Page 59 of Antiletum
For a short time after I tracked her down, I thought that my delusions were reality—as I so like to do when it comes to her—and that Delaney was ready to forgive me. That she finally,finallysees exactly what we are, and that none of it matters because we made it here. Together. Against all odds.
And we can bring Rainah back.
If it hadn’t been for that short drop in facade at the bakery, for that cool way Delaney told me to smile—because people were watching—I would have believed her cruel little farce just as much as the crowds she paraded us around for. Would have believed all that chemistry between us meant she was ready for me to bring her home, bend her over a table, and fuck her tight little hole deep and hard. All night long. Until neither of us could stand. Well and truly ruin her.
I should throw her over my shoulder right now, lock her inourroom, and not let her leave. Ever. Probably should have done that already. Taught her a lesson. I’ve never needed to fuck someone so desperately as I do now, with all of this passion firing between us. No matter its origins.
Desire is exacerbated further by this clear willful defiance of my wife’s that is part of what makes meadoreher. Despite my irritation and confusion, flaring like an exploding, dying star, thank thedeosDelaney’s finding that fire again. She deserves to have it. It’s who she is. It never should have been denied the oxygen it needs to burn.
Heat of the day staving off when I march us through The Citadel, Delaney dutifully lets me lead her with equally pounding footsteps. She may not want to admit it to herself, but she likes it when I boss her around.
In the foyer of our apartments, a handful of servants are replacing a vase of flowers, lighting the gas lamps, and drawing curtains in preparation for a quiet evening for the Lord and Lady ofNoctua. Two are headed towards a dining room with heaping trays of food.
“Get the fuck out!” I scream so loud I think the windows shake.
Delaney pulls out of my grasp, whirling on me with a promise of violence.
That’s a downright criminal sight. My wife glaring at me like she might just want to wrap her hands around my throat and choke theair from my lungs. I wish she would try. Give me a reason here and now to hike up that pretty black skirt and turn her ass pink with my palm for fucking with me.
A growl rolls from my chest when the servants scatter at my enraged command, but a handful of people stroll from the dining room with no intentions of leaving. A swarm of smoky figures flutters around me, wriggling into my hair and the neck of my shirt. I’m too distracted to note their forms when I slap them away. Blair lets loose a low laugh. Beside her, Mallin, Selise, and Alaric share a wary glance.
“I’m going to wager that Delaney found out,” Alaric mutters.
“Good,” Blair says firmly. “She deserved to know.”
“Know what?” Selise questions.
It has been such a whirlwind of chaos, I forgot what day it is. That it just so happens to be the standing weekly dinner with the people closest to me. The ones who are still alive.
I pay them no mind; the only thing in existence is my wife in front of me. “What are you playing at, Delaney?”
“What are you talking about, Valledyn?” she fires right back with infuriating sarcasm. Like she’s thinks it’s funny to have me wound so tight and reeling over what the fuck is going on.
Our entire time in the city today, so precious to me, was nothing but a game.
“What exactly are you trying to furnish?” I demand with no shortage of accusation that barely hides my hurt feelings. “I thought you were merely looking for fucking paintings. A new rug. Not a mansion’s worth of furniture.”
“I think you already know,” my wife seethes.
So shedidleave me out of the first part of her morning to meet with her parents’ solicitor. I began to suspect as much while she bought whole suites right in front of me with no explanation. Giving mechallenging little smirks while she wrote out an address for delivery. Waiting for me to ask.
Bet she thought it was very entertaining.
Delaney wanted me to join her while she shopped for a house that is notourhome. To rub it in my face that she thinks she can separate herself from me in the only possible ways.
What a diabolical little creature. Too bad—for her—that it’s not going to work.
I point an angry finger at her, teeth gritted, and hiss, “You are not moving into that fucking house!”
“Yes I am!”
Oh, that defiance. Looks like I should match it with my own. “Fine. I’ll have my belongings moved too. Plenty of room for me as well.”
“You’re not invited!” Delaney screeches. Face red-hot and hair falling from its elaborate braids. How I want to brush it back. Lose my fingers in it. Hold her head in my hands and press my open mouth into hers.
“Please, Delaney, enlighten me on how you think you’re going to stop me.”
With a menacing step forward, I lean down to be closer to Delaney’s face. She doesn’t balk. I’m practically existing outside of my body, in no real control of what I’m saying or doing.
