Author's note: I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone reading! Sorry it took so long to put this one out, I'm hoping to get the next chapter out by next week. Constructive criticism is always welcome.
Disclaimer: This is an entirely fiction story, if you don't not like noncon/reluctance this will not be for you
I hear the sound of my mother's voice. She's humming softly, her soft melody drifting through the house. I follow that sweet sound to the kitchen and see my mother standing in front of the sink, her long black hair so like mine, pushed behind her shoulders. She is wearing a long, silky dress which showcases her curves and complements her tall figure. I wonder if I'll be as pretty as mommy someday.
"Hey princess!" my father calls, his voice warm and inviting. I glance over to see him smiling at me, his dark brown hair slicked back stylishly, and hint of morning stubble on his face. He looks happy. "Come here princess" he says, opening his arms invitingly. I jump into his warm embrace, savoring his familiar scent. "Look at you," he says warmly, "you look so much like your mother." He says, smoothing my hair tenderly with his large hands.
Suddenly I feel his grip tightening around me, his embrace turning uncomfortable, almost suffocating. I look up, about to tell him that he's hurting me, but am instead met with piercing black eyes. "Daddy!" I cry out, panic rising, "Daddy what's wrong?"
"You did this..."
Suddenly his hands are around my neck, squeezing me, I claw at his grip but he doesn't budge. I can't breathe! I'm gasping trying to take a breath but his hold on me prevents air from entering my lungs. I look around, desperate to find anyone who can help me. I see my mother, still standing at the sink, humming as she washes the dishes. I try to call to her, to beg her to help, but no sound escapes my lips. My fathers grip tightens around my neck causing stars to dance around my vision. I stare into my fathers' black eyes, as darkness wraps its hold on me. My mother's voice echoes in my ears, weaving through the shadows, as darkness consumes me...
I wake up with a jolt, beads of sweat trickling down my forehead. My heart races as I scan the room, half expecting to see my father staring down at me, his eyes black and piercing. To my relief I don't find him. Sun peaks through the windows, dancing on my eyelids, and for a moment I lay still, wanting to take in its calming warmth. I take another look around the room, this time taking in my surroundings.
The room is small but inviting, simple but in a charming way. Soft, faded wallpaper adorns the walls, while light filters in from the long, sheer curtains along the windowsill, casting a gentle glow throughout the room. I lay on a small bed, simple in its design, but soft with a down converter warming my body. Next to me is a small side table, topped with a steaming cup of tea which smells like herbs and cinnamon. The room feels like a warm embrace, if I allowed myself, I could close my eyes and...
"Hello--"
"EEEEEEEEEEK" I squeal, jolted from my thoughts by the sound of the soft, feminine voice startling me.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you," she chuckles softly, "I thought you saw me standing here."
In the corner stands a young girl, with mousy brown hair neatly braided behind her shoulders. She is small, perhaps a little shorter than me, with big brown eyes that sparkle with curiosity, and freckles dusted across her nose. Her lips are curved up into an amused smile as she tilts her head curiously, studying me with interest. She is wearing a simple cotton tunic and long skirt, covered by a very worn brown apron. Although her features are not exactly striking, she has a kind of charm about her -- an infectious warmth radiating throughout the room...
Where the hell did she come from?
"I-I'm sorry" I say, my voice cracking slightly, "I was not yet fully awake."
"It looked like you were having a nightmare." She questions curiously.
"You were watching me sleep?"
Her freckled cheeks redden, a revealing smile on her lips. She shifts uncomfortably, smoothing out her already perfectly smooth skirt. "I've been waiting for you to wake up," she explains, "It's nearly noon."
Did I sleep that long? I usually wake at dawn, to escape before my father returns home, it's not like me to sleep so late into the afternoon. I am reminded of the events of last night--the memory of the sting of the whip on my flesh sends a chill through me, I can almost feel the excruciating pain reverberate throughout my body. I remember the stormy gray eyes peering at me into my soul. My thoughts flash to other images as well, the gentleness of his touch soothing my burning flesh. The tender way in which he tended to my wounds. His hands massaging into my skin, dipping into my sleek...
Oh God.
A wave of regret washes over me as I reflect on my actions from last night. How could I have let him manipulate me like that. My captor, the man that ripped me from my home, beat me and took me against my will. Not only did I allow him to take me, but I melted into his touch, allowing him to bring me to release while I begged him to take me. Instantly I'm filled with a desire to throw myself from the top of this stupid, beautiful mansion to avoid living with my shame. Avoid having to face Daemon.
"Here, I brought you this" she says gesturing towards the cup of tea placed on the nightstand. "It's a special tea blend, to prevent you from becoming with child..." she whispers shyly, "Lord Vale had me bring it to you."
My face instantly turns beet red. She knows about what happened last night, my shame made clear for everyone to see. I wonder who else he has told, my second day in a new land and already I'm going to be known as the whore of Astros. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me" she winks at me, as if reading my thoughts, "Lord Vale has asked me to give you a tour of the grounds, my name is Anna, I saw you arrive yesterday with the soldiers when they returned. You looked so brave in that horrid carriage. I would never be able to be as brave as you, I would have been so terribly frightened, taken from my home like that... But you don't have to be frightened of me, I would very much like to be friends!" She blurts out.
What a strange girl...but I cannot deny my instant liking towards her. Her warmth seems genuine, and it would be beneficial for me to have a friend here. As much as I hate to admit it, these lands are unfamiliar to me and navigating them alone would be a struggle. If I hope to escape, I'll need someone on the inside, and I have a strong sense that Anna could be that perfect ally.
I do my best to smile as warmly as I can, "my name is Clara, and I would love to be your friend."
"Really!" She squeals with genuine excitement. Reaching into a large dresser, Anna pulls out a few clothes from within, throwing them at me in a hurried excitment. "Hurry, drink your tea, and get dressed! There is much to see!"
Anna takes me on a tour across the estate. First, she shows me how to navigate through the corridors, it's confusing but I think after a few passes I think I've finally got the hang of it. The inside of the estate is gorgeous, to say the least. Handcrafted furniture made from the finest wood, marble tables, and intricate tapestries adorn the walls. The sunlight streams through large, arched windows, casting a warm glow on the polished floor. As we walk Anna points out various rooms--the library filled with towering shelves of books, the grand dining hall with its long, elegant table, like the rest of the house the décor is simple yet tasteful.
When we finish touring the inside, Anna leads me to a garden just beyond the main house, bursting with wildflowers and fragrant herbs. "This is my favorite spot," she says, her eyes lighting up. I can see why; the serenity of the garden feels like a breath of fresh air amidst the grandeur of the estate.
As we stroll, Anna shares stories about the people who live here. "There are approximately 150 servants currently serving Lord Vale on the main estate," she explains, "most of them only work outside, our Lord is very particular about who he allows inside the main house. I'm one of the ones he allows inside! I was born here on the estate, my mother and father served his father when he was Lord, but they passed years ago..." she trails of sadly. "I'm so sorry Anna, that must have been very difficult for you." I say genuinely, her pain obvious on her expression. "Thank you, but it
was
many years ago... There's no point dwelling over it now." She says, determinedly, stopping to pluck a few herbs and plopping them into her apron.
Curious, I ask "What about the family? You mentioned a previous Lord, does he still live on the estate?" Anna shifts uncomfortably, her gaze dropping momentarily before she responds. "Jonathan Vale was the previous Lord, and Daemon's father. He passed away five years ago, and his son took over as Lord. His mother died many years ago during childbirth...Daemon is an only child; he has no other family." She says, not giving any more details. "What happened to Jonathan Vale?" I press, eager for more details.
"There was a fight, and things escalated... Jonathan was the first to pull his sword but was eventually overtaken--he was stabbed through the heart, dying instantly." She finishes, seemingly unbothered by the tragic story.
"That's terrible! His son must have been devastated..." I'm not sure why I say this, I couldn't care less about Daemon Vale's feelings.
"He wasn't," she says matter-of-factly.
"How could you be sure of that? Jonathan Vale was his father--he must have been devastated to have lost his father-especially in such a gruesome manner." I say, completely baffled by this odd girl.
"I know--" she insists, "because Daemon is the one who killed him."
"What!?" I shriek, my heart racing at her revelation. "But how could he? Why would he do something like that?
"I'm sure he had his reasons" she states simply, hinting that she wants to end the conversation.
"Is his reason that he's a cold-blooded killer? Because that would add up" I say coldly.
She turns suddenly to face me, her large doe eyes now glaring at me through her thick eyelashes, her hands in fists at her side.
"Joanathan Vale was a horrible man. He tortured everyone who worked on the estate, my parents included...he's the reason that they died. Under his rule we lived in fear and suffering. Daemon did what he did because he had to. He saved us...we are lucky to have a Lord who cares about us as much as he does" she declares.
I'm taken aback by her intensity, the conviction in her voice evident. "Saved you?" I echo, not able to imagine my captor as a savior. "By killing his father?"
"Yes!" Anna insists, her fists clenching slightly as she takes a breath to calm herself. "You don't understand. Jonathan was ruthless. He ruled with an iron fist, and his cruelty knew no bounds. Daemon might have done a terrible thing, but it was a choice that freed us from a tyrant. You weren't there. You didn't see what we lived through. Sometimes, you have to make the hardest decisions to protect those you love."
I can't shake the uneasiness pooling in my stomach. I am not a stranger to having a terrible father, but still, even in his darkest moments I could never
