As soon as the cuff sprang open, she rubbed her wrist and stood up. She was naked in front of him, which for the first time bothered her. She stepped around him, wondering if there would be anything in the bath chamber that she might use to cover herself and if there would be a way to escape. Almost any window would serve; she wasn’t very large.
She went into the green and light gray room and glanced around. It was quite unadorned, and yet peaceful. There were no windows, but there was a robe.
After taking care of her needs and washing, she’d been in the room quite a long time. She hoped he might have fallen back asleep. She could use the robe and escape the chamber.
When she emerged she found him sitting up, the sheet thrown casually over his lower body. He was drinking some fizzy fruit concoction and looking at his com screen.
She walked with soft steps toward the door.
“No,” he said without looking up. “I don’t want you seen. Not yet.”
“I can go away to school. I have some funds, a fair amount. The rest—perhaps you could help finance my education, and then later I could return what you’ve invested with additional compensation?”
He looked up from his com and studied her. “Put the wrap back where you found it and come back to bed.”
Frustration bubbled in her chest. “I’d like—”
“Now, Brandese,” he said in a tone of iron and nodding toward the bath chamber.
She stalked back to the small room, hung the wrap, and returned. She did not join him in the bed. She knew she could not actually rush from the room and streak through the household naked. What would that accomplish? Also, how far could she get? She was quick, but he would certainly catch her easily. He was quite fit.
His gaze assessed her. “When you don’t obey me, I’ll punish you.”
“I am not a pet! You have no right to expect anything at all of me.”
He folded his arms across his chest. “I tried to spare you a life with me. I took steps over and over to protect you from becoming trapped in a situation you might not want. As recently as yesterday, I tried to convince your father to send you to school, unmarried and free. He would have none of it because you have behaved wildly and erratically your entire life and his main concern is not your happiness, it’s how any misbehavior of a daughter would reflect on the monarchy. His plan was to lock you away where you would be stripped of everything, medicated, and have the company of the broken and lost lunatics who can’t care for themselves. I hope you consider life married to me a preferred alternative. It was the only suggestion he would accept.”
Tears spilled over her lashes, and she walked to the bed and sat down on the edge. She crossed her legs and her arms over her breasts, trying to achieve a degree of modesty and dignity.
“If you send me for advanced schooling, I promise my behavior will be beyond reproach. I’ll live quietly, Evston, I swear.”
“You would at first. Eventually though...” He shook his head. “Our natures, not our minds, ultimately dictate our actions in unguarded moments.”
“No, I would be careful. I wouldn’t—stop shaking your head.”
“We’ll talk more about the choices you have, but going away to live independently is not one of them.”
“Please, if you’ve ever cared for me at all, I beg you to help me.”
“There is no point discussing it further. The answer is no.” He held out his hand, the long fingers elegant and strong, stretched toward her.
“What do you want?”
“To help you feel better.”
“How?” she asked carefully.
The corner of his mouth curved up. “If you make me wait any longer, it will not bode well for you. Come,” he said, curling his fingers to beckon her. “I will help you by distracting you.”
“That’s not the help I want.”
He moved then, grabbing her and dragging her into the center of the bed. He pinned her wrists with his hands and the rest of her with his body. She felt his stiff organ against her. He bent his head so his mouth was close to her ear.
“Resistance will lead to a lot of things, but never capitulation. Decide how you want this. Your body can be restrained while I fuck you. Or you can have a degree of freedom to participate.” He raised his head and his blue eyes stared down into hers. “Decide.”
Her heart hammered in her chest. “You choose,” she whispered.
The corners of his mouth rose. “That’s the smartest thing you’ve said today.”
