Page 71 of Trapped to Tame
Chapter 11
Eve
Something was different. She could feel it as soon as she opened her eyes. The sun was streaming through the casement. By all accounts it was a fine day and Eve felt … better than she should. Her body still hurt from the Bull’s beatings; her wrists still chafed from the iron.
But her lips turned up into a grim smile as she recalled how she'd killed him. That wasn’t the reason for her elation though, which confused her. She thought finally having her revenge would have felt moremomentous. Talik was still out there, it was true, and her business with him was unfinished. She knew he would turn up again. His pride wouldn’t allow him to be bettered by her for long. Perhaps once he was dead as well it would feel like more of an occasion.
Eve sat up, wincing as her back reminded her that the many injuries from yesterday would take more time to heal properly. She was alone in her room, the fire in the grate making the room cozy and warm.
She remembered them coming back here and, vaguely, Fie bathing her. She should be embarrassed but it had felt nice. She couldn't remember the last time someone had taken care of her. Not really.
She saw some clothes folded neatly on a chair and padded across the room towards them, donning a short chemise under a black shirt, fitted breeches and a black fitted tunic. She stared at herself in the looking glass as she plaited her hair and her brow furrowed. Brothers’ blacks. Her hand flew to her mouth on a gasp as she understood why she felt the way she did.
She could feel the bond that had been ripped away yesterday strong in her chest, warm and whole. Anger flowing through her veins with an intensity that would see these Brothers dead, Eve wrenched her door open, screaming all of their names as she stomped down to the parlor. All three of them sat there as if there was nothing wrong, Priest drinking one of his expensive wines regally in one of their comfortable chairs. Drax stoking the fire and Fie reading, relaxing in their home as if they hadn't done what they’d done.
Eve practically leapt across the room to Fie and, without hesitation, she slapped him hard across his face.
‘I told you I didn't want it,’ she barked. ‘I told you.’
She felt like crying and cursed herself. If she cried now, they'd see her as weak. They wouldn't understand that these tears were of fury, not sadness. But tears were tears to men like them, so she blinked them back and levelled her livid gaze at him.
Fie was rubbing his jaw. Luckily for him, he was taking her seriously for if she saw one of his smirks …
He stood up, towering over her, but didn't make a move towards her. He was calm and collected. There was something different about him. He exuded an air of confidence that he hadn't had yesterday.
‘I ordered Priest to do it,’ he said. ‘I know you don't want it but it's time you got it into your head. You are ours, female.’
His hand came out to brush against her cheek, and she flinched away.
‘I am not yours,’ she spat.
He shrugged. ‘Well, we are yours.’
Eve took a step back, her eyes widening in surprise at his words. She glanced at the others, expecting to see her own disbelief mirrored in their faces, but it wasn’t. Even Priest was nodding.
‘Mine?’ she asked faintly.
Fie nodded, sitting down again. He surveyed the other two. ‘We all agree it.’
She scowled. ‘And if I do not?’
‘Time will tell,’ was all he said, going back to his book and leaving her standing there, her anger having burnt itself out too soon.
Feeling foolish, she grabbed a spiced bun from the table with a huff, not sure what to make of any of this. She thought yesterday that they’d simply jumped at the chance to be rid of her, that they had been in league with Talik. But nothing outside the rings was simple.
‘It's time,’ Drax said from behind her, donning his thick cloak.
‘Where are you going?’ she asked.
‘Wego to the Library, Fourth. They’ve found something they want us to see.’
‘They know where the children are?’ Eve asked.
‘We hope,’ Fie said, standing once more.
They left the house and made their way up the wide streets of Kitore’s center, Eve in the middle of the Brothers’ formation like some cherished possession.
Fie was at the front of their little party, which was new. It had always been Drax before, but he wasn’t acting as the leader now. Neither had she heard Drax and Priest arguing the entire morning, vying as they always did for control. Something else had happened since yesterday. Fie had clearly been given the unit.
