Page 21 of Captive Union
Instead of sitting across from me as he’d done the past few days, Erik doesn’t speak to me. Rather, he walks away.
“You’re leaving?” I blurt out.
His back tenses for a moment before he turns. “I figured you’d want me to since you haven’t been enjoying my company. I wanted to offer you the space you so clearly desire.”
I grip my spoon tighter. That’s another thing—Erik has only ever given me smooth utensils, nothing I can use as a weapon. So it seems that he wants me to trust him, but he clearly doesn’t trust me if he thinks I’m going to try and escape.
After a beat, I nod. I don’t speak as I start to eat.
Erik takes a step deeper into the room. “Unless … you wanted me to stay?”
I shrug as I eat, not meeting his eyes. Damn his eyes. They’re always so dark and full that I could get lost in them. It’s a struggle for me to meet them.
“I’d like for you to answer my question, Kira. Did you want me to stay today?”
My heart is beating faster by the second. God, I want him to stay. I want to speak to another human being. I just don’t want it to be him. Erik doesn’t need the satisfaction of seeing me break down.
“Kira,” he says slowly, walking toward me. “Did you want me to stay?”
“No,” I whisper, denying myself what I want.
He looks me over, his eyes lingering on my face, trying to get me to look him in the eye. I keep my gaze focused on his chin. That’s a safe place to look at. “Ok, then. Enjoy your food.”
As he turns away, I realize I can’t miss this chance. “Could …” I clear my throat. He glances back at me, eyebrow raised. “Could I talk to my family again?”
Erik sighs. “I don’t think it’s a good idea right now. Your brothers are out looking for you, and I can’t risk them finding out where you are.”
My heart deflates. “Maybe my sister, then? Just a phone call?”
I hope to see some wavering in his eyes, but they’re as calm and dark as usual. “No. That’s not a good idea. In the future, perhaps. After we’re married, maybe. But right now, no.”
“So … I can talk to my sister after we’re married?”
He crosses his arms. “Do you think you can make a deal with me? Kira, I’m not going to offer you things in exchange for marriage. When we marry, it’s because I’m laying claim to you. You don’t get to wiggle around, trying to find a loophole.”
I nod, feeling tears prick at my eyes. I focus on the eggs on my plate, scraping my fork through them.
“I’ve disappointed you,” he states.
“I just don’t understand you.”
He frowns. “How so?”
I set my plate aside, sighing. “It’s just … you take me captive and want to marry me, but you don’t want me to want anything else in life. You make an effort to make sure I’m not physically hurt, and you let me stay in a nice enough room. You talk to me like you want to get to know me. But you also want to control me. I just don’t get it. I can’t tell if you like me or not. That’s why I don’t understand you. You’re confusing.” I manage to get all my words out in one breath, just blurting them out before I can stop and think.
“I see.” He pauses, looking me over. “I’ll just have to make my intentions clearer, then.”
I lean back in my seat as he approaches me. His height and muscular build are intimidating forces.
“Maybe it’s time to get you out of the basement and into a room upstairs.”
My mouth drops open. “Truly?”
“It was going to happen sooner or later, and it’s obvious that keeping you down here isn’t going to make you trust me. So, let’s call this an olive branch.” He extends his hand out to me.
I stare at his hand for a moment before slowly placing my palm against his. Erik wraps his fingers around my hand—already claiming that piece of me—and helps me stand. He doesn’t step back, making sure we’re toe-to-toe. I can feel his breath on my face, his warm cinnamon smell surrounding me. I peek a look up and catch him gazing at me. Why should I expect anything else?
I want to step back, and yet my body stops me. There’s a sudden force preventing me from moving away. I’m trapped in Erik’s seductive spell that feels both comforting and terrifying.
