Page 54 of Glass and Bone
“It is a big deal; do you need to be watched every second of the day? Should I be worried that you are acting recklessly?” He snaps, his controlling demeanor returns, and I close my eyes in an attempt to shut him out. I feel the bed dip down as he sits next to me. My eyes open and meet his.
“I am not suicidal, Tobias, despite every reason I may have to not want to exist.” I say with the intention of malice, but all that comes out is a broken voice.
“Don’t say that.” I know I’ve hurt him; I don’t even know why I am so upset. “Talk to me.” He grabs my arms and pulls me up so I’m sitting. My wet hair plastered to my face, dripping onto the blankets. “Everything was fine when I left. Perfect, even. What’s wrong?”
“Why did you leave? You were gone longer than if you were just visiting your brother.” I ask, refusing to meet his eyes. “Was it me? Did I do something?” My voice cracks and I dig my nails into my palms.
“Elaenor, it had nothing to do with you.” Still gripping my wrists, he pulls me into his lap so that I’m straddling him. I wrap my arms around his neck and let him slowly caress my back as I rest my forehead against his. His breath smells sweet, like wine. “Tomorrow you and I will be crowned. I had to ensure the proper preparations were in place, so we had nothing to worry about.” I sit back and look in his eyes. He’s telling the truth.
“I was worried you left to go–” I stop and look down as my voice cracks. To go be with another woman is what I wanted to say.
“My love, no.” He presses his lips to mine and I relax. Both at his confirmation and that he called me hislove. “I told you multiple times that I was yours and yours alone.”
“I know, Tobias. You just left so fast, and it was my first time. I was just confused.” My voice is rushed, frantic. I drop my hands into my lap, my nails dig into my skin, my eyes refusing to meet his. I know I should be embarrassed for being worried or jealous, but Iamworried, and Iamjealous, and I don’t want to hide it.
“I know, I shouldn’t have left you so soon. I wasn’t thinking.” He pulls my chin up. “Look at me. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” I nod and wrap my arms back around his neck, burrowing my head against his shoulder.
“I’m sorry.” I whisper. He shakes his head.
“Please don’t do that again. I can’t lose you.” His voice is strained, weak. Exhaustion creeps in on me as I let my thoughts wander. Chatis. Burning. Abandonment. “Let’s go to sleep.” He pulls me down onto the bed and I nestle against his side. I feel his lips press against my hair and I quickly fall back asleep to the sight of Chatis on fire with cedar and smoke filling my nose.
Green. Bright, bioluminescent green fills my vision. Trees, bushes, leaves, foliage, all the same shade. Untouched by the fires that rage on in front of me. I take a step forward and wince as the glass and bone dig deeper into my flesh. I try to take another step, but something is holding me back, someone is holding me back. I try to pull out of their grip, but it’s too strong.
“Let go of me!” I snap as I struggle against them.
“Elaenor.” A deep voice speaks. Its sound sends shivers down my spine. It’s smooth and melodic and forces my breath to catch. I stop struggling and turn my head to see the man who is holding me captive. His eyes, dark hair, and white streak are familiar. His broad shoulders and tanned skin remind me of someone. Someone I feel like I know but is still a perfect stranger.
“Elaenor, wake up.” He says, my body is tingling, burning. Like fire running through my veins.
“Who are you?” I ask, my head tilting. His green eyes match the color of the trees. Eyes I have only ever seen in one person. The man in the forest. The man who I didn’t believe was actually there. “You were there that day, the day I was at the lake?” I ask. “And in the bathroom, that was you?”
“Yes,” His voice is clipped, rushed.
“Please, tell me who you are! I feel like I’m going insane. I keep seeing you, please just tell me.” I plead, begging him to just give me this one answer.
“Not yet, Nora. Now wake up.” His other hand grips my shoulder, and he shakes me. Why is he calling me Nora? There is only one person that does that.
“Tell me!” I yell as I try to pull out of his grasp.
“Wake up!”
I inhale sharply and shoot out of bed. The room is dark, all of the candles have burned out. A soft wind flows through the open balcony doors and I stare out at the black sky. Why do I keep seeing him? Was he actually there in the bathroom, or is this all in my mind?What is happening?
I hear a soft snore and look over to my right where Tobias is peacefully sleeping. The blankets are only covering half of his naked body, exposing his tanned skin.
“Nora.” A whisper comes from the open doors. I jump and look to see the tiny flash of light hair. I slowly climb out of bed, so as to not wake Tobias up, and tiptoe over to the balcony. As I step onto the landing, a hand snakes out and pulls me into the corner. I try to scream, but his hand covers my mouth. I inhale the sweet scent of grass as he releases my face.
“Theo?” I whisper as he holds me against him.
“I just wanted to be sure you were alright.” Even though he is whispering, I can hear the panic in his voice. “I wanted to see if he hurt you.”
“I’m fine, Theo.” I stammer as I pull out of his arms. “You shouldn’t be here.” I whisper, glancing back at Tobias’s sleeping body.
“I know, I was just worried about you.”
“Theo, I’m okay.” I reassure him. He needs to leave before Tobias sees him.
“Is it true? Did you get married?” His blue eyes are saddened, one of them black and bruised. His nose is crooked and covered in stitches. Tobias really did a number on him. My heart aches as each movement of his face causes him to wince.
