The whipping had stopped now. Tears spilled from my eyes. My hands were freed from the rope, and the mouth gag was removed. I inhaled deeply, exhaling just as much. 

Then the King spoke. “She has passed the test of pain and the test of endurance.” 

Everyone clapped. 

“Now... let us proceed to the next test,” the King continued. “The test of pleasure and desires.”  

Then I heard footsteps. When it stopped, I could feel the presence of someone in front of me. The person ...