Sanria leaned heavily against Velentham's chest, her body numb. She wanted to cry, but whatever he was doing in her mind prevented her from shedding tears. Still, the deep sorrow pervaded her muscles, sitting there heavily, spreading apart the very fibers of her being until she felt nothing. There was nothing she could do. She'd seen the look of horror on his face and hoped it would be enough to spare her from bearing his child, but it wasn't. When he looked at her, she'd tried to keep the horror from her own face, but simply wasn't fast enough. Just as suddenly as he was disgusted, he was now in family mode. The idea that it would bond them sickened her.
There were no memories for Sanria to call upon. Her mind was blank as he held her tightly, squeezing her as though desiring to suffocate the life right out of her. At least he didn't smell like cigarettes anymore. Now he gave off a scent of sweat - sharp and acrid. In this moment, she could remember nothing and felt as though all there was in the world was this room and this man. The sensation caused her revolt, she could barely recall just the few moments past when she wanted to use the window to get out.
Sanria found herself pulled onto the bed, still cradled in the crushing embrace of Velentham's arms. He began to chuckle, quietly at first in a way that only shook his chest, then louder, blooming into a maniacal laugh. "What will they say when they find out, love? What will my cousin say when he discovers we've replaced his child with mine?"
The cousin... Sanria closed her eyes and breathed deeply, willing a memory to the fore of her mind. Gilean's face came in a shimmer and was abruptly wiped away. "Don't," Velentham's voice said, warning and rancor in his tone. "I don't want you thinking about that man, he's no longer in your life. Do you understand?"
"Yes," she whispered.
"Good. We need to get home soon. I don't want the product of our love to be born in this hovel."
'Product of our love?' Sanria questioned. She didn't love -
As though she'd spoken aloud, Velentham pushed her back enough to look into her eyes, his own glowing slightly. "You do. And you have more reason than ever to listen to me." He placed a hand on her stomach, his eyes never leaving her own. "We are now bonded completely."
"We're not married," she said. 'Not bonded,' she added mentally. "I will fix that. If it means so much, I will locate one of the mages in this town to do honors. Then we'll be remarried in the eyes of our people." "No -" But he cut her short with a glare. After a moment, he forced a smile. "You need to learn the right way to think, love. You are mine. You belong to and with me. You are bearing my child. We are now a family. Everything I do is for you, for us. I'll protect you, take care of you, and ensure you have everything you desire."
"Then let me go."
"That," he said, holding her tighter, "is absolutely out of the question."
