Page 84 of Glass and Bone
I have been attracted to Theo since the first night in the forest. He showed me care and concern, something I had rarely experienced. He drugged me, yes, but he did it to ensure my safety. And even the last few weeks here in the palace, he was there to make sure I felt safe. He protected me after Evreux and the throne room. He checked on me after Tobias hit me for the first time. He professed his love to me, saying that he would never find another.
He said I was always supposed to be his.
We spent our childhood together, granted I don’t remember it, but we did. We shared a bed, toys, days and nights. But I was always promised to Tobias. I belong to Tobias, and no feelings I may have for Theo can change that.
I stay in bed the rest of the day, nursing the hangover I don’t actually have. In reality, I feel perfectly fine. I feel energized, healthy, and strong.
Scarlett joins me in my room for dinner later that evening, and she looks just as bad as I feel like I should. She throws herself onto the bed and wraps up in one of the furs groaning. Her hair is disheveled, and she is still in her dressing robe.
“How do you look so awake and whole?” She mutters, her face pressed into the bed.
“Because I had a team of ladies to bathe and change me like an infant.” I smirk and take a sip of hot tea. “What did you get into last night?” I ask as I dip a small biscuit in the steaming liquid and pop it in my mouth.
“Oh my gods, it was so perfect.” She groans and sighs. “Oh I have your crown, or Malia does. She said she was going to give it to Lydia.”
“Oh, thanks.” I respond. I forgot she even had it.
“Theo walked me to my room, and we kissed. Gods it was so good. I invited him into my room, but he said no. I was disappointed, but I think he’s under the impression that I am still a maiden.” She snorts, rolling onto her back. “What about you guys? You left all wrapped up in each other.” My face falls and I look into my mug, the boiling tea creating little billows of steam.
“We came back to our room, and then we both fell. His nose started bleeding and then I woke up still on the floor.” I lie. Well it’s not truly lying; I’m just omitting some of the events in between.
“What? No drunken sex?” She exclaims, feigning surprise.
“No, actually,” I stop.
“What?”
“I had a dream that he hit me and choked me until I passed out.” I admit, gnawing on my lower lip.
“Gods, Elaenor. What kind of fucked up mind do you have?”
“I thought it was real. It felt real, every part of it, but when I awoke this morning, I was perfectly fine. It just doesn’t make sense.” I shrug and set my mug on the nightstand next to my half-finished plate of roasted vegetables and chicken.
“You’ve always had nightmares, Elaenor.” Her voice is soft, reassuring, but I still feel hesitant.
“Yes, but they were always the same thing, and they stopped.”
“I don’t know what to tell you.” She groans as she rolls towards the end of the bed. “Maybe ask the master for something to help you sleep.” Scarlett shrugs as she pads barefoot to the door.
“Where are you going?”
“Bath, sex, sleep. Not necessarily in that order.”
“Good luck convincing Theo to take your virginity.” I call after her. She blows me a kiss before opening the door and closing it softly behind her.
Tobias returns shortly after, kissing me on the forehead before going to the dressing room to change.
“Did you get enough rest?” He asks from inside the room.
“Yes.” I respond just as loud.
“I wish I could have slept all day. I had to ensure Welan had everything under control with clean up and organizing the sendoff breakfast tomorrow. All of our guests should be leaving tomorrow afternoon.” He comes out from the dressing room in loose pants that hang just below his hips.
“Okay.” I murmur into my tea.
“Is that dream still bothering you?” I nod and he comes around to my side of the bed. He takes the tea out of my hand and scoops me up before plopping himself down onto the bed and me in his lap. He kisses my temple and folds his arms around me. I rest my head on his shoulder and inhale the deep smoky cedar that always seems to follow him.
“I just thought it was real.” I admit and nuzzle into his neck.
