(TW: Accusations of SA and abuse, Descriptions of blood)
Callidus's confusion deepened as he watched Jasper struggle against the wind.
His jaw throbbed, metallic blood pooling in his mouth from where Jasper's strike had landed. His mind raced, trying to make sense of Jasper's actions. He maintained the air pressure, keeping Jasper pinned against the cracked window, but he didn't tighten his hold. Instead, he waited, his eyes fixed on him, searching for any sign of explanation.
"...fuck..." Jasper's voice was hoarse, his eyes fluttering shut.
"Explain yourself, Jasper," Callidus demanded, his lip splitting painfully as he spoke.
Jasper's breathing was ragged, his disoriented gaze meeting Callidus's. "I...don't have to explain anything," he rasped, his words laced with bitterness. "You fucking raped my sister, you monster."
Callidus's expression shifted from wary to bewildered as he registered Jasper's accusation. The words held a weight he couldn't entirely fathom, but he knew it was a serious allegation, one that stirred a deep unease within him. He had a basic understanding of its negativity and harm, but the depth of its implications was beyond him.
"I...I haven't done anything like that to Cressida," Callidus stammered, "I...I don't believe I have."
"You don't believe you have?" Jasper echoed, "I think you'd fucking remember."
"What are you implying?"
"Blood on the sheets, Cal! Stop playing dumb and admit it!"
Callidus's mind raced, trying to piece together his interactions with Cressida, searching for any evidence that he might have crossed a line without realizing it.
"Cressida injured her hand several weeks ago," Callidus explained. "We were sitting on the bed."
"Convenient fucking excuse. I bet Cress has as many bruises as Foster, and that's why you won't let me see her."
Callidus's eyes widened in shock, his heart pounding in his chest. The room seemed to close in around him, his breathing growing shallow. The accusation was so far from the truth, so far removed from his intentions and actions, that it left him momentarily speechless.
"That is not true, Jasper," Callidus's voice was a low, strained whisper, his jaw clenched, sending a shockwave of pain coursing through him.
Jasper's anger flared again, his voice rising, "Don't even try to deny it! You monster! You share a fucking bed!"
"I don't see how sharing a bed has anything to do with bruises!" Callidus exclaimed, his own frustration building as he grappled with the accusations being thrown at him.
Jasper's face twisted, "She's confined here, and you're using that to your advantage! Who's to say what else you're doing to her?"
"You've...you've been listening to rumors and lies. Cressida and I... our...our relationship is unconventional, but I would never do anything to hurt her."
"Oh, you've hurt her plenty. I read the damn notes!"
"Mint's notes mentioned nothing of the sort!" Callidus responded sharply. "Only some temporary fears that have been resolved. Cressida and I have worked through her fears with patience and understanding."
"Patience and understanding?" Jasper practically screeched in disbelief, "There's no way that she can say no to you!"
"Jasper. You must calm down."
"Can you honestly say you've never forced her to do anything?!"
Callidus's first instinct was to vehemently deny it, but a flicker of panic washed over him as he remembered the night of his failed proposal. Of making Cressida act out that horrible (wonderful) memory crystal. But it wasn't physical. It was just words. It was-
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Book Two: The Larkspur's Longing ~ A tale of deep obsession and devotion
Romance(Sequel to The Marigold's Larkspur) Crown Prince Callidus finds himself on the cusp of achieving his dreams. With Princess Cressida by his side, the woman he has long yearned for, their future seems promising. However, a formidable obstacle threaten...
