I loved the look of shock plastered across her face. But being the wicked woman she was, she raised her hand trying to hit me.
"Go on, hit me!"
Her hand stopped midair.
"I dare you to do that and doom us all. I may be given away like a property, but I'm still the monarch's wife!"
She gasped. "Why on earth will the monarch care if you were struck?"
Good question. The monarch didn't give a damn about my existence, but Stepmother was hesitating, that was enough.
"You think you amount to something now, do you? Don't get comfortable." She stepped close, rattling me with her presence and the deep abhorrence in her eyes.
It reminded me of the years I have endured them as well as her viciousness, insults, and abuse. I was born a weak child, but that didn't stop her from disciplining me when she got the chance.
"You are no less than a pound of flesh given away. I wonder how long before he gets bored and spares you from your miserable existence."
She caressed my cheek, and I tried to pull away, but her thumb pressed into my skin to keep me there.
"The least you can do for yourself and this kingdom is make sure your consummation happens. Your father poured everything into this arrangement, and I'll not tolerate you ruining this like you did my family."
Why didn't Father come to tell me this? He was meant to walk me down the aisle like the dutiful parent he was, but knights were the better option.
I'm leaving, forever. Twenty years here made me the ghost of his mistake, no more.
I slapped her hand away, but she did nothing, almost like there was no use disciplining a dead girl.
"Whatever I choose to do in my marriage is none of your concern, and I'm not yours anymore. You've got your alliance, so go to hell."
"This girl!" She growled. "Some mouth you've on you, it's true what they say about the innocent-looking ones. After I've taken my time to give you advice!"
"Advice? Or a recipe for doom?"
She clicked her tongue, shaking her head in pity. "What a shame, I truly wished for you to stay alive for long."
"Your compassion is not needed," I said through clenched teeth.
"Goodbye, Eloise."
One farewell I was looking forward to. "Goodbye, Stepmother."
She smirked, but it didn't reach her eyes. She gave me her back and walked away.
"Leave me," I said to my new handmaid, Talia. But the brooding woman remained still like a statue.
"Did you not hear me?!" I snapped, trying so hard not to cry.
She rolled her eyes and walked out. How refreshing that even my handmaid was rude.
Thanks, Stepmother, for the wonderful gift.
I hurried to the door and shut it, leaning against the wood. My lip was trembling beyond control, my hands were placed on my stomach, and then the tears fell silently.
I did my best not to make a sound; I didn't want anyone to hear me unravel.
No one will ever.
~•~
I could feel Drevon's gaze on me like a hawk.
We've left the estate for more than an hour now, but it felt longer. I was determined not to make eye contact, but I got uneasy with his persistent attention.
Was there something on my face, or did I look funny?
Of course, I looked funny. I had odd-looking hair, and I looked frail; nothing about me was attractive.
I let the galloping noise distract me. I should be thankful the carriage had enough room, but it was getting suffocating.
I got itchy from staying in one position for so long. I wanted to stretch or perhaps adjust, but I was scared of even breathing loudly.
I couldn't wait for us to reach our destination. How long would it take for us to get to Valkanor? I've looked at maps and saw it was nestled close to the northern region, I was never good with cold to begin with.
Honestly, the number of things that could end my life was getting longer. All my clothes were not made for the cold, and I didn't even have money to purchase any.
Father told me I could ask him anything after the raven was sent, that the monarch accepted the alliance. He said it was a gift, but I didn't want his gift. However, I felt stupid for not asking for clothes.
Whatever, what's done is done. I just need to find a way to deal with it. But first, I need to survive this confinement.
My stiff muscles became too hard to ignore, so I lifted my chin slowly, my gaze moving to his fine leather boots, so smooth that it bounced off the light. His legs were crossed in a flawless poise.
Against my better judgment, I proceeded again and stopped at his sharpened jawline; the perfection of that shape should be a crime. Then, my eyes made the mistake of moving to his lips.
He was… smiling? It was a simple gesture, yet the way his lips stretched and utterly desirable reminded me of how they felt on mine.
"Is my appearance so hideous that you cannot gaze upon your husband?"
The depth of that voice was enough to tempt me to stop the carriage and flee.
And hideous? He was far from that! What scared me the most was that I might stare for far too long without looking away.
"Will you not look at me?"
I hesitated, however, eager not to offend him, I did as he commanded, and my heart latched in my throat when I took in his features as if for the first time.
He was poised comfortably on his seat, the back of his hand pressing against his cheek, a dim sheen in his crimson eyes.
I knew Lycan's eyes randomly glimmered whenever they processed emotions and their beastly side. However, seeing such things in real life made my lesson far from fantasy. It showed how truly I was living in them.
His gaze dropped to my lips, lingering there. "Why are you so uptight, wife?"
My cheeks turned red, a reaction I didn't expect. There was just the way he called that title that made me...worried.
"I'm no danger to you," he said again when I didn't reply. "I have given up the taste for human flesh; you need not worry."