His jaw tightened. “I’m not fond of boys, Cosima.”
“Then what’s the issue?”
“I’ve told You, we hardly know one another.”
She pursed Her lips. “You are being very difficult.”
“Cosima—”
“Your Holiness! I am Your Holiness, The Savior, Ruler of the realm. And when I need you to behave, you will shut up, play your part, and do as I say!”
Tobias froze, staring at the Creature before him. The two sat in stunned silence before Cosima’s cheeks morphed from furious red back to their usual pink.
“Apologies, I seem to have lost My temper. Oh My, that was in awfully poor taste, wasn’t it?”
Tobias’s body thawed, anger beating in his chest like a drum.
“Oh, Artist, I wasn’t trying to upset you,” She said. “Come now, have some wine. I didn’t mean to bite.”
She filled his chalice and offered it his way, though he didn’t budge.
“It’s the stress of it all. Even a Woman such as myself has moments of weakness.” She set his chalice aside, resting Her hand on his leg. “What I meant to say was, we all have our place in this world, and indeed within this palace. It’s important we respect these positions in order to uphold the natural order of things. It’s for our own good—and for the protection of those we care for.” She squeezed his leg, digging in with Her nails. “You understand, yes?”
I hate You. I fucking hate You.
“Artist?”
He forced the words out through gritted teeth. “Apologies, Your Holiness. Of course I understand.”
She smiled. “That’s so good to hear. You are My favorite after all. I like you a great deal. Would you like Me to show you just how much?”
She nuzzled Her face into his, though nothing about it felt like affection. This was about control.
As Her lips greeted his, his body rebelled. She kissed him with such fervent desire, Her hands crawling all over his body while his were balled into fists. She came in closer, pressing Her breasts to his chest, and a moan escaped Her throat. She’s faking it. She had to be, as each kiss was awkward at best, and that moan sounded so intentional, so forced. God, She’s phony. God, I hate Her. He kissed Her harder, tempted to bite down on Her lip, to inflict pain. My luck She’d enjoy that. She’d want more. And he simply wanted it to end.
“See? Nice and relaxed,” She whispered.
Her hand slithered up his thigh again, and his nerve endings screamed. Her touch was an assault to his pride, Her taunts enough to demean him, but when Leila’s visage swept through his mind, all of that gave way to sickness.
As Her hand made the leap from leg to cock, he tore his lips from Hers.
“Get off me.”
He shoved Her away and barreled to the door.
Tobias exploded into the corridor, a mess of anxiety. He hadn’t a clue where he was headed, but he knew what he was looking for: one familiar face amid the slew of people gaping as he jetted past.
“Delphi!”
Startled, she spun around. “Tobias?”
He staggered to a stop, barely catching his breath. “Where’s Leila?”
“What?”
“Where is she? Where’s Leila?”
“She’s in her chamber,” she said.
“Where’s her chamber?”
“You can’t go there.”
“Just tell me, please!”
She hesitated, then cocked her head at a nearby staircase. “To the left. The golden door.”
He bolted down the stairs and veered left, nearly knocking over passing staff. The door glistened in the distance, and he broke into a sprint.
“Stop!”
He skidded to a halt. A guard stood before him, a spear in hand.
“State your purpose,” the guard barked.
Tobias hesitated, confused. “I need to see Leila.”
“No one’s permitted in this room.”
“Is this Leila’s chamber?” Tobias eyed the door. “I need to speak with her.”
“You have to leave at once,” the guard said.
“It’s very important. It’ll only take a second.”
“If you don’t leave, I’ll be forced to remove you—”
“Goddammit, just let me pass!”
The door flung open. “What’s going on…?” Leila froze. “Tobias?”
“Leila.” He exhaled, weaving his way into her room.
The guard stalked after him. “He can’t just—”
“Oh, shut up.” She slammed the door in his face.
Tobias stopped in the center of the room, steadying his breathing. Leila waited by the door in a black lace robe, her eyes reflecting her hurt.
“What are you doing here?”
He swallowed, building his courage. “I had to see you.”
“Why?”
“You know why.” He took a step closer to her. “Because what happened the other day was wrong. Because I made a mistake.”