Page 28 of Glass and Bone
“Tobias–”
“Please, I see the way he looks at you. Just don’t talk to him, that’s all I ask.” And he can ask that. He owns me, he can make me do whatever he wants. I nod and his lips find mine again, forcing them open as his tongue curls around mine. We are all teeth and tongue and passion. He falls back onto the couch, pulling me on top of him. My thighs hug his hips as he pulls me closer. There isn’t a single breath of space between us as he tightens his arms around me. The movement sends a jolt of pain through my abdomen, and I wince. I shake my head, willing the pain to dissipate. I tangle my fingers through his short strands pulling his lips harder against mine. I can feel his arousal growing, pressing against his sleep shorts, and rubbing against me. I shudder at the equal amount of pleasure and pain radiating from between my legs from the friction.
“What is it?” He whispers in between kisses.
“Nothing, just my stomach. It’s nothing.” I reply against his lips before pressing mine to his again.
That is all we are doing, just kissing. I can do this. As inexperienced as I am, I just need to follow his lead. I want this. I want to kiss him. It’s nice to feel desired by someone who doesn’t have an alternate agenda. Someone who just wants my company.
His hands tighten on my waist as he moves me against him, a slow rocking motion. I can feel my nightdress riding up, pooling around his hands as he holds me close. I roll my hips slightly without his assistance and he hisses, his teeth gently nipping my bottom lip. I do it again and press my thighs tighter against him as pressure builds.
A sharp stabbing pain hits my abdomen and I gasp against his lips. I pull back and rest my forehead on his shoulder. My breathing is labored, and I can’t tell if it’s from our kissing or the pain shooting through my core. I grit my teeth and shake my head, willing myself to focus on anything other than the discomfort. I let out a shaky breath and squeeze the back of his neck where my hands are resting.
“Tell me, what’s wrong?” He whispers, just as breathless as me. He runs his lips up my jaw to that spot behind my ear where he places a soft kiss.
“I just have this weird pain in my stomach. I think I need more of that nectar.” I admit, taking slow deep breaths. Tobias presses his lips to my shoulder before nodding and sitting up. He gently slides me off of him to the cushion beside us and freezes. “What?” I ask as I lean my forehead against the back cushion, breathing through the cramping. I turn slightly to see his eyes cast down. I almost ask him again, before looking at his lap.
He’s covered in blood, and I look down to see my nightdress is also stained with it. His eyes widen as he looks at me and then down between my legs. I lean back to take in the actual pool of blood staining the white couch. Blood is smeared down my legs and across his lower stomach and I gasp.
“I’m going to get Master Pakin.” He quickly sits up and goes to run out of the room before turning back towards me. “Are you okay? If I leave, will you be alright for a few moments?” His voice is clipped and panicky, his eyes wider than I have ever seen. I nod and he exhales loudly before leaving the room quickly in nothing but his sleep shorts and my blood.
I adjust myself on the couch, so I am leaning my back against the armrest, and wince as it sends a sharp pain straight to my core. Something about this pain feels so familiar, but incredibly sharp as if it's heightened. Maybe this is just my monthly bleed and it’s just stronger due to the tonic? I hope that’s the case. I take a slow deep breath, letting my body relax as much as possible.
I look down at my legs again and groan. I loudly curse the fact that I am on a white couch as I see my blood soaking more and more into the fabric. I slide off the edge of the cushion, slowly getting to my feet. My goal is the bathroom, but I stumble against the steps up from the living area. I trip and my knees slam into the stone.
“Ouch!” I yelp out. My head spins and I force a deep breath as I pull myself to my feet. I slowly make it to the door, pushing it open and leaving a bloody handprint. The two guards that seem to always be present turn towards me, their mouths opening in shock. I glance down at my short nightdress soaked in blood, the steady drips reaching my ankles. My feet go numb, and I can feel my knees wobble. I reach for the threshold but miss.
“Your Grace!” One of them calls out before my legs give out and I fall forward. Someone’s arm catches me inches before my face hits the stone and I hiss as the movement jostles my abdomen. I can hear talking, but it’s muffled. It sounds like it's far away. I can feel someone hoist me up into their arms, my head resting on someone’s shoulder, my body shaking with every step. Did Tobias come back already? I try to whimper, but it comes out as a breathy groan.
Gods this hurts so bad.
“Tobias?” I whisper. I can feel my head fogging over, it’s getting harder to focus on anything.
“Your Grace, you shouldn’t be touching her. He will be back momentarily.” Someone snaps and I open my eyes slightly, using every ounce of energy I have. Who’s holding me? I can just barely make out unbound golden hair before my eyes close again.
Chapter Twelve
Eyes as green as the Chatisian trees filled with anger. The feeling of glass and bone slicing through my naked feet makes me cry out in pain. Or is it sadness? Sadness for the loss of the ones I used to love. Sadness for what my life has become. I drop to my knees, barely registering the pain I feel. Glass and bone burrowing through my flesh until my bones mix with theirs, knowing this is what I deserve.
I did this to them.
Their blood is on my hands.
It doesn’t take long for me to wake, and I find that I am not surprised to see that I am in the infirmary again. The windows are dark, signaling that it is still nighttime, the room lightly illuminated by torches on the walls. I sit up and warm fingers gently push my shoulders back down to the bed.
“Don’t move so fast.” His voice is rich, like caramel as he whispers to me. I look over and see his messy golden hair glowing in the candlelight. He looks terrified, his eyes bloodshot.
“What happened?” I croak and force myself to swallow.
“It seems your monthly bleed has returned with a vengeance.” Master Pakin says from my right, and I turn to look at him. He is wearing white night clothes and a thick dark robe. His hair is tied into a messy knot at the nape of his neck, and he looks exhausted.
“What?” I croak again and he pours what I know is a glass of tonic. I sit up again, and this time Tobias doesn’t stop me but helps lift me up with his hand on my back. I take the glass and down it quickly, almost whimpering from the relief it provides as its syrupy texture coats my dry throat.
“You seem to be having a very aggressive cycle, Your Grace. It is most likely due to the tonics and probably the trauma you received. Your body has been through a lot, so it's not as strong as it should be.” My face falls and I stare at him. “This is a good thing, my dear. It means you are not pregnant.” I almost collapse with relief, and I would have if Tobias arms didn’t wrap protectively around me, pulling me against his chest. I rest my head against him, fighting the yawn creeping up my throat and the tears forming in my eyes.
“Thank you, Pakin.” Tobias whispers.
“Tonight should be the worst of it. I gave you a small injection that should finish up whatever is happening inside of you. It may be a rough night, so if you want the essence of wisteria–”
