Royalty of Darkness

1 ~ Ares

I turned my head in about half a millisecond, yet to actually acknowledge the man that spoke to me seemed to take a lot more time for me. He was tall and dark, his skin pale, and his eyes dead, as if there was nothing but coldness within him. Even though I couldn't call him empty, it was a different feeling, that hid behind that picture-perfect face. It was bizarre, how beautiful, but emotionless that person was, as he stared down at me from the top of the stairs. 

"There was a wolf outside. It might just be in the garden still" I informed him instead of excusing myself. He raised an eyebrow at me, as his observing eyes travelled down my body, then back to my eyes. His presence was intimidating, or so I would say other people would think it was. I could feel that he was a powerful man, just from the way he stood and waited for me to explain further, yet I could tell that he didn't need more information to know what wolf I was talking about. 

"I'm well aware. How did you get in?" he demanded, his voice still low and deep. It was alarmingly pleasant to listen to it, smooth and cold at the same time. 

"Well, I ran...sir" 

It seemed like he doesn't believe me, but I could not imagine how else would you get away from such a monster that he perhaps,  keeps outside of his mansion for a good reason. 

"You don't seem frightened" he commented, and I just tilted my head, trying to figure out, why is he pointing that out for me. 

"Why should I be, sir?" my question fell on deaf ears, as he just turned around and decided to walk away froIt was quite silent for a long time, as we stared at each other for minutes and minutes, without me speaking up, or offering an excuse. 

My not-so-volunteering host was tall and dark, although, in the poor lighting that the candles offered, he could have not appeared any brighter. He had raven black hair and fairly pale skin, his eyes wearing a deep brown colour.. but that was not the thing that caught me off-guard. It was his face. Beautiful, yet stern features, complimented with sharp edges, such as his jawline and cheekbones. Full, yet not lively lips, they weren't as red as they were supposed to be, and so the lord in front of me looked a little ill, or out of place. 

"There is a wolf outside" I informed him, finding my voice that was lost in the observation. I didn't feel afraid, though  I knew that I probably should be. I could see he was dangerous, or at least being here was, yet I couldn't find myself being in terror as he stared down at me with that cruel expression. Lately, I think I had a hard time getting reactions out of my heart.

"I'm well aware" as I heard his mesmerizing, almost unnervingly pleasant baritone, I glanced behind me, checking if the door was still locked. 

"Is it yours?" I guess my voice came off less emotional than he expected it to be because for a second he was a little taken-aback, raising one of his eyebrows as if to question my reaction. 

"How did you get through him? There is no way such a small thing outran that beast" I could tell he demanded an answer that even I couldn't know. How am I the one to tell, why his wolf let me in? Why does a man have a wolf in the first place? And who was the man who talked to me out there? 

"I barely got in... If you don't mind, I'd need a place to rest for the night. If you would be so kind." I glanced around because somehow I wanted to remind him, that this house is so huge, that even if he lets me sleep here, he won't notice, hoping this would help my cause. He looked even more confused now, as he let out a small chuckle, probably out of disbelief. 

"You want to stay here?" he taunted as if this was the stupidest idea that he had ever heard, then turned on his heels. Since he was standing at the top of the stairs, I didn't have much of a choice but to stand up, so I would keep being able to see him. He wore black clothes, a black shirt and trousers matching to that, I could tell that unlike many nobles, he was in very good physical shape, and he stood steadily, yet somehow always staying in an elegant pose. Majestic, I suppose that was the word I was looking for. 

"Ares will show you to the guest room" he announced still sounding a little amused, as he started to walk away, disappearing on the first floor. 

Ares? Whose Ares? 

"Oh, darling, you are soaked..." I heard a deep voice from behind me, and so I turned. It was yet another intimidatingly tall man, with yellow eyes, and an innocent, worried look on his face, which somehow felt off to me. The more I was staring at his smile the less comfortable I felt... he also smelt like a wet dog and I slightly cringed at it, since I was reminded of the beast that probably waited for me outside. 

"Where did you come from?" I questioned, my tone not holding much of a worry, I probably was too busy staring after the mysterious host, than to notice that someone came in. 

"From the kitchen, Miss. Now, let me show you to the bathroom first, I'm sure we'll find some exchange clothes for you" he gently grabbed my shoulders and started to escort me to the first floor. He had a long nose, and deeply set eyes with full lips and noticeably white teeth. Also, he had a butler uniform on, yet his hair was soaking, so I suppose he didn't really come from the kitchen, or he just had a shower. 

"Are you Ares?" 

A crooked smile made its way from the corner of his mouth, as he licked his lips before replying. 

"Yes, Miss. I heard that I am to show you around, correct?" 

"Well, just the guest room, thank you... I wonder if you know why your master keeps a wolf around the house? It seems irrational and dangerous. They are not trainable really, are they?" I merely wanted to keep the conversation alive, but I didn't really want to hear any answers from him. This whole place looked like something, normally nobody would want to be a part of. Every wall was pitch black, and somehow nothing of it felt real. Everything was a little too beautiful, to the point where they didn't serve joy anymore, just my suspicion. 

"The lord has a talent for controlling such beasts... Or at least he thinks so." his smile betrayed some kind of secretive undertone, that he didn't share with me, yet I didn't bother much. 

Ares led me to the bathroom, and soon enough brought me a nightgown. I assumed there has to be a noble lady here as well since this could've not belonged to a maid. Velvet lace, beautiful material and excellent hand-work. 

"Well go on, the water is ready" he urged me as I was just standing in the middle of the restroom, not doing much. I wonder if I'm still bloody. If I undress... if I go into the water, it will get red, won't it? I'm still dirty from the things I have done.

"Delicious..." I shot a glance to the mumbling Ares, who stared at me with a strange hunger in his eyes, but as soon as our gazes locked, he offered me a sweet, genuine smile. 

"I'll undo your corset. You seem troubled dear." he stepped behind me, doing exactly what he announced he will be doing, and I just let him without saying a word. I was staring at the mirror, following his movements that I could catch from his reflection. Did he call me delicious? Or do I have a fever and I'm just hearing things? Well... wouldn't make much sense if he would've said that, now would it? 

"Also so silent... so hurt. Tell me, how can such a young girl be so nonchalant, dear?" He asked lowly, as his lips were close to my ears. I shivered, looking up into his eyes in the mirror. Those marvellous and inhumanly yellow eyes, somehow pierced through me, and I felt like he knows all the secrets I've been carrying by myself. 

"Your eyes... are they real?" it sounded stupid when I said it out loud, but he grinned nonetheless. Taking my corset off, along with my dress, he didn't take his eyes off of mine, and I didn't mind, since now I was in underwear, even if it wasn't revealing in the slightest. 

"Do you like them?" he whispered in an almost seductive manner, but the strangest thing was, how my body reacted to it. I felt... calm. Almost comforted and pleasant... it was odd, I rarely ever felt safe, so I quickly stepped away from him, and towards the bath. I knew myself, and this wasn't even attraction, it was much more like a spell, that was almost cast on me. 

"Thank you for your service, Ares. I would like to undress now, so if you'd be so kind..." I said as I cleared my throat. 

"Naturally... I didn't mean to scare you Miss, forgive my behaviour. I've got a little carried away by my curiosity." he bowed slightly, and I lowered my eyes following his movement, as he slowly lifted his gaze to meet mine. He didn't look apologetic. 

"I'm not scared, Ares." I found that his name rolled off my tongue quite easily, although it had a slight greek accent, at least the way the Lord had pronounced it. 

"Indeed. Enjoy your time. I'll wait outside"

After he left, I undressed and sunk into the water. The hot liquid burnt my scars, yet it was rather enjoyable as my muscles relaxed and my body got its natural temperature back. I closed my eyes, trying to focus on the very place I was at, not to fall back into the memories that chased me in here. 

I washed my body silently, and my hair as well. My hair was ginger and curly, to begin with, but these few days in the forest didn't help it to be less messy. I always had a thin figure, but now, missing many meals, I looked a little ill, unhealthy, but this could be fixed with a little bit of food, indeed. 

When I was done, I dried my hair with a towel, the most I could, and then dressed up into the nightgown, stepping outside. Ares guarded my bath, just as he told me he would, leaning against the wall. His yellow eyes almost seemed to glow in the dark hallway, when he lifted his gaze to me and smiled. If nothing else, I would say he admired my sight, which would be highly unlikely, if for anyone else. I wasn't ugly, but I didn't have much of a sense to look fashionable or elegant, not to mention my hair usually got out of control. Not as if it mattered, because Ares had eyed me up with a different kind of interest than men would. I'm dying to know what he actually wanted from me. 

"Right this way, Miss" he led me through the west wing, and at the very and of it, opened up a door. 

"The lord is sleeping in the East Wing, I would suggest you do not wonder there unless you are instructed to do so. He is quite a moody man, it would highly beneficial for you if you'd do your best to stay on his good side. If you take friendly advice, lock your room, and stay inside until the sun comes up" his smile wasn't calming in the slightest, but I somehow didn't feel the fear, I know I'm supposed to. I nodded and entered the guest room. It had a queen-sized bed, a huge window facing the garden. The moon shined in, giving quite a bit of light to the place. A small night-stand also took place in here and a wardrobe at the opposite end of the bedroom. 

"Your key, Miss." he pulled out a small silver key from his pocket, offering it to me, so I turned to him and took it.

"Be a good girl, and lock your door once I'm gone. We wouldn't want this pretty little doll to get hurt, now would we?" he leaned down, brushing a bit of my hair out of my face, but I somehow felt like he was mocking or threatening me in a way, regardless of the endearing look he wore. I nodded once again, ignoring his nosy behaviour. He flashed me a pleased smile, before letting go of me and leaving me alone in the room.