Sinner (MATURE 18+)

28

I woke up the following morning feeling nothing.

Cael let Agatha in moments after I was awake, and she helped me into the bathroom. I brushed my teeth and washed my face, avoiding looking into the mirror. I caught a glance of the purpling marks in the shape of my husband's hand on my throat, but swallowed hard and sat in the jacuzzi filled with hot water. Agatha already knew what to do and silently used a washcloth to wipe the dried blood off my inner thighs and remnants of cum off my back.

I stared at the wall, an unexplainable numbness filling me up. I had never felt something like that before. Agatha washed my body and hair, before helping me out of the cooling water. My legs were wobbly, a throbbing pain pulsing between them. She put a robe over top me, gently leading me to my dressing table. She didn't apply any makeup other than concealer over top my bruise, hiding the marks from the naked eye.

"I-I," I stammered, wanting to thank her, but the words were unable to form. Instead, my face crumpled and I couldn't stop the wretched cry that escaped my lips. I covered my mouth as Agatha wrapped her arms around me, shushing me softly.

"I know, Your Majesty. I know everything," she consoled, rubbing my back. I trembled in her arms, feeling comfort in having her with me.

"Elena, please call me Elena," I reminded after a minute, pulling away from her grasp and looking at the aging beauty in front of me. She smiled, her eyes softening as she cupped the sides of my face.

"I'm here for you, Elena," she said. I nodded, pursing my lips together when there was another knock at the door. I immediately fixed my posture, wiped my eyes and cleared my throat.

"Who is it?" I called out. Cael popped in, lowering his eyes from my half-naked form.

"The Prince, Your Majesty," he replied. I nodded at him and Agatha left quickly with a reassuring hand on my arm, silently telling me everything was going to be okay. Carsir slipped in, a smile on his handsome face.

"Good morning, Elena. How was your sleep?" he asked, approaching me. He leaned forward, and I flinched ever so slightly, turning my head so his lips touched my cheek instead of my lips. I held my breath as he pulled back, confusion written over his features. "Is everything okay?"

"Why wouldn't it be?" I asked, grabbing the comb and almost robotically dragging it through my soaking wet hair. Soaking wet. My mind flashed to when Alias said those same words to me, but I snapped out of it, meeting Carsir staring at me through the mirror. "What? Why are you staring at me?"

"You're mad at me," he stated, shaking his head. I frowned, setting the hairbrush down. "Is it because of last night?"

"I'm not mad at you," I answered, pulling my hair to sit on the front of my shoulders. "I'm fine." It didn't sound like I was reassuring him but me. I was going to be fine. I stood and walked to the window, pulling the curtains back absentmindedly. Carsir snaked his arms around my waist and I stiffened as he swept my hair back, pressing kisses along my neck.

"What the- why do you have a bruise?" Carsir demanded, moving all my hair away to inspect my neck. I pushed him away, forcing a light laugh out.

"It's a hickey," I lied, waving him off. "And I took a hot bath this morning so it's redder than it should be." Carsir's hands fisted at his sides.

"My father gave you a hickey?" he repeated, his eyes tinged with red. I took a few steps back, scared of his reaction.

"I think you need to leave, I need to change," I said, turning away from him. My hands shook as I spoke but I dug them into the pockets of the bathrobe.

"No need to tell me twice," Carsir spat, storming out of the room. I slumped onto the bed, staring at the door. A knock sounded and Cael stepped in.

"Is everything okay, Your Majesty?" he asked.

No, nothing is okay.

"Yes, Cael. Everything is okay."