“Which seems like the better option as we speak,” the second voice says. “Look at the anger on his face. Think about the mental fuckery we could play on Keller Fitzwilliam, the almost king consort of Torskethorpe, forcing him to watch his girl fall for someone else. That sounds very appealing.”
“Very appealing indeed,” the main voice says.
“So what are you going to do with me? Kill me?”
“If we wanted to kill you, we would have done that already. No, we have plans to torture you, Fitzwilliam. You’ve overstepped your position in life, and because of you, our plans have been thwarted. Youwillpay for that, slow and torturously. Which reminds me, shall we introduce him to our friend Banamaor?”
“We should.”
Banamaor . . .
Viking for killer.
Just then, a giant of a man steps forward, wearing a leather mask over his face, carrying a whip in one hand and a bludgeon in the other.
My eyes float up to his, right before he cocks his arm back and slams me in the face with the thick end of the bludgeon, turning everything back to darkness.
ChapterNineteen
LILLY
The curtains part, and what little sun is shining filters into the room.
Runa steps up to the bed, and she takes a seat, resting her hand near me but never touching. “Princess Lilly,” she says softly. “We need to bathe you.”
Lips dry, mouth parched, eyes bloodshot, I nod but don’t move.
Runa gently pulls down the bedcovers and takes my hand in hers. Together, she pulls as I lift from the bed. She helps me swing my legs off the mattress where she kneels before me and slips my slippers over my feet. When she stands back up, she helps me up from the bed.
It’s been like this for the past week.
The first few days after the cancellation of my wedding, Runa periodically checked on me, bringing me water and food that went untouched. After what I assume was the third day—I can’t be sure since time has stood still—Runa kindly asked me to allow her to bathe me and feed me. Feeling far too weak, I had nothing within me to fight her off.
Now, she does this every day to get me out of bed.
I recall Timmy leaving at some point, needing to get back to Miami, but my recollection on that interaction is minimal. I do know that he calls every day and speaks to Runa because I overhear their conversations. Runa always tells him I’m the same. The conversation is short.
“Princess Lilly, I’d like to get a little more food into you today,” she says as she helps me to the bathroom, keeping one arm around my waist while the other holds my hand. “I have a protein shake that will be easy to drink. Think you can try it for me?”
I don’t answer, I just mindlessly move into the bathroom and sit on the vanity chair, where Runa peels my top up and over my head. No need to wash my hair. She did that yesterday while finally taking the synthetic hair out as well. I cried the entire time.
I lift just enough for her to take my bottoms off, and then together, she helps me into the tub, the warm water breaking into my skin and relaxing my tense muscles. She dips a washcloth into the water and then runs it over my back. The monotony of my days lying in bed, nibbling on a little bit of food and sleeping, has become a treasured routine now. I don’t have to think. I can mindlessly make it day to day without facing my reality, that the love of my life left me at the altar. Well, left me before I could even make it to the altar.
Runa runs a bar of soap over me and says, “Theo would like to see you today. He’s going to come to your bedroom.”
I haven’t seen him since the wedding day. And at that, all I saw was his silhouette in my room. He didn’t speak to me. Katla has been in and out of my room more than he has. And I can’t be sure why he’s avoided me, but I can only assume it’s because he’s in shock as well. He’s mourning just like I am.His “son” ran from not only me but his sworn responsibilities to his king. No doubt, he never saw that coming.
“I picked out a pair of fuzzy pants for you to wear and a long-sleeved shirt so you’ll be comfortable. I also got more of those socks that you like, the ones that keep your feet extra warm while you’re lying in bed.”
I don’t know where I would be without Runa. She has gently and patiently cared for me every second since the non-wedding. She’s even worked extra hours, never giving herself a break, being a caretaker and thinking ahead of my every need.
If I didn’t think I’d burst into tears, I’d tell her how grateful I am. But I can’t seem to form the words, not without choking on my emotions.
It’s best to stay silent.
It’s best to remain catatonic.
Without thoughts.
