Page 99 of Glass and Bone
“Enzo?” I whisper. I glance up at Donovan and he nods.
“Don’t fall asleep. What I gave you should counteract anything he tries to drug you with later.”
“I don’t understand.” I shake my head, reading the note again.
“You have been held captive for months, Elaenor. I don’t have time to explain everything to you. You have been drugged so you heal quickly and forget everything the next day. I intercepted the drug that was supposed to come to you this morning, replacing it with nectar. I don’t have much time.” He looks at the closed door expectantly. “Do not go to sleep tonight. Pretend you are drugged, but do not go to sleep. If you do, you will not wake up. Promise me.” I shake my head.
“I don’t understand. Why can’t I remember anything?” What is going on?
“You will. Just give it time to come back to you, but please listen to me.” I nod. “Enzo will come for you. He will get you out of this. Trust him.” I nod again. I don’t even know him, but I do trust him.
“Theo?”
“He’s been in the dungeon since you returned at the beginning of Autumn. They stopped letting me see him.” A tear escapes my eye as I fight the urge to vomit. “I’m sorry. I have been trying to get to you for weeks.”
“Scarlett, she’s gone, isn’t she?” I whisper.
“What? No, Scarlett is fine.” My legs almost buckle.
“No, she was shot with an arrow.” I stammer, reaching out for his arm to steady me.
“Yes, but she recovered fairly well. She’s already out. She’s with Enzo.” He looks behind me. “I’m sorry I couldn’t help you sooner.”
“Don’t. Just explain everything to me when this is over, please.” He nods as someone knocks on the door. “Yes?”
“Your Grace, I am coming in.” Laris opens the door as I am stepping into the steamy water.
“Laris! My gods, I amnaked!” I pretend to cover myself as he blushes and looks down.
“Donovan, you need to be leaving now.” He nods and touches my shoulder.
“Please let me know if you need assistance in anything else.” He bows slightly before following Laris out of the room. I sink into the milky water and rest my head on the back of the tub.
“Enzo?”I reach out, but it feels almost like a haze is bordering the edges of my mind.“Enzo, can you hear me?”I get no response.
Chapter Forty-One
I take an obscenely long bath, changing the water twice. My mind is reeling as I try to think about what Donovan said. Scarlett is alive and she’s already with Enzo. Theo is in the dungeons. I’ve been held captive for months? Five months. It’s been five months.
Gods. I shake my head, tears slipping free.
When I am finally ready, I step out of the bath onto the cold marble floors. I reach for one of the thick, fluffy towels when I catch my reflection in the mirror.
I can see nearly every bone on my body, any fat I may have had is gone. My eyes are sunken in with dark blue bruises underneath. None of that is what catches my eye. What does is the white scar on my stomach in the shape of a T. I run my fingers across the bumpy surface. The scar looks old, months maybe. It has lost any of the redness that comes with healing and is instead fully formed. A brand.
Tobiasbrandedme.
I don’t remember any of it.
I tear my eyes away from the mirror and wipe myself off with a towel. I pull on the thick dressing robe again and step into the main room. A tray of food has arrived and is sitting at the table. My stomach grumbles at the sight of pastries and coffee, but my brain is begging me to grab savory items. I don’t understand why, but something about the sugar is making me feel ill.
I eagerly shovel eggs and roasted potatoes into my mouth. I eat nearly an entire baguette on the side and drink an entire pitcher of water. When I am finally satiated enough, I push the pastries and coffee aside and climb back onto the couch from my position on the floor. I pull the robe tighter around me as the door opens.
“Ela!” Tobias runs over to me, cupping my face into his hands. “I am so glad you are awake; it’s been days. How are you feeling?” He has a hint of stubble along his jaw and his eyes are nearly just as bruised as mine. He looks exhausted and scared. I reach for his face, wanting to feel his skin on mine, but stop myself.He’s been torturing you, Elaenor. Get it together.“Are you alright, my love?” He looks at me, wrapped around myself in a ball trying to stay as far away from him as possible, and grits his teeth. He releases my face roughly and turns to Laris. “Who has been in here?”
“Donovan, Your Grace.” Tobias kicks the table and I flinch.
“I told you no one is to see her!” He picks up the tray of food and throws it against the wall. I burrow deeper into the cushions as he turns to face me.
