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“Let me go,” I demand, trying to force more steel into my voice than is there.
His grin only widens at this.
“I don’t think so.”
The way his eyes glint as he says this makes my stomach twist. His hand tightens around my arm, pulling me closer as if laying claim to me in doing so.
As if he could ever claim me.
Anger burns in my chest as I draw myself up to my full height, as small as that may be. Still, Amadeus has several inches on me, though not nearly enough for him to tower over me as I know he means to.
Meeting his gaze, I narrow my eyes.
“Let me go or I’ll scream,” I whisper. “You think they won’t hear me from here?”
“So? It’s not as if they’ll your word over mine.”
The truth of his words stings, and for a moment, I forget my tongue.
“At least I don’t have to cower behind my mother to get people to believe me.”
“I donotcower,” Amadeus hisses, his eyes flashing as he lifts his chin in an effort to appear taller.
A second too late, I bite my tongue as I realize I’ve only just made things worse for myself.
“I-I didn’t mean—” I start, only to have my words cut short as he brings his other hand to my throat. My eyes widen in surprise as he shoves me backward, further into the kitchen, until my back is pressed against the cold stone of the wall and my arms are pinned behind me.
“Do I appear to be cowering now, sister?” he sneers, his eyes dropping lower. “Shame you aren’t my type. The things I’d do to you. The things I’d have youbeggingme to do to you.”
His fingers tighten around my throat as he shifts forward, and I can’t help but gasp as I feel his wanton desire for me pressing into me. My cheeks burn hot as he smirks down at me, and I realize how little truly stands between us.
“…really, Merelda,” comes my father’s exasperated voice, drawing our attention toward the door, “Hazel will worry unless I bed her farewell.”
“Nonsense,” Merelda retorts with a cold laugh. “The girl is grown. You’ll spoil her for other men with your constant doting. Come now, the carriage is ready. Here, take this, it’ll do wonders for those dark circles of yours. Hurry now, you mustn’t keep our clients waiting.”
“It won’t take but a moment.”
Merelda stops her foot, making a sound of annoyance. I can almost picture her pouting up at Father, arms crossed over her chest like an insolent child.
I can’t help but wonder if she knows Amadeus is in here with me, or if she simply wants Father out of the house as quickly as possible so she can return to ordering me about.
“Is bidding farewell to your wife not enough for you, Leoric? Am I not enough for you?”
There’s a sultriness to Merelda’s voice that makes my stomach knot. Amadeus seems to sense my discomfort, his smirk growing as he presses me even flatter against the wall.
“Very well,” Father sighs. “Hazel! I’m leaving, come say your goodbyes if you can hear me.”
I start to answer, only for Amadeus to silence me as he shift his hand from my throat to my mouth. His fingers dig into the hollows of my cheeks as the weight of Father’s hopeful pause crushes my heart.
The silence drags on for several seconds as he awaits my reply, which never comes, thanks to the brute before me. Frustration causes tears to well in my eyes, even as I struggle to hold them back.
“See,” Merelda says, “that girl is far too old for such silly little things. Come now, off you go.”
Another second passes before I hear the heavy front door open and close. He’s leaving, and without a farewell from me.
I writhe against Amadeus, but he just lets out a low chuckle as he leans in, his hot breath washing over my face.
“You know,” he whispers, his hand moving to run his thumb along my lower lip, “now that we can be alone, perhaps you are my type after all.”
