Page 72 of Cages and Crowns
“What I want is of no consequence, Nithe.” I say just as monotone.
“I don’t think that’s true, little witch.” He sounds sad, broken. Like me.
“We will soon be at war, and despite how much I loathe your father, how much I don’t trust him, he’s right. People are coming together to fight; armies are being built. If I walk away, if I allow myself to just be used, there won’t be anything of me left.”
“Being wed isn’t just a ploy, it isn’t just a step towards winning a war.” His voice sounds almost hurt, but I disregard it. I have to.
“It is a piece of paper. One I will watch burn when this is over.” I respond. He sighs, coming to sit in the settee behind me. “What happened last night, Nithe?”
“I told you; I am a wyvos.” His deep voice is hesitant, but I can’t ignore the feeling of it snaking down my spine, as if it’s wrapping itself around me in a warm embrace.
“Not that, although I still can’t wrap my head around that. After. You lost control, you were going to hurt them.”
“When I am in that…form, I am more animal than human. Instincts take over—”
“Enzo said that you were territorial over things you loved.”
“Enzo is wrong.” He interjects.
“You can’t have feelings for me. You can’t.” I turn in the seat, staring in his eyes.
“I assure you, little witch, I feel nothing but duty bound.” My gaze holds his. He has to be telling the truth. I can’t do what I need to do if he falls for me.
“My heart will always belong to someone else.” I admit.
“Tobias?” I don’t say anything for a moment.
“Tobias owns every single part of me, every cell in my body, but not my heart. I love him, I do, but it’s not him who I wish were beside me.”
“Theo.” He says softly, knowingly.
“I don’t know how or why, but I saw him. When I was dying. He’s the reason I got up, and part of me feels like when this is all over, I will see him again.” I admit, remember the feelof his lips on mine.
“The only reason that would happen is if you died, Elaenor.”
“That’s the second time.” I say, my eyes meeting his.
“What?”
“That is only the second time you have used my name.”
“It has been way more than that.” He gives me his playful, lopsided grin. “Don’t get used to it.” I smile softly, my eyes returning to the flames. “Will you be alright?”
“I have no choice. If I have any chance of killing him, I need to be stronger, don’t I?” He doesn’t answer, but I don’t need him to.
I can’t be meek; I can’t be timid. I have to fight.
I have to be able to fight.
ChapterForty-One
The Caged
I’m silent as I am readied. The same three women from the other day dress me in a gown of white lace and gossamer. My hair is curled, with half tied up. I stay silent throughout the process, letting them do what needs to be done.
Paints and creams are applied to my face, making me look more human, or as human as they can make me look. I sit still, letting them do what needs to be done.
The dress is simple. It’s made of different shafts of gossamer, letting my pale skin show through. Lace makes up the soft, off-shoulder sleeves, and covers the parts of my body that would make it indecent. Honestly the entire dress is indecent, but I am past caring.
