Page 46 of Glass and Bone
“You smell so good. Like roses.” He whispers as he slowly releases me. Throwing myself out of the chair, clutching my bleeding hand to my chest, I turn back and look at him. His wicked smile causes a chill to run up my spine. My angry eyes bore into him, and he just looks amused. Unphased.
“I don’t know what you think is going to happen between us, but you are mistaken.” I snap, willing my voice to stay steady and clear. “I am to be wed to yoursonany minute and you think you own me? The only person who can touch me is my husband.” His low chuckle mimics a growl more so than a laugh.
“That’s not what I heard when tales of your adventures in the woods were brought to my attention.” A shudder runs through my limbs, and I feel the adrenaline course through my veins like electricity. Throwing the chair to the side he saunters over to me. I step back until I am pressed against the mirror, cursing the fact that I let myself get cornered again. My heart is racing, and I feel like I can’t breathe.
“Evreux, stop.” I warn as his hand finds my waist, and the other my neck as he forces me to meet his gaze. My hands push on his chest, using every ounce of energy I have to shove him off. I struggle against his strength, but I am no match. Even in his ill state, I can’t fight him off.
“You fail to forget. I am king.Everything in this kingdom belongs to me. That includesyou.” His face smashes into mine as he forces my lips to open, flooding my mouth with the taste of cinnamon and citrus. He groans as his hands explore my chest, pulling the corset down to reveal my naked skin. I push against him, trying to cover myself, which tightens his grip on me. His hands pull up the hem of my dress, ripping through the lace undergarments. His fingers torturously touch my inner thighs, possessively, as if I am his property.
“Please stop.” I cry against his rough kisses and to my surprise, he pulls his face away from mine. His hand resting on my backside, his eyes meeting mine. Tears pour down my cheeks, no doubt ruining the work my ladies did. “Please leave me alone.” I plead. He leans forward and bites my lip with a growl, slicing into it. He steps back pulling me off the mirror and throwing me onto the ground. I land on my side and cry out in pain as my hip slams into the marble. He quickly undoes his pants and drops on top of me, my hands fighting his, trying to get free from his touch. I kick out, trying to force him off of me, but he pins me down with his legs.
“Stop resisting.” He barks as I try to push him off of me. “You wanted this. Youwantedthis!” He screams at me. I don’t know if he’s trying to convince himself or me.
“No!” I scream as loud as I possibly can. I know the guards outside belong to Evreux, but if I make enough noise, maybe they’ll come in and he’ll stop. Laris or Tano. One of themhasto intervene. Before I can scream again, he slaps me, slamming my head into the stone floor. I taste the blood in my mouth, and I am temporarily stunned. My head is pounding, and I can feel the thorns stabbing into my skull. My eyes spin and I can barely make out the shapes of the chandelier above us.
“I’ll make this quick.” He grabs both of my wrists in one hand with ease before his weight presses against me.
“Stop it!” I scream as loud as I can as his mouth finds mine again, muffling my cries. He shifts above me, his hands pulling up my skirt again and I hear the door open. Footsteps running towards us, leather slamming onto the marble floors. It feels like it takes forever for whoever it is to reach us, as if everything is in slow motion, Evreux’s tongue aggressively reaching for mine.
“Father!” Tobias yells in surprise as he pushes him off of me. He falls to the ground with a thud, his crown flinging off his head and hitting the mirror. It shatters and glass rains down on top of him. “What are you doing?” He snaps as he pulls me up onto my feet. I bury my face in his chest as he holds me. I pull up my corset to cover my exposed breasts as I try to steady my breath. I try to swallow the blood pooling in my mouth, but it makes me gag and I don’t fight the tears pouring down my cheeks.
“What you failed to do!” Evreux screams as he slowly stands. “An heir. That is all I need. I need an heir! Don’t you see. They have the power, if I don’t have someone to continue my reign they’ll win!” He yells as he places his hands on Tobias’s shoulders and shakes him. His chest almost touching my shoulder as I hold onto Tobias. My body is shaking, tears flowing freely, and I whimper, fear coursing through my veins. I just want this to end. Tobias’s protective arms are wrapped around me, letting me know I am safe.
“You have an heir, father.” His voice is soft, reassuring. “Me. I’m your heir.” He sounds scared, much like the little boy I used to know. They are both quiet for a second. I lift my head off his chest and look over my shoulder at Evreux. He looks confused and horrified as he releases Tobias and steps back. Blood is starting to drip down his nose and ear, along with the various cuts he received from the mirror.
“You don’t understand. She needs a boy. She only has a girl. She needs a boy.” He’s shaking his head, staring at us distraught, pleading for us to listen.
“Father, what are you talking about?” Tobias’s voice is quiet, concerned. “Mother had boys. Theo and I. She had us.”
“He’ll kill her if she doesn’t have a boy. I can give her a boy.” His eyes leave Tobias’s, and he looks straight at me. “Please, my love, I can make this go away. Please.” He grabs onto my shoulder and pleads with me as I tighten my arms around Tobias. His eyes are filled with utter sorrow as they search mine. My heart hurts as I stare into his frantic eyes. He’s sick and he doesn’t understand what he’s doing. “Sybil, my love.” He reaches for my face and Tobias slaps his hand away.
“Father, this isn’t Sybil. This is Elaenor, her daughter.” His voice is strained.
“My mother is dead.” I whisper. His eyes fill with shock as he absorbs what I just said, his head shaking.
“No, no. You’re wrong. He hasn’t killed her, but he will.” He mumbles to himself. “I can make this go away, just come with me. You can bring her, she’ll be happy. My love, please.” Tears are welling up in his eyes as he begs for me to come. He’s talking about my mother. Is he talking about my father? Was he scared of him?
“Evreux, it’s me, Elaenor. I’m not Sybil.” His eyes search mine, panicked. “My mother died a while ago.” I beg for him to hear me. The fear in his eyes mirrors the fear in my voice. Tobias is quiet, just holding me against him, keeping me at arm’s length from his father.
“Yes, yes. You’re right.” He says softly. He picks up his crown and straightens it before making eye contact with me. “Excuse me.” He pushes past us and out the door. We both stare at the open door for a few moments before I speak.
“Tobias–” He pulls back and places his hands on either side of my face. He leans down so that his eyes are level with mine. His thumb brushes the corner of my mouth, coming away red.
“It’s alright, you’re alright.” He whispers. He kisses me softly on the lips before pulling me back into his chest.
“Why is he doing this?” I ask between sobs.
“I don’t think he knows, Elaenor. He’s confused.” His voice is strained. “I’m sorry.” He kisses the side of my head and squeezes me.
“I don’t understand. He thought I was my mother. He called her his love. He said that someone was going to kill her. Do you think he means my father?” Panic fills my body as I start to shake. “What does he know about her death?”
“I don’t know. He’s just confused.” He repeats. I need to know what he knows.
“I don’t feel safe here, Tobias. I don’t feel safe near him.” I can feel him shake his head, his chin resting in my hair.
“It’ll be okay. I’ll make it okay. I promise.” He tightens his arms around me. “Will you be alright?” I nod against his chest. He slides his arms down to my waist and then lifts my chin up, so I am facing him.
“Please don’t leave me, Tobias.” I whimper, my eyes finding his.
