Page 37 of A Debt of Darkness

“For fuck’s sake.”

He hisses as he moves towards me, pulling me into his arms. For a moment, he’s soft again and it’s nice. But then he remembers himself and stiffens as he picks me up, carrying me back as I curl against his chest. “We could have had this, pet. Things could have been like this. But you chose the hard way, and now we’ve got to deal with it.”

I whimper and he ignores me.

I peep out and catch Ryan glaring at me like he’s going to murder me. The man standing next to him isn’t as angry, but he’s as unimpressed. I recognize the bright red hair and facial features I covered in blood earlier. The ones that don’t look badly hurt.

I’m still in a shitload of trouble and there’s no way out of this.

Henry carries me up the steps, and I catch sight of the castle for the first time. It’s pretty. More than that, it’s stunning. Tall, gothic towers stretch into the sky and their curved roofs are impossibly beautiful. The turrets and the grey stone stand still, opposing the frenzied flurries of the clouds above them.

“This is…”

“Silence.” Henry’s voice is tense. “For your own damn good, stay quiet unless you’re asked a goddamn fucking question.”

I swallow and clamp my mouth shut.

“Where was she?” Ryan asks.

“Curled up on the ground, petrified,” Henry says. “What happened with Matt frightened her.”

Ryan steps forward and every goddamn muscle is primed, ready to attack. I whimper silently and cling to Henry, truly terrified, as his head of security walks toward us like he’s about to kill me.

“You’re frightening her, Ryan,” the third man says calmly. “Stop. The poor thing’s in a state.” He walks closer and I shrink away, afraid he’ll strike back. “Ivy, I presume?”

I nod.

“We’ll be getting to know each other, Ivy,” he says, turning to Henry. “She’s being obedient now. Look, don’t factor what happened with me into whatever you decide to do with her. She was quite brilliant, and we ought to respect that.”

Ryan growls and he’s still livid. “Fix this, Henry. This can’t continue. It isn’t safe. For anyone.”

Henry nods and I don’t like it. He’s calm. Too fucking calm. He carries me into his office, dumping me on the chairbefore his desk. I wriggle and his hand clamps on my shoulder, effortlessly telling me to stop dicking around.

“Keep an eye on her,” he hisses at Matt. “I’ll be disappointed if it happens a second time.”

The door slams and I’m left with Matt. He sighs again and slides against the desk, crossing his arms as he prepares to give me a lecture. His eyes are the strangest color and I gawk at him, making a bad situation worse.

“Let’s not waste time, Ivy. Henry almost lost his shit and he’s going to have to tackle this. It won’t be pleasant and it isn’t meant to be. Don’t be stupid. Don’t make this worse. Do what he wants and it will end. Henry won’t let this go on any longer than it has to.”

I turn my head and stare at the water lilies.

“Henry isn’t a monster, Ivy. He’s reasonable. He won’t hurt you and he won’t abandon you. You’ll find life a damn sight better if you give him what he wants. He adores you.”

I scoff and Matt stiffens.

“The sulking won’t help. It won’t get you out this punishment. Accept it and accept him. Then you can move on and move forward.”

I flick my eyes back and make it clear I have no intention of following his advice.

“Ivy, what is it you want?”

A choice.

I want a fucking choice.

“I see,” Matt says, quietly. “I’ll talk to Henry. He needs to give a little, but right now, you’re the one who needs to flex. Henry needs to know you accept him, Ivy.”

The door swings open and Henry walks in, seething at Matt. My stomach ties itself into a knot and I watch shadowscreep over Henry’s face, darkening until there’s no light left.

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