Page 47 of Wrath

He laughs. “Of course, she did. Take it off.”

“Erm, I have nothing beneath it.” Apart from knickers, I’m naked, and I don’t want him seeing me again.

“Take it off,” he repeats more firmly.

I do so, and he reaches down beside the bed and grabs a handful of Ava’s hair. She screams in fright as he drags her to her knees. “Swap,” he tells her. She stands, and I notice the sexyblack silk slip she’s wearing. It’s not something I’d ever wear, and I certainly don’t want to now, but I’m not sure I should question it when she looks so scared. She slips it off and hands it to me then pulls on my nightdress. Once Silas is satisfied, he turns out the light and lies down. I settle beside him, my heart still racing.

I feel his hands reach for me, shuddering when he pulls me into his arms and throws his leg over mine. The fact he’s completely naked and pressed against me makes me feel sick. The only man I want near me is Wrath.

My mind wanders back to earlier. The humiliation I felt was horrendous, but if it had to happen, at least it was with Wrath. I just hope he isn’t suffering from it.

The fact we could have made a child together warms my heart. I have to get us out of here.

Wrath

Jaycee enters cautiously, glancing around at the mess of the room. She keeps her hand out in a placating manner, all the while inching closer. “What’s wrong?” she asks, and I glare at her. “Tell me what you need, and I’ll try my best to get it. But you have to stop this. They’re talking about killing you, Wrath. They’re meeting the forefathers tomorrow to ask for advice.”

“Wynter,” I mutter.

She frowns. “You want Wynter?” I nod. “All this because you want Wynter?” She laughs, shaking her head. “Jesus, we thought you were having a breakdown. Okay, I’ll see what I can do. But no more funny business.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

WYNTER

Silas wakes me by kissing me on the cheek. I start, my eyes wide with fear. He smiles, cupping my cheek and placing a kiss on my forehead. “Shower and join me for breakfast on the terrace,” he says, pointing to the double doors that lead out onto the terrace.

Once I’m showered, I step out, and the heat from the sun warms me instantly. Silas pulls out the seat beside him, and I sit, staring at the array of sweet pastries on the table. I’m surprised that Ava isn’t here, but he distracts me, pouring tea into my cup. “Once we’ve eaten, I thought we could go shopping,” he says. The fact he’s being nice concerns me, so I remain quiet. “The dresses Ava chose are not really you,” he continues.

“I’m not sure what is me,” I mutter.

“There’s a ceremony this evening, and you’ll need a dress that fits.”

I only manage one pastry, delighting Silas as he comments on my small appetite. Once we’ve finished, he takes my hand and leads me downstairs to where Ava is waiting in the hall. She looks tired as she approaches and stands on her tiptoes to kiss Silas on the cheek. “Good morning,” she greets, smiling up athim. He stares blankly until she looks my way, “Good morning, Wynter.”

“Morning,” I reply, knowing full well she’s been forced into this fake niceness.

“I’m taking Wynter shopping,” he announces, and her expression changes to shock. “You can help Aurelia get Pearl ready for this evening.”

By the time we get to the village, my mind is racing with questions. I assumed he would have Ava by his side, but his sudden change in mood towards her worries me. If he’s not concentrating on her, his full attention will be on me.

We enter the same shop as yesterday, and the assistant looks concerned. “Were the dresses not acceptable?” she asks Silas.

“My wife has terrible taste,” he tells her. “My new wife is younger and thinner, and she needs to dress appropriately.”

The assistant smiles. “I have some new items out back. Let me get them.”

Silas browses the underwear, picking out a few items that don’t look like underwear at all. He hands them to me. “Try these on.”

I take them, not wanting to be the reason his mood sours. I go into the cubicle and close the curtain, relieved when he allows it. I stare at the red bra. It’s lace and there’s no coverage, and the matching knickers are worse. I sigh before undressing and slipping them on. I scream in surprise when he tugs the curtain back, and I wrap my arms around myself. He sniggers, slapping my arms away and taking a step back to admire me. His appraising eyes don’t make me feel warm and loved like Wrath’s do, so I turn away to look in the mirror and gasp. The reflection doesn’t look like me. I look . . .sexy.

The assistant returns holding an armful of clothes. “Okay, this is in season,” she says, holding up a short black dress that looks like I’d need a machine to stretch it over me. She dumpsthe pile and begins to wrestle me into it. When she’s satisfied, she steps back smiling. “Perfect.” Silas is also smiling, nodding in approval.

I spend the next hour trying on different items, all of which Silas loves, and we end up taking everything. After, he slips his hand in mine and leads me across the road to the bakery. When he senses my reluctance, he pauses. “What?”

“The owners don’t like me,” I mutter.

He stiffens. “Why do you care?”

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