Akna ran her fingers through Anita’s hair. Anita stirred, but didn’t wake. Akna smiled.

She couldn’t sleep again, but at the moment, she didn’t care. She hadn’t had sex in ages, and she hadn’t had sex that good for an even longer time—not since the last time she and Chica had lain together, which seemed a lifetime ago, long before they went to Scovese.

Thinking about Chica wasn’t bringing visions of her death either, which Akna wanted to revel in. She could close her eyes and not see Chica’s face explode, not see any of her friends die. It didn’t matter if she wasn’t falling asleep. She was happy for just this much. She could worry about lack of sleep another time.

So she just lay there awhile. Anita occasionally stirred a little, rolled over, rolled back again, put her arms around Akna, rolled over yet again. Akna just watched the whole time, occasionally stroked Anita’s hair, touched her skin, kissed her on the couple occasions she opened her eyes for a moment.

Akna wasn’t sure just how much time passed. It had to be getting close to dawn, though. At some point or other today, exhaustion was going to hit her, but for now, she was still wide awake and content.

There were voices in the hallway. Yes, it had to be approaching dawn. The morning servants were probably getting up.

Except the voices in the hall were yelling. There was a cry and more yells.

Akna sat up and nudged Anita.

Anita groaned sleepily. “Mm?”

Akna nudged her again. “Something’s happening. Wake up.”

Anita opened her eyes, then sat up. “What the hell?”

The yells outside were louder. “Open it! Do it now! I said open it, bitch!”

Akna reached for her spear, which was leaning against the wall beside the bed. And Anita had mocked her for keeping it near her, even while they were fucking.

The bedroom door opened and one of Anita’s handmaids ran into the room. She fell to her knees. “My Lady! I’m sorry! They forced me. They’re everywhere. They—”

A man in pinkish metal armour with a helmet and red cape marched into the room, a sword already drawn. He rammed it through the handmaid’s back.

Anita screamed and Akna leapt from the bed, raised her spear into attack position.

Danel Belone walked into the room. “Good gods, savage, you’re naked.”

Akna gave him a mocking smile. “Yeah, I’ve been fucking your sister. That usually involves being naked, but you wouldn’t know that, would you?”

Danel sneered. “Your insults mean nothing to me, savage.”

“Danel, what the hell are you doing?” Anita had pulled her knees up against her chest, and the sheets of the bed over them.

“Establishing a proper order in this place, starting by arresting this savage.” Danel nodded to the armoured man, who moved forward.

Akna levelled her spear at him. He didn’t stop, so she stepped back, then thrust her spear straight into the gap in his armour at the shoulder of his sword arm. He cried out, dropping his sword. She yanked the spear back and he cried out again.

Two more soldiers wearing the same style armour marched into the room.

“Danel, stop this!” Anita yelled. “You can’t do this! Where’s Father?”

“Dead. He died in his sleep during the night.”

Anita shook and pulled the blankets up more. “What? But…”

“I’m in charge now,” Danel said, “and there are going to be a few changes.”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

The injured man backed away behind the two new arrivals who stepped forward.

“You can’t win, savage,” Danel said. “Surrender now, and you won’t be harmed. You’ll be treated well until your execution tomorrow.”

Akna rolled her eyes. “Like that’s a great incentive.”

Danel grinned. “Then the Red Knights will kill you now.”

“Red Knights?” Anita screamed. “You brought Bloods here? Father always denied them entry!”

“Like I said, I’m in charge now. Now, stay out of this or I’ll have you arrested too. Your disgusting behaviour with this savage is more than enough reason.”

The two Red Knights advanced on Akna, attempted to flank her. She stabbed at the nearest one, again straight at the joints in his armour. She pierced his thigh. As he cried out, she withdrew the spear, spun it around and jabbed at the second. He managed to avoid the thrust, came in with his sword high. She jumped aside and ran the spear through his armpit. She pulled the spear back out and he fell aside, screaming in pain. Blood from his nearly severed arm gushed down.

Akna stabbed again at the first one, who was trying to get within her reach. He knocked the spear shaft aside with his sword. She scrambled backwards against the bed. Then she thrust her spear under his helmet and through his chin.

Anita screamed again. Akna glanced at her. Tears streamed down her face.

“I’m sorry” Akna said. She pulled her spear free, letting the heavy body drop to the floor.

Two more, these ones holding shields, had entered the room. Behind them, another man entered. He was dressed in the same pinkish armour, but he had not drawn a sword and he was carrying his helmet at his side. His large nose was crooked, and two long scars ran down his face, one on each side and crossing along his chin.

“My apologies, your Lordship,” the scarred man said. “I’m disgusted that my men have not been able to handle one naked savage.”

The two shield-bearing Knights linked their shields together and advanced towards Akna.

“Enough!” Anita jumped off the bed and ran between the Knights and Akna. “Leave her alone!”

The Knights paused in their advance, and the scarred man looked to Danel. “Your Lordship? What should we do about your sister?”

Danel frowned and looked away. “Arrest her. Throw her in a cell until she comes to her senses.”

“No!” Anita yelled. “You can’t do this!”

Danel sighed. “If she resists, kill her if you have to, but try to subdue her.”

Akna dropped her spear. “No! I surrender! Just don’t harm Anita!”

Anita looked back at her, more tears streaming down her face. “No, Akna, they’ll kill you.”

Akna wiped a tear of her own. “There’s no choice. I can’t let them harm you. I wouldn’t be able to take them all anyway.”

The two Red Knights unlinked their shields, and rushed past either side of Anita. They grabbed Akna’s arms.

The scarred man stepped forward, took Anita’s arm, and twisted it behind her back. Anita cried out. Akna tried to move to her aid, but the two Knights held her fast.

“Be gentle with her,” Danel said. “She may have abhorrent affection for the savage, but I don’t think she’s beyond redemption.”

Anita spat at the scarred man’s face. “Redemption? I’m not the one who needs redemption.”

Danel looked at her, grimaced, and looked away again. “Good gods, put some clothes on.”

“You killed my handmaid!”

“She had the gall to dress the savage like a noblewoman. She got her reward. You’ll have to dress yourself today.” Danel looked to the scarred man. “Let her get dressed, but watch that she doesn’t make a run for it.”

The scarred man nodded and let go of Anita. “And the savage?”

Danel shrugged. “The clothes she wears make little difference. Just throw her in a cell as she is. It’ll make any thoughts she has of escape even harder.”

The scarred man motioned to the Knights holding Akna. They dragged her towards the door.

“I’m sorry, Anita,” Akna said as they dragged her past.

Anita strode up to Danel and slapped him. “Fuck you, Danel! Fuck you!”

Akna didn’t get to see or hear what happened next, as the Knights dragged her through the door and then another Knight in the hall slammed it shut behind them.

Oddly enough, Akna was feeling sleepy. She almost thought she might be able to fall asleep while the Knights dragged her naked through the palace.

Funny that.

She should have known better than to think she could ever experience happiness again.