Chapter Eight
The Caged
My heels are clicking against the marble loudly as I half run to keep up with his pace. If I slow down even a little, the collar around my neck pokes into my skin. Laris is standing with the door open to our chambers and shuts it as soon as we cross the threshold.
“Tobias.” I whisper as he drags me to the couch. His fingers flex once before loosening. He releases my upper arm and I release the breath I had been holding.
“This will work, Ela. It will work.” He’s pacing and I take the chance to sit down on the couch, careful not to jostle the steel pressed to my throat.My back cramps as I relax into the cushions, finally releasing the stiff posture I was forced to carry.
“I know.” I whisper softly. He’s muttering to himself while he paces.
“Can you take the collar off now?” I ask.
His eyes soften as he looks at me and nods.
He pulls the key out of his pocket and quickly unlocks the metal clasp.
I groan as the spikes pull free from my skin; the pressure being replaced with a burn.
I reach up and grasp my crown, pulling it free from my black hair and set it on the table in front of me.
“Think of what this could mean, Ela.”
“What?”
“If I am High King, that would make you a High Queen. We could rule the entire continent together. Viridiana would be ours. All of it.” His eyes are wide, filled with excitement.
He collapses on the couch next to me, his hands harshly grabbing my face.
His lips are merely a breath from mine. “This will work.” I nod, unsure of what to say, and he releases me.
“What happens next?” I ask. He sighs and props his feet up on the table. As he opens his mouth to speak, the door to our chambers opens and Davel walks in. My eyes narrow and he smirks at me quickly before Tobias can see.
“It’s done.” He says. Tobias nods without looking at him.
“I am not entirely convinced Thel is on our side. I need to control him.” I tear my eyes from Davel to look back at Tobias.
“How so?”
“He cares for you, get close to him.” My lips part in shock.
“How?” I repeat.
“I want you to have lunch with him tomorrow. It’ll be here in our chambers, and Davel will keep watch.
I just want you to feel him out.” He looks over at me.
“You can do that, right? You aren’t going to cause any issues?
” I shake my head, excitement bubbling inside.
He’s going to actually leave me alone with someone other than his guards or my ladies.
He leans over and cups my cheek again. “You are different today, more behaved.” I don’t respond, I just keep my gaze fixed on his.
“I like it.” He leans forward and presses his lips softly to mine.
He forces them to part with his tongue, and I allow it.
I glance nervously behind him; Laris has turned and thankfully Davel is gone. Tobias pushes me onto my back, and I fight the wince as my unhealed wounds stretch. I open for him, knowing that if I allow him access without hesitation, there would be no need to punish me.
One of his hands reaches up to cradle my head while the other settles in between my legs.
I can feel my dress being pulled up and hear the rustle of his pants they are pulled down.
I don’t move. His hand finds my bare waist, ripping through the lacy undergarments.
I don’t have a second to prepare myself before he thrusts into me with one push of his hips.
I clench my eyes shut, trying to force myself to enjoy the feeling.
He’s quick, panting in my ear and pressing kisses down the side of my throat.
His teeth graze my neck before he bites down, and I gasp.
My body jerks and he groans at the movement.
“I want you to come for me, my love.” I fake a moan and wrap my arms around his neck as he brings his mouth back to mine.
I lift my hips in tune to his, begging for any form of pleasure, but it doesn’t come.
Not even a little bit. He shudders above me and I feign a release at the same time as him.
He’s breathing heavy, his body pressed up against mine.
“ My Ela. ” He whispers as his nose nuzzles into my neck.
I force my eyes open, a single tear finding a way to escape my iron resolve.
I don’t cry. I don’t beg. I let it happen. I let every moment happen without any emotions attached. That’s the way it has to be. He pulls out of me with another moan and sits back, pulling my dress back down.
“Laris, you are free to leave.” His eyes are sharp, narrowed, as he meets my gaze. No . My eyes widen, and I sit up. I didn’t do anything wrong. He can’t punish me. My pulse skips and my breathing grows ragged as the shadows seem to pull from the walls and surround us.
I didn’t do anything wrong.
“Tobias?”I squeak, my voice strained.
“Yes, Your Grace.” The door softly shuts behind him and Tobias rises with a sigh.
“Do you think I am stupid?” I shake my head, my mouth opening and closing in confusion.
“I don’t understand.” I whisper.
“Get up.” I rise, shakily and his hand whips out, slapping me. He grabs my shoulders before I can fall over, keeping me upright. “I am not an idiot. I know what it sounds like when you come, Ela.”My hand flies to my cheek as I shake my head.
“Tobias–” He slides his hands down to my arms before dragging me to the bed.
“Shut up!” He throws me onto the mattress, and I quickly stand back up.
His hand whips out again and I taste the blood in my mouth this time.
I fall onto my stomach, my heart pounding.
My breath is nothing more than short rasps.
I hear my corset rip and then the feel of the icy spring air on my bare back.
I bite my lip as he drags me back to the edge of the bed, my legs hanging off.
His stomach presses into my back, his mouth next to my ear.
“I want to hear you, Elaenor. I want to feel you. I know you love me. I know you love when I touch you.” His hand slides down my back before settling in between my thighs.
His pointer finger gently brushes my clit and my tortuous body jerks.
I bury my face in the bed, willing my body to not respond.
To not enjoy his touch. He presses down harder, and a small whimper escapes my lips.
I bite my lower lip, fighting against the growing heat pooling low in my core.
“That’s it, Ela.” He whispers, his lips pressing into my shoulder blade.
His finger slides down before slowly entering me.
He pulls back out and adds a second finger, causing my body to shake with anticipation.
I know he can feel it, the gathering heat, the wetness.
He pumps inside of me and my back arches against him.
Tears spring from my eyes and I fist the bedsheets. I hate this. I hate him. I hate myself. I hate that I find even an ounce of pleasure in his touch, in this. My legs are shaking, my core pulsing with each thrust of his fingers. Delicious heat curls low in my abdomen and I shudder again.
“Gods.” My moan is muffled as I press my face harder into the bed. Tobias sits up, his fingers slipping out of me before his cock replaces them. His hand snakes around, torturously pushing on my clit as his hips slam into my backside.
I cry out at the feeling, at the pressure brewing deep inside me. His hand finds my back, his fingers splayed out as he fucks me. As I let him.
As I like it.
I don’t fake it this time. My toes curl and I start to shake before a loud cry escapes my lips and I erupt around him. He comes right after me, his shout echoing throughout the room. Our matched breathing is ragged, gasping as we come down. He doesn’t slide out as he lays down on top of me.
“That’s what I wanted, my love. Was that so hard?
” I shake my head, the bed soaking up the tears I shed before he can see them.
He pulls out of me, and I sit up, my legs unsteady.
My ripped dress falls down around me, leaving me bare.
I can feel a combination of my arousal, and his seed dripping down my thighs.
I step out of the heels I was still wearing and walk towards the dressing room.
I keep my bottom lip firmly planted in between my teeth as I clean myself up and dress in leggings and a tunic.
If you don’t let yourself feel, if you don’t let yourself care, none of this will matter. You will survive. A voice, one that seems so similar to a person I know I’ll never see again, echoes through my head. I almost want to agree, say that I understand. But I don’t.
I don’t know if I want to survive.
When I exit the dressing room, Tobias is lounging on the bed, his ankles crossed and a lazy smile on his face.
“Come here.” He holds his arm out for me, and I hesitantly join him, nestling into the crook of his arm.
I inhale the scent of cedar and smoke, a scent I will never forget.
A scent I hate and crave at the same time.
A scent that terrifies and calms me simultaneously.
His arm tightens around me and I blink back the tears in my eyes.
I hate what happened. I was scared he was going to hurt me. I thought that was why he sent Laris away, but he didn’t. He wanted me to find release. He slapped me. He was rough, but he was doing it for me . At least I think he was.
What is wrong with me?
Why am I searching for any ounce of redemption? I sniff once, cursing the snot gathering in my sinuses.
“One day, things will be different. Things can be how they used to be. Back when we were happy. That’s what I want.
” I don’t say anything for a moment. I know it’s what he wants, but I don’t think we could ever go back to that.
Not unless he drugs me to forget, and I am so close to asking for it.
Asking for the numbing haze that makes being alive a little more bearable.
“I don’t know if that is possible, Tobias.” I whisper. He cups my cheek, tilting my head up so that I’m looking at up him.
“I love you, Elaenor Rosenthal. With every fiber of my being, I am yours.” He leans down, pressing a sweet and soft kiss to my lips. I don’t know what to think, what to feel.
What I feel in this moment is broken, confused. Could things actually be different? Could he truly love me, and I him? Could we make this marriage work?
No .
He killed Theo. He killed Rhea and Donovan.
He massacred an entire country. There isn’t a single part of him that is good.
But there doesn’t need to be. He just has to believe that what I feel is happiness—peace.
Because if he saw the storm brewing inside me, he would kill me before I had the chance to erupt .
“Can I ask you something?” I say when his lips leave mine. He nods, his hand still cupping my face. “One night. Can I have one night without the chains?” I soften my eyes and stare into his icy blues. He smiles softly and brushes his thumb across my bottom lip.
“Yes.” Tension releases from my body and I almost cry in relief. One night. I get one night without the shackles tying me to the bed. He kisses my forehead and I lay back against his chest.
The steady beat of his pulse thrums in my ears and I fall asleep in his arms for the first time in months.
He stirs before I do, waking me up. Night has fallen, casting darkness around the room.
I sit up and look around. Laris never returned, leaving us without a guard for once.
I can’t remember the last time I slept without an audience.
My hair falls over my shoulder, messy and tangled.
Warm lips press to my arm, and I glance over at Tobias.
“It seems we slept the day away, my queen.” He murmurs before sliding off the bed.
I cross my legs under me, unsure of what to do.
He goes to the bar cart, pouring himself a glass of whiskey, as a knock sounds on the door.
“Enter.” Tobias calls out as he comes back to the bed.
His fingers gently brush a lock of hair away from my face, tucking it behind my ear, and I find myself giving him a genuine smile.
His eyes lighten in surprise and my smile drops.
You don’t feel this way, Elaenor. This is for his benefit, so he can drop his guard.
Don’t make this real .
“Your Grace.” Davel is the one who speaks as he walks over to the bed. “Reports have returned that Tano has been captured, as suspected.”
“And?” Tobias asks without looking away from me. His soft fingers running along my jaw, sending a shiver down my spine.
“It was successful. Minimal damage to the palace. Very few guards exited the premises, and instead, the prince along with three other companions, were the ones who apprehended him.” Tobias tears his eyes away from mine and looks over his shoulder briefly.
“Good. That is all.” He says, dismissing the guard.
Davel bows and winks at me before leaving.
I fight the urge to scowl, knowing Tobias would question it.
Davel convinced me Tobias wouldn’t believe me if I told him the things he does to me.
He didn’t believe me about Jeremiah. He wouldn’t believe me if I told him one of his most trusted guards touches his possession.
And if by some miracle he did, he would punish me for it.
“What was that about?” I ask, hoping he’ll share some part of his plan with me.
“Reassurance that there is nothing for us to fear from Labisa. Their war efforts are being run by children.” I nod as he leans down and kisses my forehead, my eyes focusing on the sky outside the balcony. The deep purple and blacks, the sprinkle of stars.
Some part of me feels something.
An inkling that something is to come.
Something neither of us are prepared for and I have no desire to warn him.