Page 61 of Wrath

“It’s just part of the game,” I explain, desperate for him to understand.

“Game?” he scoffs. “You even sound like them.”

“I have to fit in until I can find us a way out.”

“There is no way out, Wynter,” he yells, and I stumble back in fright. “It was easy to believe you when you were down here like the rest of us, suffering and full of hatred. But now . . . now, you’re with them, living a good life, an easier life.”

“Easy?” I cry, almost laughing. “You think I have it easy because I get to eat dinner and dress in clean clothes?” I wipe my wet cheeks and rub my hands down my dress. “I spend most of the time reminding myself to breathe because I’m so damn terrified that one wrong move will have me hanging in the town hall. And then all the people who are relying on me to get them out will suffer. I have to avoid his wife in case she stabs me in the back, literally. I hide from his sons because they’ve made it quite clear they like to share with their father. And Silas,” I take another breath and slowly nod, “I could easily forget he’s the bad guy.”

Wrath growls, his hands curling into fists as his eyes burn into me. “But as nice as he’s being, I’m under no illusion he can flip it and be equally as cruel. So, yes, I lie beside him at night, but do I rest?” I shake my head. “No, because all I can think about is you, Ares. And if he found out . . . well, we’d both end up hanging.”

His head is bowed, and his eyes are fixed to the ground. “You’re mine, Wynter. He can’t keep you.”

“Just eat and drink and do what you need to do to survive because I can’t keep worrying about you, Ares. I’m going to get us out of here,” I say with as much conviction as I can muster.

He finally lifts his gaze from the floor. “Okay,” he mutters.

I give a stiff nod and head for the exit, not looking back in case I break completely.

The second I step into the house, Silas rushes from his office and sweeps me into his arms. “Where did you go? I’ve been worried sick.”

I’ve been so lost in thought, I forgot I might have broken a rule. “Sorry. I needed some fresh air.”

“You didn’t take a guard.”

“They were dealing with you and my father,” I mutter, pulling free to look around. “Have they gone?”

He nods, cupping my face in his hands. “You look pale,” he says. “Are you hungry?” I shake my head. I haven’t been feeling well all day, and food is definitely the last thing I want. “I could run you a bath and get you a book to read?”

I smile gratefully. “I think I’m just going to go to bed.” The last few nights have been awkward because Ava has joined us. Silas is always in the middle, and usually wrapped around me, but it still feels weird.

“I like my idea better,” he says, taking my hand and leading me upstairs.

Ava is nowhere to be seen, and I’m thankful but sigh heavily when Silas goes to the bath and begins to fill it with scented bubbles and hot water. “Undress,” he tells me, then he hands me a plastic pot, “and you’ll need to pee into this.”

I frown. “Why?”

“All will be explained,” he says with a smile.

I do as he asks, first peeing in the pot and then undressing. Silas returns to the bathroom naked. I gasp, automatically covering my own body best I can. He smiles. “Wynter, we’re husband and wife, we’re allowed to be naked together.”

“It’s just . . . .” I glance at the door. “What about Ava?”

He takes my hand and leads me to the bath. “It’s just us tonight.”

I swallow the dread in my throat. “Why?”

“You need to relax, and I noticed when Ava is around, you aren’t.”

He climbs into the bath and slides down into the water then holds his hand for me to take. I hesitate, eventually taking it. I slide between his parted legs, and he pulls me to lean back against him. I immediately feel his erection pressed against my back and sit upright. He laughs. “Your innocence is adorable. Turn and face me,” he orders. I take a deep breath before following his direction, and he takes my hand.

“I don’t expect sex from you yet, but we should get to know one another.” He wraps my hand around his penis, and I gasp, feeling my face flush with embarrassment. “It’s okay, Wynter.” He gives a small laugh. “I’ll show you how.”

He places his hand over mine and begins to guide it up and down in a slow motion. “That’s it,” he whispers, his eyes darkening and his breaths quickening. He watches me carefully as his free hand massages my shoulder. “That feel good?” he asks. I nod even though I’m panicking inside. Maybe I’ve been naïve to think he’d not touch me after lying beside me night after night and only holding me. After the first few nights, I’d stopped worrying, so this has taken me by surprise.

His fingers trace over my skin and across to my breast. He watches carefully for my reaction, and when I don’t move, he drags them over my nipple. I inhale sharply as a warm sensation shoots through my body. My cheeks burn brighter, and I can practically feel the heat from them. Silas smirks, taking my nipple between his fingers and rolling it. “It feels nice, doesn’t it?”

“I don’t think we should be doing this,” I whisper, hating how my voice sounds breathy.

---