บททั้งหมดของ Bride Of The Beast: บทที่ 131 - บทที่ 140

RavenThe silver embroidery on my tunic felt tighter every morning.Over the days following the feast, my stomach had rounded into an unmistakable swell, firm against my palms whenever I laid in bed. With every passing day, the small, fluttering kicks against my ribs grew stronger, constant reminders of the life growing inside me.The way my stomach had swelled I could have sworn it was more than one. Even Eilis agreed with me.And with every passing day, the terror in my chest grew right along with it.It wasn't even the physical fear of giving birth, though the agonizing memory of the hemorrhage still made my breath hitch whenever a sharp twinge rippled through my lower back. It was the calendar. The changing leaves outside the tall narrow windows, the growing chill in the evening winds, all pointing toward a day I dreaded more than death itself.My birthday was coming.The day my body would fully settle, the day the remaining traces of the concealment spell would wear thin, and th

RavenI sighed as I sat down, the thick furs wrapped around my shoulders and the heated stones placed beneath my feet kept the chill from settling into my bones.Every movement required effort, but Eilis had insisted on sitting right beside my raised dais, his gold eyes sweeping the courtroom, watching the guards, the humans and every single person who dared enter the hall."If you feel tired, we can end this," Eilis murmured softly under his breath, leaning over the arm of his carved chair so only I could hear. "You don't need to sit through these disputes today, Raven.""I am fine," I whispered back, offering him a small smile. "It gives me something to do other than stare at the bedchamber walls."In truth, judging the tribunal cases gave me a sense of purpose. In this room, I wasn't just the Consort carrying the royal heir, I was grounded, and people looked to me for justice. Though most of the time I didn't want to be the judge, so the king had taken pity on me and gave me only

RavenThe third day came and went, but Eilis didn't return.By the evening of the fourth day, the sky over the castle had turned a dark grey. A harsh winter wind blew off the mountains, rattling the thick glass windows in our bedchamber.I couldn't sleep, and I couldn't sit still. My lower back was aching constantly. I spent most of the afternoon pacing small laps across the rug, my hand pressed flat over my belly to support the weight of the baby."You should rest your feet, Raven," Calani said, stepping into the room with a fresh tray of water and clean towels. "Pacing like this will only wear you out.""He said three days, Calani," I said, stopping by the window to stare out into the dark courtyard below. "It's been four. There hasn't been a single rider sent back with news.""The east pass is rough terrain," she reasoned gently, placing the tray on the side table. "If it rained or snowed up in the pines, the roads would be blocked. He will be back.""I know, but even the King is n

RavenI burst into the corridor, my shoulder slamming hard against the doorframe as I stumbled out.The two royal guards posted outside immediately whipped around, their hands flying to the hilted swords at their belts."My consort!" the first guard shouted, his eyes darting over my disheveled hair, my bare feet, and the terror on my face. "What's wrong? What happened?"I couldn't form words. My lungs burned, and my stomach was tight. I didn't stop to explain. I just backed away down the hallway, pointing a trembling hand toward the open door of our bedchamber."Inside," I gasped out. "Don't—"The guards didn't wait for me to finish. The second guard drew his blade, stepping cautiously up to the threshold and peering inside the darkened room.I watched his face. In an instant, his eyes widened in horror.Before he could draw a breath to sound an alarm, a hand shot out from the shadow of the doorway.A sickening crunch echoed through the quiet corridor, followed by a choked scream.M

"Is that what you want, my sweet?" His warm hands caressed my body as he gently undressed me, unbuttoning my pants and easing them down my hips.I trembled under him, my mind at war with itself over what to do. Should I fight and make it harder for myself, or allow him to do whatever he wanted, with the promise that he would keep his word?"Just play along, pretty please? I don't want to hurt you. You don't want me to hurt the baby, right?"He carefully lifted my shirt over my head, his eyes never leaving mine, and every touch sent shivers down my spine. "How are you going to please me tonight?"I was smart enough to realize the indirect threat: no one was coming to save me. I was on my own, so why make it harder for myself? Pulse racing, I pulled my feet up onto the mattress and spread my legs, exposing myself willingly.His nostrils flared, and he pushed my thighs farther apart. "Look at how pretty you are, being so forthcoming. I scared you, didn't I?"Heat filled the gold eyes tha