Page 27 of Elysian

“Egan, escort all the ladies away from here except Pyria.” Egan inclined his head, approached his father, and handed him the object that harmed Cassiel.

All the dismissed wives were already making their way to the exit.

Meanwhile, Drusilla approached until she stood before Vaner. “What will you do⁠—”

“My Drusilla, this is nasty business for men to handle,” he cajoled, rubbing his palm along the side of her face.

“I will take my leave, but do not cross the line with my son,” she warned. With a swish of her thick gown, she strutted out of the hall.

The officers bracing the doors shut it as soon as she crossed. They resounded with a loud bang.

Vaner slowly turned to the woman Lord Dillon had shoved before him. I moved out of the way, pressing flush against the wall. Branwen and Vera were there, touching my arms and huddling closer.

“I allow you to marry into the council, and this is how you repay me?” He loomed over Pyria. She trembled. “In not telling me about this aspect of your Sigil gift?”

“I apologize, my lord, I did not know!” she cried out.

Vaner slapped her across the face. Sapphire blood dripped down her lip. All while her husband watched, shaking his head in disapproval. His distaste was directed at her, not at Vaner for hitting his wife. The council remained seated, watching as if all of it was for their entertainment.

“Place the Sigil upon me.”

“M-my Lord, I cannot. My gift is limited. There is only one wearer possible, and I do not know how to remove what has already been placed,” she gasped. “The prophet⁠—”

“Did you aid her in making me a fool?” He leaned so close his mouth almost grazed hers. “You are the one who placed the Sigil. You had to know!”

“My lord, that was not possible until the prophet received the vision of who Lord Cassiel’s bondmate was. I swear it. I did not know what the mark would do.”

Vaner shoved Pyria, and she fell onto her side.

“That prophet bitch played me for a fool.” The rage flitting over his features was frightening.

“You did not know the Sigil allowed her to read Larien?” Lord Horveau strode across to reach the side where we all stood.

“I did not,” Vaner barked, interrupting Lord Horveau. He whirled toward me where I huddled against the wall.

I shoved in front of the girls, but I needn’t have worried; all his focus was on me. He pulled me to the table, across from Cassiel, and shoved me against the surface until the edge dug into my belly. He pressed his front against my bottom, forcefully shoving his manhood against me until I cried out from the invading force.

Nausea swelled with a vengeance.

Cassiel snarled, chains rattling with the force of his movements.

“You knew this, and you kept it from me,” Vaner said, staring down Cassiel. “Even if you did not know it was I, in all the centuries I have been serving you, you did not have secrets.” A smile played along Cassiel’s lips, making it obvious that it was not as Vaner said. It seemed to enrage Vaner even more. His hand cupped my breast, and he squeezed lewdly. I couldn't bring myself to look at Cassiel. Now that their women had left, there seemed to be a more sinister air to the council. “I will not fuck her at this moment.” He shook his head. “I will wait until she has Awakened to taste her. Then I will offer her to the rest of the council for their turn to taste. If they have not finished her by then, she will go to the Guard as a reward.” His voice became a feverish whisper. “I will have her locked in a chamber, and any will be free to visit to fuck the redblood bondmate of our deceased Warlord.”

Cassiel’s nose flared.

“Want a taste of how I will torment her?” Vaner straightened, allowing me to breathe. Madness reflected in his gaze as he fidgeted with his robe. “Horveau, bring your belt.”

The effigy remained in Vaner’s hand. I eyed it, weighing whether I should lunge for it. Vaner caught my hair in a fist and forced me to stumble toward the doors, further away from Cassiel.

“Vaner,” Cassiel warned.

Vaner yanked my hair in his fist, sending shards of agony through my scalp, and he leaned closer so his lips touched my earlobe.

“I will enjoy tasting you when you Awaken,” he breathed, so low there was no way anyone, even Cassiel, could have heard.

With his grip on my hair, he shoved me down before the exit. My weak leg buckled under me, and I fell onto my side with a cry. Lord Horveau stepped into my view and handed Vaner a long leather belt with a glinting metal part at the end. Vaner curled it around one hand tightly.

I did not have one moment to brace myself.