Page 126 of Crowned In Venom

I am chained to my own bed.

The scent of blood lingers in the air, mixed with something bitter—tonics. Herbs. Magic.

I blink hard, my vision spinning.

The golden glow of lanterns flicker, casting long shadows against the walls of my chamber.

I try again, yanking against the chains.

They don’t budge.

Rage coils hot in my veins.

I snarl, pulling harder, my muscles burning, my body weak from the poison, from the wounds, from?—

I fall.

The chains drags me off the bed, and I collapse onto the cold marble floor.

Pain explodes through my ribs, but I barely feel it.

I crawl, dragging myself forward, yanking at the bindings, my breath ragged.

"Damn it!"

I need to get up.

I need to?—

"Anya."

The name rips from my throat, hoarse and raw.

"Where is she?"

Silence.

A slow, measured footstep echoes through the room.

And then?—

A soft, familiar sigh.

"Oh, my son."

The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

I freeze.

She is here.

I do not need to look. I feel her presence before I see her.

The Matriarch.

She moves toward me, her silk robes whispering against the stone floor, her dark hands gleaming in the dim light.

"Look at you."