Page 59 of Glass and Bone
“Yes, Your Grace. Our apologies.” Their voices are snide, and they do little to hide it, but I follow them anyway. I can hear Erik’s footsteps closely behind.
Chapter Twenty-Five
When I am led to Tobias, I find he’s not in the great hall. He’s frantically pacing in the king’s chambers, where I notice a lot of our items have been moved. I see my small trunk of art supplies sitting beside the writing desk. Tobias’s face is filled with rage, but I have no idea why. He places his hands on his hips and glares at me as I enter. He waves his hand, and the guards leave, closing the door behind me. I turn around just as Erik is being ushered out as well.
Tobias’s hand returns to his hip as he stares at me, his eyes trailing up and down my body. He lets out a sigh before making his way towards me. I keep my eyes down, fixed on the ground, while he grows near. I feel like a child being scolded by their father with how he’s looking at me.
His hand reaches forward and grabs one end of the rope affixed to my cloak. With a small pull, it unties and falls to the ground slowly. I stay still, frozen, unsure of what is going to happen. I can tell he’s angry, but I haven’t done anything to warrant this type of reaction.
“Where did you go, Elaenor?” He asks, his voice low as he walks around me, kicking the cloak out of the way. I feel his hand tangle itself in my hair and he sharply pulls it.
“Ow, Tobias!” I fall back into his chest, his mouth close to my ear.
“Where did you go?” He asks again, this time with more malice in his voice. His grip on my hair tightens and I wince.
“That hurts, Tobias.” I whisper.
“Where were you?” He asks for a third time. “It wasn’t with Lydia, because she came and asked me whereyouwere.”
“I went to get some air, that is it.” I say through gritted teeth. His hand releases itself from my hair and he wraps his arm around my waist.
“Why are you lying to me?” He presses his nose into my neck and deeply inhales. I stare at the ceiling, wishing for my heart to stop pounding in fear. I can feel his teeth as they bite down on my shoulder, adding another welt. He’s so angry. I’ve only seen him this way once before, and it was directed towards Theo.
“I promise, I am not lying to you. I went to the balcony near the throne room. I just wanted some air.” I stammer.What has gotten into him?
“And Jeremiah? You were seen.” He snaps. My mouth drops open.
“Seen doing what?” I retort in confusion.
“He was touching you.” His grip around me tightens and I push against his arms.He’s jealous.He releases me and I spin around stepping close so my face is mere inches from his.
“Jeremiah followed me. He wanted to make sure I knew who he was.” I grab his arms and plead for him to believe me. “Tobias, he was the man who took me from my carriage the night I traveled here. He was the man who beat me and tried to rape me before his accomplice took his place. He wanted me to know he was here.” His eyes are blank as he tries to make sense of what I said, his hot, wine-laced breath fanning over my face.
“You’re lying. Jeremiah has been a trusted advisor of the Crown’s for nearly a decade.” His voice is stern, brewing with irritation. “You’re just trying to cover your tracks.”
“I am not lying, Tobias.” I plead. I need him to know my fear in the hopes that he would act on it. I pull on his arms, begging for him to believe me. “Please, I need you to believe me. I’m scared.”
“It was dark, you were clearly disorientated. You don’t know what you saw.” His voice is nonchalant, irritated, as he rolls his eyes.
“Then what of his confessions just now? Just a figment of my imagination?” I snap at his delusions.
“Just stop! You are making it worse. Why are you lying to me?” He pushes my arms away from him.
“Tobias, please.” I reach for his face and his hand flies out, slapping me. I stumble into the writing desk, stunned.
“Enough!” He snaps. My hands find my cheek as I turn to stare up at him.
“Tobias.” I whisper as I watch the realization of what he’s done come to light. His face softens and his mouth drops open.
“Elaenor, I’m sorry.” He takes a step forward, but I retreat. “I didn’t mean to.” He’s hurt, he didn’t mean it, but I still find myself scared of him.
“Don’t touch me.” I whisper.
“Elaenor, please.” His voice is strained. I know he’s sorry, but I don’t trust him. I can’t trust him. He steps towards me again and I move around the desk.
“Tobias, don’t.” I warn. I can’t be next to him when he’s like this. He reminds me of my father in all the wrong ways.
“Come here.” He begs, but I stand my ground. “Comehere.” He says again, this time with more persistence. When I don’t move, I see the anger building inside of him. He tightens his jaw and squeezes his hands into fists. Reaching across the table, he grabs the crown from my head and tosses it to the floor before grabbing my neck and throwing me against the side of the couch.
