Chapter 73: Alexei's Secret (3)

The witch smiles a toothless grin which disgusts Alexei but he glares back at the man. Behind him, Stefan is leaning down at Anna, studying her.

“Now you will know what pain is, Princess!” He exclaims and pokes Anna’s eye with the hot iron rod.

“AHHHHHHHHHH!” She yells in agony as the hot rod melts her eye. Blood oozes out of her eye and she writhes but cannot move because the soldiers have kept a strong hold on her. She is trying to fight back, the pain too much to bear.

Alexei watches helplessly as his sister is being tortured. “Please!” He begs. “Let her go! I-I do not want the throne. Uncle can have it! We will leave and never return…”

Tears roll down his cheeks as he breaks down completely. Their parents are dead, their teacher is dead and now, they are going to lose each other.

“What did we do to deserve this?” he whispers. “WHAT WAS OUR FAULT?”