Page 9

My foot slips forward. What the fuck? I’m moving, inching closer to Lord Rollo despite myself.

A sharp canine protrudes out from his smirk, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that he is moving me. For some reason, I have never seen the Jord Lord using his magic before and got comfortable with it. Explained away the fact that perhaps only the Terraguard Underlings had innate magic. That the Jord Underlings were primitive brutes.

I resist with all my might. Sweat accumulates on my brow at the effort.

This power is much, much worse than I could have imagined. The ability to control someone’s physical form without their consent.

In a matter of seconds, hundreds of ideas flood me as I’m pulled closer and closer to Rollo.

There is only one correct move to play. Take back my will, my autonomy.

I school my face into neutrality and take a step forward. The movement breaks his control, having achieved what he was straining for on my own. Once again, the room is cloaked in utter and complete silence.

The beads along the hem of my dress scrape the floor. I perch on the arm of the chair and tilt my chin up. “You could have just asked nicely.”

Uttert scowls and Lawrie gasps.

Then Lord Rollo… laughs. A raspy chuckle that sends a shiver down my spine.

The court erupts in laughter, tension evaporating as quickly as it came.

Rollo leans forward, hooking his left arm around my waist while grabbing his goblet. He raises it. “Here’s to the newest member of the Jord Court.”

Everyone drinks.

Soon, conversations spark back up. Heaps of meat, bread, and roasted vegetables are served. The heated discussions, whispered conversations—all of it disappears into the background as I contemplate.

Luckily, no one seems to remember that I exist. Or they do and are purposefully ignoring me. For both of which I am grateful.

I need to find a way out of here. I’ll comply for now, play Rollo’s pet if I have to. Some would maybe choose a different path in my situation. Ramona’s pride would get in the way. Leaf would charm his way out of this mess. Castor would resist until he was physically put out… and Atlys… He would destroy this entire castle until all that’s left are dens for snakes and mice to borrow.

I, however, have different skills. I’ll weave a story so believable that Rollo will forget that I also have the capability to be lethal. At that point, I’ll escape.

Or die trying.

“You’re not eating, pet,” Lord Rollo says.

How fucking observant. “I’m not hungry.”

He holds a dripping piece of fatty meat to my mouth. “Open.”

I turn my head to the side.

The hand that was resting around my waist tightens. With an aggressive tug, he pulls me onto his lap, taking advantage of my surprise and shoving the piece of meat into my mouth.

I recoil in disgust at the new, more intimate position. Lord Rollo is massive. His musk is overbearing. The wine on his breath invades my space. “Now that wasn’t so hard, was it?”

I chew slowly and close my eyes. Oil coats my tongue, but I taste nothing as Rollo’s hand remains wrapped tightly around my waist.

“You’re going to need the sustenance for after our wedding ceremony in three weeks,” he whispers into my ear.

I gag.

He chuckles and continues to tear off pieces of meat for himself, not bothering to use cutlery.

Deep breaths.

Keep breathing, Akemi.