Page 14 of Sold to the Devil
I close my eyes, sighing softly before nodding. When I open my eyes again, I find him admiring my face. I can't help but find him breathtaking. He's handsome, and the way he looks at me makes me weak.
He quickly removes his hand from my cheek and takes a step back, clearing his throat, bringing me back to reality. I feel myself blush and look away again. I hope he wasn't reading my mind a few seconds ago, but I have a feeling he was. He clears his throat and scratches the back of his head, embarrassed.
“I should go. I have to pack for school. I don't know if anyone told you, but we're leaving tomorrow morning at 7:00 am.”
I bob my head slowly. “I didn't know. Thanks for telling me. I should start packing too.”
He nods and leaves the room, mumbling a small goodbye. I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding and tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. Thankfully, Mattheo didn't come back while his brother was here.
I immediately feel bad for enjoying Tom's presence and touch so much. I have to marry his brother. I can't allow myself to feel anything for anyone else, especially not my fiancé's brother. It's wrong and I'd probably be killed for treason if it happened.
I run a frustrated hand through my brown hair and look at the closet door. We're leaving early in the morning, so I have to pack my things. I sigh and head to the dressing room, looking for a trunk. Luckily for me, I find two at the back of the room. One with Mattheo's initials and one with mine. I take the one that belongs to me and look through all my clothes.
Well, it's going to take time.
I breathe out in relief once I put the last piece of clothing in my trunk. I have no idea if we'll be back at the Manor before Christmas break, so I packed a lot of clothes, but it's better to have too much than not enough.
I know we're supposed to wear uniforms, but I need comfortable clothes for days off. I also packed a few dresses because I remembered Nancy telling me about parties the factions throw behind the teachers' backs. I've never been to any parties, but I'm excited to finally be able to.
I close my trunk and try to pull it into the bedroom, but it's too heavy and won't budge at all. I sigh deeply and pull my wand out of my pants pocket. I flick my wrist and step out of the closet, my trunk floating behind me. I leave it between the bathroom and the closet doors for now and head into the bathroom. I also need to pack my toiletries. I find a small bag under the sinks and start filling it with my makeup and everything I'll need at the Academy.
Once finished, I leave the bag next to my sink so I can use the products tonight and tomorrow morning. I head to bed, intending to lie down, but I jump at the sound of the door opening. Mattheo enters and his eyes immediately fall on me.
I was so busy packing that I hadn't noticed he still hadn't come back. I glanced at the clock and realized three hours have passed since he ordered me to go to the room. I'd been packing for two of those hours.
I look at him, searching his face for the slightest emotion, but it's devoid of any. Even his eyes hold none.
Creepy.
I swallow and nervously pick at the skin around my nails, not daring to take my eyes off him. His eyes flick to my trunk and then back to me.
“Have you finished packing your bags?”
I nod, letting out a 'yes' in a voice so quiet I'm afraid he didn't hear me. But he must have because he nods too.
“Good. We leave at 7:00 tomorrow. The train leaves at 7:30.”
I nod again, still scratching my skin. He clears his throat then speaks again.
“My father wants to see us.”
I don't answer, but I walk towards him, looking down. He sighs before turning and leaving the room, wanting me to follow. I keep my head down the whole time. I have a feeling the Dark Mage is going to give me my task and I'm nervous. What if I'm not able to complete it? Will he kill me once I give them the heir they so desperately want, like Mattheo said during dinner?
Mattheo pushes the door open and holds it, allowing me to enter before closing it and coming to stand beside me. The Dark Mage is in the same chair I saw him in last time, a gigantic snake at his side, its monstrous head on his knees as he absentmindedly strokes it. I bow slightly in greeting, and he chuckles darkly.
“Ah, my sweet Aelys. I hope you like it here?”
“Yes, Master. Thank you.” I swallow nervously.
I'm even more anxious than before. I'm waiting for him to finally give me my task. I want to make him and my father proud. I can't wait to accomplish whatever he asks me to do. I want and need to prove my loyalty to his cause.
“Good. As I told you the other day, you won't be receiving the Trace for now. I need you to prove your loyalty to me first. I hope you understand.”
“Yes, Master.”
He grins, exposing his rotten, yellow teeth, and cackles devilishly. The snake lifts its head slightly, and Darkvis pats it lightly in an affectionate gesture, his eyes never leaving mine. My thoughts quickly drift to my own snake, still in its vivarium. I'll go visit it after this meeting.
“Now, for your task, I want you to kill the two friends of Henry Dawson, the young protégé of my oldest enemy, Principal O'Connor. I need him weakened. Mattheo will show you who they are. You have until the end of the school year.”
