“All of them?” I thought the others were safe but he’s not just threatening Anya, he’s going to hurt the others as well.
He nods. “You are to be my wife before you arrive there. You must have a room that is worthy of your elevated status.”
“We’re getting married?” I look around as if expecting a priest to materialize. “I thought we had to wait.”
“We’ll wed after you recover from your gifting ceremony. The gods want us together as soon as possible,” he says.
Brevan’s goodbye makes more sense now. It wasn’t about the power Caiden might wield over me after this ceremony. It was the fact that I would be his wife.
“As your wife, I will keep all my ladies, correct?”
“Of course,” he assures me.
“And they will be under my charge. So only I can make requests of them. They can’t be dismissed or harmed without my consent.”
“As it should be,” he says. “With your new role, you’ll have new privileges. Including full command over your ladies and your staff.”
“You and your legionnaires will protect them, always. Even if anything ever happens to me. They will be cared for?”
His brow furrows. “Where is this coming from?”
His tone is genuine, and I mask my relief. He doesn’t know about Brevan. This is about control and power. Not punishment. “I was nearly killed just last night. If something were to happen to me, I don’t want my ladies destitute. I want to know they’d be cared for. Treated with kindness and respect.”
He closes the distance between us, his expression softening. “That must have been terrifying for you.”
“It was.”
He pulls me into his embrace, and I tense instantly, then force myself to relax. I slide my arms around his waist, returning the hug while my stomach churns and I fight against rising nausea. I will never get used to this man touching me. Once I find Anya, I am going to have to kill him. I’m not even sure I’ll wait until after the emperor is dead.
When he releases me, he gazes on me with what I can only guess is affection. Though, that look doesn’t seem natural on him. There’s a strange quality to it. Maybe it’s because it’s the same look you’d give a child. Or a pet. Which is probably how he sees me.
“Now, we should get this done so you can rest for a few hours before you go to the temple.” He gestures to the floor where two large cushions have been set in front of the altar. The benches that were there previously are gone.
I sit, and instead of fear, there’s rage bubbling in my chest. I refuse to allow this to control me. Brevan still has free will. If this just curbs any magic I might get, so be it. I don’t need magic. Ofcourse, there’s the possibility that I’ll die in the temple and then this whole thing is worthless.
That thought sends a spike of panic through me, and I reach out and touch his arm. “What if I die in the temple tomorrow?”
“You won’t. I know we’re destined to fulfill the prophecy.”
“If I do, you’ll take care of my ladies?” I clarify.
“Stop worrying about them. They’re alright.”
“I’ll feel better if I know you’ll protect them,” I say, hoping to appeal to his ego. “They need good, kind husbands who won’t harm them, or they need to be cared for by”—I fake being choked up—“whoever you marry if I…” I turn away as if the thought is too much.
“It’s not going to happen.” He smooths my hair. “But if it calms you, I will promise to ensure their happiness and safety.”
I look back up at him through tears. It’s the first time I’ve ever faked them. I feel manipulative and evil. But I know what he’s capable of, and after the situation with the earl, I can’t take any chances. “Thank you.” I squeeze his hand and he smiles.
“Now, sit comfortably, and rest your arms on your knees, palms up,” he instructs.
I follow his orders while cursing him in my mind. He will not break me. He doesn’t own me. I am not his. And I will still destroy him.
I will not perish in the temple. I will save my friend, and then I will make sure he gets everything he deserves.
Caiden is chanting something, but I can’t make out the words. Instead, I’m repeating my own words in my head, over and over. I send them to any gods who will listen. To any gods who are willing to help us have choices. To rise beyond our lot in life, to give everyone a chance. To make things better.
But I also ask for revenge.
