Page 13 of Sold to the Devil
“Do you really think he cares about his daughter after offering her hand in marriage to the Dark Mage's son?” I ask sarcastically.
He sighs, running a frustrated hand over his face.
“Fuck, I don't know, okay? Just… Don't hurt her, Mattheo. She's not like us.”
“But she will be,” I retort, growing increasingly angry with him. “She’ll get the Trace and be corrupted by its magic, like the rest of us. She’ll also have to do whatever Father asks her to do. He’s going to give her a task to complete while we’re at the Academy. She either succeeds or fails. He won’t hesitate to kill her once the child is born if she doesn’t succeed. She may be innocent for now, but she won’t be for long. You’re not so stupid to not know that. I don’t know what task she’ll be given, but it will probably be to kill someone. Will she still be innocent in your eyes after committing murder? And that’s if she’s even capable of doing it!”
He purses his lips into a thin line, looking away as his jaw ticks. I snort. In love or not, he's pathetic for feeling anything for her. She's nothing but a fucking womb for my heir. She'll be nothing more in my father's eyes. Or mine.
Tom runs a hand through his hair, pulling it in frustration.
“I have to go. I swear, if I find out you hurt her, I'll kill you myself, Mattheo. Brother or not.”
I frown, taken aback by his words.
Is he fucking threatening me?
“It's a promise, not a threat.”
I glare at him for reading my thoughts. He leaves, punching my shoulder hard as he passes me. I clench my jaw and fists. He has the nerve to threaten me just for some bitch. I follow him with my eyes, watching him enter the Manor and close the door behind him. I pull another cigarette from my pack and light it, inhaling the smoke.
Tom's words keep playing in my head. Is she that innocent? Do I really want to ruin the little relationship I have with my brother for some slut?
I run a frustrated hand through my hair, pulling at it so the pain keeps me from drifting off into thought. The truth is, I don't want to. Tom and I aren't close, but he's still my little brother. It's always been my job to protect him, and it still is. If I have to be less of a jerk to her to make him happy and protect him, then I'll make an effort.
Fucking hell.
CHAPTER 6
Aelys
I'm sitting on the sofa in our bedroom, my book open on my lap, but my eyes are fixed on the door. Anxiety is rising, and I wait for Mattheo to come back, expecting him to lash out at me. I really hope he doesn't know that Tom and I were holding hands, but I know he'll still be angry with me for talking to him.
The minutes pass too slowly, and I feel more anxious with every second, one of my knees beginning to twitch nervously. A light knock at the door makes me jump, and my brow furrows. Who couldit be?
I get up and go to open the door, not knowing what to expect. My eyes widen at the sight of Tom looking at me with gentle blue eyes and a small smile on his lips. I certainly didn't expect him to be here.
“Do you have a minute ?”
I nod, opening the door wider so he can enter. I close it behind him and look at him curiously. He runs a hand through his hair and sighs softly.
“I talked to my brother. About him being such a jerk to you. You don't have to worry about that anymore. He should leave you alone from now on.”
My mouth opens slightly in shock. He did,what?
“You have- Why?” I ask, stunned.
His eyes meet mine and I can only see kindness in them, tinged with a hint of affection.
“Because he's an asshole and someone had to tell him.”
My first night here comes back to me and I remember Arthur lecturing him, telling him he needed to treat me with respect and telling him to go fuck himself. It didn't really work.
“I- I appreciate it, really, thank you, but... Arthur tried too and he definitely didn't listen…”
I look down at my feet and begin to pick at the skin around my nails. I gasp when I feel his hand on my cheek, lifting my head to look at him. His touch is gentle, as if he's afraid I'll break under his touch.
“He will this time, Aelys. Believe me. He will never insult you again and he will not raise a hand to you. I promiseyou.”
