Bound

Author's note: I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone reading! This is the first series I've ever written, and I'm incredibly grateful for your feedback and encouragement. Constructive criticism is always welcome. This is the second chapter of what I hope will be a longer series. There's a lot of detailed setup in the beginning, but I promise the pace will pick up in the next chapter!

Disclaimer: This is an entirely fiction story, if you don not like noncon/reluctance this will not be for you

I wake up the next morning feeling uneasy. I'm unsure if my father made it home at night. Surly he went to go gamble his last coin away or is passed out somewhere on the street completely inebriated. I am not sure how I am going to face him...

should I apologize?

For what. That

beast

is the one who has wronged

me

!

Should I pretend as if nothing happened...

I shake my head trying to put the thoughts from my mind. No --- he won't be home. He's certainly unconscious in a ditch somewhere, and there's no point worrying myself over something that won't happen.

I throw on my shoes and cap, having already been dressed in my clothes from yesterday. And start to head downstairs.

My face pales. And air is forced from my lungs.

I see my father downstairs staring at me with a look I can't quite comprehend.

Is it anger?

No.

Guilt?

Definitely not. Then realization hits me, and I feel a surprising jolt shoot down my spine.

Fear

What could have happened that would make my father act this way? Millions of thoughts flood my mind and I myself being to feel the crippling effects of fear. What or who could have caused this? And why is my father looking at me this way? He is the first to break the silence, snapping me out of thought.

"My dear, please. Something has happened and I'm in need of your assistance. I need your help, daughter"

He needs my help? What could he possibly need my help for?

I don't possess anything that has ever interested him before. Nor do I have any particularly helpful talents. I stared at him dumbfounded, still in disbelief of having had the words

my dear

and

daughter

spoken in the same sentence. Not having the words to respond to his outlandish request.

Realizing that I am not going to respond, he continues.

"I have gotten myself in some trouble with some of the boys down at the parlor. We got into a friendly game of blackjack. You know I'm an honest man. But your old dad here's been a bit down on his luck. Now, I'm not proud of this next part. But....I rigged the deck. I was trying to put some food on the table for us my dear, you understand, don't you?"

He looks at me waiting for a response, but I don't give him one. He continues, "I took my earnings and left to go acquire some funds in another game but --- I lost it. Unfortunately, the boys caught on and exposed me, the man who I had gotten the money from came and found me. It turns out he's a rather important man...just my luck, eh?.....oh my dear! He was a KINGSMAN! A guard at Lord Steel's estate! He said he'll have me stoned in the street if I don't give him the money back by tomorrow! PLEASE, please daughter help me. You must help me! You are my only hope."

I stare at him with my jaw open, a look of disbelief etched on my face. I try to make sense of the information he has just forced on me. Not knowing what to say to this horrific ordeal.

"How much?" I hear myself saying, not realizing that I had even spoken.

"Two hundred pounds.." ---

"You stole two hundred pounds from a kingsgaurd!?! Are you mad! I always knew you were a drunken fool but I never expected you to do something like this! How could you?!" I shouted. I couldn't believe it. Couldn't even imagine it. How could he have put our lives in danger like that, just so he could feed his disgusting habits.

"I am a fool. Yes! You must help me my daughter. If you have any love left in your blackened heart for the man who has raised you since infancy. My own flesh and blood. You will help me." He sobbed.

I stood there looking him, not believing that the same man who just yesterday I was so afraid of ---who wrapped his hands around my neck and defiled his own child, could be laying in front of me sobbing like babe in a pathetic heap on the floor. Begging for

me,

of all people, to help

him

?

I wanted to refuse, to look him in the eyes and laugh in his face, leaving him on the floor to cry as he did to me. How dare he say that he's raised me! Ever since the passing of my mother the only thing he's cared for was his drinking habit. He has done nothing but make my life hell for the past ten years.

Yet...

A memory flashes into my mind of being sick as a child. I was often ill back then, and my mother worked three jobs just to take care of me. Yet she never complained, even when she fell ill herself...

One day, she had to leave for work, and my father stayed home to take care of me instead. I remember him carrying me to bed and laying cool towels on my forehead. He brushed my hair away from my face, looking at me with a sadness only a parent knows. He sang softly to me with a surprisingly calming voice. In that moment, I felt truly cared for.

I felt loved.

"What do I have to do."

He looked up at me wide eyed. "You-, you'll help me, daughter?"

"Yes. I'll help you. But I'm not doing it for you. Not this pathetic excuse for a man ---but for the man you once were. And more importantly...I'll do it for mom. She would have wanted me to."

I don't know where this courage came from, but I felt determined in my task. Whatever it is I needed to do, I would do it, and I would do it successfully.

"Thank you, oh thank you daughter!" my father wailed. "You make me so proud my dear. And I promise things will be different from now on. I will quit the drink. I will try to get a job ---we can go back to the way things used to be..."

In my heart I know what he says is a lie. But I can't help the small part of me that wished it were true. I longed for the love I had as a child. And I would do anything it took to get it back.

"What do I have to do," I repeat.

"I have thought of a plan, my child. You will accompany me to the square this morning, quickly. There have been rumors that a large shipment of gold is to be delivered to the Steel manor. We will hide out until the carriage arrives, then I will create some sort of distraction to get the attention of the crowds. Hidden in the chaos, you will sneak in and take---"

"You want me to steal gold from Lord Steel in broad daylight?!?" I interjected. "I was right, you are mad!"

"If anyone can do it my child, it is you." He pleaded. "I have never met anyone more qualified than you. I will be there watching over the whole scene, if it appears that you are in any sort of danger. I'll alert you and we'll call off the whole thing."

"How do I know I can trust you..."

He looked at me, his eyes glossy and a look of sincerity

"

Because I love you, my child

"

We arrive to the square shortly before noon, immediately separating in case anyone was to recognize us, knowing we would never be seen walking around the town square within a hundred feet of each other. This is unlikely, however, as I am still concealing my identity in men's clothing. I walk around kicking around a perfect little round stone around the courtyard, a typical game any boy might partake in, while in actuality I scope out the scene trying to figure out my plan of attack. A crashing noise catches my attention and I see my father, with a bottle in his hand, knocking over a tower of fruit the shop keeper had so elegantly displayed. They begin to argue, my father slurring and shouting obscenities, and I immediately realize his guise to remain the drunken fool the town knows him to be. This makes me chuckle for some reason. Had that momentary display of vulnerability and affection made me soft all the sudden? No. I will never forgive him, I won't let myself...

I shake my head trying to clear my mind and go back to scoping the scene. I find a spot in the gate where a board was detached from the screw, creating a small space small enough that only a child could squeeze through. Fortunately due to my already small frame and infrequent meals I manage to just barely slip through. It was the perfect spot, the carriage would cross just in front of it, and if anyone were to see me, I only needed a second to slip in and no one would be able to follow. I was surprisingly fast, so by the time they were able to break down the gate, I would be long gone.

I walk back out to the square and manage to catch the eye of my father, discreetly I flicker my eyes towards the gate and his eyes follow, he looks back at me and I know he understands. Right when the carriage moves in front of that spot, he will create a distraction. We never discussed exactly what he was going to do, but he assured me I'd know when it happened. This made me uneasy.... but without another option I'd just have to put my faith in him.

As if on cue I hear the loud trumpeting song alerting the citizens that someone very important has arrived. I look over the see the line of soldiers marching towards the city entrance, if you didn't know better, you'd think they were marching into battle with how heavily guarded they had it.

Shit

I mutter to myself.

This is going to be harder than I thought.

I slink back into my gated hiding spot and wait for them to come to me. As the soldier's parade past I see the reason for the unnecessary amount of guards. Riding atop the largest beautiful white Boulonnais stallion, I'd ever seen, sits Lord Steel himself. If you weren't aware of his viciousness, some might think he was the most handsome man who ever lived.

He sits tall on his steed, with hair so blonde it's almost white, perfectly framing his flawless face. His skin glows, and his dazzling white teeth flash in a captivating smile. Yet, his striking blue eyes hold an unsettling glint, hinting at mischief and a hidden darkness. This mix of beauty and danger sends a shiver down my spine, knowing the evil acts he has committed. I wonder how anyone could be attracted to someone like him when I glance over to a group of women calling to him, their bodies moving suggestively. He flashes a perfect smile, making them nearly faint at his attention, causing me to roll my eyes.

When I look back at Lord Steel, I notice an equally beautiful black Friesian at his flank. Its rider, cloaked in an ominous black hood, looking like the god of death. Another shiver runs down my spine, but this time I'm unsure why. I don't know anything about this mysterious man, yet I sense great danger emanating from him, suffocating me in its intensity.

I struggle to shake this feeling and try to focus on my task. There is no room for error, and I only have one shot. I grow increasingly more nervous as the carriage grows closer. A ringing starts to sound in my ears and I can hear my heart beat so loudly I fear other might hear it too. Just another fifty feet and the carriage will be here. I crouch into position ready to pounce, ignoring my bodies plea to run away.

10 more feet

... oh gods, I can't do this...

5 more...

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

The deafening scream of a woman jolts me out of my trance as villagers swarm around her, and chaos erupts. I realize this must be the distraction my father created, as guards and townspeople scramble in shock at the sudden upheaval. Even Lord Steel looks utterly flustered. A flash of pride swells in me at my father's success, igniting newfound courage that propels me into action.

Somehow, I slip past the guards and crouch along the carriage. No one is in sight, and I'm perfectly concealed. The carriage is secured with a thick padlock, but armed with my lock-picking tools, I quickly unlock it, preventing the chain from falling and alerting anyone to my presence. I quietly open the door, and the sight of gold—more than I could have ever imagined—takes my breath away.

My shock is fleeting; I remind myself to move quickly. I grab a couple of handfuls of gold and shove them into my pockets, then turn to scan for any guards. To my relief, I see no one. In a few strides, I reached the fence, my body buzzing with adrenaline and disbelief that our plan had worked! In that moment, I feel as if I could fly as I slip through the gate—only to be grabbed by two strong hands that slam me against the gate, knocking the breath out of me.

"

You think you can steal from your Lord BOY"

the soldier hisses, hitting me once again in the gut but this time with the hilt of his sword. I gasp on the floor coughing what appears to be blood, and I feel a wave of nausea take over.

How

I think,

how could he have known I was there? Nobody saw me hiding there, I was certain of it. No one except...

No. It couldn't be. Could it?

I'm dragged out into the street barely noticing the crowd forming around us, as I'm violently thrown on the floor and once again kicked in the stomach, causing another bloody coughing fit. "Is this the one?" I hear the soldier ask and painfully turn my head to look in the direction.

I feel yet another, immensely more painful blow to the gut, but this time it was not due to the soldier. As I look up I stare in disbelief as my worst fears are confirmed, I see my father standing next to the soldier, arm outstretched and pointing at me.

"

That's the one alright, thief!

"

It can't be. How could he have done this to his own child? After everything he's put me through, I still chose to help him, and now he betrays me! The pain from the beating fades as my mind and body go numb from my father's betrayal. I barley even hear when the guard starts speaking again..."you will be punished for this heinous crime, boy"...

he told me he loved me, that we would be a family again

...distantly I feel him grab my arm but I am lost in my grief..."for your crime you will lose your hand. So that you may never steal again!" This gets my attention. I look up to see him raise his sword above his head and am immediately engulfed in fear. "Wait! Please! Don't do this please it was my father---" "

SHUT YOUR LYING MOUTH BOY"

he shouts preparing for strike. I hear someone screaming and realize that it is me. I brace myself for impact---

"STOP!!"

I look up and see Lord steel riding up on his ivory steed, face stern with authority. "But my Lord, this boy---"

"That is not a boy,

you idiot.

This one is a girl"

he says smirking, knocking my cap off and watching my hair fall down my back, eyes gleaming with a dark delight. "Please sir---my lord! Please spare me, I did it to save my father he—" "Silence!" he interjects, "you have committed a reprehensible crime, and I have murdered others for much less. Losing a hand would pale in comparison." He says mischievously, eyes glistening with excitement. I start to protest but he cuts me off with his hand--- "Fortunately for you I find it a terrible waste to disfigure such a beautiful creature as yourself. No, I have another idea that would suit you far better. You will return with me to my estate, and will act as my own personal servant, do you understand my dear?" my body tenses at his words, and the thought makes me struggle not to vomit. I have heard rumors of his unique taste, what he does to the women that he recruits for his sinister desires. He gets off on brutely torturing women, mutilating them until they are no longer human, destroying every bit of humanity until they exist as only his playthings. Suddenly the thought of losing a hand seems far less daunting, at least I could return mostly to my old life. A life with a treacherous father... but anything would be better than being held hostage by Lord Steel and walking into the lion's den.

" n-no, I won't!" I suddenly say without thinking. The playful look in his eyes vanishes, replaced by pure rage at my disobedience. He swiftly dismounts his horse and grabs me by my tunic, causing me to wince in pain from my temporarily forgotten injuries. "You dare disobey me, girl?" he spits. I pale, realizing I've awakened the monster within him, the fear evident on my face. The look in his eyes change again and I see something more perversely sinister, an omen of what is to come. The tension grows and I'm sure he is about to strike when a voice startles me.

"Release her, Steel; I wish to claim her as my captive," a deep, authoritative voice commands. I turn to see the cloaked man who had been riding alongside Lord Steel striding toward us. I had completely forgotten this figure who instilled such fear in me just moments ago. His dark aura is now stronger than ever. He is tall—taller than Lord Steel, who stands a massive 6'5''. Rage fills Lord Steel's face at this mysterious man's command, yet surprisingly, he does not refuse. The dark stranger reaches for the hood of his cloak and swiftly pulls it back. I hear myself gasp instinctively.

He is the epitome of masculine beauty, with dark hair as black as a raven that contrasts strikingly with his perfectly tanned skin. A small scar above his eye adds a rugged charm, hinting at a dark past. Towering and muscular, his powerful physique radiates strength and dominance. His perfectly chiseled face features sharp cheekbones and a strong jawline, exuding an air of effortless allure. But it's his eyes—dark as a storm—that truly captivate; they seem to harbor untold secrets and a fierce power, evoking both fear and an undeniable desire from me. Standing before him, you feel an exhilarating thrill, caught between the allure of his beauty and the lurking danger that surrounds him, making it impossible to look away.

He looks at me momentarily and I almost think I see a smile in his eyes, realizing my mouth is slightly open as I gawk at his beauty, I close it quickly mentally kicking myself. "You do not have any authority here Daemon" Lord Steel hissed. Why does that name sound familiar... "It was my gold she stole, and therefore her punishment is mine to inflict, it is you who does not have the authority here, Victor" he asserted. I have never heard anyone speak to Lord Steel in such a way, I would have been terrified if not for the commanding presence that Daemon had, surpassing that even of our Lords. Steel was silent for a moment, then raised his hand up in a dismissive gesture. "take her away" he stated apathetically, "She will return Astros under the command of Lord Vale."

Lord Vale.

I shuddered at the thought. I had heard whispers about the mysterious lord of the south—a ruthless warlord who leaves a trail of death in his wake. A man without a conscience, a merciless killer. What could he possibly want with me? Does his taste mirror that of our own lords, or does he simply believe a harsher punishment is warranted? I know little about this lord, but I am certain that whatever he has in store for me will be nothing short of hell.

I feel strong arms carry me away and watch the two Lords mount their horses. I am thrown into an iron barred carriage, my arms tied painfully behind my back. Blood trickles down my eye, obscuring my vision. I feel something hit me and realize the villagers are throwing moldy fruit at me, a common practice for captured prisoners. I feel a tightness in my stomach and a numbness that engulfs my whole body. I cannot allow myself to feel the emotions from the events of today, it would overwhelm and drown me. So I focus on trying not to think at all. I look up one last time at my childhood home, the only place I've ever known, when I spot my father looking at me from the crowd. I almost miss it, I see his lips move and feel my face pale, he mouths...