Twelve

I hit the ground then slowly pushed myself up, hearing Tommy laugh as his 'girlfriend' watched from the hall.

"Can't even fight back, how useless!" He laughed, but stopped as someone rang the bell downstairs to alert us to a customer. It was a new thing he was doing.

"Go on, serve your guests. I have someone to serve as well." He said then I stood, limping downstairs and wiping the blood off my cheek. I knew that my left eye was swollen and black, my body was lined with bruises, which is why I wore leggings and a sweater to cover it, and I knew my lip was busted. I knew my ankle was sprained, my ribs had been cracked, and there was no doubt in my mind that I had messed up my right wrist pretty bad. As I got downstairs, I cursed to myself as I saw Prince Noctis' advisor and partner standing there, but they were looking around curiously.

"How can I help you?" I asked as I walked in, but Prompto Argentum stared as he saw me.

"Sorrentina-"

"Is there a specific item you are looking for?" I asked, but Ignis Scientia obviously swallowed hard as he stood there frozen.

"What in gods name has happened to you?" He whispered, but I cleared my throat.

"I'm afraid I knocked over a stack of books the other day, I didn't move quick enough." I lied then Prompto cleared his throat.

"Uh, well, Noctis wants to see you-"

"I'm afraid that I'm very busy, Prompto. I've barely left the shop in the last week alone, I've been getting so many orders lately." I lied then he slowly nodded.

"Sorrentina, are you being hurt?" Ignis asked, but I shook my head.

"Of course not, like I said. I fell, pulled down a stack of books, and I didn't move in time. If you have no other business with me, then I'll have to ask that you leave." I said then they turned and left, but I closed my eyes as Tommy grabbed my waist, holding my stomach.

"Very good, baby." He whispered, the pet name making my skin crawl as I begged the astrals to save me.

Nyx's POV

"And she was all beat up, it was bad." Prompto explained as he gripped Noctis' hand then I looked at the prince, who gave me a look.

"You said she was with this Tommy guy? The one you put away and who was forcing himself on her before?" I nodded then he looked at Cor, who huffed.

"Well, a summons from the king is mandatory." He said then I looked at Noctis, who looked at me.

"Then I'll convince-"

"I think I should be the one, Prince. She is the woman I love after all." I said and everyone stared at me. I hadn't said it, not out loud, but it was obvious to everyone and their mothers that I love Sorrentina.

"If this Tommy is hurting her, I should be the one to talk to the king about summoning them to the Citadel-"

"Her grandmother is dead." I looked at Ignis in shock then saw he was looking at his lap.

"He tried to hide her, but I saw her corpse beneath a desk, she looked like she had bled out based on the stain underneath her." He said then looked at me.

"If this Thomas can murder an old woman for defending her granddaughter, there is no telling what he will do to the granddaughter." He said and I nodded. I left the suite of the prince then went towards the throne room, adjusting my coat as a guard announced me. As I walked in, I saw the king and his council sitting there watching me, but I quickly dropped to one knee at the base of the stairs.

"Go on and stand, Nyx." He said then I stood.

"Sire, I'm here to ask a favor." I said and looked at him, seeing he was confused.

"I have reason, a lot of reason actually, to believe that Sorrentina Demose is being physically and sexually hurt by Thomas Kingston." I said then he sat forward.

"And what is this reason?"

"Prompto Argentum and Ignis Scientia saw her recently, they say she looked beaten and her grandmother was dead. I had Thomas Kingston arrested before because he was hurting Sorrentina and he tried to force himself on her, but no one has been able to get into contact with her since-" I stopped then cleared my throat.

"Since I betrayed her and forced her away." I said then looked up at him and saw he looked upset. Not for Sorrentina, but for me. Like he pitied me.

"And you want me to summon them here so that we can see if she really is being hurt?" I nodded then he sighed.

"I will have them summoned a week in advance-"

"He won't touch her to ensure she is healed if you do that. If you summon them on the same day-"

"That is only for major crimes, Nyx-"

"Father, do it." I looked over my shoulder then stared as the prince came in with his Crownsguard, the Glaive, and my friends.

"She is being hurt, abused, and he is being suspected of murdering a woman! That is a major crime itself, the abuse is an added crime and there's no telling what else he has done! If you do not immediately summon them both, I will use my one kingly order as prince and I will summon them myself!" He said then I had to admit, he had balls.

"And you're certain that she is being abused? That he murdered her grandmother?" The king asked as I looked back at him then I nodded.

"I know Sorrentina, sire. She's careful, I've never once seen a scratch on her, and yet she supposedly pulled a stack of books down on her? We all know that she would never do that, so yes. I know she is being hurt and I am sure that he has murdered her grandmother." I said then he nodded.

"Then, Clarus, send out ten guards. I want Thomas Kingston and Sorrentina Demose brought in immediately. Bring them to me, but take care with Sorrentina." He said and Clarus Amicita nodded, giving the order to the Glaives instead.

"Nyx, I want you to lead this task. You say you know her best, then she will need something familiar if she is hurt." The king said then I nodded and turned, taking the Glaives with me as we went to find Sorren and Tommy.