Chapter Thirteen
R aven
I woke up incredibly stiff. I tried to sit up but had a hard time doing so. My breath hitched when I heard a chair move. Footsteps walked against the floor and I clenched my eyes shut. I just knew he was going to lecture me. A masculine hand removed the hair from my face gently. Wait...I know that touch. My eyes popped open and met an icy gaze. A gasp escaped my lips.
Slade. He was here. How...why was he here? Did this mean he was coming back to fight for us? I couldn’t believe it, I never thought I would see him again, let alone be this close to him. My heart raced, I wanted to reach out and hug him, but that seemed like such an impossible wish.
He placed a hand over my mouth. “Don’t talk.” His deep voice was a welcome distraction.
I nodded and grimaced when I moved again. For some reason it hurt worse than it did earlier. He removed his hand from my lips and kept his firm gaze on mine. I swallowed, but it was rough.
The lighting was dim, there was a single night light in the room, but it was bright enough that I could make out his face. He looked the same but different. He had a scar that outlined the corner of his right eye. His hair was still the same messy way it had always been. His once smooth face had a five o’clock shadow, and his muscles had grown since the last time I saw him. He was sexier than ever, but he also looked more dangerous. Is this a dream? How is he here?
He remained at my side, not saying a word, his eyes boring into my soul. It was like he couldn’t comprehend that he was here either. I wanted to ask him so many questions, but I was afraid he’d leave again if I opened my mouth.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Slade’s eyes gave me a silent warning. Don’t say a word. He moved behind the curtains as I forced myself into a sitting position. Once I was there, I swung my legs over the side and turned the light on. I cleared my throat. “Come in!”
The door burst open, and Father came in breathing furiously. My shoulders tensed, and I braced myself for the worst. Here we go.
“Raven,” he grunted. There was invisible steam coming from his ears. I hadn’t seen him this mad in awhile. Lately he had been turning his anger elsewhere, but today it was all on me.
“Father,” I said in a dry tone.
“What did I tell you not to do?”
I looked at the ceiling, trying to remember everything that went wrong. I shrugged, “I can’t remember.”
“You and I damn well know that’s a lie. What did I tell you not to do ?” he asked through clenched teeth.
I released a heavy sigh, and lowered my gaze back to his. “Not to get close.”
“And why did you?”
Why the hell was I getting grilled by him? I just got stabbed for Christ’s sake. Did he care though? No. His love for me vanished into thin air. It was non-existent. “Because she looked like she was suffering. I mean no water, no food, kind of suffering. She was on the verge of passing out. How do you expect me to interrogate someone when they can’t even lift their head?”
I moved to a standing position, but faltered, so I used the bed as a crutch. I just wanted to get a shower. Was that too much to ask? Actually, could I even get a shower? I had no idea how deep the wound was. My lips morphed into a frown.
Father took a few steps towards me and glared. I did my best to stand up straight, but without warning, he backhanded me. I lost my balance, hit the nightstand, and fell to the floor in a crumpled heap.
Well, that fucking hurt. Why couldn’t he just be the caring parent for once in his life? Why did I have to succumb to this side of him? Why couldn’t he treat me like he treated my daughter? Why was I so unloved?
“Next time, do what I tell you or you’ll find yourself in the dungeon without food or water. Don’t make me a monster, Raven.” He left the room, and slammed the door shut.
A lone tear fell down my face. “You already are...”
I stayed on the floor next to my bed and leaned my head against it. I was too drained to do anything else, and the pain was increasing. I would never understand why he hated me so much.
That scared little girl that I thought I buried in the deepest pits of my heart, was starting to make her way to the surface. I didn’t want her to come back. I was better off numb. Better off not asking questions, and I was damn well better off being a stone cold bitch. I placed my face in my hands and let out a few shaky breaths. I haven’t been this way in a long time. Broken. Weak. A shell of my former self.
Silence echoed across the room until there were footsteps along the floor. I stilled. I forgot he was still here. He just saw all of that.
I removed my hands as a pair of black boots filled my line of vision. He stood above me, but I didn't dare look. I couldn’t see the disgust and disappointment. He knelt down and his fingers lifted my chin. I winced when his stormy gaze zoned in. I was sure there was already a bruise forming where Father hit me. I would have to cover it up with extra makeup now. Lord knew I wasn’t allowed to go out showing any signs of weakness. The Queen of Amenida mustn't be weak .
His gaze hardened. “He’ll pay.”
I stiffened. “What?” My question came out as a whisper.
His fingers stroked my face. “No one is allowed to touch you but me. No one.”
I couldn’t help it. A strangled laugh escaped my lips. He frowned. “You’ve got to be joking right?” If he only knew...
His eyebrows scrunched together. “Why would you think I’d be joking about shit like that?”
I raised myself on shaky legs and stood up. He stood with me and crossed his big arms over his chest. “You’ve been gone for three years. You left without so much a goodbye and now what? You’re back just like that? A lot can happen in three years, Slade. A lot.”
His jaw clenched. “Who?”
Is he serious right now? He was acting like a jealous boyfriend, trying to mark his territory. He gave me up. This is his fault.
“None of your business!”
He took a threatening step closer, backing me into the nightstand. “Tell me. Now .”
Tears started to fall down my face. I hated him for doing this to me. For making me weak. “No. You left me! Why should I tell you a Goddamn thing?”
“Whether you want to believe it or not, you are mine. You were supposed to wait. Why the fuck didn’t you?”
All I saw was red. How dare him! I resisted the urge to slap him. My hand curled in a fist. “Don’t act like you give a fuck. You never have and you never will. All I’ve ever been to you is a toy you can play with whenever the fuck you want!”
Before I could blink, I was planted on the bed with him hovering on top of me. His gaze burned, penetrating me. He leaned in like he was about to kiss me, but placed his hand gently on my throat.
His eyes blazed. “I don’t care what sick and twisted arrangement you have with that fucker, but it ends now. You are mine . Julianna is mine . This Kingdom is mine . Next time you forget, there will be consequences. If that mother fucker touches one hair on your gorgeous head, you’ll be punished. I have a plan and I need you to not fuck it up. Do you understand?”
I pursed my lips, my body shook with the involuntary tremors of fear mixed with anger. The arrangement Zeke and I had was not for my benefit. I didn’t want him to touch me. I couldn’t let him harm Julianna. It just wouldn’t happen.
Slade’s grip tightened on my throat. “I’m waiting, Raven.”
“There’s something you need to know.”
His eyes narrowed. “Oh yeah? And what’s that?”
Feeling sick to my stomach, I licked my lips. Not ever wanting him to know about any of this, I steeled myself and looked him in the eyes. “The arrangement is not something I can end without consequences.”
His shoulders tensed and his grip tightened, making it difficult for me to think. “I’m getting impatient.”
“I don’t want...I don’t have a choice. It’s not ...” I took a shaking breath and blurted out the disgusting truth. “If I don’t follow his...desires, he’ll hurt Julianna.”
A switch had flipped, he released his grip, and I was able to breathe. He climbed off and started pacing the floor. I sat up and remained quiet to let him gather his thoughts.
He placed his hands in his brown hair. Suddenly, his powerful gaze met mine once more. “Did he...” He couldn’t seem to finish the question, but I already knew what he was asking.
I looked down at the floor, willed myself not to cry, and slowly nodded.
“Fuck!” he yelled.
I flinched.
My wound started to hurt again, so I moved myself back along my pillows. I knew Anna had Julianna taken care of for the day so I could get some rest. At least, I hope she did. Seeing her mommy unwell would worry her and she already had enough on her plate with the possibility of a new daddy looming over her head.
I looked up at the ceiling and took deep, slow breaths. The pain was in full force now, but I did my best to ignore it. Instead, I worried about the man currently freaking out.
He came to my side, the anger in his eyes dimming to what seemed like regret and pain. I looked away. I didn't want to see the next emotion flash across his face. Pity. Remorse.Disgust. “Don’t look at me like that.”
“Can’t help it. I never should have left.”
“You’re right. You shouldn’t have,” I whispered. My energy decreased rapidly, and I was too tired to fight with him. Besides, this was all a dream anyway. I would wake up, he’d be gone, and I’d still be suffering the same nightmare.
My lids closed, and the exhaustion took over. Darkness seeped into my bones, taking me away. Vaguely, I remembered soft lips brushing against my own. It was like a ghost kissing a human. Impossibly perfect.