The Mountains Blade

Chapter Forty Two

Chapter Forty Two-The Unknown That Listens

Avelina stirred from a restless sleep, her bones aching. Her eyes peeled open and she found herself sitting haphazardly in front of Roman. The boys hair was in his eyes, the crown of metal leaves sitting beside him on a brown side table. 

Romans eyes watched her intently, purple underneath. He straightened as she blinked, grunted and sat up in the lounge chair. It was an effort as her back tried to sink into the cushion. Her hair was damp and she had been changed into a white underdress. Her face burned, the fabric was thick enough to cover the color of her skin but still it was inappropriate for company. 

Avelina tried to hold back a shiver as the autumn air bit into her. There was no fire, the curtains were the only source of light, causing a shadow to cast across her pale face. The sun was nowhere to be found, the clouds grey and wanning.

Avelina gripped the sides of the plush emerald chair and clamped her jaw tightly. She shook with fear or cold, she couldn't decipher which. 

Prince Romans eyes traveled over her frail frame, watching as she shook beneath his gaze. "I had you washed, you were filthy beyond reason." Romans crooked nose wrinkled and Avelina felt her skin grow hot. 

She looked down at her bruised and cut up flesh, she still hadn't healed, despite the chains that had been removed from her. She had bandages around her wrist and purple flesh as far as she could see. The heir let her red hair fall in her face to hide her reddened cheeks. 

The prince leaned forward in his chair across from her. His fingers took her chin in his and he lifted her face to his. 

Her eyes were doe like and watery as he narrowed his gaze to her lips. His grip tightened, a whimper escaping Avelina. She could very well perish under the intensity of his gaze. 

Avelina remembered the horrible things he did, a locked room flashing before her eyes. Avelina had hid from her family for days when she came home from her visit. She had been so thankful when her mother had fought for her right to choose her own husband and had broke off the engagement. 

Avelina's eyes burned and Romans hands gripped her throat abruptly. A strangled gasp broke through her and he shoved her back into the couch. His breath fanned across her cheeks as he pressed his body against velvet, inhaling deeply. 
Avelina shuttered and sunk further back, trying to make space between them. "You left me." He hissed.

Avelina shook silently, knowing better than to speak. 

Romans grip tightened and then just as suddenly he was sitting back across from her. 

Avelina's hand lingered in the air above her throat as terror plummeted inside her. 

"This time you aren't going anywhere. Every night you will get a dose of foxglove. If you fight me on it, I will skin your friends alive."

Avelina went rigid at the mention of Markarious and Opal. 

"Why? Why work with them?' She asked not clarifying that she was referring to the shadow people. There was no need, he knew.

Romans fist tightened on the chair as if he wanted to lunge at her just for that. 

"I needed you back. You're the only one that ever loved me for me."

Avelina didn't argue with him, despite disagreeing with him. "My father, he told me that my ways were too violent." Roman scoffed, rolling his eyes. The prince ran his hands through his ruffled hair. "I had to deal with him after that. He thought that I shouldn't be king. He said I was to immature." Roman snorted and shook his head.