~ NYSSA
The King cursed and sent me flying from my chair into the pool of blood left behind. It smeared my face, hands and clothes.
I coughed and spluttered, trying to spit out the piece of meat he shoved down my throat when a voice stopped me.
"If it comes out of you, you'll eat it off the floor like a dog."
The king snarled low, teeth bared and advanced on me only to be stopped by the sound of a chair scraping.
"Enough, father," Allister said, his voice cold. "She does not know the rules. You cannot punish her for that."
I looked between the two of them with unchewed food in my mouth.
Allister gave me a small, discreet nod and I forced myself to swallow, hating how it settled liken lead in my stomach.
To my surprise, the king obliged his son and stepped back, smoothing his hands over his clothes. "Very well then, you can ensure she finishes her meal or it will be you who bears the consequences."
