Essos wants me to trust him, but he used me as a pawn in his game with his brother. This whole fiasco is wearing on me, especially knowing that he and Zara are out there right now, their bodies wrapped around each other.
If he’s going to play games like this, I’m going to show him I’m not the type of woman to test.
CHAPTER15
Istand outside my door for a long moment, doubt already creeping in. Maybe it should be less about the game and more about putting all my cards on the table.
No. I’m a minnow swimming with sharks—I need to stick to my guns.
With a deep breath, I turn the nob and step inside.
A figure looks up from the chair in the corner of the room, and I stop short, a scream catching in my throat. I turn on the light.
“You can’t be in here,” I whisper to Galen, unsure what to do. I’m surprised that Galen just comes and goes from my room. I’m hardly prudish, but it doesn’t seem right for him to have that access. This is my space—my safe space. Sybil never explicitly said no men in our rooms, but then again, we’re all trying to earn the affection of one man, so I think it should go without saying.
I look past him out the window and see Essos and Zara splashing water at one another. Unable to bear another second of it, I cross the room and snap the curtains closed before turning back to Galen.
“You can’t be in here,” I repeat, as if he didn’t hear me the first time.
He stands, towering over me. “I know, but you saw something earlier when I touched you, and I want to see if I can help you remember more. Since I can’t explicitly tell you anything, maybe I can show you.”
I look at him, weighing his words. Taking my time, I recross my room and close the door, slowly turning over options in my head. Do I trust Galen? I’ve only just met him, but if these visions are real memories, then I used to know himquitewell. He’s also been more open with me than anyone else.
What about the dreams I had of Essos? Were those memories as well? Was I stuck in some menage-a-trois between two brothers? There are lines you don’t think you’ll cross, and then there arelinesyou don’tcross. I’ve made Essos work for my trust, but Galen seems to be offering me answers I’ve been unable to get—such as, maybe, an answer to why I’m having these dreams.
I need all the information that I can get, so I return to him. Reluctantly, I hold out my hands, permitting Galen to try. He slides his knuckles across my cheek before cupping my face instead, prompting flashes of images.
We’re lying in bed, no sheet to be found, both on our sides, our bodies bare. Everything feels like it’s been muted, the colors dull and lifeless.
“Husband,” I say haughtily.
He turns to me, a big smile on his face. “Yes, wife.”
I slide closer to him.“If you don’t perform your husbandly duties, I shall have no recourse but to divorce you and find a man who will ravish me hourly.”
He rolls on top of me, propped up on his elbows, before kissing me fully on the lips. “You are an insatiable woman. It’s only been 15 minutes.” But 15 minutes has clearly been enough time, as I feel his cock harden against me. Galen uses his knee to push my legs apart before settling between them, but instead of immediately giving me what I want, he opts to tease me, kissing my neck and breasts, stopping to suck on my nipple. My back arches, and a sound I had no idea I could make escapes my throat. He nuzzles my neck, working his way down. Impatient, I roll over so that I’m on top of him and in control of what happens. I slide myself onto him inch by inch until he’s seated inside me completely. A guttural moan slips from me as I move against him until we’re both satisfied.
I open my eyes and look at Galen in real time, pulling out of his reach.“What did you mean to show me?” I feel the flush on my skin, and I can see it on his too.
“I can’t say it. You need to be specific about what you saw.”
This game might be more frustrating than the one Essos is playing. I grind my teeth at this stupid rule but play along. “Our first night as husband and wife,” I state. It’s not a question.
He smiles. “Insatiable.”
I take another step away from him. He looks confused, then hurt.
“I think you need to leave,” I say firmly. I’m just as confused about this whole situation. Why would Essos want me to stay if he knew I was his brother’s wife at some point? Or does Essos not know—is that why I’m not allowed to tell anyone about the dreams?
I huff. They’re both using me in their game. I point at the door, not wanting to repeat myself.
He runs a hand through his hair and sulks toward the door. “You can’t tell anyone about this, Daphne. If Essos or anyone else knows that I’m opening up your memories, they will shut down the Calling. They will take you from me again. I won’t lose you to Essos again. When we were on the dance floor, you mentioned that you had a dream. Was it of Essos?” I don’t answer him, so he plows on. “I think he’s messing with your memories. If he’s not fabricating them, then he might be modifying them somehow. To help souls with traumatic pasts, he’s able to alter their memories so they can heal. Just be wary that he might be doing that do you.”
A chill runs through me, and I fight my shudder. “Don’t ambush me again,” I say as he opens the door and walks out. After I hear his footsteps receding, I dare a peek out the window to see if Zara and Essos are still there.
They are.
She’s in his arms, but it looks like she’s got a blanket or towel or something wrapped around her, so he’s not holding her naked body.