Chapter 39: A Shift in Power

Returning to the castle, Lavinia retreated upstairs to her shared bedroom with Isaac. It struck her in that moment: the irony that they only were able to sleep as a pair in enemy territory. When she opened the door she saw Isaac was already there, asleep on top of the comforter. She paused for a second, watching his chest rise and fall peacefully.

All her stress from the moment before subsided as she watched Isaac sleep. The panic and urgency that had risen in her chest from talking to Sonia seemed less material now. She sat down on the side of the bed and reached to gently touch Isaac’s hands. He stirred slightly, returning her grip, but did not wake up. Lavinia smiled, leaning down to brush Isaac’s hair out of his face. He shifted, turning onto his side, his momentum pulling Lavinia with him. Curling around her, his hands unconsciously circled her waist.

Lavinia sighed lightly as Isaac pressed his face against the back of her neck. She knew she needed to talk to him, to explain how their situation had changed now that Sonia was in on their plan, but she could not bring herself to interrupt Isaac’s embrace. She could only lean back against him, enjoying the calm silence of the moment. Lavinia closed her eyes and settled back against Isaac’s chest.

It was a long time before Lavinia sat up again. When she did, she saw that the light in the room had changed. Everything had gotten darker and the rays that filtered in bathed the bed in the warm colors of sunset. Lavinia realized she had fallen asleep next to Isaac. As she moved away from him, she saw him open his eyes and look towards her.

“When did you join me?” he asked groggily.

“Earlier. I don’t remember exactly when.”

Isaac stretched, winding his arms back around Lavinia. “Marco had me running around all day carrying furniture. They have a massive amphitheater in the back with all these rows and rows of stone benches. He refused to lift together and tried to show off by hefting them himself. I think it was all in an effort to out-man me in some petty way.”

“You couldn’t handle lifting a few benches? Maybe you have gone soft.”

“Oh?” Isaac sat up, looking down at Lavinia. He swung one leg over her waist and leaned forward. With one hand he pulled both of her wrists above her head. “Have I?”

Lavinia pushed against him, trying to lift herself out from under him. His hands did not budge. Isaac smiled at the soft sounds of effort that Lavinia could not hold back. Pressing closer, he kissed the exposed side of her neck.

“Does this feel like I’ve gone soft?”

Lavinia shook her head.

“What was that?”

“No. It doesn’t.”

“Good girl.” With his free hand, he tipped her chin up to kiss her. As he felt her melt into him, Isaac bit her lip, drawing blood. The kiss muffled Lavinia’s gasp. Lowering his hand to her waist, Isaac’s fingertips dug into her ribs, blossoming pain across her torso. Lavinia leaned up into his hand, wanting him to push harder.

“Is this in response to last time?” Lavinia asked breathlessly.

“To when I gave you control?” Isaac shook his head. “I am not so insecure that giving you power threatens me. I am more than happy to relinquish control to you. As long as you know how easily I can take it back from you.”

Isaac let her wrists go. She instantly started to raise her hands to touch Isaac. He leaned back.

“Oh no you don’t. Keep your hands where I put them, dear.”

Lavinia slowly lowered her hands. “Or else what?”

Isaac took his hand and fit it around her neck, lightly pressing his thumb and ring finger to either side. “Or I’ll make sure you are unable to hold them up.”

Lavinia glared up at Isaac through her lashes, considering. Experimentally she picked both of her hands up off the pillow. Isaac pushed on either said of her throat. He felt her shiver under him, closing her eyes. Lavinia could feel herself starting to get lightheaded, her hands losing their grip. They fell back to the bed weakly as she started to feel dizzy. A haze came over her eyes and she lost Isaac’s smirk in the blur. Isaac pressed his lips to her jaw, kissing up behind her ear.

He lifted his hand off of her neck and blood rushed back to her head. She felt her face flush as her senses rushed back. She opened her eyes to stare half-lidded back up at Isaac.

“What?” he crooned, half mocking. “Too much for you?”

“Not at all,” Lavinia panted. “Just a lot.”

Isaac laid down, putting all his weight on top of Lavinia. She tangled her fingers into his hair, gently stroking it.

“Sonia knows,” Lavinia mumbled, barely moving.

“What?” Isaac shot up, disentangling himself from Lavinia and sitting back on his heels. “Why didn’t you say anything? We need to-”

“It’s all right,” Lavinia sat up. “She isn’t going to foil us. She understands what we’re dealing with.”

“There’s no way you can trust her! Sonia’s loyalty to the pack is too strong. No matter what she told you, they will always come first.”

“I’m not so sure,” Lavinia took Isaac’s hand in her own, trying to calm him down. “I don’t think she’s satisfied with her station.”

“She’s the daughter of an industry giant. An heiress. What more could she want?”

“You’re speaking as the firstborn son. Sonia cannot inherit any of Mr. Brogan’s business. Not with Marco ahead of her. That’s why she was so interested in you.”

“In me?”

Lavinia rolled her eyes, exasperated. “You’re joking, right? All she does is make eyes at you and try to touch you. I know you aren’t blind.”

“That’s just what girls are like. She’s not particularly-”

“Isaac, girls act like that because they’re interested in you. You’re just too spoiled and arrogant to realize that isn’t the norm.”

Isaac sat silently for a moment, trying not to look smug. Lavinia pushed him back and he overbalanced.

“Anyway, now we have someone on the inside,” Lavinia said. “She knows the ins and outs of her family and can help us.”

“I still don’t trust her.”

“We’ll just need to be careful. Only tell her part of the plan. In case she double crosses us.”