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He’s angry. He just woke up. I can’t understand how he’s mad this early in the morning.

I want to ask if there is anything I can do to make it better, but it’s best I leave him alone. Maybe he just needs some space.

While he gets dressed, I go into the bathroom to brush my teeth. I wash my face and put on makeup. Xadrian says I’m too pale and need some color on my face. He thinks I look better with makeup, so I’ve been using it. I’m not great at it, but if it’s what he wants, I’ll do it. Anything to make him happy.

“You have five minutes to finish getting ready. I have a meeting,” he barks as he storms out of the room.

I didn’t realize he had a meeting this morning. If I had, I would have woken him up earlier, but he never tells me these things. How does he expect me to help him if he won’t tell me things?

I finish up in the bathroom, then hurry out of the room and down the hall to the dining room. He isn't there, so I go to his office next. He expects us to have every meal together, so I need to find him for breakfast. The door is slightly open and I hear him speaking to someone angrily when I stop beside it.

“I don’t understand why this is happening. Why is she so goddamn clingy? I just wanted her to behave, not be up my ass twenty-four-seven. I can’t even breathe for fuck’s sake.”

“She’s just doing what she thinks you want. That’s how the spell works. It pulls out certain emotions. Heightens them. She’ll need some training.”

“I don’t have time to train her! I just want a wife who will do as she is told. Keep her mouth shut, unless it’s to suck my dick. Which, quite frankly, I don’t even want her to do anymore.”

“Perhaps you should go back to your old ways, then.”

“Looks like I’ll have to. Being nice didn’t fucking work, but the last thing I want is a used up loose pussy. It’s bad enough she was fucking around with that sickly-looking blood sucker up top.”

Up top? I’ve never been topside. I’ve only ever been here. But he said wife, which is me. Who could he be talking about then? None of this makes sense.

I blink a few times, my mind feeling fuzzy. I walk away from the office and go back to the dining room to wait for him. Whatever he’s dealing with must be stressing him out. I’ll have to come up with a way to help him with that. Some way that won’t make it worse, but instead better. He’s my husband, I love him, and it’s my responsibility to make him happy.

It’s been another week and my husband is still angry. I wish I knew why. If I did, I could fi it. I’m here, loving him, willing to do anything for him, and he can’t even stand to look at me. He’s threatened to send me to the dungeons, but he wouldn’t actually do that, would he?

I just wish he would talk to me—

Heavy footsteps sound in the hall, so I jump up from my chair and go out there. Xadrian is walking by just as I step through the door.

“Hey,” I say with a smile.

“I don’t have time for you, Azizia,” he growls.

I hurry after him.

“But I was hoping we could talk.”

He stops, whirls on me, and then his hand is on my throat. He slams me against the wall, my head hitting so hard I see stars. I cry out, my hands going to his arm to pull him off me. He’s squeezing my throat so tight I think he may crush it.

“Hiring Prazin to fix you was the worst mistake I have ever made. If you don’t back the fuck off and give me some space, I will give you to Selvor and allow him to do what he pleases with you, including giving you to his men.”

My eyes widen and I open my mouth to beg him not to do that, to ask why he would do that. Why would he want his wife to be with other men? That’s terrible! I’ve only ever been with Xadrian. I could never do such a thing. Meaning they would… they’d force me! The thought has tears coming to my eyes.

With a growl, he shoves off me and storms away. I slink to the floor and cry quietly, hugging myself.

I cry until my tears run dry. Then I sit there until I muster up the energy to get to my feet.

Obviously my husband is having a really bad day today. I should leave him alone, and try again tomorrow.

Sniffing, I head down the hall and down the grand staircase that leads to the front of the mansion to make my way to the library. Reading usually helps my mood. Getting lost in a book, in another world, makes life good for just a little while.

I’ve just reached the bottom landing when there’s a loud bang on the front door. Then another, and another.

The door bursts open and in runs a man who, for some reason, looks familiar.

“Azizia! Azizia, thank fuck. I’m here, baby. I’m…” The man grunts as he runs into the foyer, but slows as he looks around. He takes in our surroundings before his eyes settle on me again. Mine widen. This man looks… ill. But he’s so familiar. Yet, I don’t think I know him. His brow furrows as he comes toward me, hesitantly reaching out to grab my shoulders.