The Foxling Soldati (Soldati Hearts #2)(28)

“You feel so good,” Pavoni hummed. “Tell me what you feel when I touch you.”

Toka considered his answer carefully. If he said disgust, Pavoni would only be amused. He thought of what would irk Pavoni the most. Toka held his head high. “I feel nothing.”

“Lies. Tell me I disgust you. Tell me how much you loathe my touch.”

“Your touch means nothing. Therefore, I feel nothing.”

Pavoni slammed a hand against Toka’s back, sending him soaring forward. He hit the ground hard. On instinct, he covered his head when Pavoni descended upon him.

“Let’s see if you feel nothing now, dog!”

Toka did his best to shield his head, his legs pressed together as Pavoni kicked at him over and over. A blow to the face left him with a bloody nose and bloody lip. His muscles screamed in agony, and when he thought he might lose consciousness, Pavoni stopped.

“Who told you to come in?”

“Forgive us, Your Majesty, the guard said you were ready for us.”

Pavoni bellowed for his men and ordered Toka be returned to his room. The Orso guards pulled Toka to his feet and dragged him away. He limped as quickly as he could, one arm around his middle, the other in the painful grip of an Orso guard. Toka felt sick to his stomach, and the back of his eyes stung. His head was throbbing, and his body protested any movement. The Orso guards dropped him like a pile of trash on the small bed of straw next to Pavoni’s bed.

Toka curled up on himself, shivering. He shifted into his fox form for warmth, the heavy chains loose enough for him to slip through, but he was in too much pain, too exhausted, and too frightened. Pavoni was sharp and conniving. He would never have allowed such an oversight, unless he was absolutely certain Toka had no hope of escaping. Why else would he not enchant Toka’s shackles? Toka brought his brush up over his nose and whined. At least this way, he wouldn’t cry. He couldn’t lose hope. I must be strong.

“Why do you antagonize him so?”

The soft voice startled him, and he quickly shifted back. He sat up, holding himself tight as Princess Verity came to kneel beside him, a cool, damp cloth in her hand. She gently cleaned his face.

“It will only fuel his anger. He will kill you, Toka. Give yourself to him, and the blows will cease.”

Toka shook his head. “I will never offer myself to him, and I won’t lose myself to him either. If I do, it would mean losing Rayner, and our love. It’s all I have left. I won’t let Pavoni take the hope I have in my heart.”

She dabbed at his split lip, and he caught her hand.

“If he finds you here…. I don’t want you to get hurt. Please.”

“You suffer terribly, yet you… fear for me?” Verity searched his gaze, though for what, Toka couldn’t fathom. She pulled back, then reached into her skirt pocket and removed a small glass vial.

“Here. Take this. It’s only temporary, but it will buy you some time.”

Toka didn’t know why she was helping him, but he quickly took the small vial and drank down its content. He’d handed it back when the most violent, agonizing pain jolted through his body. He gasped for breath and fell onto his side.

“I know it hurts. It will make you sick, but only for a day, two at most.”

“Th… thank… you.” Toka gave her a small smile before a sharp jab to his gut had him crying out. It was as if his insides were being turned inside out. He shut his eyes tight and gritted his teeth, but each churn of his stomach produced a greater, more agonizing blow to his body.

Verity shoved the empty vial into her pocket just before the door to the room was thrown open. “What the hell is going on? I can hear screaming from the blasted throne room!” Pavoni narrowed his eyes at Verity. “What are you doing here?”

“Brother, he needs a doctor.” Verity rushed over to Pavoni and took hold of his arm. “I was on my way to see you when I heard Toka’s painful cry.”

“What’s wrong with the bloody creature?” Pavoni scowled at Toka. “Surely I didn’t strike him that hard. Bloody foxlings are such pathetic, weak creatures. Can’t take even a little pain.”

“Please, brother. He’s very ill.”

“Fetch the blasted doctor, then.”

Verity nodded and hurried off, leaving Toka alone, writhing in pain. Pavoni grabbed a fistful of Toka’s hair, forcing his head up.

“All you’ve done is buy yourself some time, but it won’t stop me from claiming you,” he snarled, taking hold of Toka’s jaw and squeezing until Toka flinched. “Soon I will fuck you until he’s nothing but a faded memory.” He shoved Toka down before spinning on his heels and thundering out. Toka cried in both relief and anguish.





Chapter Seven


RAYNER FOUND Riley sitting in his favorite spot beneath the large willow tree in the east gardens. It was where Riley often enjoyed an afternoon nap, and where he came to read a book when Khalon was busy tending to business. At times the young prince simply needed what he called a “breather.” It amused Rayner how many human words and phrases Rayner, Khalon, and the rest of the court had picked up since Riley’s arrival. Although the Soldati had walked among humans since humans first acquired the ability to walk, they rarely interacted or stayed among the creatures long enough to completely pick up their customs. Every so often, Rayner would catch himself using one of Riley’s words. Khalon was worse as he was only ever away from Riley when he truly had to be.