Vaaden Captives 2: Enid by Jessica Coulter Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

decision,” a female voice replied, and I knew it had to be Danai. Even her voice was pleasing, every bit as beautiful as she was.
    Fighting back tears, I quietly slipped down the hall to the bedroom, unable to hear another word. My heart was breaking and I knew I had no one to blame but myself. I should have known better than to think he could ever love me. It would have been better if I truly had prepared myself for his marriage.
    Once locked safely in the bedroom, I threw myself on the bed and cried. Sobbing until I thought I couldn’t shed one more tear, I finally stripped out of my clothes and got in the shower, hoping the warm water would soothe me. If nothing else, it would muffle the sound of my crying. The last thing I wanted was for Bastian to know how much his upcoming marriage affected me. It was like an arrow piercing my heart.
    I realized in that moment that I couldn’t bear to share him. Knowing he was sleeping with both me and his wife would break me. When he came upstairs, I would request that he send me back to the slave quarters. At least then, I wouldn’t have to watch his courtship.
    Getting out of the shower, I pulled out the slave garment I had packed, in the event I ever needed it. I slipped it over my head and went to sit on the bed to wait on Bastian.
    It was a while later that he finally came to the bedroom. When he did, I could see that my choice of clothing surprised him.
    “Enid, why are you wearing that?”
    I took a breath to steady my nerves and give me strength. “I think it’s best if I move back to the slave quarters.”
    He grew still and studied my face. “You heard.” I nodded and averted my eyes.
    “You do realize why I have to consider this marriage, don’t you?”
    “Yes, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.” He stiffened and folded his arms over his chest. “You’re a slave, Enid. You don’t get to have an opinion on the matter. If I wish to marry, I will.”

    49
    I blanched. He’d never spoken to me that way and I knew it was a sign of bad things to come. He’d just turned into his brother.
    * * *
    In the end, I won and moved back into the slave quarters. I missed him when he wasn’t around and knew he was with her , which made me angry with him when he was around.
    His brother came to visit every now and then, and I started to welcome his visits.
    He never made any advances toward me, just came and talked, and kept me company to keep me from being lonely. We’d formed an awkward friendship of sorts, and I never really understood why he came. I was thankful for his company regardless. Rheul couldn’t replace Bastian, but at least he took my mind off my problems.
    “Enid, have you talked to Bastian about how you feel?” he asked one day.
    “It won’t do any good. I tried to talk to him before I moved back here.”
    “He said you requested the move.”
    I looked away. “I couldn’t bear to see him with her. Besides, if he marries, I would have to move back here anyway.”
    Rheul sighed and stood, ready to leave. “What if you had visitors?”
    “I thought I did. You’re here, aren’t you?”
    “That isn’t what I meant. What if Valen and Sorcha came to visit?” I looked at him in surprise. “Do you think Bastian would agree to that?”
    “What he doesn’t know, won’t hurt any of us,” he mumbled and I realized he was going to defy his brother.
    “Why would you do that?”
    “I think it would be good for you. Besides, you’re depressed and you’re losing weight.”
    I couldn’t deny what he said. Every time I looked in the mirror, I started to see the woman who had come here from the cell. It wasn’t a change I could stop. Only Bastian could make it stop, and it was becoming apparent that wouldn’t happen. I knew

    50
    it was only a matter of time before he came and gave me the news of his impending marriage.
    “If you can bring Sorcha with you, I would appreciate it. Having another woman around would be nice.”
    He nodded.