Aidan's severed finger plopped to the glass floor.
Cinderella must have released his mind because he abruptly bent over, clutching his hand to his chest to stem the flow of blood. I winced, but I couldn't look away. The werewolf was immortal; he wouldn't die from such a wound. The only way to kill an immortal was to sever their head from their body.
"You may leave." My mother watched him with disdain.
Aidan stumbled from the room, his hulking body crashing into the doorframe. My stomach clenched.
As hard as I tried not to, I still flinched when my mother reached out and rubbed a cool hand over my shoulder.
"I hate to hurt you like this, but it's the only way to teach you." I dropped my gaze to Aidan's severed finger. His finger would regenerate. Physically, he would be fine.
"When you graduate from the academy you will return to rule with me as my heir, and we will vanquish any who dare stand in our way."
There was a trail of blood across the floor.
"Yes, Mother. I won't disappoint you."
"That's my girl. Now, go to your room, and pack your trunks. Tomorrow you leave for the academy."