Chapter 8
It appears the severe blow to the child’s head caused a certain level of retinal nerve damage. Had a healer been called in time, there may have been hope. I fear the delay has caused impairment beyond the scope of my most skilled Anomaly. My prognosis is that, eventually, the child will go blind.
— DOCTOR ANNABELLE SYMMS’S REPORT INTO THE EXTENT OF MISS SORROW VILLENTE’S INJURIES
‘For the love of Evella, Sorrow’ – Matthias inhaled a ragged breath – ‘there is no other way.’
‘Then find one.’
Crossing my arms, I raised my chin. Asher barked out a laugh from behind. Was I being stubborn enough to give Vyrus a run for his money? Damn right I was. But after a night tossing and turning so much even Pablo had snorted and padded away, I wasn’t in a terribly accommodating mood.
Every time I’d tried to lose myself in sleep, I’d recall the suspicion in Romero’s eyes, Matthias’s casual words, unaware how it stung to be bought like a prize brood mare.
To avoid the king’s questions, avoid facing the horror I’d inflicted on Enfys all those years ago, I’d all but accepted my marriage to Matthias.
The fragile threads of control I’d clung to were fraying at an alarming rate.
I’d been dragged from my research, my blessed solitude, to be sold into service.
So, I’d grasp every claim over my own life I could and hold on till my last breath.
And deep down, I relished pissing Matthias off.
The pale dawn lit up the perfect planes of his face with a gilded warmth.
It was gutting to admit he’d grown even more devastatingly handsome.
My shuttered gaze kept catching on him since we’d awoken, despite how I fought against it.
Despising him was easier when he wasn’t standing before me with beauty to rival the Gods.
The golden thread swirling across his close-fitted tunic glinted in the early morning light.
His riding trousers were cut to show off the lean muscles of his thighs, black boots hiding his calves.
My treacherous pulse skipped as Matthias ran his hand through his unruly locks, before letting out an exasperated grunt.
‘I’m afraid I left my Anomaly who can magic horses out of thin air back in Asmar.
’ He placed his hands on his hips, and I refused to let my eyes track their new location.
‘We didn’t bring a carriage and lost our spare horse to the diafol.
So unless I throw one of my guards off their horse, we don’t have another option.
’ He took a step closer. ‘You’re going to have to ride with me. ’
‘I’ll burn in Vyrus’s fire before I get on that horse with you.’
Confusion swept over his features as he closed the gap between us.
‘I…’ He looked past me towards his guards as though he hoped they’d come to his aid. He was met with chuckles, and his hands fell to his sides. ‘I get you’re a bit mad at me for—’
‘Seriously?’
‘You have every reason to hate me, but we can talk through it. And we can do exactly that, if we share a ride back to Asmar. Just get on the horse—’
‘No.’
‘Your lady can ride with me if she wishes.’
I turned as Asher approached, a broad wide smile lighting up his face, eyes twinkling.
His ebony skin shone in the early morning light.
He crossed toned arms over his dark blue uniform, a travelling cape lying askew across his broad shoulders.
A smile tugged at my mouth. Perhaps I should ride with him.
But I knew to keep a distance from others. They were far safer when I did.
‘Or,’ I said, raising my chin, ‘you two ride together and I’ll take the captain’s horse.’
Matthias’s jaw ticked.
‘You can’t ride, Sorrow.’
Heat blazed across my cheeks. ‘You know damn well I can ride, Matthias. You spent half our childhood eating the dust my horse’s hooves threw in your face. Do you think I’ve forgotten how?’
‘I didn’t… I… Oh Evella.’ He ran his hand over the dark stubble lining his jaw. Another reminder of how this man was no longer the child I’d known. ‘After the fall, after the accident and you lost everything… how can you even face a horse?’
‘I’ve faced worse things than a bloody horse.’ The burning sting of tears prickled behind my eyes and I willed them away. ‘Being forced to marry a man I barely know because the alternative is death wins right now.’
‘You know me, Sorrow. You know me better than anyone.’ His voice cracked.
For a split moment, my heart ached. I stared at his muscled arm, my fingers itching to press against his warm skin, smooth the crack in his tone.
Then, I recalled how he’d always been able to weave words into a net so bewitching they’d ensnare you.
How, as children, he’d sweet talk the kitchen servants so we’d always have first choice of the finest pastries.
‘If you believe that, Your Highness,’ I said as Asher blew out a long breath, ‘I’m afraid I have serious doubts about your judgement. You probably shouldn’t make any rash decisions in your current state. You know, decisions like rushing headlong into an arranged marriage.’
Asher’s eyes flicked between us as Matthias fumbled for something to say.
‘Maybe we should ride together,’ he said. ‘It might be fun, Matthias?’
Matthias glared at his captain. ‘I’m the king. I’m not riding back to Asmar clutching your waist.’
Asher raised his hands to his chest in mock horror. ‘Worried you’ll want me as your bride instead after you’ve spent hours nestled within my embrace, Your Highness?’
‘You’re not helping, Captain.’
‘Distracted by the thought of my hips already?’
I fought back a smile. Travelling with Captain Asher truly wouldn’t be too bad.
Matthias gripped the bridge of his nose. His eyes stuck on the wolf, who sat down with a whine.
‘That thing is big enough. Couldn’t you ride him?’
Pablo yawned, his jaws snapping wide, and Matthias stepped back. This time I allowed the smirk to spread across my face.
‘Why don’t you try? It’d give you a chance to make friends.’
The wolf cocked his head, his amber eyes locked firmly on Matthias.
Crossing his arms, Matthias shook his head, looking at me imploringly through the mop of hair that flopped down… and damn, my stupid heart tripped at the sight.
‘Sorrow. I’m tired. My soldiers are exhausted—’
‘Then you really need to find me a horse. Quickly.’
He muttered something under his breath. I picked out a single word. Stubborn.
Asher cleared his throat. ‘Although seeing my king at a rather unusual loss of words is highly entertaining, I’m afraid he’s right. Our guards have ridden for far too long and we’re eager to get home. Why don’t we come to a compromise?’
‘Not Sorrow’s strong point, Ash.’
‘And diplomacy isn’t yours at this present moment, my king.
I’ll put it down to exhaustion, shall I?
’ Asher turned to me. ‘The horses will need a rest too. So, you ride with Matthias for a bit’ – he raised his palm as I opened my mouth to argue the point – ‘and then we’ll swap.
It’ll give you some space, but I can’t promise you’ll want to marry Matthias after sharing a horse with me. What do you think, Sorrow?’
Raising his brows, he tilted his head, wearing a look similar to the ones Pablo gives me when I’m eating. I could never refuse the wolf either. The argument was going round in circles, and I desperately needed to put distance between myself and Romero.
‘Fine,’ I said, my shoulders slumping. ‘Let’s get this over with.’
Clutching Pablo’s fur, I headed towards the horses. Asher chuckled as he clapped Matthias on the shoulder.
‘Hopefully not a phrase she repeats on your wedding night, eh?’
If I hadn’t been so damned close to Matthias fucking Elmswood, I might have been able to enjoy being back on a horse after so many years as we travelled through the evergreen forests of my kingdom.
I was far too conscious of the heavy feel of his arm resting on my thigh, the way his lips sparked goosebumps across my skin as he incessantly chattered far too close to my ear, to relish the freedom of riding again.
As children, whenever he was nervous or scared, Matthias had resorted to talking – non-stop.
I used to love the sound of his voice. The way he’d change the subject, lose track of whatever he was distracting himself with.
There was a time I thought I could listen to the sound of his voice till the Gods tore the cosmos to shreds.
Now, I envisaged taking his boots off and shoving them down his damn throat.
‘This is… nice,’ he said, filling in yet another silent pause. ‘Don’t you think?’
Squirming in the saddle, I pursed my lips tighter. I was far too conscious of every flicker of his muscles. The lack of space between us. His warm breath skittered across the back of my neck, and I shrugged. Would it be considered rude to ask him to stop breathing for the duration of the journey?
Matthias squeezed his thighs against the black steed’s side, urging our horse ahead of the procession of guards.
‘Hold back,’ Asher ordered, and my stomach twisted as I realised what Matthias had planned. Within a minute, we were ahead of his guards. He was free to speak without any fear of being overheard. Intuitively, my muscles clenched. I’d never let this man sweet talk his way into my affections again.
‘Afraid of losing face in front of your guards, Your Highness?’
‘Something like that,’ he mumbled. His mouth was far too close to the shell of my ear, and my faithless heart tripped a beat. ‘We have to clear the air, Sorrow. There’s too much to say.’
‘You could start with sorry.’
Tears pricked at the back of my eyes and I reminded myself of my mantra. I’d shed my final tear over Matthias Elmswood. I twisted in the saddle but couldn’t turn far enough to see him. I was safer avoiding his smile anyway.
‘I am sorry. More sorry than you’ll ever know. That fall. The accident—’
‘The accident?’ I cried, twisting round even further. Did he really think that’s what I needed an apology for?
‘It was my fault. I—’