Varkas, who had been breathing in the cool air tinged with the scent of rain, turned his head and looked at her.
A gloomy shadow lay over eyes as quiet as dawn.
She wondered what thoughts were stirring beyond those eyes that resembled a frozen lake.
Was he worrying about the tangled future before him? Or was he regretting his decision now that it was too late?
In spite of her ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) vow never to wonder again, Talia found herself asking once more.
You weren't marrying because you loved Aila after all, were you?
I knew it.
You're someone who can never burn for anyone.
In truth, it probably wouldn't have mattered who the other person was.
That's why you could play the role of Aila's gentle fiancé, and why you can play the part of a convincing guardian for me as well.
Talia rubbed the corner of her mouth where Varkas had brushed past, erasing the sensation he had left behind.
Talia Roem Gwirta was merely one among the countless responsibilities he had to shoulder. So she would not be deceived by meaningless kindness tossed her way like alms.
Turning her back on him, she pulled the blanket over her head.
At some point, she must have drifted off.
Her body, tense all day, melted instantly beneath the strong effects of the wine.
Burying her face in the pillow, she let her arms and legs go limp beneath the soft blanket. How long she floated in that hazy state, she could not tell, but a prickling sensation gradually began gnawing at her knee.
Twisting in discomfort, Talia felt the pain growing stronger and slowly raised her heavy eyelids. Her unfocused vision was filled with pitch-black darkness.
The drowsiness crushing her vanished at once.
With frightened eyes, Talia stared into the jet-black void.
The sticky night, devoid of even a single ray of light, strangled her breathing. She gasped roughly and rubbed her tightening throat, but the dull ache that had started in her knee suddenly exploded like lightning.
She hurriedly grabbed her calf with both hands. Beneath her fingers she felt her weakened muscles spasming. Cold sweat streamed down her back under the agony, as though blades had been stabbed into her flesh.
Biting down on her lower lip, Talia clawed frantically at the muscles twisting beyond her control.
At that moment, she heard the sound of flint striking, and a line of light assaulted her face.
Jerking her head upward, she saw a small candle glowing faintly and Varkas's pale outline.
Staring at her bloodless face with a hardened expression, Varkas bent over the bed.
Without thinking, Talia let out a shrill scream.
“Don't touch me!”
She violently slapped away the hand reaching toward her leg and crawled toward the end of the bed. But she didn't get far before he caught her.
Pressing her shoulder down firmly with one hand so she could not move, Varkas reached toward her calf, now covered in nail marks.
Talia screamed like someone drenched in boiling oil.
“No! Don't touch me!”
“Stay still. I'm only checking the wound.”
“No! I said no!”
As she twisted desperately, panting as though she might stop breathing, he muttered something she couldn't understand and pulled her tightly against him. Immobilizing her so she could no longer struggle, he rang the bell hanging beside the bed with one hand.
Moments later, the bedroom door burst open and startled maids rushed inside.
Varkas shouted loudly.
“Bring a healing mage immediately!”
Chaos broke out.
While an elderly mage rushed into the bridal chamber and cast recovery magic, the maids lit candles throughout the room and burned calming incense beside the bed.
Even amid the commotion, Varkas never released her, holding her tightly in both arms.
Buried against his firm chest, beating hot beneath her cheek, Talia looked around with frightened eyes.
Her nerves were stretched to the limit, terrified that someone might lift her skirts and inspect her leg. Curling her legs tightly beneath her, she clutched her skirts like a shield.
How much time had passed?
A disheveled mage held a bluish glass bottle before her face.
“If you drink this, the pain will subside immediately.”
Talia narrowed her eyes at it.
If she drank that, she would surely lose consciousness. Someone might lift her skirt while she slept.
She pressed her lips together tightly and turned her head away.
Then long fingers seized her chin and forcibly tilted her face upward. The mouth of the bottle was pressed firmly against her lips.
Talia clenched her teeth and resisted.