Ignoring her pleas, Alaric tilted the candle, allowing scalding wax to drip onto her exposed skin. Evanthe cried out, her back arching as she vainly tried to twist away from the searing pain. The hot wax dripped onto her collarbone, tracing a path of fire down to the swell of her breasts. Her breath came in ragged pants, her body writhing as she tried to escape the relentless torment. "Please, Alaric, I swear—I'll do anything," she gasped, her voice hoarse with agony.