Page 53 of Sold to the Devil
A knock at the door startles me and snaps me out of my reverie. I frown as I walk over to open it, wondering who it could be. My eyes widen in shock when I see who it is and I try to close the door as quickly as possible. He blocks it with his hand, pushing it open while I put all my weight against the wood to force it shut instead.
“Aelys-”
“No,” I cut him off. “No! You can't be here. Just… Go away!”
He frowns, annoyed by my refusal, and pushes harder against the door, which gives way and opens. He steps into the dormitory, closing it behind him. I back away, trying to get to the bathroom door, hoping to get Mattheo's attention because I'm pretty sure he can't hear anything since he's standing under the water. After all, I don't know why he's here, and I don't know what he's capable of.
However, Tom grabs my arm, stopping me in my tracks. He pulls me towards him with a firm but strangely gentle gesture, his hand moving to my bruised eye. I flinch, instinctively expecting another blow. Sorrow fills his features as he notices it. I try to wriggle out of his grasp, but his grip tightens on my arm, a desperate expression on his features.
“Aelys…”
“Let me go, Tom,” I order in a voice I hope is confident.
I hear the shower stop and I breathe a sigh of relief. Mattheo will most likely hear our voices and realize something is wrong.
“Aelys, I'm sorry…
I place my hand on his chest and push, finally escaping his grasp. I recognize the same unknown force that allowed me to escape Mattheo last time, and I make a mental note to find Professor Hicks later today to ask her the questions that have been plaguing my mind since I discovered I have shapeshifter blood in my veins.
Tom's eyes widen in surprise, not expecting me to push him away so easily.
“That's enough!” I snort, my frustration growing. “Now get out of here before I throw you out myself.”
“You and I both know you can't physically kick me out, darling,” he replies softly, stepping forward and brushing the back of his hand against my cheek.
I push his hand away and glare at him. He's technically right. Unless I figure out how to activate my supposed shapeshifting power like I unconsciously did a few moments ago.
“Get out of here,” I repeat through gritted teeth.
He doesn't move, he just continues to look at me with saddened eyes and his lips pursed in a thin line. Just as I'm about to take matters into my own hands and test if I can once again use my shapeshifting abilities, which I didn't even know existed until recently, the bathroom door opens and Mattheo walks into the room, dressed in his uniform. I immediately step back and approach him, without taking my eyes off Tom.
“Get out of here before I take you out myself, brother,” Mattheo spits venomously as he positions himself in front of me.
Tom snorts and runs his hands through his hair before laughing darkly. He gives me a hard look, not once looking at his brother.
“So that's it. You've forgiven him and you become his little whore whenever he snaps his fingers?”
I frown and take a step forward but Mattheo holds me back, holding out his arm to stop me and keep me behind him.
“How dare you call me a whore, Tom? You have no right to insult me when you didn't think to tell me what your problem is!”
He snorts before shaking his head in disbelief and frustration. “You want to know what my problem is? Fine. He treated you like shit, he choked you unconscious, he cheated on you!”
I flinch as his voice booms, cold and nasty. He notices but continues anyway, even more venomous. “And yet you always go back to him”
“I'm marrying him for the love of the Gods!” I exclaim, throwing my hands in the air, my gesture full of frustration. “Besides, I remember telling you I was his. You even told me you knew it and that it was fine with you. Do you remember that?”
I can feel Mattheo's eyes on me, but I don't move, focused entirely on Tom. He clenches his fists and sets his jaw, his blue eyes, already dark with anger, turning murderous.
“I lied!” He exclaims, furious, running a hand through his brown curls in an annoyed gesture. “Fuck, Aelys! He apologizes and everything is forgotten? You two became a cute little couple madly in love with each other? He only did it so you could pretend the marriage was real in the eyes of the magical world! He doesn't care about you! It's just business, an order given by our father! Don't tell me you're too blind to see this!” He growls, his voice getting louder and louder as he seems to be holding back from screaming.
Mattheo takes a step forward, but I stop him by grabbing his bicep, my wide eyes fixed on Tom, stunned. I feel my body tremble with anger and I clench my jaw.
He lied to me.
“You don't know what you're talkingabout,” I hoist.
“Oh, really? So what, you want me to believe that you're in love?” He snorts, rolling his eyes and shaking his head in disbelief, frustration, and anger.
