Page 96 of Sold to the Devil
What's going on in her pretty head?
“I could never be disgusted by you, angel. Do you understand?” My voice is stern but still gentle because I don't want to scare her.
She looks away and bites her lower lip. I refrain from pulling her closer, knowing it would only make things worse.
“You should be…” Her voice is so low and shaky that I almost can't hear it. “Ikilled our baby.”
She sobs and quickly covers her mouth to stifle the cries. Without thinking, I pull her towards me and hug her tightly. She flinches at the sudden contact, but once her head meets my chest, she melts into my embrace, her arms wrapping around my torso. I wrap mine around her shoulders and rest my chin on the top of her head, rocking us slowly to comfort her. I let her sob for a moment, knowing she needs it, before I speak, my voice calm and affectionate, but firm.
“I want you to listen to me, princess. Okay?”
I feel her nod against my chest and I take a deep breath.
“You didn't kill our child. Law did. None of this is your fault. And I promise you, my love, we will make them pay for it.”
She doesn't move or speak for a few minutes before sighing. “Thank you,” she whispers.
“Always,” I mumble.
She doesn't move away from me, and I suppress a smile, proud of her once again. She's still in pain, but she's slowly making progress and trying to heal. She's so strong, and I admire and love her even more for it. I kiss the top of her head, and she sighs contentedly.
But our moment of peace is shattered when a letter appears on the armrest of the sofa. The yellowing of the parchment makes me sigh.
My love pulls back slightly, raising her head to look at me, her brows furrowed. I sigh and kiss her tenderly on the forehead.
“A letter from my father. He'ssummoning me.”
Worry fills her irises and I kiss the tip of her nose, making her crinkle it. I laugh softly and stroke her cheek lovingly.
“I'll be quick, I promise.”
She nods hesitantly, and I slowly let go of her, standing up from the couch. I don't turn to look at her as I stomp out of the room, knowing that if I look at her again, I'll never make it down to the manor's reception room where the Dark Mage awaits me.
I quicken my pace and finally reach the double wooden doors of the reception room, tense as a bow. I knock and enter after hearing my father bark a reply.
“Ah, my son, you finally honor us with your presence,” he spits, observing me with narrowed eyes.
I put my hands behind my back and bow, not meeting his murderous red eyes. “Forgive me, Master, I came as quickly as I could.”
He clicks his tongue and I tense even more, preparing to hear the order to kneel and receive my punishment. Yet nothing happens.
“Has your wife been found,my son?” He hisses.
I straighten and harden the mask of indifference on my features, knowing I can't tell him about my feelings for Aelys or he'll have us tortured or worse, killed. My brown eyes meet his and I shudder in horror, as I have for as long as I can remember whenever he’d look at me.
“Yes, Master. One of O'Connor's followers abandoned her at the manor’ gates four days ago. Forgive me for not reporting it sooner, Master, but my wife was seriously injured and required medical treatment. I couldn't leave her.”
My father hisses menacingly, his dirty nails digging into the armrests of his wooden throne. My jaw tightens at the sound of him scraping the wood, but I remain impassive, simply waiting for him to speak.
“Is she better now?” He asks coldly.
“Her physical injuries are completely healed aside from a few bruises, Master,” I clear my throat, knowing I'm about to play with fire. “However, I have a request.”
He gestures for me to speak, clearly impatient, I swallow hard, remaining impassive.
“She was tortured for hours by Rick Law. After all her injuries healed, we discovered she was pregnant, but due to the torture, she lost the child. I wish to take over the task you entrusted to her and kill Law with my own hands.”
His fist slams violently against the armrest of his throne, but I don't flinch, used to his outbursts of anger. I keep my chin high and my back straight, never taking my eyes off him, my heart pounding in anticipation.
