“Have a servant launder these and return them tomorrow,” he said, avoiding my question completely. “I have work that must be finished. Please see yourself out when you’re done.”
My legs quaked as I closed them, Alois’ cum sticking to the inside of my thighs. I quickly covered my bare breasts with my arm, suddenly embarrassed and ashamed of my nakedness. I felt dirty and used—like a toy played with and broken, then cast aside.
Alois strode to the bathroom and deposited the extra set of clothes before leaving the bedroom, shutting the door behind him with a finalsnick.
I laid still for a moment, trying to force my brain to make sense of what just happened. My chest heaved as I fought back rising tears.
Pulling myself from the bed, I waddled to the bathroom as cum dripped down my thighs, some landing on the rug as I walked. I left it.
Good. I hope it stains.
I cleaned myself quickly in the bathroom, eradicating all evidence of our tryst, before reluctantly pulling on Alois’ clothes. I would rather walk naked to my room than wear his clothing, especially after what happened just now, but I had a feeling he would not appreciate his new bride showing off her nakedness for anyone to see.
Quicker than lightning, I left the bedroom, refusing to look at the bed where I just gave Alois a piece of myself. The room still smelled like sex, the scents of lavender and petrichor twining overtop.
I cautiously opened the bedroom door and found the sitting room empty; I couldn’t decide if that made me relieved or disappointed.
I need to talk to Pip. I need to talk to Torin.
My heart ached and eyes stung as I left my husband’s rooms to return to my own, vowing to never enter his again.
Chapter 14
Ellowyn
My room was cold and empty, completely devoid of life. I knew immediately, intrinsically, that Pip was no longer in my space awaiting my return. That didn’t stop me from calling to her, hoping to find some comfort in her presence. She was only a teenager, but seemed so much wiser; almost like she should be the adult in this situation rather than me.
“Pip?” Predictably, there was no answer.
“Pip!” I exclaimed again, my voice cracking and pitching from emotion.
I stumbled through my sitting room, barely noticing the fire burning low in the hearth, small tendrils of fire trailing lazily into the chimney. Both my sitting room and bedroom were dark, the curtains drawn and lights turned low. I quickly canvased my bedroom and bathroom, noting the absence of Pip in all spaces.
She said she would be here.
My heart fluttered into my throat, my mind thinking the worst.
She probably just had to leave for the night; it is late, after all. Yes, that’s it. She just returned to her quarters and I’ll see her in the morning.
I forced my heart rate to deescalate, my breathing to return to normal as I frantically grasped at Alois’ clothes, tearing them from my body. I unceremoniously threw them into a darkened corner, out of my sight and out of mind.
I could still feel the sticky residue of Alois’ cum on my inner thighs, the burning sensation from sex not yet dissipating, and had the urge to scrub my skin raw was almost too heady to overcome. Bowing to its wishes, I quickly drew a cold bath—the heat activator devoid of any usable Fire Magic—and climbed inside.
Yelping when my foot first touched the icy water, I gritted my teeth and forced my body beneath the surface, submerging myself completely.
I took shallow gasping breaths through clenched teeth, lathering lavender goat milk soap in my shaking hands before aggressively scrubbing at every inch of my skin, attempting to erase the memory of Alois’ touch.
My hair was next, and I quickly saturated the strands and my scalp, massaging to loosen the sweat and smell that was evidence of my tryst.
What was I thinking?! By any means necessary, I scoffed.
I flopped from the tub, uncaring of either the water spilling over the side with my movement or the wet footprints I left behind as I padded to the sink to collect my linen towel. My body might be clean, all evidence of my poor decision erased, but it clung to my mind, burrowing deep into the recesses of my brain and invading my consciousness like a parasite. I was swept along the current of dark and insidious thoughts that threatened to drown me completely.
This is why Mother controlled my life—I’m too naive, too stupid to make my own decisions. I deserve everything that has happened and will happen because of my reckless mistakes.
Tears fell unbidden down my cheeks, but I ignored them, barely feeling the kiss of wetness in the cool air of my bedroom. Still mildly wet, I left the bathroom and found a silken nightdress lying across the bedspread.
Pip.
