Page 15 of Degradation

Leaving here might be saving me from one horrific fate, but I have no idea what dangers could be out there, could be lurking.

I shut my eyes, swallowing the lump in my throat, and continue on, past that tempting oak door and down the staircase towards the kitchens. But as my feet find the final step, I hear voices. Hushed voices.

“...just trust the process.”

“She’s barely more than a child, Pearce.”

“And all the better for it. She’s easier to mould, to bend.”

I freeze, pressing myself against the cold wall, listening to what I know I shouldn’t be hearing.

“She will do her duty.” He continues. “She will give him sons, and then we will make our move.”

“You’re so certain of it.”

“Vera,” My uncle half snaps, “you know as well as I that this is the right path. I’m done having our lives dictated to, I’m done bending to the wills of them, those bloody Americans. With Paitlyn’s bloodline, we can change everything.”

I hear my mother huff; I hear her make that same sound she always does when she’s not convinced but can’t be bothered to argue anymore.

“Just do your part,” My uncle instructs. “Ensure Paitlyn does hers, and in a few years’ time, we’ll be laughing.”

I wrinkle my nose at the tone. It’s obvious what he’s implying, that they sell me out, use me, and when Guntherfinally becomes too frail to rule, Pearce will step in, he will control everything.

I’m being set up, sold, just as I knew I was, but it’s not for my own future, it’s for theirs.

I shut my eyes, trying to steady the panic that threatens to overwhelm me.

I could run. I could run right now and then…The sound of approaching footsteps makes my stomach drop in horror. One of them is heading for the door, heading right to where I am.

I don’t doubt that if they catch me here, eavesdropping, my uncle will certainly beat me. He’s not opposed to getting his hands dirty when it suits him, and I’m sure he’d rather I walk down the aisle as a battered bride then not at all.

I swallow down the cry and sprint back down the hall, I just need to get back to my room, back to my bed and pretend none of this happened.

And then what? The thought hits me as I make it up the stairs, as I get onto the ornate landing of the second floor.

“Where have you been?” Rebecca hisses, grabbing my arm, hauling me the last of the way to my bedroom.

“I was just…”

“Never mind.” She says quickly. “Get into bed, they’ll be checking in on you any moment.”

I nod my head, rushing over to where the fourposter is, and I slip under the covers, pulling them up enough to hide my face because I doubt I can keep any sort of control over my features.

Tomorrow, I marry Gunther. Tomorrow, I become Chapter Lady.

I can’t get out of it. I can’t escape this.

I’m fucked. Completely and utterly fucked.

Devin

My eyes scan the ornate interior of the Cathedral, the scent of incense is heavy in the air. The stained glass casts a kaleidoscope of colours onto the stone floor, and for a moment, I allow myself to appreciate the quiet before the inevitable storm.

Mace’s voice crackles in my earpiece, a low grumble about Gunther’s paranoia. I don’t disagree, but I keep my thoughts to myself. The Chapter Lord’s fears might be unfounded, but they’re not mine to judge.

I move through the space with practiced precision, my gloved hands brushing over the wooden pews, checking for anythingout of place, anything that might pose a threat. The silence is punctuated only by the distant echo of the High Priest’s commands and the occasional rustle of robes.

For a moment my mind flickers to the blushing bride. The girl with the impossibly slim waist. She’s in here somewhere, sequestered, being sanctified and prepared for her big day. My eyes glance at the giant stone where she’ll be laid out and checked while we all watch on. I wonder what they will do if the little bitch turns out to be not as pure as they all expect. What will Gunther do? The scandal will no doubt ricochet, reverberate. Our dear Chapter Lord would be humiliated, especially after all the trouble he went to, to secure his precious bride.