I pushed my chair back from the table. “I need to sleep on it.”
It was not that I had a real choice, but I needed to get away from him. I needed to stop feeling so small and powerless. I needed fresh air and space to clear my head. Most of all, I was not going to let this bastard see me cry.
I stood and walked toward the double doors, doubting he cared at all.
He said nothing and returned to eating, sipping his wine as if nothing had happened.
I pushed the door open and found the little fireball again. “Hello again. Can you show me to my room?” I asked, forcing a smile.
The fireball seemed excited to see me. It bobbed and led me through the winding maze, all the way back to my room.
I slammed the door shut and stripped off the ridiculous evening gown. All of that effort, just to be dressed up for that. Just to be insulted and talked down to, not to mention the sexual harassment.
He was such a pretentiousprick.
I flopped onto the magnificent bed. That was when I saw it.
On the small table beside the window sat an oversized slice of fudgy chocolate cake, probably enough for two or three people. A fork. A glass of water. And a note with a single word.
“Goodnight.”
I did not know for sure who had left the slice of cake, but I was grateful for it. I had been so upset at dinner that I only picked at my meal. I practically licked the dessert plate clean.
Later, I fell asleep trying to ignore the sounds of the fireflies suffering. Even with the light off, I could hear them. The buzzing sounded like a million tiny cries for help. This realm could be so beautiful, and yet so unbearably cruel. I wanted to go home.
CHAPTER 8
The Deal
DELILAH
The next morning, I awoke to Calpurnia cleaning up my cake crumbs and gathering last night’s attire that I had hastily thrown across the floor in anger.
This was my new normal now. This castle. The Fae. There would be no more mornings waking up next to Jared. Not unless I agreed to Titus’s deal.
I knew he was going to force me to comply anyway. Maybe if I knew more of the details, it would make me feel better somehow. Better about cheating on Jared. I guess I could not really call it cheating, though, if I had technically died. That was what our vows said. Till death do us part.
“Calpurnia?” I beckoned softly.
“Ooooh, I am so sorry to wake you, Lady Delilah. I just wanted you to wake up to a sparkling clean room. I will come back later to get you washed and dressed,” she said apologetically.
“No, it’s okay. I was awake,” I lied. “Please stay.”
“Ooooh, goody!” she squealed and bounced onto the bed. “I have been dying to know how your evening with the High Lord went. Isn’t he dreamy?” Her eyes sparkled with admiration.
By her enthusiasm, I could tell that was the real reason she had been in my room so early.
No. He is an asshole, is what I wanted to say. But I could not deny the truth.
“Yes, he is easy on the eyes, but I do not think he cares for me much,” I replied in earnest.
Biggest understatement of the fucking year.
“Oh, he will warm up to you. Just give it time. He has been under a lot of pressure lately,” she replied.
“Calpurnia, what do you know about the mate bond process?” I asked.
Her smile straightened, and she sighed. “Oh. I see he has filled you in on our predicament. Females are not privy to much political information, so I do not know much. But apparently, according to castle gossip, the High Lord has been obsessed with obtaining the God Dragon, Eloria. The prophecy states that only a mortal can awaken her and release her from her eternal sleep. So, bonding you through the mate bond is the only way he believes he will be able to wield her.”
