Page 17 of Cages and Crowns
Why am I searching for any ounce of redemption? I sniff once, cursing the snot gathering in my sinuses.
“One day, things will be different. Things can be how they used to be. Back when we were happy. That’s what I want.” I don’t say anything for a moment. I know it’s what he wants, but I don’t think we could ever go back to that.Not unless he drugs me to forget, and I am so close to asking for it. Asking for the numbing haze that makes being alive a little more bearable.
“I don’t know if that is possible, Tobias.” I whisper. He cups my cheek, tilting my head up so that I’m looking at up him.
“I love you, Elaenor Rosenthal. With every fiber of my being, I am yours.” He leans down, pressing a sweet and soft kiss to my lips. I don’t know what to think, what to feel.
What I feel in this moment is broken, confused. Could things actually be different? Could he truly love me, and I him? Could we make this marriage work?
No.
He killed Theo. He killed Rhea and Donovan. He massacred an entire country. There isn’t a single part of him that is good. But there doesn’t need to be. He just has to believe that what I feel is happiness—peace. Because if he saw the storm brewing inside me, he would kill me before I had the chance to erupt.
“Can I ask you something?” I say when his lips leave mine. He nods, his hand still cupping my face. “One night. Can I have one night without the chains?” I soften my eyes and stare into his icy blues. He smiles softly and brushes his thumb across my bottom lip.
“Yes.” Tension releases from my body and I almost cry in relief. One night. I getonenight without the shackles tying me to the bed. He kisses my forehead and I lay back against his chest.
The steady beat of his pulse thrums in my ears and I fall asleep in his arms for the first time in months.
He stirs before I do, waking me up. Night has fallen, casting darkness around the room. I sit up and look around. Laris never returned, leaving us without a guard for once. I can’t remember the last time I slept without an audience. My hair falls over my shoulder, messy and tangled. Warm lips press to my arm, and I glance over at Tobias.
“It seems we slept the day away, my queen.” He murmurs before sliding off the bed. I cross my legs under me, unsure of what to do. He goes to the bar cart, pouring himself a glass of whiskey, as a knock sounds on the door. “Enter.” Tobias calls out as he comes back to the bed. His fingers gently brush a lock of hair away from my face, tucking it behind my ear, and I find myself giving him a genuine smile. His eyes lighten in surprise and my smile drops.
You don’t feel this way, Elaenor. This is for his benefit, so he can drop his guard.
Don’t make thisreal.
“Your Grace.” Davel is the one who speaks as he walks over to the bed. “Reports have returned that Tano has been captured, as suspected.”
“And?” Tobias asks without looking away from me. His soft fingers running along my jaw, sending ashiver down my spine.
“It was successful. Minimal damage to the palace. Very few guards exited the premises, and instead, the prince along with three other companions, were the ones who apprehended him.” Tobias tears his eyes away from mine and looks over his shoulder briefly.
“Good. That is all.” He says, dismissing the guard. Davel bows and winks at me before leaving. I fight the urge to scowl, knowing Tobias would question it. Davel convinced me Tobias wouldn’t believe me if I told him the things he does to me. He didn’t believe me about Jeremiah. He wouldn’t believe me if I told him one of his most trusted guards touches his possession. And if by some miracle he did, he would punishmefor it.
“What was that about?” I ask, hoping he’ll share some part of his plan with me.
“Reassurance that there is nothing for us to fear from Labisa. Their war efforts are being run by children.” I nod as he leans down and kisses my forehead, my eyes focusing on the sky outside the balcony. The deep purple and blacks, the sprinkle of stars.
Some part of me feels something.
An inkling that something is to come.
Something neither of us are prepared for and I have no desire to warn him.
Chapter Nine
The Lost
The entire palace shakes, dust falling in clouds from the ceiling. I stumble down from the balcony, catching myself on the settee before I fall to the ground. I hold on to the cushion, waiting for the shaking to stop. My ears are pounding in tandem to my pulse, and I clench my jaw. The shaking stops after a few seconds and I slowly rise from where I was crouched, adrenaline pulsing through my veins. I glance around and see nothing but dust outside the windows.
What the hell?
I run to the door, throwing it open. The hallway is dark, most of the torches were knocked out of their holders. Laenie’s door opens, and she steps out with Erik close behind. I don't even comment on the fact thatthey were together, and instead, I grab her hand and frantically search her for injuries.
“Are you alright?” I ask her, and she nods. Erikplaces his hand on her lower back protectively, and we look around. “What the hell happened?”
“I don’t know.” Erik responds, his voice clipped.
