Chapter 29: Stripped of Warmth
Lily’s spoon slipped from her hand and clattered to the floor.
Her heart pounded in her chest. Her knees hit the ground beside his chair as she dropped in front of him, head bowed, hands trembling as they gripped the hem of his pants.
‘Please. Don’t make me go.’
She didn’t have a voice, but everything in her posture—her trembling fingers, her wide, desperate eyes—screamed the words she couldn’t speak. She kept shaking her head, pleading to not go.
Zayn looked down at her, frowning.
“Get up,” he said quietly.
She shook her head fiercely, tears already spilling down her cheeks. She then grabbed his boot tight, trying to stay grounded, trying to plead. Her lips moved, trying to form words that wouldn’t come.
“This isn’t a choice,” he said firm and cold, “You will attend whether you like it or not. That is an order.”
He stood from the chair, stepping away from her grip. He called for the guards outside to enter the dining hall and gave them orders, “Take her to the guest room. Prepare her for the dance.”
Lily tried to grab at him again, but the guards caught her arms, pulling her back.
She started crying, deep ugly sobs that tore through the quiet dining hall. Her legs kicked weakly, her hands clawed at the air. She shook her head over and over again as if that alone could change his mind.
Zayn didn’t turn around.