“I’m going to be sick.” A choked sob ripped from her lips, the blankets still clutched to her chest tight with her free hand, her other had a death grip on the mug. Her stomach roiled, her heart thundered in her chest.
No, no, no,she repeated the words over in her mind. Ellis sat on the edge of the bed, prying the cup from her fingers and placing it on the bedside table. He gathered her in his arms, gently rocking her.
Ellis’ voice stayed calm and soothing. “Talk to me, my love. What’s wrong?” He gently caressed her back, waiting patiently for her response. Rivka sobbed harder, wrapping her arms around him. They sat like this for several long moments. Ellis didn’t press. Rivka’s voice came out softer than a whisper, filled with regret and mortification, “I remember it all. How could I?”
Before Rivka could begin to explain, Ellis motioned to the door, silently reminding her that their voices would carry to the ears on the other side. They didn’t usually take that kind of risk, even with the Queen’s Guard’s oath, but her pain was too great this time to care.
The words tumbled out in an unrelenting storm. It was as if she had to purge it from her mind somehow, like the act of speaking it out loud might absolve her of her sins. She couldn’t look him in the eyes, couldn’t face the disappointment, the hurt, the…disgust. What she didn’t expect was the fury.
When she was finished, and there was nothing left to tell, Ellis gently pulled his arms away from her and stood next to the bed. Never in the entirety of the years she had known this man had she seen him burn like this. “Ellis, I swear I don’t know how it happened. I would NEVER. You know this”, she pleaded.
Ellis didn’t respond to her words. He merely leaned down and planted a kiss on her forehead. She grabbed his arm as he turned away. “Please, El, I don’t know what to do.”
“Stay here,” he simply replied, prying his hand from her grip, already moving to the door.
Rivka floated in her own mind, spinning through the thoughts and events, ignoring her sensitive nipples and the soreness between her thighs as best she could. She needed to bathe, to get the feeling of his hands off her skin. A shudder rocked through her. How had this happened? She had never taken so much as a sip or bite of food. There was no way for her to be drunk. She had only gone to the washroom; she hadn’t even seen anyone buthim.
The tears started flowing again unabated. She had to move, to wash the memories of last night away. She staggered towards the washroom adjoining their bedchamber. The tub was already filled with hot water, scented oils, and soaps on a table nearby.
Ellis thought of everything.She thought, sobbing harder. This seemed to be happening to someone else, and she was just a bystander. Thoughts frantically raced through her mind. Tristan had never made a single move towards her, had never hinted, he hadn’t so much as given her a second look. It didn’t make sense, not even in the wildest realms would this have happened, but somehow, it had. Rivka really did vomit then, purging herself until only bile came up. Her stomach muscles clenched as the spasms quaked through her. It didn’t help. The feeling of revulsion still clung to her.
She pulled herself into the tub, the water warm and welcoming. Tears continued to fall as she sank into the comforting, fragrant pool. A name pierced through the haze of memories flooding her mind.
RIA.
How would she ever explain this? How could she? She didn’t even know how it had happened. She needed to go home. Ellis, she needed him as well, if he would even speakwith her. How had this happened to her? How would she ever move forward?
Rivka submerged her head under the water, trying to wash away the feeling of filth consuming her. No matter how hard she scrubbed, she could still feel his touch, could smell his scent on her skin. She grabbed the small vial of fragrant oil and dumped it in the water in its entirety. When that didn’t seem to ease the panic seizing her, she grabbed the soap and began to lather her skin, praying that the physical pain would outweigh the pain sitting in her chest.
Chapter Eleven
A Mother’s Betrayal
Ellis
Ellis could feel his rage like a living beast inside of him.
How could he do this to Rivka? How could he do this to me? I never imagined him capable of this!
Ellis stormed down the corridors, heading to Tristan’s private chambers. He knew where it was. He had been there before on a few separate occasions when they were young. He would pay dearly for this foul transgression. The gilded sconces lining the corridors taunted him with their gaudy embedded rhinestones. Only the Rune Province felt the need to flash their wealth in such a flagrant way, much as the royalty did with their ostentatious habits. But even with that, Ellis had truly believed Tristan was a better person than this.
Turning down the last corridor, Ellis slowed his pace and took a settling breath. It would do no good to wind up in the dungeon before punching that sorry prick in the face. Justahead, Tristan’s door came into view. It was slightly ajar, agitated voices trickling out. Putting his back to the wall, Ellis crept the rest of the way on silent feet, stopping just outside.
“Why would you do this?”, Tristan demanded, his voice brimming with anger.
“Whatever do you mean, Tristan, my boy? I didn’t do anything.”, a female voice sang.
Ellis’ spine stiffened. Queen Vivian. Of course. Ellis forced himself to control his breathing and pressed his body flush to the wall, just in case one of them looked in his direction.
“Don’t paint me the fool, mother. I know this was you. It has your chosen flavor of manipulation written all over it!” Tristan exclaimed, hands clenched at his sides.
“My my, how can a son use such hurtful words against his own mother?” The sarcasm dripped from Vivian’s lips in mock concern.
Tristan stared at his mother, seemingly not believing that she was innocent. Ellis had known for a long time what atrocities Vivian was capable of, so Tristan really shouldn’t be surprised by whatever she’d done this time. “Shut it, mother. You have taken this too far!”
“Because you refused to take it far enough!” Vivian threw back at him, losing her composure.
“What did you do, Mother?” Tristan’s teeth gritted together.
