Page 57 of Glass and Bone
“Elaenor.” He whispers. I tear my eyes away and look at Tobias as the sounds of cheering and clapping returns. He’s smiling at me, embracing the applause. Embracing the attention. I find myself uncomfortable, nervous, my nails digging into my palms. Tobias offers me a soft smile before sitting down. I follow suit and take my place on the throne. When I turn back to the crowd, he’s gone. Unknown faces and voices fill my ears as I force myself to take slow and steady breaths.
“Long live the King. Long live the Queen.” Father Reynolds starts as others chime in, chanting the phrase over and over again.
“Long live the King. Long live the Queen.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
The grand room is filled with people I have never met. Every time a new person comes up to me, they bow and congratulate me. Congratulations seem absurd as my status was something I was born into, not something I worked for. Regardless, I thank them for the well wishes and they move along. Wine and food are passed around as laughter and talking buries me in an overwhelming pressure. My chest feels tight, and I can feel every single guest's eyes on me, watching me, judging me. Waiting for me to misstep or prove that I am not worthy of the crown sitting upon my head. Warm fingers grip my elbow, jolting me out of my thoughts and I turn to face Tobias.
“Congratulations,Your Grace.” He mocks. The scent of Tobias, cedar and smoke, fills my nose as I struggle to take a deep breath around the lump in my throat. The air is too thick, too many people. I keep my face forward, trying to seem as if I am watching the crowd of happy people, laughing, dancing, eating. All enjoying what should be a momentous day. While I am sitting here terrified and overwhelmed.
“Same to you, Your Grace.” I reply, softly. I can feel the warmth of his body as it grows closer. His free hand finds my waist and pulls me against him. My breathing catches and I try to keep the glass in my hand steady as wine sloshes over the rim.
“Did I mention how much I enjoyed the way you look today?” His face is close to mine, his breath hissing in my ear sending a shiver down my spine. I manage a small shake of my head as his fingers tighten around me, my heart lodged in my throat. “I can’t wait to take it off of you.” I turn and finally offer him a smile. He’s doing all he can to ease the tension, but I can’t help the pit forming in my stomach. “What’s wrong?” He asks, his playful demeanor slipping, revealing concern and something else I can quite place.
“I just feeloff. Like something is going to happen.” I admit, gripping the glass in my hands tightly. It’s a different wine than I have been drinking, not as sweet, more bitter. It makes me crave the wine we keep in our room.
“You are safe. Nothing is going to happen to you here.” His voice is reassuring, but I still feel tense. He kisses the side of my head as another guest walks up to us.
“Your Grace,” I let out a silent sigh as a nobleman offers a bow to Tobias. “Jeremiah, Your Grace.” He says as he turns his attention to me, holding out his hand. I tense up as I peer at this strange man's face. Clean, well-shaven, dressed noble, a man of status. But this man, this man is the one who took me into the woods. Whogaveme to my rapist. Who now stands before me, in this palace, awaiting my response. My head spins and the glass of wine slips from my hand, shattering onto the floor.
“Elaenor!” Tobias says as wine sprays all over my gown.
“I am so sorry, it just slipped.” I whisper as I look away from Jeremiah’s smug eyes and down to the mess on the floor. I glance back up at Tobias, his jaw hardened as if he wants to be mad but can’t.
“Elaenor, this is our Master of Coin. He sits on the council and manages the Crown’s finances and estates.” He finally says, ignoring the broken glass. He gestures for me to move aside slightly, and we all shift to the left as a servant appears out of nowhere, bending down to clean the mess.
Jeremiah smiles slyly, as if he’s peering into my soul. He reaches his hand out again and I slowly place mine in his. He bends and places his icy lips onto my hand without breaking eye contact.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, my Lord.” I whisper as I not-so-gently rip my hand from his.
His fingers are rough, calloused. I try to steady my breath as I remember how his hands felt on me. How it felt when he let his fingers trail over my stomach, touching me. I can hear the sound of my clothing being ripped away. The feel of the rocks digging into my skin as he held me onto the ground. The dagger he used to slice through my thigh, his attempt at keeping me still, at keeping me compliant. My heart is racing, it’s becoming harder to breathe and I feel like I might faint. My head spins and I lean slightly into Tobias, using his body to steady me. His fingers catch my elbow, and he squeezes. I can’t tell if it’s to reassure me or to warn me to knock off whatever I am doing.
“The pleasure is all mine, Your Grace.” His voice is sick, deep, fueled by unspoken words and Tobias is none the wiser. I pull my eyes from his and turn to my husband, who is oblivious to what is happening.
“My king, if you don’t mind, I am going to see if I can find Lydia to help clean me up before the wine stains my beautiful coronation gown.” I smile at him, pleading with my eyes to let me go, but I’m not sure if he understands. He doesn’t even seem phased by the tension between Jeremiah and I.
“As you wish, my love.” He places a soft kiss on my cheek and then turns towards Jeremiah, who bows slightly as I walk away. “Shall we talk about the carnival? I want grand, exotic, and lions. Do you think we could get lions?” Tobias’s voice gets drowned out by the laughter around me as I push my way through the crowd. Every time I get past another person, one replaces them and offers a bow. I smile at everyone as I try to get out of the room, but it seems endless. I take slow deep breaths, trying not to panic, but I can feel it rising in my chest. My heart is pounding, my eyes are blurry. Oh Gods.
He’s here in the palace.
Jeremiah is here and he is on the king’s council. If I told Tobias that this is the man that hurt me, would he even care? Would hebelieveme? He has to. He promised we would work through everything together. Hepromised. I see the doors through the last group of people, and I quickly push past them. The guards on either side bow their heads slightly before opening the darkened wood.
As I reach the hallway I begin to run, my heels echoing across the vacant marble. I don’t know where I am headed, but I need fresh air. I turn the corner and spot the balcony doors in front of the throne room open. I step out into the moonlight and take a deep breath. Leaning against the marble posts, I fight the panic coursing through my veins. I inhale deep and quick breaths, trying to clear the fogginess that fills my mind.
He’s here and he’s on the council. What am I supposed to do? He’s infiltrated my new home, even though he’s been here all along.That’show he knew I was coming. He knew when and where to be to ensure I never made it to the palace. But hefailed. What if he tries again? Footsteps approach behind me and I freeze, sensing him before he even speaks.
“What a beautiful ceremony.” He whispers. I slowly straighten myself before turning to face him. His dark eyes are filled with hunger as he takes me in. “Imuchpreferred your other dress.” He bites his lower lip as his eyes trail down my body.
“What are you doing here?” I lift my chin slightly as I clasp my hands together in front of me, my nails digging into my palms. As much as I want to scream, I have to appear strong. I can’t let him know what his presence is doing to me. I can’t let him even sense that I am screaming inside. He steps farther out onto the balcony and joins me next to the posts. His hands run across the smooth marble, and I angle my body to face him.
“Noterra truly is a beautiful place.” He stares out onto the grounds, and I follow his gaze. The moon is illuminating the buildings past the palace walls. The sea is hidden behind trees, but you can almost smell the salty air.
“Did he send you?” I ask, breaking the silence. Does Tobias know? He scoffs.
“Tobias? No, he did not.” He shakes his head and smiles at the thought. I find myself relieved. Tobias doesn’t know, which means he isn’t a part of whatever it is Jeremiah is doing. Was Evreux?
“What do you want, Jeremiah?” He turns towards me and lifts his hand. I flinch away from his touch as his fingers brush my cheek. “Don’t touch me.” I snap, stepping back, but he doesn’t move.
