Page 60 of Glass and Bone
“Tobias, please.” I fall forward across the arm of the plush cushion, as he lifts my gown. “Please, Tobias. I am trying to talk to you about this.” I cry out, trying to keep my voice strong. His hands find my hips, their fingers digging into my skin, pulling down my undergarments.
“You need to listen to me!” He snaps as he slams into me. I cry out loudly against the intensity, shoving me harder against the couch. “Tobias.” I plead as he pushes into me again and again. I hate how the momentary friction makes my core curl, wanting more.Gods. “Please don’t do this to me.” Tears stream down my cheeks as I grit my teeth, my hands fisting around a throw blanket. This can’t be happening.This isn’t real.He stills above me before pulling out.
“Gods, Elaenor. What are you doing to me?” He steps away as I slowly rise, turning to face him as my dress falls back into place, my core throbbing with both want and pain. He’s pulling his pants up, sorrow filling his eyes as he looks at me.
“I am trying to have a conversation with you, Tobias. I’m trying to tell you that I’m scared. That someone here is threatening me. Threatening you! This is not how things are going to go.” My voice stammers and I take a deep breath. “You don’t get to do this with me.” I step closer to him as he drops onto the oversized bed and throws his arm over his eyes.
“I’m the king, Elaenor. I can do what I please.” He’s trying to sound strong, but his voice is laced with regret. At least, that is what I am hoping it is I hear.
“Not to me, Tobias.” My voice cracks, my throat tightening.
“Especiallyto you.” He scoffs. I step closer until I can reach his arm. I rip it off his face, forcing him to look at me. His eyes snap to mine and narrow.
“Jeremiah is who I say he is. I may not be in danger, but he is still a threat.” He sits up, his eyes parallel to mine.
“My father wouldn’t have employed a man capable of what you say is true. You have to be mistaken, Elaenor.” He’s pleading with me. He doesn’t want to admit that there is an enemy on his council, or that he and the enemy seem to have a lot in common.
“I’m not, Tobias. Please listen to me” I grab his face with my hands, willing him to understand, but I know it’s useless. “Please believe me.” I fight against the tears, but they break free.
“You are safe here, Elaenor. I will protect you.” His hand finds my throbbing cheek and I press my forehead against his.
“How can you protect me when you are the one who’s hurting me?” My voice is quiet, soft. “Do you see what just happened, Tobias? You hit me,again. After I was trying to tell you that someone is threatening me. And then, when I wouldn’t come near you, you forced yourself on me. Do you understand that you are more of a threat to me right now, than anyone?” He’s quiet, his lips almost touching mine.
“I will never hurt you, Elaenor.” He whispers.
“Youjustdid, Tobias.” I step back, removing my hands from his cheeks. He looks confused, as if he doesn’t understand. “What is so wrong with you that you can’t see the harm you cause?” My voice is little more than a whisper, and his eyes find mine.
“I never meant to hurt you, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.” He’s pleading, begging for me to say it’s all okay, but it’s not. This isn’t okay. I can’t let this be okay.
“Tobias, I can’t forgive you. Not yet. Not until you prove to me that you mean it. That you won’t do this again.” He reaches for my face, but I turn away. I step around the couch and to the bar cart, pouring myself a glass of my favorite wine. He takes a slow, deep breath in an attempt to calm himself.
“We are done with this conversation for now. We have a room full of people who want to celebrate their new king and queen. We must return.” He stands up and holds his hand out, reaching for me as I return to the side of the couch, but I shake my head.
“I’m staying here. Tell them I was tired or something, I don’t know.” He sighs again and turns towards the door.
“The guards are staying here. I don’t want you wandering about just in case it’s not safe.”
“It isn’t safe, Tobias. Not until you trust me.” I sigh. What is even the point of trying? He doesn’t believe me, and I don’t trust him.
“I do trust you, Elaenor.” He says, his eyes softening.
“Do you believe me?”
“I don’t know, this is all too much. I don’t know who to believe.”
“Your wife, Tobias. Yourqueen.” He’s quiet, pondering what I said before he speaks again.
“Do you want me to grab anyone to stay with you?”
“I want Ser Danieas.” I respond, staring at him.
“I will see to it that he is stationed by the door.” He bends down and kisses the top of my head before walking away. I move to sit on the edge of the bed and watch as the door closes behind him. I wanted nothing more than to be free from the constraints of my father, but like I predicted, I was placed into a new prison. I quickly drain the glass of wine, the sugar coating my tongue, before setting the glass on the nightstand.
I fall back onto the bed, closing my eyes against the threatening tears. My face is throbbing, as is my core. I can still feel the pain as he slammed himself inside of me. Exerting his power, just because he can. This isn’t him. This isn’t the same man who lovingly held me last night. He did it without hesitation, like I was just a body for him to use as he pleased. Just like my father had said.
My gaze fixates on the ceiling. I am used to silver details pressed into the marble, but this room, our new chambers, has black and crimson flowers and swords pressed into slate gray stone. Three different chandeliers line the ceiling, illuminating it in a bright yellow glow. I sit up and look around. The red curtains have been taken down, so the entire back wall is just lined with open glass. The flooring is separated into three different raised landings and a drop down in front of the fireplace where the couch lies. A larger office space sits right by the door, and a huge privacy screen sits next to the windows.
I slide off the bed and walk over to it. A dark, wooden door is hidden behind the screen, nestled into the wall. I twist the handle and open it to reveal a huge bathing room. A claw-foot tub that could fit two or three people sits in the middle. Floor to ceiling mirrors sit behind it, reflecting the warm glow of candles. I turn back to the room, closing the door behind me and walking towards the bar cart again, draining another glass of wine.
