Page 43 of Wrath

“Very well,” she mutters. “In the lounge.”

He throws open the double doors and shoves me in front of him. Five adults all turn to me, and I lower my head as embarrassment burns my cheeks. “This is Wynter,” he says. “We’re married, and she will reside in my room.”

A woman around my age steps forward, assessing me through cruel, narrowed eyes. “She forgot her clothes.”

“Perhaps you can get her an outfit, Pearl,” Silas suggests firmly, in a tone that makes it clear it’s an order. She rolls her eyes, shoving past me as she leaves.

“That was my daughter, Pearl,” he tells me with a tight smile. He nods at the others, who are still watching me with confused expressions. “This is Katherine, my other daughter, and then my sons, Adam and Reginald.” I offer a small smile, but it isn’t returned.

The woman by the window joins us, running her eyes over me. “My replacement,” she utters.

“Ava,” he says fondly, “Wynter is an addition, not a replacement.”

“And when the bed is full?” she asks, arching a brow. “Will I sleep on the floor?”

Silas slaps her. It’s so sudden, I gasp out loud before rushing to her side with concern. “Are you okay?”

She glares at me while gripping her cheek and then shoves me away. “I’m fine,” she says through gritted teeth.

Adam steps forward, slipping an arm around my shoulders. “I’ll show you to the bathroom,” he says.

Silas smiles. “Good idea.”

He leads me away and up the stairs. The feel of the fluffy cream carpet is a welcome sensation, but it doesn’t offer me much comfort when I know I’m as unsafe here as I was when I lived in the Sanchez home.

The bedroom he shows me to is huge. There’s an oversized raised bed in the centre of the room that’s so high, there’s a step all the way around. The four posts have sheer curtains hanging down, neatly pinned back. “The en-suite is through there,” he tells me, pointing to a door.

I head that way then realise he’s following me. I open the door and gasp at the beauty. The marble units are luxurious, nothing like the ones my mother picked for her bathroom. There’s a walk-in shower with enough room for a small gathering, and in the centre is a free-standing bathtub filled with hot, bubbly water. The woman who greeted us at the door dries her hands on a towel and smiles. “I thought you might want a bath.” I nod, grateful she’s being nice.

“Aurelia, get out,” Adam barks, and she rushes off. He turns to me, and his eyes run up and down my body in a way that makes me shift uncomfortably.

Before I can respond, Pearl saunters in. She takes in the scene before her then laughs. “If you think Daddy will let you go there before him, you’re stupid.”

“He seemed happy for me to show her to the bathroom.”

“I’m sure he didn’t mean you could sample his new wife,” she says firmly, placing the clothes down on the side. “Should I get him and check?”

Adam smirks. “He’ll rush up here to watch.”

I fight my tears, determined to be strong this time, but the thought of doing what Wrath and I just did makes me sick to my stomach. “Actually,” I almost whisper, “I should wash first. The warrior that—” Before I can finish the sentence, Pearl grabs my face, squeezing hard and forcing me to look at her.

“You will not mention the warriors or what just happened in the caves,” she hisses. “Now, get into the bath. You smell terrible.” She shoves me away and leaves. Adam smirks but turns and follows her.

I sigh in relief and turn to the bath. No amount of fear or worry can stop me sinking into the warmth of it right now, so I strip off quickly and slide in, closing my eyes in delight as I lie back.

Aurelia appears ten minutes later, and I sit up quickly. She glances back like she’s worried someone will come. “Sorry, I just wanted to see if you need anything.” I shake my head. “I’m the first daughter,” she informs me, and I instantly relax. “So, I’ll take care of anything you need.”

“I was a first daughter too,” I whisper.

She smiles. “I know.”

“Is he cruel?” I ask.

She thinks over my words. “Yes, and my brothers are worse. There’s no point me lying to you, you’ll find out for yourself.” She steps closer. “Pray you are pregnant,” she whispers.

“Pregnant?” I falter, letting her words sink in.

“By the warriors. He won’t touch you if you are.”

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