three unexpected things now. There was no way he would be satisfied with just one go. Caius had a better idea.
"Speak!" he thundered, moving his horse closer.
"Yer majesty, ’ave mercy. Mi father ’as nothin’ to do wit’ this. It’s mi fault alone. Please punish me instead."
"What are you talking about?" Caius asked. "I have nothing to do with your father."
"Mi father is about to be killed. ’E trespassed, disobeyin’ yer orders."
"A just cause, wouldn’t you agree? Trespassers should be punished, shouldn’t they?"
"Not ’im, it was mi fault ’e set out this mornin’. Mine! ’Ave me ’ead instead."
"Lift your head," Caius said.
Rose slowly raised her head. Her hair was windblown, and strands stuck out awkwardly. Leaves and sticks were tangled in her frizzy hair. Her face was red and splattered with tears. Bloody scratches marked both sides of her cheeks. Snot ran down her nose, but Rose didn’t bother to wipe it away.