Page 5 of Sold to the Devil
“Like a baby,” I shrug.
I spot the teapot so I grab a cup and pour myself some. I add two sugars and start stirring mindlessly. Arthur clears his throat, bringing my attention back to him.
“He didn't bother you after dinner, did he?”
I shake my head and he sighs in relief.
“Oh, do you have your supplies?”
“No, Mattheo told me we'd go get them today, because he also needed some things. I haven't seen him yet, so I don't know if he still wants to go, but I have to buy them…”
“Well, I need a few things too, we can go together after breakfast?”
“Of course,” I smile.
Footsteps echo behind me and I turn around, my stomach twisting when I see him enter the room. He glances at me and then at Arthur before grabbing a bun and taking a bite. My gaze returns to the blond one and he seems to notice my nervousness, because he sends me a smile.
“Okay, do you have a list of things you need to buy?”
As I'm about to answer him, Mattheo abruptly places his glass on the table, startling me. He gives us both a dark look.
“I have the list. Why are you asking, Leroi?”
The blond one rolls his eyes mockingly. “We're going into town so we'll need it, Rigast.”
“You won't go together.” The grip of his hand around the glass tightens, his knuckles beginning to whiten. The pressure seems so strong that I'm afraid the glass will break.
Arthur raises an eyebrow and smiles. “Why do you care? You've been nothing but rude to Aelys since she arrived. Shit, you're either ignoring her or talking to her like she's trash.”
The glass shatters and I let out a scream in surprise. Mattheo rises from his chair and is within seconds at Arthur's throat, his hands gripping his collar tightly. The blond one looks surprised, but his smirk doesn't falter, and his eyes never leave Mattheo's.
“She's going to be my wife, Leroi. Not yours. Again, I'll treat her however I want. If I want to be rude to her, I will be. A daddy's boy like you has no right to tell me what I want, can, or can't do, understand?” He screams.
I take a step back, trying to make myself smaller. I hate hearing people shout. It makes me uncomfortable, it always has. I flinch when I hear Arthur laugh, knowing he only annoys Mattheo more by doing so.
“Do you find that fuckingfunny, Leroi?”
“That's hilarious, Rigast. You called me a daddy's boy, but like I said yesterday, I'm not the one who runs when my daddy whistles.”
His hands grip the brunette's wrists and he pushes him away.
“As for our trip to the city, I don't need to ask your permission, neither does Aelys. Why don't you come too? Because, come on, let's be realistic. This is what this is about, you don't want her to be alone with me. Afraid I'll steal her?” He growls.
Mattheo is absolutely furious. It's clear he doesn't like being spoken to the way Arthur just did. His fist connects with the blond's jaw, sending him falling on his knees. I jump and take a step toward them before stopping. I have no idea what Mattheo is capable of. Would he dare hurt me if I went between them?
“I don't give a shit if she's alone with you. She can spread her legs like a slut if she wants!” He hollers. “All my father wants from her is to give us an heir. Do you know what that means, Leroi?”
Arthur's face darkens as he seems to realize something. Mattheo's lips turn into a devilish smile and he chuckles disdainfully.
“Yeah, once the child is born, he'll kill her. He'll give her a task while we're at the fucking academy, hoping she'll fail. Then he expects her to have the child and he'll get rid of her. She's nothing more than a womb for Heir Rigast.”
I bite my lower lip, holding back sobs. I know I'm just a means to an end, to give the Dark Mage and his son an heir, but hearing that he might kill me after giving them what they want makes me want to vomit. I feel tears rolling down my cheeks and I leave the room, returning to our bedroom. I lock the door and drop to the floor, sobbing silently into my hands.
My life was fine until yesterday, until my father sold me to the Devil. The worst part is, I'm not even angry at him for it. I know he has his reasons, and I know that serving the Dark Mage will make him proud. I was raised to believe in his cause, to one day serve the Dark Mage like my father does. Even though I don't want to die so young, I must accept this marriage and have Mattheo's child.
My mind wanders to Mattheo's words.
The task.
