CHAPTER 2
Aelys
It took me a few minutes to calm down and for the tears to stop.
I get up and go to the bathroom to freshen up, cleaning the mascara off my cheeks.
I hear a click and then a door creaks open.
I freeze slightly, realizing that Mattheo has opened the bedroom door and is now in the room.
I take a deep breath and step out of the bathroom, almost bumping into his chest. I keep my head down, my gaze fixed on our shoes, waiting for him to yell at me.
“We're leaving. Now,” he growls.
I see him turn around and I follow him silently.
I didn't bring a coat with me and I really hope the weather is on my side, because I don't have time to get one.
I'm sure Mattheo will get angry if I ask to go back to our room to get it.
I swallow the lump in my throat and leave the Manor behind him.
I assume we'll teleport since he seems to be leading us to where Father and I arrived yesterday.
My eyes don't leave the floor, my mind repeating Mattheo's words from earlier. Am I really just a womb to carry Heir Rigast in the Dark Mage's eyes?
A light grip on my left wrist pulls me from my thoughts and my eyes land on the hand holding it. The skin is pale and a single silver ring with a snake on it sits on his ring finger. It's not Mattheo's because his skin is slightly tanner. I look up and see Arthur's sweet smile.
“Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.”
“I was just lost in thought, it's okay.” I shake my head, my lips curling up a little into a slight smile.
I see Mattheo roll his eyes out of the corner of my eye.
He grabs my right wrist, his grip hard, his nails digging into my skin and then the familiar crushing sensation from teleportation fills my body.
I try to keep my balance once we reach our destination and fight the urge to vomit after traveling so abruptly.
Mattheo lets go of me as quickly as he grabbed me, while Arthur leaves his fingers around my wrist, his touch still soft, almost tender. His gray eyes are filled with concern. I smile, letting him know I'm okay, and he seems relieved.
“We don't have all day.” Mattheo snarls, his eyes on Arthur's hand, his gaze dark.
I fight the urge to roll my eyes, not wanting to start another argument with him.
The blond lets go of me, and we start walking toward a bookstore.
Mattheo walks over to the counter and gives the employee a piece of paper.
I'm guessing it's a list of books needed for the school year because the man disappears for a few minutes before returning with a basket full of books.
Mattheo pays, and we leave the store in heavy silence.
His fists are clenched, and I wonder why he looks so angry.
Arthur and I trail behind him, leaving him to buy everything we need for our year at the Academy.
Arthur also buys a few things, making conversation with me, which seems to annoy Mattheo even more.
My gaze falls on the pet store and I stop in my tracks.
The blond notices and turns to see what I'm looking at before smiling.
He starts to open his mouth but gets interrupted by Mattheo's raspy voice.
“What the fuck are you doing?” He asks, annoyed.
“Can we go, please?” I point at the shop, ignoring his anger.
His brows furrow and his lips form a thin line as he seems to think about it. Finally, he rolls his eyes and begins to walk away.
“No.”
I frown, saddened by his refusal. I wish I had a pet.
Father never agreed to adopt one, and I always thought I'd get one once I left his house.
I sigh softly, biting my lower lip before following him again.
I know he doesn't care about my happiness, but I hoped he'd grant my request. Even if it was just this once. I guess I was wrong.
“Well, I need to buy some food for my owl, so yes, we're going there,” Arthur says loudly so that Mattheo can hear him since he has moved away.
I look at him, my eyes widening slightly. Hasn't he noticed how angry and annoyed Mattheo is? He winks at me and I smile brightly when I realize he's just looking for an excuse to get us going into the store. I hear a huff and see Mattheo coming towards us, clearly annoyed.
“Hurry. We have everything we need, so we'll head back to the manor after. I have other things to do,” He stares at us, his eyes darkening once they're on me.
I nod quickly, afraid of angering him further.
We enter the shop and I look around, amazed by all the creatures they have.
I see they have snakes and a smile creeps across my face.
I've always loved them. I know most people are afraid of them, but I think they're the most intriguing and beautiful creatures in existence.
My feet carry me over and I look at them, amazed by their beauty.
They're mostly small snakes, except for one.
It's a black-scaled python, it's truly magnificent.
I read the paper on its cage and see it's a two-year-old female.
This means it hasn't reached its full size and will become slightly larger than it already is.
I wish I could take it home, but since Mattheo was so reluctant to come here, I know that won't happen.
I sigh as I watch the magnificent snake crawl around its cage.
I hear footsteps coming towards me and I look up to see it's Mattheo. His eyes dart from me to the snake as he frowns. I turn my attention back to the snake, unsure whether to ask him or not. I bite my tongue, knowing I'll only make him angrier.
The silence between us is heavy, oppressive, as his dark gaze drifts from the snake to me again. As if he's considering adopting it. As for me, I squirm nervously under his scrutiny. I'm so anxious that I jump when Arthur suddenly appears at our side.
“Hey, I have the- Aelys? Are you okay? You look super pale!” He exclaims, a hand landing on my shoulder and his gray irises full of worry.
Mattheo looks at him, askance. I don't know why he gets so angry every time Arthur talks to me. Aren't I allowed to have friends?
I nod, swallowing hard.
“Yes, I was just lost in thought. Memories. It's nothing, really,” I lie.
The blond man looks skeptical for a few seconds before nodding.
My attention returns to the snake. Sadness fills me at the thought that it might have been born here, in captivity and I fight the urge to beg Mattheo to let me buy it.
I know he won't agree, and I don't want to make a fool of myself here in the shop.
I hear a sigh from my right and I look at Mattheo. He's clearly annoyed.
“Okay, I'll ask this once and I want an honest, straightforward answer,” he begins, his brown eyes meeting mine, “did you want to adopt this snake?”
I'm surprised by his question. Has he read my mind again? Is this really in good faith, or will he mock me once I answer? I avoid his gaze, looking at the reptile.
My thoughts turn to the horror of living in captivity, a prisoner of someone other than oneself. What if saying yes saved her from a nightmarish life?
“Yes, I would love to…”
I immediately start to feel uncomfortable. Mattheo's gaze pierces my skin, and I'm afraid of his reaction now that I've admitted it. I start to play with my fingers, not daring to look up at him. Another sigh is heard before his raspy voice rises.
“Fine, you can have it, but I don't want you to ever ask for anything else again.”
I almost answer, wanting to retort back that I didn't ask him anything in the first place, that he's the one asking me, but I bite my tongue. I want to adopt it, and he agrees without me having to ask. I have to take this small victory and not push my luck with him.
“Thank you. I won't ask for anything else, I promise.”
“Good.”
I glance at the snake, already trying to think of a name for it. Mattheo turns and leaves, probably to pay for its adoption. Arthur's hand presses my shoulder and he smiles softly, giving me a playful wink.
“Looks like you got yourself a pet, little lady.”
I laugh softly, happiness flooding my body. Indeed, I finally have a pet after years of dreaming about it. Mattheo returns a few moments later with the seller. The man opens the cage and takes the snake out, placing it in a box so we can travel with it.
I suppress a smile as the reptile curls into a ball and lets itself be picked up and placed in the transport crate without harm.
Mattheo hands the money to the clerk, grabs the transport box, and we leave the store.
Once again, the blond man's hand rests on my wrist while Mattheo's grabs my forearm, and we teleport to Leroi Manor.
Immediately, the brunette lets go of me and heads toward the Manor, completely ignoring us. I can't help but feel sad at his behavior. I don't understand why he hates me so much. Sure, he's not happy about our arranged marriage, but I'm not the one to blame.
I sigh and follow Arthur inside. I glance at the clock to my left, it’s 6:45 PM.
It's almost dinnertime, and I really don't want to have the same dinner I had last night. I apologize to my blond friend, explaining that I'm tired and going to bed.
“Aren't you coming down to eat?” He frowns, worried.
“I'm not hungry right now,” I shake my head. Once I notice the worry shining in his gray eyes, I smile softly. “Don't worry, I'll probably grab something later, if I'm hungry.”
He nods and kisses me on the cheek. I feel myself blush and he smiles at my reaction.
“Good night then, my little Lady.”
“Good night, Arthur.”
I'm flustered and hope the redness in my cheeks will have faded before I reach the bedroom. I fear how Mattheo will react if he sees me like this. It seems he already resents my friendship with the blond ; gods know what he'd think if he saw how nervous he's made me.
I stop in front of the door and take a deep breath, preparing myself to face my grumpy future husband. I turn the doorknob and step inside, closing it quietly behind me.
Mattheo is there, standing next to the sofas and the bookcase, wand in hand.
I frown, wondering what he's doing. He ignores me, not even glancing in my direction, yet I know he's aware of my presence.
He mutters a spell and a huge terrarium appears.
It takes up the entire space between the bed and the bookcase side of the room, which means my snake will feel comfortable in it if she decides to enter.
It's almost as big as our bathroom!
I lower my head, hiding the smile that takes up space on my lips. It's a truly generous gesture of him to give her so much space and I'm surprised to see this side of him.
Maybe he's not as bad as he lets on.
He opens the carrier, letting my snake slip out and slide inside the terrarium, exploring her new space. She seems happy with her new habitat, leaving my heart swell with happiness.