8: Iris
fast in the silence of the room I was kept in Quivering and anxious with fright. Thad just agreed to he married. I would be wedded to him, flut much was dear. There was no escaping it. I tried to think happy thoughts. Memories of a place and a time for away from here. The good times withi my mother and Abel, trying not to tint them with memories of Kavriel that my heart refused to relinquish
Moms soft brown eyes, and how they seemed to glimmer when we were all in the company of each other. My brother’s contagious laughter. resented in my mind, almost haunting. My eyes water with all thar Thad lost in this ordeal. Everything I had built by being a duriful woman had been toms down and now, I stood amidst the rubble of what remained
† put a hand to my stomach, feeling for the child that was in longer growing there. My heart wretched, arpreezing painfully. I had thought far into the future. A future with my child. It’s name, it’s appearance, it’s fobble, it’s first step, it’s first words. But it, too, had been ripped away from me. Now, my stomach was a grave for my child.
My handshivered against my stomach as I tried in stop the tears from pouring
Hello A cautious voice said from behind me, and I was quick in blink the tears away before turning abruptly.
Pain tore through my body at that subden moment. My wounds were far from healed
Hlaid eyes on a young woman. One that looked to be around any age. She had hair as dark as midnight and eyes of the same hue Strangely, the hard an expression that was not spiteful. Instead, her expression was one that resembled pity.
“Hi” My voice was so hoarse, it sounded foreign to me..
She managed a meek smile at my inability to speak well and she came forward.
Instinctively, I recoiled and backed away as though I had been stung. “Please……....
She stopped in her tracks, regret marring her delicate features. “I mean you no harm. I promise.”
Leould not believe her. She was a Lycan. They were wicked, temble creatures. They caused the death of scores of werewolves,
Yet, something in her expressive eyes told me differently. She did not look like a monster. She was looking upon me with something that resembled compassion. And to my detriment, I felt it put me at ease.
I took a deep breath and tried to calm my nerves.
She continued to move towards me as I tried not to squirm. When she came close enough to sit beside me on the bed, I noticed she smelt like wild
sage and vanilla. Nothing like a monster would smell
She placed a box on the bed, her eyes finding mine. Tam here to treat you. You seem to be quite wounded.”
I blinked up at her in surprise.
“May Lexamine your” She asked politely. She was a whole head taller than 1, yet she was so respectful. It was all so odd. What was she? Were Lycam truly like this
I found myself nodding. For the next few minutes, the probed me gently, making sure to pause at any sign of my discomfort. She reminded me of a mother. My mother. I felt a pang in my heart.
Her touch was so gentle and reassuring that it almost made me forget the agony I was in. She worked with deft fingers, cleaning my wounds andd applying a soothing ointment. I watched her closely, still wary but undeniably grateful for the relief she provided.
As she worked, she began to speak softly, almost as if she were afraid of starting me. “My name is lone. What is yours?” She asked quietly.
“My name is Iris.”
lone smbled, “Like the flower.” She met my eyes, hers filled with warmth, mine with weariness. “You will make a beautiful bride.”
My heart dropped straight down to the sea and stiffened in her hold.
Her expression fell at my reaction. Like I had hurt her deeply, I was overtaken by regret instantly. “I will be your sister–in–law.”
“You are..Jus sister?” I asked dumbly. She was to kind and caring, but he was intimidation and nightmares personified.
“I know you must be frightened and confused, but I want you to know that what you are doing for for him is more than you could ever imagine You are his only light…
“lone,” a nigged voice tore through her words.
My blood ran cold as I registered the voice. I did not need to turn arousal to find out who had just intruded the moment.
“You may take your leave,” he ordered.
Jone gave my arm a reassuring squeeze before she scurried off. Then I was alone. Alone with HIM
sat, frozen, as the man’s presence filled the room. The air grew thick with tension, and my body instinctively recalled from him. He moved closer. las imposing figure casting a shadow over nie.
His eyes, sharp and intense, bore into me. Lcould not meet his stare. I felt as though I would melt
“Look at me.” he ordered.
Thesitated before raking my head to meet his gaze. His eyes were as dark as his sister’s but were void of the saith that hers seemed to be filled
2051
with
We me to be wed by the next full moon. The announced matter–of–factly
I nodded, it was unlikely had a say in the date of our marriage
“You will be my wife and the mother of my child.
It was as though I had been thrown against a wall. “What. ♫
“Yes, you shall hear me a child.” His eyes darkened, a storm brewing
He ignored the words I was trying to say. “Or do you wish to be chained in this matrimony with me forever?
I shook my head.
“Then I assure you that you will be set free after you hear me
* me a child.”
9: Iris
