He takes my hands and pulls me up so that I’m standing before him. His radiant smile still doesn’t waver, and suddenly I understand the appeal of ripping out someone’s teeth and stringing them into jewelry.
“You are the Council’s newest Creator. Saved by me from the grips of Morgana and Sin. We are the prophecy come to light. I will lead the Council into a new era of greatness, and you will take your place as my betrothed,” he explains, not releasing me.
Bile rises in my throat.
“Your. What?” I ask, barely above a whisper.
Leon lifts my hand, kissing my fingers.
That’s when I see it.
My vision blurs, and my stomach twists violently.
There’s an ornate, golden ring on my finger, with an obnoxiously large, gleaming blue diamond set in its center.
“My betrothed, Vivian. We are to be married.”
Chapter 2
Vivian’s Point of View
Rule two:Loopholes make the best holes.
“You’re deranged,” I deadpan.
I’m well aware that antagonizing Leon is very bad for all aspects of my well-being. A smart person would be meek and compliant. Because I know he could change his mind about not touching me at any moment. And yet, no matter how hard I’m mentally kicking myself, the meek, conflict-averse person I’ve tried to emulate for so long won’t come forward.
Maybe she died in the Shadow Realm.
I can’t find it in me to mourn her.
Leon’s gaze hardens, and his grip starts digging the offending ring into my skin.
I hold his stare with steely confidence, refusing to show any reaction to the pain he’s inflicting. This has nothing on the pain the bond put me through.
My tone is firm as I try to talk some sense into him. “This has gone on far too long already. I have Cassandra’s memories back. I know everything, and I will never love you. You need to let me go–”
“YOU KNOW NOTHING!” Leon roars, releasing my hands only to grip my throat.
My airway closes. I beg my body to scream, kick, claw him off, but the leash forces me to stand still. Still, I don’t give up. Memories of self-defense lessons with Damien flash through my mind.
Just because I can’t fight back doesn’t mean I can’t escape.
Figuring it’s worth a shot, I go limp, letting my body become dead weight. Unfortunately, Leon doesn’t release me. I guess this strategy doesn’t apply to large, abusive men.
Sad.
When Leon still shows no signs of releasing me, I move on to plan C. I focus on his embroidered royal blue tunic. It stretches around him like it’s too tight, and his sapphire buttons take bedazzling to a new level. I start to count them, trying to keep my attention anywhere but him. Because that’s what narcissists crave, isn’t it? Attention?
Leon’s fury only grows more palpable as he realizes I’m zoning him out.
Suddenly, I remember an important lesson about why it’s a bad idea to ignore Leon.
On cue with that thought, he tilts my face, forcing me to stare at him. His twisted rage has fallen away, only to be replaced by cruel calculation. Loosening hisgrip around my neck, his soft, smooth thumb caresses my throat.
Red flag number four hundred and seventy-six that I really shouldn’t have ignored: Leon has baby-smooth hands. Gross.
“Stupid, selfish, shortsighted girl,” Leon spits. “You aren’t intelligent enough to see what position you’re in. The Council has legions of soldiers, already primed and ready to invade the Mortal and Shadow Realms. But now that you’ve been returned unharmed, the Council is willing to make peace with Morgana. So, unless you want to be responsible for thousands of deaths, you need to accept your rightful place by my side.”
