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With his clammy hand on my arm, he pulled me alongside him. I glanced at Baine, hoping to see something in those lavender eyes, instead he purposefully looked away.
Outside in the corridor, Lord Demious patted my arm. “You need to relax. I will take you to my private quarters where you will not be disturbed.”
I wasn’t ready to be anywhere private with this lord. We passed by the open library. “Will you show me your history collection? If I’m to rule, I’d like to learn more about Farrow’s Gate.”
He smiled wide, seeming pleased with my request. “I knew I chose correctly.”
If I could keep Lord Demious at bay, I might be able to find a way out of this disastrous situation. His touch made me squirm with uneasiness like stepping on a slug with bare feet. Slugs weren’t so awful from a distance, but up close they were slimy and gross.
We entered the library, and the sight made my heart swell, slightly lifting the heaviness in my chest. Father had tomes at home, but nothing of this size. Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, creating rainbows along the bookshelves. While the library in the host tower had more books, it held none of the beauty here.
“There are many stories within these walls, and you will have access to all of them.” Lord Demious leaned into me as he spoke, his breath smelling of onion soup.
I turned my head, swaying a bit from all the wine, sweat beading my hairline. Heat stuffed the air, making the room oppressive and sweltering. Lord Demious sauntered behind me, placing his hands on my waist.
“You are very beautiful.” He slid his hands along my bodice, and I held back the urge to slap him.
I’d find a way out of here, but not with fighting him. “Thank you, my lord.”
“You saved us yesterday,” he whispered, pulling me closer. “You were magnificent. I never expected your fire magic to be so powerful. You and I will create a lineage unlike any before.”
Each praise made my skin crawl with disgust.
“I can’t wait until we wed tomorrow.” His body pressed against me, and I was glad he was behind me, unable to see the disgust on my face.
“Tomorrow?” My voice quaked and he gripped my waist tighter.
“I don’t see the need to wait . . . for anything.” He pulled my hair aside and kissed my neck.
I wanted to scream. “I’m very tired. I should retire.”
Ignoring my request, he lifted my dress.
“Lord Demious, please.” Tears pricked my eyes.
“Shh,” he said, pressing me against the nearby table. “We will be husband and wife, and as your betrothed it’s my duty to make sure you are satisfied. I know how to please a woman. I promise to ease away all that worry and fear.”
“Then you will allow me to retire.”
“You will, soon.”
Disgust filled my mouth and I wanted to vomit. Quickly, I thought of what I should do to remove myself from this situation, but my heart was heavy. This is what Baine tried to rescue me from.
Cold fingers tugged at the front of my dress near the neckline.
“My lord.” I placed my hand on his, holding back the urge to dig my nails into his skin and rip him to shreds. “I have never been with a man, and I would like my first time to be a bit more, romantic.”
“I assumed a woman of your age had at least dabbled.”
“Can we wait for our wedding night? Please?”
“I am not a cruel man,” he whispered, sliding his hand under my dress. “Do not fear me. I know my actions the night of the ball were a bit harsh, but you will understand my purpose here and yours, soon enough.”
Sweet words, yet he continued to rub against my skin.
“A kind man would honor the wishes of his betrothed.”
“Lord Demious,” Baine yelled from somewhere behind us.
“You better have a good explanation for interrupting me,” Lord Demious snarled, but made no move to remove his hands which had moved up to my bodice. “I am not to be disturbed when I am with my bride.”
“The agent has returned, again, this time with men.”
“Sorry, my dear.” He turned me around and smiled. “I must go, but I promise that tomorrow night when I bed you, it will be more than romantic.”
With a clammy kiss to my cheek, he bid me farewell.
Baine’s jaw twitched and he gripped his sword hilts so tight, the skin on his knuckles lightened.
Lord Demious left the room, Baine’s glare meeting mine, before he slammed the door shut.
