I recognize the voice belonging to the council member from the ceremony, and scramble from beneath Xavier. The man on the other side of the door knocks again, harder.
Xavier jumps off the bed, and I do the same, my skirts swishing loudly. I wince when my movement pulls at my wound, but I ignore the pain, more focused on the unexpected visitor.
I sneak into the bathroom and shut the door. After waiting three seconds, I open it a crack. Xavier strides across the room and opens the door with a jerk. He’s greeted by a man that’s an older version of him. He has the same build, the same eyes, andthe same hair color, but with a few streaks of gray peppering the sides.
The man’s eyes sweep over Xavier, his gaze cold and critical. “Is she here?”
“Why do you care? The brand is on her shoulder.” Xavier narrows his gaze. “She’s mine.”
He crosses his arms over his chest, a subtle sign of defiance. The older man’s nostrils flare, and a muscle flickers along his jaw. The tension between them is like smoke, thick and toxic.
The other man lifts his hand, revealing a black envelope. “This is a summons, son.”
Ah fuck, that’s his dad? No wonder Xavier is a little cracked in the head.
He rips the envelope out of his father’s hand and gives him a curt nod. “Anything else?”
“Yes, actually. Why did you fuck up your vow? Don’t think I missed the slight change. You pledged your loyalty toherinstead of me.”
I blink in confusion. Why would Xavier do that? I get that he’s attracted to me, but a public vow is something else entirely. After watching their brief exchange, I can only guess Xavier did it to provoke his father. It really has nothing to do with me.
Xavier shrugs. “So?”
“It’s fucking disrespectful,” his father replies. “If the other recruits weren’t present, I would’ve resumed your training. It seems you’ve forgotten it already.”
“Even if I managed to forget a lifetime of torture, my scars would still remind me.”
My stomach drops, and my fingers tremble on the doorknob. Torture? Sympathy swells in my chest.
“Don't test my patience,” his father says. “Answer the question. Why?”
“Because any oath I take doesn’t mean shit when it comes to you. You made sure I understood that early on.”
The man doesn’t respond immediately. His eyes are fixed on Xavier, the hardness there fading. “I don't expect you to understand. When you’ve taken my place on the council and the weight of generations is upon your shoulders, maybe you’ll realize that I did you a service. If it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t be strong enough to have a bride. Let alone keep her.”
Xavier stiffens. It’s almost imperceptible, but not to me. I’ve watched his man every second of every minute since he first cornered me in the forest.
“Keep her?” he repeats.
“Don't tell me you thought the Order was done testing you?” The older man shakes his head, his smile patronizing. “She will remain yours as long as you’re one of the top three recruits. If your performance dwindles during the Trials, she will be given to another recruit whoisin the top.”
My pulse quickens, and the bathroom suddenly feels too small.
I’m nothing more than a toy to be shared by recruits, used to keep them motivated. In whatever way they decide.
“The Order wants results,” the man continues. “Because of me and my training, you will be the best. Your bride is a reflection of you, but you are a reflection ofme. Never forget that. If you think to embarrass me again, I’ll kill her.”
Chapter 34
DELILAH
Achill runs through me, freezing every ounce of blood in my veins. Xavier doesn’t so much as twitch. Not a muscle. Obviously, this isn’t the first time he’s dealt with his father threatening him.
“Is that all?” Xavier asks, his tone bland.
His father stares at him for a beat longer. Then his gaze shifts, zeroing in on the bathroom door. I freeze.
Xavier moves, blocking his father’s line of sight. His broad back conceals me, and I’m able to breathe easier.
