Chapter 26: Wraith

Chapter

Twenty-Six

WRAITH

T he heavy doors swing open.

Sound of the stone grating makes my sharp teeth itch.

Not as bad as the feeling of being watched.

Eyes that burn into me as we reenter the dining hall.

Only one thing keeps me from bolting.

Ivy's small hand in mine.

Her touch anchors me.

The plush carpet muffles our footsteps.

But each step feels like thunder in my chest.

We near our seats.

Eyes.

So many eyes.

All on me.

On my exposed face.

My scars.

My monstrous sharp teeth.

I fight the urge to roar.

To snarl at the staring attendants.

To prove I'm the beast they think I am.

But Ivy's grip tightens.

I swallow the growl building in my throat.

For her.

Always for her.

We reach our chairs.

Mine looks impossibly delicate.

Like it might shatter under my bulk.

Lower myself carefully.

Too aware of how I dwarf everything around me.

How I don't belong in this perfect place.

Ivy settles beside me.

Her presence soothes the beast within.

The beast I am.

I focus on her scent.

The scent of my sun.

Honeysuckle and spun gold.

Brighter than anything in Surhiira.

Her scent drowns out the other overwhelming aromas.

Rich meats.

Sweet spicy wines.

Perfumes that scorch my nose.

Breathe.

Just breathe.

In through the nose.

Out through the horrible jaws.

Like Ivy showed me.

Smell of food makes my mouth water.

Haven't eaten in a long time.

Not more than a bite.

Chest aches with hunger.

But I can't.

Not here.

Not with all these eyes on me.

Told Ivy I would.

But can't.

Imagine trying to eat with my mangled mouth.

The tearing.

The mess.

The disgust on their faces.

I eat like a wild animal.

Like a rabid beast.

No.

Better to go hungry.

An attendant appears at my elbow.

She reaches for my empty glass.

The sudden movement startles me.

I flinch violently.

Arm jerks out to protect myself from false threat.

The delicate crystal glass shatters.

Dark red wine spreads across the white tablecloth.

Like blood.

Like so much blood I've spilled.

Silence falls.

All eyes on me again.

Shame burns through me, hot and choking.

I want to disappear.

To sink into the floor and never resurface.

I brace myself for the disgust.

The anger.

The rejection that always follows me.

But it doesn't come.

Then Whiskey moves.

His elbow hits his glass.

Spills it everywhere.

"Fuck!" he hisses. "These things knock over easily."

Stare at him.

He stares back at me.

He grins a little.

Why?

Did he do that on purpose?

"It's quite alright."

The queen's voice cuts through the silence.

Her tone is gentle.

Understanding.

Like a song.

Nothing like the cold cruelty I'm used to.

"We have plenty of tablecloths," she adds.

She laughs a little.

She gestures to an attendant.

They hurry to clean up the mess.

Within moments, the spilled wine is gone.

New glass appears before me.

And a new glass appears before Whiskey.

As if nothing happened.

As if I didn't just prove how much I don't belong here.

I stare at the queen.

Can't comprehend her kindness.

In my world, mistakes are punished.

Harshly.

Especially by leaders.

But here...

Here, they act like it's nothing.

Like I'm not a monster in their midst.

I look over at Whiskey.

I'm still so confused.

He winks at me.

Why is he winking?

Is something in his eye?

Wait…

Did he do that to help me blend in?

Ivy's small hand finds mine under the table.

She squeezes gently.

Meeting her gaze unmasked makes me nervous.

Hell, even makes me nervous with a mask.

But I see only warmth there.

No judgment.

Just love.

I squeeze back.

Careful not to hurt her with my strength.

She smiles.

And for a moment, I forget where we are.

Forget the perfect world around us.

The strangers.

The weight of expectations.

It's just us.

Then I notice the tightness around her eyes.

Her gaze darts around the room.

Never settling.

Always watching.

Always wary.

She's uncomfortable too.

This world of silk and crystal is as alien to her as it is to me.

Protective instincts flare in my chest.

I may feel like a monster here.

But I know my purpose.

I know why I exist.

It's to keep her safe.

To shield her from harm.

Even if that harm is just discomfort.

And I can endure anything for her.

Will endure anything for her.

Even this.