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Lord Nathan’s forehead creased ever so slightly, a hint of a grin at the corner of his mouth. “I must thank you for this, I suppose.” His voice carried a dangerous edge that belied the nonchalant words. “I was always the spare, but his death allowed me to inherit what I truly wanted: the title and my parents’ properties. And now, I’m inheriting a pretty young bride too.” He sneered out the last words, his fists clenching at his sides as rage bubbled just beneath the surface.
I snapped my gaze up. “I’m not a piece of property you can own, Lord Nathan.”
“Aren’t you?” He was staring at me, his eyes huge, his lips parted. “You’re mine. I could haul you by the hair from your seat if I wanted.”
I felt my skin crawl as he looked at me, the same angry expression his brother had worn three years ago. His eyes glinted with something malicious. He had evil intentions—that much I could tell—and I felt a powerful current of defiance rise within me. I focused all my anger and resentment into one look, refusing to succumb to his advances.
I met their stares with a silent challenge, daring them to notice my revulsion. My jaw tightened and my mouth thinned as I took a deep breath.
“Nathan, are your men settled?” asked Theodore.
“Yes,” replied Lord Nathan. “They’re setting up camp. I wouldn’t want my queen to be threatened on her wedding day.”
I growled. “It’s funny,” I replied. “Your men couldn’t take down the castle last night. You had to use the DuPont army to get the job done. You have a lot of faith in a bunch of outcasts.”
His lips curled into a sneer. “My men don’t disappoint. Many of them needed something to believe in. They were angry at the monarchy. Fighting for change. Theft and murder were the only things they knew. I gave them something to fight for, and now they’re dedicated to me.” His voice was filled with rage, as if he were recalling an injustice inflicted upon him. He was not the victim in this scenario. He was just a powerful man who thought the world owed him everything.
“Oh, you think you’re a clever man, don’t you?” I snorted. “You’re just as stupid as your brother was. You think you can just live your life with me as your queen. You come from a low-ranking family. No one will respect you. At least the DuPonts earned their way to the top of their empire. You had to ride Theodore’s back to get what you wanted.”
“I’ve got plenty of influence in this kingdom,” he sneered. “And I’ve got your pretty neck.”
I smirked. “I’ll snap my own neck like a twig before I let you have me, then you’ll have nothing.”
“I’ll have your royal cunt, one way or another.”
I laughed. “Over my dead body.”
“Stop it, both of you,” said Theodore. “You’re just antagonizing each other. You will put your differences aside when it comes to the union. Don’t forget what’s at stake, Christine. You have your men to think of.”
The blunt reminder of Atticus, August, and Leo made my heart stall.
My throat tightened as I held back my rising panic. I barely managed to force out a meek, “How are they?” Atticus, August, and Leo had been taken brutally just yesterday, and I hadn’t seen them since. I was filled with fear for their safety.
“Atticus is angry but will learn why this is necessary soon enough. I can beat him into submission if necessary. Augustus is useless. Pacing his cell with worry. Leo is…well… Would you like to see him? I’m a kind man. I thought it might make you more generous with your affection if you’re reminded of who will suffer if you don’t comply with my demands.”
This felt like a trap. “I can see him?”
Theodore grinned as if he had me right where he wanted me. “We’re going to make an announcement today. I want you to show the world that you’re alive and thrilled to marry Lord Nathan. You’re going to tell everyone you wanted to be with him all along, but August was a tyrant keeping you apart. You’re going to look lovingly at your future husband and solidify this union.”
I sneered. “Never.”
Theodore nodded, as if he expected this answer. “Bring in the prisoner,” he directed his guard, and my heart skipped a beat as he disappeared behind the large door. I held my breath as the sound of a body being dragged across the marble tile filled my ears. Someone kicked open the doors, and Leo was tossed inside the room. I gasped and got up from my seat, my fists clenched at my side as I tried to process what I was seeing. “Leo!”
He was beaten, that much was obvious. His cheek was bruised and swollen, his hair matted and caked with blood. His eyes were dilated and red from crying. His clothes were ripped, his hands and feet duct taped. He was dragged to the area right in front of me, and I fell to my knees. I was so devastated to see him beaten and bloodied that I was crying. I reached for his hand and kissed it, not caring about what Theodore would do to me for touching him.
“Leo,” I sobbed.
“This is who you really want to fuck?” asked Theodore. “He’s pathetic.”
I ran my hand over Leo’s cheek. He was hot to the touch, and streaks of red covered his skin. “He’s feverish. Something is wrong.”
Theodore shrugged. “He’s dying. Needs antibiotics. I could give him some, you know. But only if you cooperate.”
My gaze snapped to him, and I felt my hatred for the man grow. He was toying with me, trying to make me comply. And the damning truth was, I’d do anything for them. Anything.
“I’ll do it,” I gritted. Leo moaned. “But I want to see him given the medicine. I want to be able to check on him. I want regular visits with all of them.”
Theodore exchanged a look with Nathan. “No. I call the shots here. I’ll give him the medicine and you’ll have to trust me.”
