Page 35 of Glass and Bone
“Tobias. Stop being jealous of him for five seconds and look at me.” He hesitates but eventually lets his eyes drift down to mine. “I ran out of that room trying to find you. I was looking foryou, not your brother.”
“I know, I just don’t like how he looks at you.” He mutters.
“Okay, and what about how I look at him? Or how I look at you? Am I also not a part of this?” I retort. He’s silent for a second, his lips pressed into a thin line.
“You look at him with wonder, you look at me with duty.” My mouth falls open, surprised.
“I do not.” I respond, stepping back, his arms dropping from my shoulders. “I feel nothing for your brother except gratitude for him saving my life, for bringing me toyou.”
“And what do you feel for me, Ela?”Ela. My eyebrows pinch together as I tilt my head. What do I feel for him?
“I don’t know how I feel about you, other than I want to be with you. I wantyouto hold me when I’m scared. I wantyouto lay next to me while I fall asleep. I want you, Tobias, not your brother.” My voice is borderline begging and I almost hate myself for it, but I need him to believe me. I needmeto believe me. He nods and steps forward to tuck a stray curl behind my ear.
“I’m sorry about my father. Are you okay?” I shake my head.
“He was so forceful. He was biting me like a rabid animal, he pushed me against the wall while he tried to lift my skirt up. I didn’t know what to do. I was pushing him and hitting him, but he wasn’t moving. He wanted to get me pregnant, he was so insistent on it, and then he just stepped back and walked away like nothing happened. It was so weird.” He clenches his teeth, his thumb brushing my neck where I can still feel the sharp sting of Evreux’s teeth.
“It could be a number of things; the illness may have spread to his brain. It could be the tincture, Pakin will know.” I nod and we just stand there in silence. I can’t think of anything else but my mother right now.
“What was the urgent business?” I ask and he rolls his eyes.
“I was told it was in regard to further developments in Labisa, but when I got to the council chamber the king had left. I waited around for a few moments before giving up and coming to find you.” His voice is laced with irritation.
“It was a diversion.” I mutter and he nods. “I would really like to talk about my mother, Tobias. I have a lot of questions.” He opens his mouth to speak but closes it when he looks at something, or someone, behind me.
“Good morning, Your Graces.” I turn around to see Master Pakin standing behind us. He bows slightly and I smile nonchalantly bringing my hair over my shoulder to cover my neck. He seems to be in a good mood, which may be due to my ability to conceive. He said it wasjoyousnews, but it just makes me feel sick.
“Good Morning, Master Pakin.” I respond.
“Please, my dear. You may call me Apollo.”ApolloPakin. I smile and nod. “I wanted you to know that Ser Danieas has awoken if you wish to speak to him.” I exhale in relief at the knowledge that he is finally awake and step towards him.
“Yes, I would like that very much.” I fail to hide the relief in my voice. I know Erik doesn’t have information that I don’t already have, but the idea of having another here from Chatis fills the emptiness inside me. I turn back to Tobias, and he holds out his hand, which I gladly take.
I follow Apollo through the marble hallways, down the stairs, and into the infirmary. He leads me to one of the closed off curtains and gestures for me to enter. I notice there are two other closed off curtains today, and it makes me wonder who has fallen ill or gotten hurt.
I grip the white cotton in front of me and move it to the side, Tobias staying close behind. Erik is lying in the bed, covered in a thick wool blanket. His skin isn’t as pale as I expected, and instead slightly pink and healthy looking. His rust-colored hair is smooth against his head, short, as if it’s recently been cut. His eyes are closed, but I can tell he isn’t asleep. I step closer and take a seat at the edge of his bed, not wanting to disturb him, but wanting to see if he is truly alright.
“Erik, are you awake?” I whisper. His eyes flutter open, revealing his soft green irises. He smiles upon recognition, his face lighting up.
“Your Grace.” He replies as he sits up. A small groan escapes his lips as he pulls himself up against the headboard. The blanket falls and exposes his muscular chest, which is covered in a thick bandage. His eyes follow mine before he quickly pulls the blanket up to cover himself.
“How are you feeling?” I ask, offering him a warm smile and pretending not to notice.
“I have been better, Your Grace.” He smiles and I reach for his hand and squeeze it. “I am happy to see that you are alright.” He looks relieved by my presence, but I can tell he’s in pain. There is a slight sheen of sweat coating his forehead and his hand feels warm in my own. Erik’s eyes drift behind me to where Tobias is standing and offers him a dip of the chin.
“Yes, well I’m alive.” He frowns. “As are you.” I smile, hoping to ease any of his worries. His eyebrows furrow as he notices the wounds on my face. I am thankful my dress covers the majority of my skin; I feel his reaction would be worse if he were to see the extent of everything I endured.
“The master told me little of what has happened these last few days.” He states, probing for information. “How long has it been?” He pinches his eyebrows as he looks at me.
“I believe it has been four days since we last spoke. I was unconscious for most of it so I can’t really say for sure.” I frown and look down. “But we are both awake now, we are in Noterra, and there is to be a wedding today I think.” I look up at Tobias behind me and he shrugs. I fake a smile and look back at Erik. His face is blotchy, his red stubble peeking through on his jawline. He isn’t much older than me, nearing 24, but he looks as if he’s just been to battle.
His father currently sits as Hand of the King for my father, brother to Lord Hairy, which is how he got the prestigious position of being my guard. He was only 16 and I was 10. I can still remember the crush Scarlett and I had on him. She used to joke saying that she was going to marry him someday, however guards aren’t allowed families. If war were to strike, their only purpose was to keep royals alive, which wouldn’t be possible if they had loved ones at home to worry about. He was the second son, meaning he couldn’t be a Lord, so he devoted himself to the guard.
I grew up with Erik as a brother figure in my life. He was sworn to be my sword should I need it, but he also helped when it came time to defend me from my father. On several occasions he would intervene if he felt my safety was at risk. My father wasn’t too happy with his interception, but the Hand always talked him down. He was the only one who could. Lord Danieas is one of the strongest men I ever met, and the only reason Chatis is still standing. Although my father wouldn’t agree with that.
“Your Grace, if I may be blunt.” I nod. “I can see you have sustained some injuries. I would like to know who the cause is so I can ensure you receive justice.” His voice is filled with diplomacy, but he and I both know he isn’t in a position to defend my honor.
“It is of no consequence, they are dead. The man who hurt you, and the men who hurt me.” I shake my head and squeeze his hand, before releasing him and digging my nails into my palm. Jeremiah is still out there, but he can’t touch me in the palace, at least that is what I hope.
