Page 43 of Forbidden Desire

“She is to suffer the forbidden ordeal,” Rasmie explained. “Punishment for her behavior when she first awoke, but it does mean she cannot defend herself. Jeemie,”—his brow rose—“I believe you have spoken with her at some length.”

“Aye, Maighstir.” I could sense the weight of everyone’s stares but was not cowered.

“Then perhaps you can elaborate?” Eric asked. “Who is she, and why is she here?”

Glimpsing another look at her face in the aviary, I met Eric’s eyes.

“Her name is Elodie, sister of our mathair, and she has come to play savior.”

“Savior?” Eric balked. “How so?”

“To rescue her sister from captivity.”

A low rumble of laughter danced at my assertion.

“To rescue her?” Indignation resounded from Eric’s tone, but all I could do was smile.

“Aye,” I confirmed. “Rescue.”

Glancing down at the aviary, I locked eyes with the ravishing brunette, and the only thing I could think was I was wrong.

Elodie was not here to rescue Desiree.

She was here to save me.

Chapter Twenty

Desiree

ANXIETY CLAWED MY INSIDES to see her—my little sister—naked and muted by the demeaning gag I had previously been made to endure. This was all wrong. I was supposed to protect her. She had come here to help me and now look at her. So far, I’d only brought pain and detention.

“Maighstir.” Rising slightly, I whispered to the man who had become my entire universe.

He leaned toward me, his focus on the interaction playing out between Eric and Jeemie. “Hush.”

“Please.” I loathed myself for bringing this on her. Whatever my fate, Elodie burned too brightly to be trapped in a place like this. If I had struggled, she would never be able to conform to their perverse customs. “My poor sister.”

Rasmie’s eyes narrowed, his expression sending the butterflies in my belly into a flustering spin. “Do you wish to join her?” His voice had risen a notch.

“No, Maighstir.” I lowered to my haunches, aware of the heat rising to my face. “Apologies.”

It was harder than ever to show deference when it was Elodie’s future at stake. My embarrassment was escalated by the fact she was witness to it. I was her big sister, had always been there for her, and now I was reduced to this. She might be the one naked in the wooden cage, but for all my alleged freedom, I wielded even less power.

“So, the transgression is trespass, Maighstir.”

I turned back to Eric as he addressed Rasmie, my gaze sliding to Elodie while the men spoke.

Her large blue eyes met mine, her fingers gripping the bars as we regarded each other.

I’m sorry, El. I hoped my gaze conveyed the message I wasn’t able to vocalize, the weight of the shame forcing my gaze back to the floor in front of me.

“Aye, so it is fitting the sentence be similar to Desiree’s.”

The sound of my name garnered my attention. Rasmie’s hand shifted to play with my hair as he went on.

“Though obviously, the gods have already sent me the perfect wife, so my needs are no longer left wanting.”

Perfect? Was he joking? So far, our so-called union had been one neverending rollercoaster of feelings, and I had emotional whiplash.

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