Page 109 of Cruelest Kiss and Fairest Blood
“Get off me!”
Cassius only chuckles and dots a smaller kiss on the tip of my nose. “… and their beloved princess was revived. You should have seen the way they cried, thanking God for your return. They’re all idiots but what can you do? We need them and they need us. Besides, when you wipe out the townsfolk too fast it leaves the kingdom in ruin and I am not looking to move on so soon.”
If they’re idiots, then I’m the queen of the fools. I feel more foolish with every passing second. I fell for Cassius’s charms so easily. I should have seen the darkness under his handsome deception. I felt it that day in the cabin and ignored it. I ignored every sign, every tell. Tears of pain and embarrassment brim my eyes. I believed he might really love me.
“I’ve never been able to have children with Cat.” I wasn’t expecting him to say that. There’s a genuine sadness behind his words. “Not for lack of trying. The price of magic is steep but Isuppose it’s for the best. Don’t think she’ll take it easy on you when your belly grows round with my son. She’ll retaliate. I need to take advantage of your beautiful body before she disfigures you. Jealousy makes her do ugly things.”
Cassius rises and unbuckles his belt.
No, fuckingno. I can’t do this. I won’t bear this monster’s heirs.
“I can’t have children either,” I quickly say. “Like you said, magic has a price. I resurrected myself and I… had to trade my… ability to get pregnant. Like your sister. It would be a waste of your time.”
Cassius smirks and lowers his trousers. “No one likes a compulsive liar, Lenore.”
Someone knocks on my bedroom door. I turn toward the sound, a beacon of hope lighting in my chest. “Hel?—”
Cassius smashes his palm over my mouth. “We’re busy. Leave,” he calls to whoever is at the door.
“Apologies, sir, but the queen requests your presence as a matter of great urgency.”
The shaky voice of a guard elicits a groan of annoyance from Cassius. “She’s always trying to ruin my fun.” Rising, he buttons his trousers and strides toward the door.
“Someone will save me. There are those still loyal to my family. Gestin?—”
“Why do you think your brave captain of the guard has not come to rescue you by now? Think about it.”
Dread drapes across my skin like spider’s web. “What did you do to him?”
Cassius winks and strides toward the door. Giving me one final look over his shoulder, he adds, “Stay put. I’ll be back for you.”
Chapter 34
Lenore
“Help! Is there anybody out there?! Please. Ah!” I scream until my voice is raw. Where are the servants? The guards? What has happened to all those who are loyal to Roseheart’s crown? My throat is raw. My lungs ache. My desperate pleas finally subside. I’ve run out of tears. There’s blood steadily spilling from beneath the rope burns on my wrists and ankles.
Everything has gone wrong.
I thought at least one person would come to save me.
The broken look on Harrow’s face as I was ripped from his arms haunts me. Where is Harrow? What if he’s trapped in that place? Tears of frustration and anguish spill down my cheeks. He came to save me before and it may have sealed his fate.
I won’t resign to my new fate so easily. I’ll scream until my lungs are ragged and blood-soaked. I will find a way out of here.
The unexpected sound of stone grinding against stone has my whole body tensing. Craning my neck, I stare at the corner of my room that sits closest to my window. There’s a soft ripple beneath the floral tapestry that my mother wove for me when I was twelve.
More movement from behind. I can’t reach a single weapon. I’m still tied to the bed. If Cassius is back already, I’ll have no way to fight him off. If he gets close enough, I’ll bite him. If I can inflict enough damage it might deter him long enough to come up with another plan.
I hold my breath as the fabric pushes aside.
A familiar face peers at me from around the edge. I gasp. “Melly? Where have you been?”
“Are ye alone?” Her voice is no more than a whisper.
I shoot a quick glance toward the door. “Yes. Yes!” She ducks fully into my room, rushing to my bedside. “You’re alive! What has happened?” My voice cracks as relief powers through my despair.
Melly is quick to reach me. She works on the ropes at my ankles first. It gives me a minute to observe her. Melly’s disfigured face is gaunt and pale. Deep purple crescents dominate her under eyes. She looks terrible.
