Chapter 11 Three Years For This?
Finished
I stood frozen, unable to process what I’d just heard. Three years of waiting, of loyalty, of enduring the cruelest treatment from his family–all for this?
“You look pale,” Nyra smiled. “Is it too much for the mighty Red Phantom to handle?”
1 remained silent. What was there to say?
Lady Everette clapped her hands together, her face lighting up with genuine joy for perhaps the first time since Td known
her.
“A grandchild!” she exclaimed, running to hug Nyra, “Oh, my precious darling! The Goddess has truly blessed us!”
Nyra preened under the attention, shooting me a triumphant glance.
“Come, come,” Lady Everette guided Nyra to the sofa, practically shoving me aside. “Sit down! You mustn’t strain yourself in your your condition.”
She arranged cushions behind Nyra’s back, fussing over her like she was made of glass.
“Celeste!” Lady Everette called. “Bring our real daughter some more cookies. And some tea–the special blend!”
Celeste appeared almost instantly, carrying a silver tray. “Here you are, sister,” she said to Nyra.
“Would you like me to rub your feet, dear?” My mother in law asked her, already removing Nyra’s shoes. A woman carrying the next Morgain heir must be pampered.”
Nyra leaned back, stretching luxuriously. “That would be lovely, Mother–in–law.”
“Oh please,” She cooed. “You can call me mom or Everrette”
I watched this display, feeling like I’d stumbled into some bizarre alternate reality. Elian caught my expression and sauntered. over, his lips curled in a mocking smile.
“Don’t look so glum, Sera,” he said, loud enough for everyone to hear. “You should be happy–your mother’s dreams are coming true. You’re getting what she always wanted for you.”
“And what’s that?” I managed to ask.
“A family,” he laughed “Just not quite how you imagined it, right?”
Lady Everette snorted. As if she could ever give you children, Elian. Look at her–all anger. Not a maternal bone in her body.”
“I waited for you,” I whispered to Elian. “Three years.”
He leaned closer, his breath hot against my car. “And I spent those three years wishing I’d never married you.”
Nyra bit into a cookie, moaning with exaggerated pleasure. “These are divine, Everette. You’ll have to teach me the recipe.”
“Of course, my dear! Unlike some people,” she glared at me, “you actually care about creating a proper home.
“I’ve tried–1 began.
“Tried?” Lady Everette scoffed. “You call what you’ve done trying? The meals were inedible, the cleaning subpar, and your attitude Deplorable”
Nyra nodded sympathetically. “It must have been so difficult for you, Everette, enduring such incompetence.
“You have no idea, dear. But now we have you–a real woman–to restore dignity to this household.”
pressed his arme watching me with cold amusement “Maule unui can learn something from her Sera. If you nav
4.05 PM
Chapter 11 Three Years For This?
He shrugged. I was busy”
Finished
“Busy with me.” Nyra interjected, giggling. She held out her hand to Elian, who immediately went to her side, kissing her palm
The moment we met, I knew,” he said, gazing adoringly at her. “She fed the warriors, you know. Made sure we were taken care of. A proper mate. It wasn’t until the night of the full moon that the goddess gifted her to me. My true mate.”
“While you were here, what? Pretending to miss him?” Nyra’s tone dripped with contempt. I actually took care of him. Healed his wounds. Warmed his bed.”
Celeste chimed in, “She even learned to fight a little, Sera. Not like you, of course—she’s not a monster. But enough to protect herself if needed.
“Perfect in every way.” Lady Everette sighed happily. “And now carrying our future! The heir this family has been waiting for?
I stood there, enduring each word like a lash.
“Don’t just stand there looking pitiful, Lady Everette snapped. “Make yourself useful. There’s laundry that needs washing
I’m not “I began.
“You’re not what?” Elian cut in, his tone dangerous. “Not going to obey? Not going to fulfill your duty? You’re still my wife, Seraphine. That means you do as I say.”
Nyra stretched her legs across Elian’s lap. “Don’t worry, Sera. Once the baby comes, you’ll have plenty to do. I’m not changing diapers.”
They all laughed, the sound like broken glass in my ears.
“Imagine, Celeste said between giggles, “the Red Phantom, reduced to changing nappies and wiping spit–up!”
Emogen roared inside me, desperate to be released. “Let me tear them apart. Let me show them who we really are.”
I pushed her down, my vow to my mother still stood, despite her death. Tll get to the laundry, I said quietly, turning to leave.
“That’s right,” Nyra called after me. “Know your place, little warrior. It’s at our feet.”
Night fell quickly.
I retreated to my bedroom, the one Elian and I were supposed to share after our wedding. The one I’d kept pristine for three years, hoping for his return. Instead, I walked in to find Elian and Nyra kissing in my bed, all tangled up in my own sheets,
“What are you doing just standing there?” Elian’s voice broke my trance. He got up from the bed, pulling on a robe, while Nyra remained sprawled across the sheets–my sheets–with a lazy, satisfied smile.
This is my room, I whispered.
“Was” Elian corrected. “This is the master bedroom, and I am the master of this house.”
Nyra stretched like a cat, purposely letting the sheet slip. “We need space for the baby.”
“Where am I supposed to sleep? I asked, hating how small my voice sounded.
Elian pointed down the hall. “The servants quarters next to the kitchen will do nicely. It’s where you belong anyway.”
Emogen thrashed inside me. “Let me out. Let me show him who we are. Let me remind him who he’s speaking to.”
I swallowed hard, pushing her down.
“Those quarters haven’t been used in three years,” I said. “They’re filthy.”
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Chapter 11 Three Years For This?
Finished
Elian gathered my personal belongings, dumping them unceremoniously into my arms. Take these and go. My precious mate and I need privacy
I stood my ground. “I’ve slept in this bed for three years, waiting for you.”
Elian opened his mouth to say something, but he stopped. Instead, he did something I thought he’d never do.
He slapped me.
