Flame of the Enemy

Chapter 7 - CLAIMED

Tailor Arrived

In no time, Lily and a small man holding a lot of fabric, came with two other maids that were holding fabrics too. He has laid down all of the fabrics. But he seemed angry. He avoided making eye contact with me. And his face was a tone of red. He started talking but he seemed like he wasn't willing to talk.

“T-these are the fabrics, ee… you can choose from them. “

I have tried to avoid him. I have touched the fabrics. They all were first quality. Like he read my mind, he talked.

“These are the best fabrics in the country. I don’t know why they bothered so much?” He gave a big huff after completing his words. It was obvious that he was one of the haters. I wasn’t sure how to respond. Then Lily retorted him before me.

“I believe you have been paid very generously for this job. If you are so proud, why did you accept in the first place?”

“…”

His red face turned even redder even though I thought it was impossible. He was preparing an answer but Lily talked again and made him stop this conversation totally.

“One more word, and believe me I will make sure that His Highness Prince knows all.”

There has been a dead silence. Everybody, including me, froze and looked at each other. Finally Lily talked again and directed the tailor.

“Go on; take the measures of Lady Kathleen. Leave fabrics here. As soon as she picks it up I will let you know. “

Tailor didn’t say anything. He came close to me with a tape measure and took my measurements for dresses. While he was doing his job, he was murmuring about my skinniness and ugliness. I have tried to avoid it too. He was hating me like the others, but he had to do that because of the Prince’s order.

He didn’t just avoid my eyes. He flinched — like I was something he’d find stuck to the sole of his boot. And yet, he had to touch me. His hands on my arms, my waist, my back — each one sharp and clinical, like I was a dress form, not a person.

I stood still. Let him take his measurements. Let him whisper his venom under his breath. I had learned, already, that pride was a privilege I no longer owned.

I stayed in silence until he completed his job. And he left behind all of the fabrics and went. Lily has stayed with me and asked me to help choose. I really didn’t mind the fabrics. I asked her to choose herself for me and take all of those out. She silently did what I asked and left the room.

…

The only thing that I could do was sleep, so I did so. A couple of hours later, there was another knocking on my door.

“Come in! “ It was Lily again, but she was looking very nervous this time. My Lady, your dinner is here after you complete it I have to prepare you. “

“Prepare me for what?”

“…”

“Prepare me for what, Lily?”

“I don’t know my lady. Just this is what is ordered. “

“...”

I didn’t pester her anymore.

I wasn't willing to cause any more trouble to Lily. She was the only person who showed kindness to me here after all. They brought my lunch quickly. I had a light meal and they took it away instantly and started preparing me. But for what?

They brought my meal here, so it is not a dinner invitation. Maybe Tharon wanted to see me and talk with me? This thought was kind of warming my heart. I let them do whatever they want to do to me.

They brushed and braided my hair, powdered my cheeks, dressed me up in new lingerie and dress. Put on me some perfume and left me there immediately without saying anything. This time even Lily didn’t ask for staying.

It was weird. After they left, I heard a locking sound on the door. I checked it and it was really locked. It was weird too; because it was the first time, they were locking me in.

I started to wait patiently, I wasn’t aware of the point of this waiting but I had to. In a couple minutes, I heard footsteps outside. It was more like somebody walking up and down the corridor.

Suddenly I heard a banging on the door. I jumped in my place. But the door did not open. And footsteps again. I wasn’t sure what was happening but it didn’t look good. Then the door opened.

It was Tharon.

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

He was the only familiar face here — besides Lily. I smiled at him, instinctively.

He didn’t smile back.

No surprise there. He was never warm. But after the journey… after what we’d been through… I thought maybe something had changed.

Instead, his black jewel eyes were cold. His fists clenched at his sides.

I straightened my back and dipped into a polite curtsy.

“Prince Tharon.”

Silence.

I tried again, voice soft. “It’s nice to see you safe.”

Still nothing.

Just silence — and that look in his eyes that made me regret ever speaking.

Suddenly, he stepped forward and pulled me into his chest with a swift, unrelenting motion.

“What are you doing?”

The words barely left my mouth. My eyes locked with his — burning, unreadable, dark. There was malice there… but something else, too.

Something that terrified me more than hate.

He didn’t speak. Just stared. And then, in a flash, his mouth was on mine.

It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t kind.

It was claiming.

I froze. Then I shoved at his chest — he broke the kiss, but didn’t release me.

One arm stayed around my waist, the other lifted to my jaw, forcing me to look at him. His voice dropped to a growl.

“You will be mine, Kathleen Zayarin.”