Page 26 of Glass and Bone
“Please, Elaenor.” He says, his voice filled with longing and something else I can't place, as his hand reaches for mine. “Call me Evreux. You and I will grow very close.” I still as my eyes meet his and Tobias’s hand tightens around mine. Glaring at Theo, Tobias pulls me up from my chair as Evreux releases my hand, and out of the room. I manage to meet Theo’s eyes one last time before the door closes. His face was cold and mirrored that of his father’s, but I assume their thoughts were much different.
Chapter Eleven
As the warm water envelopes me into a much-needed hug, I melt into the tub. Running my hands over my body, I remove the bandages covering my wounds and watch them float to the surface. I was introduced to one of my new ladies tonight, an older woman by the name of Lydia. She was quiet as she undressed me and prepared my bath, only making a noise when an uncontrollable gasp escaped her lips. Her eyes wide as she focused on the bandages and blood on my body for a mere second before turning away and rushing out the door, leaving me alone. I tried to give her a reassuring look, but she refused to make eye contact with me.
The room where the bath sits is small but has a few windows along the perimeter. One of which opens to the grounds, while the other opens to an inlet of the palace. A few candlesticks lit in the corners of the room cast a soft glow across the stone. My attention fixates on the window directly across from me where a candle was just lit. The room illuminates and I see a lone figure pacing behind the glass. I can’t quite make out who the figure is, but the hostility of their pace clearly tells me that they are angry. The person stops and the window flies open.
To my surprise, Theo leans out of the window gasping for air. His hands run through his light hair, angrily ripping out the leather strap holding back his wavy strands and move down to his face. He seems distraught, I wonder why? As he lifts his head up, his eyes meet mine. He stills, as do I as our gazes hold. His hair falling softly to his shoulders, messy and unruly, much like mine. I shift in the water, a chill running down my spine.
Confusion and indifference fill his face as his eyes slide down to where my naked body meets the water. Thankfully, the water is high enough to where I am covered, but I find it strange how comfortable I am with him. More so than with his brother. His eyes are always filled with kindness and remorse, while his brother’s express confidence and power. His mouth opens to speak, before he shuts it quickly and softly smiles. I offer him a small smile in return right before the door opens behind me. I break my glance to turn and see Tobias walk in, smiling at the sight of me. I hide my panic as I look towards Theo’s window, but it is already shut.
Tobias’s hands meet my shoulders as he rubs them slightly, his fingers pressing deep into my skin. I focus on stilling my breath in an attempt to hide the moment I just had with Theo. I don’t even know what that moment was, or if it was even significant, but I know Tobias would be unhappy about it.
I lean my head back against the edge of the tub and gaze up at him, thankful the darkness and water are covering my body so only my shoulders and head show, but his proximity still makes me nervous. His breathtaking features are soft, and I find myself feeling guilty for the reservations I have towards him. I don’t know this man and I shouldn’t let the words of others alter my perception, especially with how sweet he was earlier today. His lips are pressed into a thin line, his face failing to hide his irritation.
“Nora?” He asks, his eyes searching mine. A hint of fury gleams in his ocean eyes as he lets the name roll off his tongue in disgust. His fingers press harder into my skin, and I swallow loudly.
“I introduced myself to him as Nora in the woods. I didn’t want him to know who I was, just in case he was associated with the men who took me. It’s nothing, I promise. I don’t know why he still calls me that after learning my name.” I explain softly, hoping it eases his anger. I can’t help the mild panic brewing in my chest at the sight of his mood and the feel of his fingers digging into my flesh.
He’snotlike my father, he’s just jealous, territorial.
That's it.Right?
“I don’t like it, Elaenor. This relationship you seem to have with my brother.” His eyes don’t leave mine as the unspoken threat fills the room. How could he think I have a relationship with his brother? I’ve only known them for a conscious 24 hours.
“There is no relationship, Tobias. I promise you. I am sure he is just concerned about me due to the state I was in when he found me. There is absolutely nothing going on.” I assure him, lying enough to cover whatever attraction I feel for him, because I do feel something.
It’s different with Theo. My desire to be in his presence isn’t forced, it’s something I look forward to. I can’t explain it. I know I shouldn’t even think that way, but it’s hard. Maybe it’s just a trauma response and I don’t actually feel anything towards Theo. Or maybe it is exactly what I’m feeling, safe when I am near him. I don’t know. I don’t have experience with any sort of feelings or attraction so I’m out of my depth.
“Good.” His voice is clipped, strained. “I’ll see you in our room.”
Leaning down, he places a soft and sweet kiss on my forehead, and then he’s gone, the door closing loudly behind him. I glance back towards Theo’s window and the light is out. I’m not sure if that’s his room or if it’s another place in the palace, but I find myself wanting to find out.
I want to know more about him, about his wants and desires. I know I should be cautious of how I interact with Theo, but my brain and heart seem to be entering into an unwinnable battle. Tobias is to be my husband, and Theo will eventually be married to another. The thought of seeing him with someone else makes my heart race.
What are you doing, Elaenor?
I take a deep breath before dipping my head underwater. My eyes open as I stare up at the ceiling through the distortion of water, the oils and salts stinging my eyes. The ceiling is dark and never ending, as if it’s a black hole coming to swallow me. My heartbeat slows and I relax into the warmth. Peace. This is what I imagine peace feels like. Just floating in the darkness, with nothing and no one around. I let my trapped breath out, the bubbles rising to the surface.
Come find me.
His voice echoes in my head as I see movement above the water. A dark figure leans over, his green eyes shining through his long black hair, but now, there is a thin streak of white blending in, getting brighter every time I see him. Slightly tucked behind his ear, the bright strands stand out. His hand reaches down, gripping my shoulder as he pulls me out of the water. I inhale sharply as my face breaks through.
“Your Grace!” A woman’s voice shrieks as I blink away the water in my eyes. Lydia is holding onto my shoulders, panic filling her eyes. “Your Grace, are you alright?” She asks as she produces a small towel to dry my face. I take the towel from her and press it against my eyes, coughing the water out of my lungs.
“Yes, I am fine. I was just getting my hair wet.” My voice is little more than a croak. She looks unconvinced as she wraps a larger towel around my shoulders, helping me out of the tub. I avoid eye contact as she guides me to a chair and starts brushing my hair.
As she helps me prepare for bed, I try to ignore the feeling of confusion and wonder that washes over me. I thought about the man, and he appeared to me. I may have possibly been dreaming, but I never fell asleep. He seems so real. I heard his voice; I saw his hair. Why was some of it turning white? He seems to be near my age, so it wasn’t from aging.
What is causing it?
Why did he appear when it was actually Lydia staring down at me? Why do I keep seeing him? Master Pakin said I had potential brain damage from my injuries, maybe that’s what is causing these delusions. He doesn’t exist. Am I going crazy?
He isn’t real.
After I am ready, I make my way back to the room I share with Tobias. I stand in front of the door, with the guards on either side. My heart is racing, and I want nothing more than to turn back and climb into the safe tub with the comforting warm water. Behind this door is a man who could possibly be expecting me to bed him so soon after the woods. A man who I do not know. I’ve never been near a man and now all of that is changing so quickly. I know I will have to come to terms with this arrangement sooner rather than later, but my head is still swimming. I am suddenly aware of the two men guarding the door staring at me. No doubt thinking about the crazy princess who stares at doors.
“Good evening.” I whisper. They just stare, so I give them each a small, embarrassed nod and they reach for the door to open it.
