Chapter 56
Chapter Fifty-Six
DARKNESS RISES
It took all I had to hold it together long enough to make those orders.
But it’s done, now. I watched the newsreel as long as I could, then left the room.
No one followed, apart from Bertrand. I went to the library, waiting while he flashed around the room, not caring if there was any threat there. Let them come.
Now I’m sitting on the sofa, my knees pulled up to my chest, staring into space.
‘Are you all right, little bird? I’m so very sorry about your project.’
The cushions move as someone sits next to me.
It’s Joaquin. There’s a moment of panic, but his dark gaze is so kind, his hands so gentle as he pulls me into his violet-scented embrace.
I put my hand on his chest, trying to make myself feel something, anything apart from the deep well of despair.
But there’s nothing. No warm heartbeat beneath my hand, no heat of breath, no softness. I can’t stop my tears.
‘Ah, my sweet.’ Joaquin sits me up, gently. He tucks a lock of my hair behind my ear, his hand lingering, cupping my chin.
‘Thank you,’ I say. ‘Thank you for being here.’ The words are broken, but I mean them. Despite the fact I don’t love him, he’s been a friend.
He tilts his head. ‘Do you cry for your mother?’ His dark gaze narrows. ‘Or is it for your lover?’
Shock ripples through me, a lightning bolt fissure in the darkness. ‘What?’
‘Do you think I didn’t know?’ Pure predator, now. His hand tightens around my jaw, holding me in place. ‘Do you think I didn’t smell him on you? You will be my wife, not his. And you will not dishonour me any further.’
‘I don’t remember agreeing to be your wife.’
‘Who said anything about agreeing?’ He smiles, slow and poisonous. ‘I said you were meant to be my redemption, and that is still the case. With you at my side, my child in your womb, my father can no longer refuse to crown me.’
Horror sluices through me. I push back against his hand, baring my teeth. ‘You can’t do this!’
‘Oh, but I can.’ He leans in, brushing my lips with his. I open my mouth, about to scream for Bertrand. But Joaquin catches me in his dark gaze, and it’s as though I’m snared in a glittering web of silk and gold, criss-crossing my entire mind.
‘That’s it,’ he murmurs, kissing me again. He takes my left hand, slipping an emerald ring on my finger. ‘Not as romantic a proposal as I’d hoped, but this should do.’
I try to speak, but it’s as though the web is choking me.
‘There, there, my pretty raven.’ Joaquin gently smoothes the tears from my cheeks. ‘It’s not such a hardship, is it? I will be good to you, while you live. And when you’re gone, I’ll rule our realms as they are meant to be.’
I push against him, but it’s no use, my screams trapped inside me. I remember Mistral trying to pull me into a similar trap, my mother shocking me out of it. But she isn’t here, and she never will be. There’s no one to save me.
I am alone.