Page 26 of Bride of the Black Dragon
Her words make me cold to my bones. She’s giving both of us an ultimatum and I have no doubt she’d happily have me killed.
Xaren glares back at her.
“You wouldn’t—she’s the only one with the right bloodlines.”
“No, she has the optimal bloodlines,” the Queen snaps. “But other women can bear a Drake heir—I did myself! We only paid for her in order to be certain the heirs she produced had the largest, strongest Drakes. But if she can’t fulfill her duty, I’ll find someone who can.” She turns to me. “Do you hear me, girl? You’d best be pregnant with my grandson soon!”
My mouth is too numb to form an answer. I’m barely able to nod my head in acknowledgment. What else can I do?
Then I follow Xaren out of the Queen’s parlor, my stomach clenched tighter than a fist as I wonder how I’m going to get through this.
15
ELAINA
Xaren walks swiftly down the hallway, ignoring the curious stares of the Nobles who have been idling around the door to the parlor, eavesdropping on the proceedings. No doubt they heard everything because I see them whispering to each other and pointing at us both.
I’m trailing behind him because I’m not leaving him alone after what he did for me. No one has ever taken a beating for me before—especially not such a brutal one. He’s going to need someone to treat the whip wounds—you can never reach your own back.
So it is that, even though I swore only that morning to never, ever darken his doorway again, I follow him down the steps that lead to his rooms.
Xaren doesn’t want to let me come in, though. He turns to me, a look of pain and irritation on his dark face.
“What are you doing here?” he demands and I see he’s back to being rude and nasty again. Well, this time it’s not going to work.
“I’m going to help you,” I said, lifting my chin. “There’s no use in fighting about it,” I add. “You took my punishment—the least I can do is treat your wounds.”
“So now you fancy yourself a physician, little dove?” He raises one black eyebrow mockingly at me.
“Look, you’re not scaring me off with sarcasm or nastiness or bad manners,” I tell him. “And I’m not interested in hearing about how your Drake ‘wants me’ either. I’m coming in with you and that’s it.”
His face twists for a moment…then he heaves a sigh and shrugs.
“Fine. Come in if you want to.”
“I do,” I say firmly. I follow him into his rooms and the doors shut behind us. As soon as it does, I take the lead and head for the bathing chamber. I start running water in the huge marble tub.
When the tub is halfway full, I locate a sponge and then go to get Xaren. He’s sitting on a chair to one side of his bed, making sure not to lean back against it. His eyes are closed and his face is tense.
“Come on.” I take his hand. He flinches at first…then lets me lead him. I sit him on the edge of the tub and tie up my sleeves. Then I dip the sponge in the water and squeeze it over his bloody back.
Xaren hisses between his teeth but doesn’t flinch as I do it again and again. The water in the tub turns pink and his back is finally revealed as the blood is washed away. The wounds are horrific. I’m glad I didn’t eat breakfast because the sight makes me queasy. But I keep going, reminding myself that he did this for me…though I still don’t know why.
“Why did you take my whipping?” I ask in a low voice. I might as well try to find out. “You didn’t have to do it.”
“Yes, I did. I couldn’t let you get hurt, little dove.” He turns his head to look over one broad shoulder. “You’re my wife—it’s my job to protect you. Even from my own mother,” he adds and there’s a depth of bitterness in his voice that makes me shudder. I wonder if she knows how much he hates her.
“What did you mean?” I ask. “When you said she wouldn’t pay the ransom? What ransom?”
His whole body stiffens and I’m afraid I’ve gone too far—I shouldn’t have asked. But then his broad shoulders sag and he sighs deeply.
“When I was thirteen, I was taken from the Citadel,” he says.
He’s turned around again so I can’t see his face. I continue to squeeze water over his back and listen as he speaks.
“Taken by who?” I ask in a low voice, hoping to keep him talking.
“Kidnappers who wanted the royal ransom only a Crown Prince will bring. Because yes, back then I was the Crown Prince,” he goes on. “Though I knew I wouldn’t be for long if my Drake didn’t come out.”
