Chapter 8

As Lysander and I stepped into my bedroom, the air felt charged with tension. The door clicked shut behind us, and it was like the walls were closing in, isolating us from everything outside. The soft light from the lamps created long shadows that only added to the uneasy feeling churning in my stomach.

I tried to calm my breathing, but it was tough with Lysander looming so close. He scanned the room with a detached curiosity, his eyes icy and calculating. I could sense his gaze even when he wasn’t looking directly at me, and it sent chills down my spine.

“Why did you bring me here?” I asked, attempting to sound more self-assured than I actually felt. My voice trembled a bit, giving away my anxiety.

Finally, Lysander’s eyes met mine, dark and intense. “I wanted to talk about a few things in private. Ava tends to downplay serious issues.”

I let out a sigh, my shoulders drooping. “Ava wasn’t trying to downplay anything. She was just dealing with the situation in her own way.”

For a fleeting moment, Lysander’s expression softened, a surprising warmth in his eyes that was a stark contrast to his usual coldness. “You don’t have to defend her. I get that she’s trying to look out for you in her own way.”

I stared at him, trying to untangle the mix of feelings swirling in him. “Look out for me? From what?”

His expression turned serious again. “From me. And from what might follow.”

I took a step back, my heart racing. “What do you mean by that? I’m not some trophy to be won or lost.”

Lysander’s gaze locked onto mine, his face unreadable. “I’m not here to win or lose you. I’m here to ensure you grasp the terms of our agreement.”

His words sent chills through me. There was something in his voice that felt both comforting and menacing. “You’re not planning to push anything on me before the wedding, right?” I asked, trying to keep my tone steady.

Lysander’s lips turned up in a subtle, mysterious smile. “I promise, nothing will happen before our wedding. But you need to realize there are certain expectations and rules.”

While his promise seemed reassuring, the underlying threat was unmistakable. It made me more uneasy than I wanted to admit.

Lysander quickly changed the subject, as if he could sense my discomfort. “Let’s discuss your safety.”

I blinked, trying to get my bearings. “My safety? What do you mean by that?”

“I’ll be assigning Dante to protect you until the wedding,” he stated, his tone all business.

Frustration bubbled up inside me. “And what about Rosy? What if she’s in danger with someone like Dante around?”

Lysander’s eyes narrowed slightly, showing a hint of irritation. “Rosy will be fine. Dante is reliable, and he’ll keep you safe.”

The way he said it felt more like a command than a reassurance, deepening my unease. “But what about my freedom? I don’t want to feel like I’m locked up in my own home.”

Lysander’s gaze didn’t waver. “You’re not locked up. You’re just under my protection. There’s a difference.”

I felt a lump in my throat, my anxiety rising. “I don’t know if I can deal with this. I feel suffocated.”

Lysander’s expression softened again, but his eyes remained intense. “I know this is tough, but you have to trust that I’m doing this for your own good. And for everyone’s safety.”

As he spoke, I couldn’t shake the feeling that his words were more about control than concern. The more he talked, the more I felt trapped, with no way out.

I glanced at my bed, a stark reminder of the upcoming wedding night and the uncertainty it brought. The bed felt like it was taunting me, a reminder of all the things I wasn’t ready to confront. It made me feel more alone and trapped than I had ever felt before.

Lysander being in my room, with his comforting words and promises of safety, was like a double-edged sword. Sure, he was trying to reassure me, but at the same time, it felt like he was pushing his own agenda, leaving me feeling pretty powerless.

As Lysander turned to leave, I couldn’t help but ask, my voice trembling, “If you’re so concerned about my safety, then why does it feel like I’m walking into a trap?”