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Confusion pulls at my face. “What are you talking about?”
Before he can reply, the late autumn breeze carries the sound of heavy footsteps.
I turn just as my stomach twists.
“How’s my sons’ little slut doing on this fine morning?”
28
EDEN
“Father,” Castor growls before I can find my voice. “Must I remind you again that Eden is Lux’s mate? You will not speak to her in that tone.”
The large man just laughs and draws closer, the stench of last night’s wine clinging to his clothes. “I can talk to the brat how I like. She belongs to my family now. Isn’t that right, little princess?”
Excuse me? All I can do is stare like an idiot as Castor speaks for me. “I won’t tell you again. Be respectful.”
He scoffs. “There’s no need to protect her. The girl belongs to us now.”
“Father.”
“And once Lux is finished, I would quite like a turn myself.” He reaches for my arm, but before I can even flinch, an intense burst of heat whooshes past my face.
“I told you to be fucking respectful.” Castor’s tone is dark enough to give me goosebumps.
Huffing, his father smacks out the fire on his coat while mumbling something but I don’t stick around to listen.
“I’m going to my room.” I hug Lux’s cloak.
“Eden!” I spin away before Castor can stop me.
“Don’t you dare follow me.” I was stupid to even come here, and Castor’s father was just the reminder I needed.
I’m a prisoner. Prisoners don’t make pretty cloaks for their captors. No matter how good it feels when they force me into their bed.
Clutching the cloak, I sprint back towards the manor. Green hedges rush past me along with a sudden cold wind. If I’m going to escape, I need to do it soon, before winter comes and it becomes too cold to travel.
Just as I veer around the corner, another icy wind hits me. But this one is awful enough to make me gasp. Shivering, I fall to my knees. But when I try to heave myself up, I find I’m too cold to move.
“What?” I speak through chattering teeth. My knees lock beneath me as an awful freezing pain shoots up my legs. Fumbling with the cloak, I try to throw it over my shoulders, but my fingers are frozen too.
“Ah!” I grasp my head. Pain pounds at my skull. Through sobs, I manage to squeak out a quiet, “Help!” But there’s no one around to hear me.
All I can see is the icy blue sky, the rustling hedges, until a dark shadow looms over me.
A man tuts. “Look at the state of you.”
Groaning, I blink until I can make out the blurry face of Castor’s father.
The stench of stale wine wafts over me as he continues, “You may as well just accept the bond already. This will only get worse for you. No need to drag it out.”
No. This can’t be the bond. I should’ve had more time. I should’ve left last night instead of attending that stupid party. A cry tears through me as more pain thunders down my body.
“Just accept it, dear girl.” He crouches by my side. “I can touch you, if you like. You can pretend I’m your mate.”
Shaking my head, I groan. Stars, no.
“Father!” Lux’s growl sends both a rush of warmth and panic through me. “You better have not laid a single finger on her.”
