MasukEloise’s POVMy heart beat hard in my chest as I settled onto the bed. I didn’t end up entering the dungeon with Natalia. I couldn’t.The poor girl looked frightened out of her mind and I knew that my presence would only make things harder on the two of them.I had waited outside the dungeon and I couldn’t help, overhearing their conversation.Fredrick was in love with the girl. That much was obvious.I almost envied their relationship because once upon a time, that had been me and Olpheus.I was startled out of my thoughts as the door slammed open.I looked up, to find Olpheus staring at me with all the fury of hell. Speak of the devil.He reached me in three large steps. He was huffing and puffing so much that I thought he would burst.“What was that all about?!” I looked away from him, unable to meet his gaze.I guess he had already been informed of my recent trip to the dungeons. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I didn’t have to look at him to know that his eyes were narr
Fredrick’s POVI mentally prepared myself for my next words. They were going to be a lot harder on me than she would ever know.“You’ve helped enough.” I said looking right into her eyes.It dawned on me right then that I might need to say something drastic before she would actually stay away from this place and everything that had to do with Olpheus and his mate.“You’re the reason I’m even here in the first place.” The words were harsh. They sounded wrong, even to my own ears. I wanted to take it back when I saw the heart broken look on her face, but it was too late, the words had already been said.“Oh.” I could tell that she said it as a reflex. She was stunned, that much was obvious.She looked around the cold empty dungeon like it would give her the words to say. I looked at her, not knowing what to say to make things better.“I…” she trailed off, looking at a loss for words. She cleared her throat and started again. “I didn’t mean to.” She said, looking anywhere, but at me. “
Fredrick’s POVMy head hadn’t stopped banging since I was brought into the dungeons.I was sitting on the floor of my cellar, looking around the room in wonder.In all my days of working for Olpheus, not once did it ever occur to me that I would somehow end up on the other side of these metal bars.I looked around for the first time and I could really see the intention behind these cells.The goal was to isolate. Each cell was at least ten steps away from the other. I guess you couldn’t even make small talk with your fellow inmates. I took in a deep breath and closed my eyes. I could barely even think past the hammering ache in my head, but even with that I couldn’t get rid of the stinging pain of betrayal I felt towards Olpheus.I had been by his side for years. I had served him for so long that I could barely remember what it was like to ‘not’ serve him.My mind went back to the hard look in his eyes as he ordered the guards to lock me up.His eyes had looked like they were dead. I
The stronger his grip on my arm the fiercer my temper became. Everything about this situation was maddening, and I knew it wouldn’t be long before I practically exploded from the rage I felt building inside of me.“Let go.” I said the words as slowly as possible. I was doing everything I could to stop myself from snapping at him, and he definitely wasn’t helping matters.“I will not.” He said, right back at me. I felt my temper flare out of control, but before I could say a single word, he continued.“You are my treasure, Eloise. You are mine to love, to hold on to and to protect. I will do anything in my power to protect and treasure you.” He was looking at me like I held his world in my arms.I didn’t want to believe it, but something in me told me it was true, and I didn’t want to think about it even one bit.“Anyone that touches even the tiniest hair on your head will pay, and they will pay very dearly. No matter who it is.” It didn’t even matter when it was his best friend’s mat
Eloise’s POV My heart beat hard in my chest as I looked from Natalia to my mate. What was he going to do? It wasn’t her fault that I was holding the knife. Why was he taking things so far?“Olpheus,” I started, my voice sounding shaky even to my own ears. I took a deep breath and continued, “You don’t have to be so ridiculous, Olpheus. I did this to myself. No one should be blamed for my own-” I didn’t get to finish my sentence. “Shut up!” he growled, his eyes full of nothing but venom.My lips sealed on their own and my heart beat really hard in my chest. He had never spoken to me like that before, and hearing him talk to me like that sent a shiver of fear down my spine.I was lost in my thoughts, trying to wrap my head around the fact that he had spoken to me like that.I didn’t notice one of the men speaking up, but I was snapped back to reality when I noticed the tone he used.There was something fiercely possessive in his tone. When I looked back up, my eyes landed on Fredrick,
Eloise’s POVI woke to the sound of voices somewhere near me, but I didn’t open my eyes. I recognized Olpheus’s voice almost immediately, low and firm as he gave instructions to the maids. He sounded like he had been awake for a while, and from the movement around the room, I could tell they were already carrying out his orders.“Make sure her food is prepared properly. Everything she needs should be ready,” he instructed, his voice carrying easily through the room. I remained as still as I could beneath the covers, pretending like I was still sleeping as I listened to the activities going on around me.The maids continued moving around the room, their footsteps soft against the floor as they went about their work. I could hear dishes being arranged and utensils being moved, and every now and then, Olpheus’s voice rose above the quiet sounds as he gave another instruction. I listened to every word despite pretending not to, following his movements through the sound of his voice unt







