try hard to keep the ringing in my ears to a minimum and ignore my racing heartbeat.
“We may become married only by name. Of course you are repulsed by the idea of your uncle, I however know you will
eventually warm up to being more than a named wife, but a wife in every way.”
He stepped forward and pulled a strand of my hair towards him, twirling it in his fingers. The only thing I could think to do
was spit on him. He took a sudden step back, shocked by my reaction. He then moved forward quickly, slapping me across the
face. He pinched my cheeks together, forcing me to look at him. I tried desperately not to cry but my eyes began to burn.
“Do that again and I will make you pay for it in more ways than one.”
He pulled at the hem of my dress and ran his hand up the inside of my thigh.
I screamed.
I screamed at the top of my lungs. No, he was not going to touch me ever again.Never again.
“Your highness?”Marcus shouted from a short distance away.
Dorian quickly let go of me and left me standing there. The rush of adrenaline clawed at my body. I wanted to run away.
Dorian walked past Marcus as if he were on a mission and disappeared into the castle.
Marcus placed himself in front of me, keeping a protective stance. I wondered if he was waiting for me to give him an
order. It only took a moment for me to understand what he was actually doing. He was allowing me time to compose myself and
protect me from any peering eyes.
“I could make it look like an accident, princess, if you wished for it,” he whispered.
I held back a shattered laugh. If only he knew. “That’s alright Marcus, I will be served my justice soon.”
And I would. Making a vow to myself he will never touch me again.
Chapter 16
ORNELLA
Dancing my fingers, across the ivory piano keys, I let whatever musical notes that would come flow through me with ease.
My mind clouded with despair and loss. Loss at the life I had before Norok’s accident. Loss at the life I could have had
with Lord Cole.
Mother arrived bright and early this morning to announce that my wedding to Uncle Dorion would be this week. In four
days' time. Rather than shout or cry in front of her, I just nodded in agreement, blocking out everything else she said until she
was pulled away to take care of something else.
I had spent most of the day out in the gardens, avoiding everyone until I came to the small library in the tower. I wanted to
escape. That’s where I found the untuned piano laying in wait for me.
With our entire court still here, and the castle in the woods still set up for Norok’s wedding, we shouldn’t let it go to