Bound

A week passed before our arrival to the Vale estate. Other than the occasional roadblock, the trip was surprisingly uneventful. The soldiers left me alone for the most part, not doing much more than glaring in my direction or the occasional lustful look or gesture. I wondered if they refrained from harming me due to an order from Lord Vale, although I can't imagine that he would be concerned about my safety, but I did find it a bit strange nonetheless. They kept me in the barred carriage for the duration of the trip, allowing me out only to relieve myself, and always under the watchful eyes of a few soldiers. Initially this made me extremely uncomfortable; I'm no lady, but I am a women and I do have standards, but eventually I learned to ignore it and finish my business quickly. My arms ached from being tied for a week on end, and my body was almost too weak for me to hold up by myself for more that a few minutes. They fed me occasionally, some of the remains or scraps of someone's unfinished meal, which I ate greedily, thankful to relieve some of the nagging hunger. This part didn't bother me so much, I was used to the aching feeling of hunger.

The estate was unlike anything I'd ever seen before. The mansion stands like a formidable fortress, its imposing stone façade exuding strength and grandeur. Dark, rugged stones create a powerful presence, accented by sharp, angular features and towering spires that pierce the sky. Massive arched windows, framed by thick stonework, offer a glimpse into the craftsmanship within, while heavy wooden doors, reinforced with iron, command attention at the entrance. A wide staircase leads up to the entrance, flanked by stone gargoyles that guard the property. The roof is adorned with slate tiles, adding to the rugged charm, while balconies with robust wrought-iron railings extend from the upper levels, showcasing the architectural prowess. Surrounding the mansion, manicured gardens are structured and bold, with neatly trimmed hedges and sturdy stone pathways, enhancing the strong, stately aura of this masterpiece.

The carriage rounds the side of the estate, its wheels creaking ominously as most of the soldiers dismount to tend to their horses or unload supplies. A few remain with me, guiding me toward an entrance that looms ahead, shrouded in shadows. The cart comes to a halt, and before I can catch my breath, the door swings open with a jarring bang. I'm yanked from my makeshift prison, a cloth bag suddenly thrust over my head, plunging me into darkness. Panic rises as I'm enveloped by the unknown, the sounds of the soldiers fading into an eerie silence around me.

I'm dragged along and unknown path into some sort of room, which I only know because the temperature has grown cold and the unpleasant smell of mold and piss fill my nostrils. We stop and I am thrown on the ground hard landing roughly on my side, there'll be bruises there tomorrow for certain. The bag is ripped off my head and I squint trying to let my eyes adjust to my new surroundings. The interior of the dungeon is a stark, oppressive space, its stone walls damp and rough to the touch, dripping with moisture that creates a musty odor. The air is cool and stale, filled with the faint echo of dripping water and distant, unsettling sounds that make me tremble. In some corners, remnants of chains and shackles dangle from the walls, relics of former prisoners. The floors are uneven and cold, strewn with bits of straw and dirt, while the occasional rat scurries by, adding to the dungeon's unsettling ambiance. A central chamber features a large, imposing stone table, stained and worn, suggesting that it has witnessed countless dark dealings. Overall, the dungeon feels like a place where time stands still, enveloped in an atmosphere of fear and despair.

A voice startle me out of my thoughts, "I've been waitin' for this moment all week girl" the soldier tells me roughly. I'm only now realizing that only two of the soldiers remain of the initial dozen who stayed with me at the carriage. I recognized them as the two who lustily gazed at me and gave the occasional suggestive hand gesture on our journey to Astros. Now I find myself alone with them in the quiet dungeon watching them circle around me like a predators teasing their prey. I'm not so naïve as to be ignorant of what they want, and I know that my small figure is no match against their large bodies and bulging muscles, but I will not go out without a fight even if it takes every last bit of my strength to do it.

The one that spoke earlier starts to remove some of his armor and the second one follows suit, until the only thing that remains on them is their trousers. Panic rises in me and I make a desperate attempt to talk them out of this, "Please good sirs I beg of you not to do this, if its money you want I'm sure I could-" --- "We don't want your money whore, it's your tight cunt that we require" he says grabbing the hair on the back of my head and pulling me up to meet his gaze, my hands still tied behind my back. The musky stench of a man who hasn't bathed in a week fills my nose, and I struggle not to gag. I can only imagine how badly I must smell too, having gone just as long without a wash. Evidently, this doesn't bother him at all, as he leans in, pressing his nose against my neck and inhaling my scent. "You're a pretty little whore aren't you" he said smiling. I slam my head into his nose feeling the bone break on my forehead. "AGGHH" he yells dropping me on the floor, I see the second soldier rush to grab me but I somehow manage to twist around and kick him squarely in the balls making him yelp in pain. I feel strong hands grab me slamming me hard on the stone table with such a force it knocked the wind out of me.

"

I'm done playing games bitch!"

he spits through gushes of blood coming down from his nose. Swiftly he pulls out a small dagger and for a moment I think that he is going to use it on me when I feel the fabric of my tunic sliced open exposing my breasts. "Hmmm very pretty" he coons, fixated on the mounds of flesh. I turn my head to see the second man, having already recovered, now gazing at me and stroking his cock. My attention returns to the first soldier when I feel rough lips wrap around my nipples inducing a small gasp from me.

"Do you like that little whore," he licks his tongue around my nipple, sucking, "I saw the way you were lookin' at me from yer carriage, your wet cunt aching to be filled with my fat cock" his other hand snakes down my trousers and roughly shoves two fingers into my small opening, causing me to hiss in pain. "Get your disgusting fingers out of me you filthy pig!" I snapped, eliciting a chuckle from him. "This bitch has a mouth on 'er, come shut 'er up." I feel my jaw being forced open and quickly stuffed by the second mans cock. He tastes of sweat and piss, and this time I can't refrain from gagging loudly.

"Hmm yes bitch, I bet you never had a cock this large huh whore" he says mistaking the meaning of my gag. He starts to slide in and out of my mouth, pushing even more of his revolting cock into my throat, the taste causing tears to slip down my eyes. "If you bite me slut I will cut those pretty little eyes out of your head." I wince at the thought, but I am again distracted as I feel my trousers cut off off, leaving me completely exposed. I hear a loud spit and feel a warm wetness drip down my opening, desperately I try to twist my body to prevent what is inevitably going to happen. "MMgmhmmmmmm" I grumble trying to speak but am silenced by another deep plunge into my throat. A low chuckle reverberated out of the man "There's no getting out of this one cunt," he said aligning his cock at my entrance, "your mine now bitch." ---

"

What is the meaning of this!"

A voice thundered from the entrance of the cell, causing the soldiers' faces to pale as a formidable figure approached, fury etched across his features. It was Lord Vale. I gasped, taken aback by the striking beauty before me--one I had nearly forgotten since the day we left Ravenwood. His face was a perfect blend of sharp angles and soft curves, every muscle in his body sculpted as if by the hands of the gods themselves. The intensity of his beauty was breathtaking, making it impossible to look away. The soldiers immediately pulled away leaving me alone and exposed on the table. "W- we " the soldier stammered struggling to find and answer.

"Did I not instruct,"

he paused, stepping within an inch of the soldier's

"that the prisoner was to be taken

safely

to the servants chambers upon our arrival."

"Y- y- yes my Lord, we were only trying to ---"

"To

what"

he hissed, towering over the terrified soldiers

. " To deliberately disobey a direct order from your Lord."

Before the soldiers could respond, Lord Vale spoke again.

"Leave us. I will deal with you two

later.

"

The two soldiers quickly ran out of the small cell, abandoning their clothes and armor, and leaving me alone with the menacing figure, eyes now solely on me. For a moment he just looked at me with an expression I couldn't quite make out, and I am painfully aware of how exposed I am. I try to twist my body to regain some of my modesty, my hands still tied and attached above my head to the table. Thankfully my long hair moved forward to cover up most of my breasts. He continues to eye me curiously, and I am the first to speak. "Um, my Lord, would you be so kind as to untie me?" I whimpered.

This seemed to snap him out of his thoughts, and a scowl returned to his face. He approached me, moving toward my legs, and I instinctively tried to shrink away trying to conceal myself more. I see him reach into his pocket, pulling out a small dagger hopefully to cut the ties from my wrists. He is looking at me again but now from right above me. I can't read his expression but I don't like the way its making my body react. I felt the same electricity that I had felt that day in the courtyard, but a hundred times stronger now.

He lowers himself toward me, leaning over my naked body and is now inches from my face, causing waves of electricity to flow through my entire body. I look at him to see if he's feeling the same sensations too, but his face gives nothing away. Of course he doesn't feel it I think mentally slapping myself. In a swift motion he cuts the ties from my hands and for the first time in a week my arms are free. I rub at the wounds on my wrists letting out a sigh in relief, when I see Lord Vale approach me once again with dagger in hand. I feel a sudden rush of fear right before he reaches past me covering my body with the sash from the soldiers armor, an oddly kind gesture.

I regard him curiously for several moments, a mix of caution and intrigue swirling within me as I take in this man--so dangerous and yet undeniably beautiful. "What is your name?" he asks. "M-my name?" I stammer, realizing that no one has asked or cared to know it during my weeks of captivity. "Clara," I whisper. "Clara

what"

"Clara Valarius, my Lord, daughter of Jareth and Elowen Valarius," I reply, my heart sinking at the thought of my parents--one moment tragic, the other a betrayal. He studies me again, as if I were some exotic creature he has never encountered before.

"Miss Valarius--"

"Clara," I interject. "Just Clara." He regards me for a moment, neither acknowledging my request nor dismissing it. "Come with me. You will stay at the estate in the servants' chambers."

He leads me through the corridors of the mansion. Inside, every inch is a masterpiece; handcrafted wooden beams soar overhead in the great hall, where a stunning chandelier made of crystal glimmers in the soft light. The walls are adorned with rich tapestries and paintings, each framed in ornate gold. Rooms are filled with antique furniture, lovingly crafted with exquisite detail, from the curving legs of the chairs to the intricately carved tables. The mansion was breathtaking, nothing like I had ever seen before, as a child I would have done anything to live in a place like this, but now I only feel the suffocation of my prison.

He leads down another corridor to where the servant chambers reside. The servants' chambers are tucked away in a quieter corner of the estate, a stark contrast to the opulence of the main halls. The low-ceilinged rooms are simple yet functional, furnished with basic wooden beds covered in coarse blankets and small, weathered dressers. A single window, often draped with plain linen, allows a sliver of light to filter in, casting soft shadows across the floor. The air is filled with the faint scent of lavender, remnants of the cleaning supplies used to maintain the space.

Each chamber is sparsely decorated, with a few personal belongings quietly hinting at the lives of those who reside there--a well-worn book, a hand-stitched quilt, or a small pot of herbs on the windowsill. Though modest, the rooms exude a sense of camaraderie and warmth, with the sounds of laughter and whispered conversations often echoing through the narrow corridors.

He opens the door to a small bathroom, revealing a tub filled with steaming water and a toilet. "Bathe yourself. I'll be out here when you're done; we need to speak." He shuts the door, leaving me locked inside. I suddenly realize how dirty I must be; my stench likely repulsed him. Is that why he looked at me so strangely?

I step into the warm, inviting water, grateful for the comfort of the copper tub. It's been too long since I've had a warm bath. I sink in, letting myself relax, but when I reach for a small bar of soap resting on the edge, I notice my arms are shaking. The events of the past week crash over me, and I feel a floodgate of emotions burst open, causing my body to tremble violently. I fight back the tears welling in my eyes, refusing to let them fall. I haven't cried since my mother died; I promised myself I would never show that weakness again.

Time slips away until I hear a rough knock on the door. "Clara? What are you doing in there?" Lord Vale's voice breaks through my thoughts.

"Nothing, my Lord. I'm just about finished." I rise from the tub and, for the first time, notice a small window hidden in the corner of the room. A dangerous thought sparks in my mind as I approach it. The window, roughly two feet wide, is meant only to let steam escape, big enough only for the body of a small child.

Never realizing that I could escape through that window

My body propels into action as I swifly grab a towel wrapping it around me, climbing up onto the toilet to open the small window. "Clara? What are you doing?

Come out now

." I hear the low rumbling voice ordering me from the other side of the door. "Y-yes my Lord, I'm just drying my h-hair, I'll be out in a moment." I stammer my hands slipping on the latch. I try to quietly open the window but it sticks, probably from seldom ever being opened.

I grab the latch and give it a hard tug causing a squeak to sound. "What was that noise? Clara.

Open this door now!"

His voice booms through the small room. Realizing I'm out of time, I pull with all my strength, and the window finally springs open with a screech. I hear loud pounding on the door as Lord Vale starts to kick it down. I throw myself into the window barley able squeeze threw, but thankfully I'm still wet from the bath allowing me to slip through I just make it out when I see the door ripped off its hinges and Lord Vale storms in, his face filled with rage. Without hesitation, I sprint into the courtyard, my heart racing, fueled by pure adrenaline.

I dash through the courtyard, aware of the wide-eyed servants staring at me, but thankfully, no one tries to stop me. I've always been a fast runner, but now, with adrenaline coursing through me, I feel like I'm flying, my feet barely touching the ground.

I tense up and glance back to see a large figure sprinting toward me at an impossible speed. I will my legs to move faster and somehow manage to accelerate. Ahead, I spot the woods and think that if I can just reach them, I might find a place to hide. I've never been afraid of the woods; I spent a lot of time there as a child, and I know I can take care of myself for a while without supplies. The figure behind me grows closer, and I wonder how anyone can run so fast. The towel I had been desperately holding onto slips and I am now once again completely exposed. I am only vaguely aware of how torn and slashed my feet are becoming, but I don't care, I run as fast as I'm able in a desperate attempt to escape. Knowing the punishment for escaping would be severe only propels me faster. I'm only a few feet away from reaching the dense woods when I feel strong hands wrap around my waist and a massive body slamming into my own.

Our bodies collide and I'm slammed on the ground, my head hitting something hard and I see stars. A large hand tightens around my neck and I am lifted off the ground, dangling in the air. I look into the cool, gray eyes of my captor, seeing a rage withing them that fills me with terror. The corner of his mouth curls and turns into a small smirk.

"You shouldn't have done that

."