Page 36 of Elysian

“I cannot go against him.” Agony bled across his features. “I cannot. But I will not let them kill you. I am sure if I bargain with my father, he will listen to me.” He breathed. “That is why he has not touched you. That is why he has given you such distance.”

I did not say a word. There seemed to be nothing to say.

“Keep your head down while I arrange the Kingdom’s patrol schedules. When I am able to give you more news, I will come find you.” He placed a kiss on the top of my hand and let it go. He retreated from the chamber, offering me a look from the exit. I let out a shaking breath, slumping against the glass surface.

How unbelievably . . . reckless.

I raked my fingers through the front of my hair. Cassiel had yet to say a thing. His silence terrified me more than any angry words he could have spouted. He watched me in the arms of another man.

A stab of guilt surfaced.

Piper would remind me that he harmed me more. She would be right.

I let out a slow breath, scanning the empty space before me. How I missed her quips in my head. The ache from her loss was something that would forever weigh upon my shoulders. Nothing fit as it used to, only jagged edges where the pieces refused to meet.

I struggled to find my footing. Before, I had been so terribly cautious; now I had nothing to lose. Coming to the Citadel had placed me on a path I could not have anticipated that eve I had combed Miriam’s hair into a coiffure. Now she was in a marriage with an awful man that groped other women right in front of her.

The bookshelf entrance creaked and opened wider.

“I have approval to allow you to feed him,” Al claimed. I blinked, focusing on him inside the chamber. “Of course, I spoke with Lady Drusilla. I knew she would be more amenable.”

My mind worked to follow. Al was already before the latched door. Cassiel had not moved from the middle of the cell, as far as the chain attached to his ankle allowed. He could easily kill me when I entered for daring to touch Egan.

I squeezed my hands into fists.

I could not let this chance to speak to him about what I planned pass.

Al opened the glass entrance to the compartment. He waved me in, and I had no time to think before I stepped inside. I faced the other glass panel that would be opened by Al as soon as the first slot was closed. It hissed as it shut, leaving me squished between the slats. I rapped my knuckles against it. Despite it looking like glass, I did not think it was that simple. The council would not have left their most prized prophet in something so easily breakable.

The surface trembled, then slid to the side, leaving the space open for me to stride through. It shut behind me. A sharp whistle rent the air.

“Ah, I must tend to that. I will leave you to it.” Footsteps retreated.

Al had left us alone?

Cassiel still had not moved. I shuffled closer.

“Cassiel?” I began hesitantly. My stomach turned with nerves, but I did not let it stop my approach.

Once within arm’s length, he grabbed me, pressing me against the wall with enough force to rattle my teeth. His chest moved with labored heaves. Tawny hair fell across his brow.

“Why do you continue to anger me?” he asked through gritted teeth. His sweet breath fell across my cheek, causing my hair hanging around my face to flutter.

Cassiel leaned close enough that his lips hovered right above mine. His wide palm spanned across my hip.

“Why do you continue to behave as if I should do as you say?” I lifted my chin.

He huffed out a laugh. When his head turned, I noted the glisten in his eyes catch the lamplight. I peered closer. It looked as if he blinked away a sheen of tears.

‘Because you are mine.’

He reached down and unhooked the front of his trousers. His length bobbed free, thick, long, and engorged. My heart skipped a beat.

“It seems you need a reminder of it,” he finished aloud and leaned down to catch my lips. ‘You must only taste of me.’ A hint of desperation slipped into his words. His tongue prodded against mine, licking and plunging—claiming. But he did not stop there. He licked every inch inside my mouth, as if attempting to erase what Egan had done.

Something inside me snapped, and I squeezed the front lapels of the coat he wore, meeting his kiss with as much fervor.

His hand slid lower and clasped my bottom. With a scoop of his palm, he lifted me with ease. I had no choice but to grab his shoulders. His hips pinned me against the stone surface where his chain was bolted. Cold seeped through the fabric of my dress.