His lips parted against his will, and he could do nothing but swallow the alcohol she poured into his mouth. The liquid burned against his injured lips and throat, and the pain became so unbearable that tears streamed down his face while he struggled uselessly against the chains.
When the glass was finally empty, a scream tore from his throat. His body convulsed before sagging under his suspended arms, and he hung there gasping, unable to understand why he had obeyed a command he had been so determined to resist.
Sashkia lowered the empty glass and stepped away from him, apparently satisfied with her attempt at so-called purification.
One of Cassian's men, who had been standing silently in the corner throughout the exchange, approached her and took the glass from her hand. He returned to his position without uttering a word, leaving the captive hanging before them while Sashkia turned her attention towards Cassian before returning it to the prisoner.
