My stomach drops. “What?”
“You heard me.” He smirks. “Or are you deaf now as well as disobedient?”
“B-but we’re not married yet.” I stutter.
“Ah, but that didn’t stop you before, did it, my dear?” he chuckles, waggling his finger. “You know, I am a forgiving prince, Amaryllis. If it’d been a brief love affair with a duke, oreven a commoner, I would happily look past it. I am no angel myself, of course.” He laughs, tilting his head. “But I fear that this guard, or whatever he may be, has tainted you.”
My throat tightens, my palms sticking to my skirt.
“And now you need me to help you fix the mess he’s made.” Orion stands, stepping towards me.
Pushing up from my seat, I stumble back. “Please.” I hold out my arms. “Please, don’t do this.”
“But you leave me no choice, Amaryllis.” He snatches my wrist and yanks me towards him.
I hold back a yelp as his hand caresses my face. His hand trails down to my shoulders, and I send a silent thank you to Camellia, who was able to find me a more modest, high-neck dance dress this morning. If his fingers were touching skin instead of lavender tulle, I’d be resisting the urge to scream.
“I need to claim back every area that he touched you,” Orion says, stroking the fabric of my dress. “I need you to know what it is like to be taken by not just a man, but by a future king.”
Tears stream down my cheeks. “No, please. Just let go of me!”
Orion stiffens. Scowling, he grips the sides of my arms and shoves me back a few steps.
“What’s this?” He swipes his knuckles over my wet cheek. “You’re crying.”
Swallowing, I steady my voice. “I know what you want, but I’m afraid I can’t give it to you right now.”Or ever, but I keep that thought inside. “So please, I am begging you to please let me return to my chambers.”
If I can get out of here maybe I can find a way to free Kaz. Maybe together we can?—
“You are refusing me?” Orion scoffs.
“I’m sorry.”I’m not.“But I’m sure there are plenty of ladies in the palace who would indulge you, and I wouldn’t mind. I’ll look the other way.”
Orion laughs so hard his shoulders shake. “Oh, my darling,” he tells me, before turning to his servant. “You. Fetch us a pitcher of water. My dear bride is confused.”
My lips part. “What?”
Before I can ask any more questions, Orion scoops me up and carries me towards a dresser. Placing me on top so my legs dangle over the edge, he reaches behind me and pushes open a window. A rush of cold air cuts through my dance gown, along with a spattering of rain, leaving goosebumps down my arms.
“In my entire thirty years,” Orion starts as he presses my palms against the wood, trapping me on the dresser, “I have never been refused by a woman – princess or commoner.” He shakes his head, leaning closer. “Your guard really has ruined you, hasn’t he?”
I narrow my eyes at him while the servant arrives with a silver pitcher. Orion accepts it, then shoos him away without a thank you.
“What are you doing?” I ask, not wanting to know the answer.
Orion smiles. “Showing you just how cold the world can be without a kind prince to warm you.” With that, he lifts the pitcher and dumps its contents over my head.
I gasp. Icy water pours down my hair, dripping onto my shoulders and soaking my dance gown. I shiver, and then another gust of wind swoops in from the window. It may be summer outside, but the weather is still awful from the rain storm. The chill feels like knives against my skin.
“Why are you doing this?” I whisper.
Orion leans closer, placing a soft kiss against my dripping forehead. “He’s broken you, my darling, and you need to befixed.” He draws back, meeting my gaze. “Soon, you will beg for that gown to be removed. You will beg for the heat of my body to warm every inch of you – even the parts you believe belong only to him.”
I shiver. “No.”
“It’s for your own good, Amaryllis.” He turns away to return to his whiskey. “And don’t even think about getting down from there. If you move even an inch, I’ll take you to the roof.”
My jaw drops.
