THE KINGS OF RUIN :: 365 Days of Damnation

Some sins are committed in the dark; others are whispered against the skin in a room full of books. SIX MONTHS AGO The blaring of music, the flicker of stage lights, the shuttering sounds coming from the paparazzi, the red carpet . All these were happening in The Vane Estate and specifically, The Vane Manor. It was the annual "Winter Solstice Gala., a day you cannot afford to miss. Over-the-top luxury. Crystal chandeliers that look like frozen tears, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a snow-covered garden, and a chamber orchestra playing something haunting. It smells of expensive pine, roasted chestnuts. I stood in the midst of it all, rocking my pale champagne gold dinner gown, the mermaid tail sweeping the tiles that mirrored your look. The back of the gown exposed and stopped dangerously low to my àss. My gold waist beads flickering under the beaming lights. Right beside me stood my dashing and charming boyfriend, Connor , his arm wrapped around my waist, as if claiming his territory, his property . “I don’t like the noise. Can we leave?” Tugging on the rim of his suit, he turned to me. His green eyes beautiful and glowing like gold and then he let out his all so dashing smirk. “Balcony?” He spoke and I nodded. People stared at us as we walked by them. Eyes turned, Jaw dropped. We were the IT couple, the talk of the town. On getting to the balcony, i let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding, my chest once heavy felt lighter and the only sound was the howling of the wind and the damp sound of the music from the party. “You never really liked loud music” Connor wrapped his arm around my waist, my heart settling into his calm. “Yeah…I’m glad we escaped that” he chuckled deeply into my ear and tightened his hold, then buried his face in my neck. “I’m beginning to wonder if you’re ever gonna let us live in the city when we get married. You’ll probably whisk me to the middle of the forest where all we can hear are streams and bird chirping” Turning to him with a cheeky smile and bopping his nose, I said. “You know me too much” He laughed , his body vibrating over mind. Suddenly, all the hair on my body stood, goosebumps crawled up my skin, a gaze so heavy settled on me. Right on the yard, where all the luxurious cars were parked stood my dad’s best friend, Julian Blackwood. He had a companion with him, the senator of the country, talking about some project he needed help with. Whilst the man talking, Julian had his gaze locked on me. His eyes — dead, face stoic , not even the slightest curve on his lip. He looked like a hunter watching a bird. My thighs clenched and my toes tingled. He caught the movement even from the distance and his lips twitched. Guilt and Shame filled me because here I was with my boyfriend and clenching my thighs at another man. A man 12 years older. Just as I was about looking away and settling back into the quiet of the night, the door of the balcony opened and the intruder — My father . His demeanor cold, His stare calculative, his stance mighty afraid if he let out a slight hump of his back, he loses the world. He looked through me and straight at Connor. “Come boy. Your father is here, Let’s talk business” Connor turned his gaze towards me, leaned in and placed a peck on my lips which deepened my guilt. “I’ll be back” He then followed my father back to the loud noise and fake smiles of the elite. The balcony didn’t seem peaceful anymore, if anything, it felt suffocating. Connor left and took the calm with him. There was only one place that felt like home in this huge empty mansion. The Grand library and that was exactly where I went. Stylishly waving at those who waved at me , passing my dad who I knew would stop me if he saw me. Stepping into the library, I sucked in a deep breath and let it out and clapped twice expecting the light to turn on but nothing. And dad strikes again. He would purposefully cut off the light connecting to the library because he claims I spend way too much time there. But thank the heavens, the fireplace was still on, the fire the only flickering light that illuminated the dark book sanctuary. I moved close to the first row of shelves , running my fingertips on the books, waiting to touch one that would catch my attention. Then I heard it, the click, my heart jumped then I swiftly turned. Julian sat on the leather wingback chair, there in all his glory, holding a lighter that was turned on. The flame close to his face defining his features. His Heavy-lidded, Hazel eyes tracked me like a predator. He doesn’t move, Just sat and watched me. When did he get here and so fast? It’s like he knew I was gonna be here. Then he spoke. “Saw you and your puppy boyfriend by the balcony” His words degrading, making me snap. “He’s not a puppy. His name is Connor” Something flickered in his eyes at my words, he stood. Unconsciously, I took step back though he was quite some feet away from me. The way he stood seemed like I broke something in him — or rather awoken. “Does Connor know how much his woman clenched her thigh just by staring at another man?” My eyes widened at his words. He had truly saw me. He stalked closer at every question. “Does Connor know how much of a slut his woman is?” “Does Connor know his woman came to this library because he knew the man — the only man that could satisfy her crazy desire, was here?” I felt exposed. I had truly come here because I knew he was always here and judging by his stare from the balcony, he wanted me, I just knew it. His hand brushed my cleavage and then his fingers wrapped around my throat and pulled me in closer. “Does Connor know how wet his woman is right now, hoping to be punished?” My c**t sucked at the air, aiming to brush something — anything. My n*****s pebbled, hoping to be pulled out it’s bud and suckled hard. Julian studied my expression and then let out a faint smirk. He pulled my hair back just enough to expose my neck and inhaled my scent. It’s a claim. It’s not a request; it’s a promise of future possession. “Y..you’re wrong..I feel nothing towards you” the lie tasted bitter on my tongue. “Shall I test that?” Without warning, he pulled down the strap of my gown and my boobs popped out . I suddenly regretted not wearing a bra. “Look at that…all pink and hard” He looked me in the eyes and back at my n*****s. His finger brushed the right one and my mouth opened to let out a breath. “T..this is wrong. D..don’t touch me” I whispered arching my back when he slightly pinched it. “Then why aren’t you stopping me?” His tongue lapped up my n****e before I could even utter a comeback. His teeth barring to bite the bud, the pain mixed with the pleasure had me burying my hand in his hair and pulling his head closer. “He doesn't know how to please you, Fiorella. But I do. He’d give you flowers on a date, I’d give you countless orgasms that’ll leave yo breathless. Remember this night when the world starts to burn” “Mmm…” a moan left my lips and I felt his smirk. “Tell me Fior…How wet are you down there?” He raised his head, stared deep into my eyes. “As dry as a desert” I snapped, refusing to allow him the upper hand. “I see.. don’t mind if I find out myself?” His hand gripped my gown and began lifting just as the door handle twisted. Quickly pushing him away, I pulled up the strap of my gown and adjusted myself, picking a book from the shelf and opened it to a random page. Connor peaked through the door and when his gaze caught me, his eyes brightened “I knew I’d catch you here” and then he noticed the extra person in the room and quickly adjusted his stance when he saw who it was. “Mr Blackwood. It’s nice to meet you again” Connor greeted with a bright smile. He always had this high respect for Julian, constantly praising him, wanting to be like him. If only he knew his so called idol had his tongue on his woman. “Connor” his eyes brightened seeing that Julian knew his name. “Nice to meet you. I’ll leave you two to it” He turned and began walking towards the door. My eyes couldn’t help but follow his movement, waiting for him to turn back and lock my gaze. Connor was busy smiling at the little acknowledgement while I stared at the man who would be the end of me. Just as Julian opened the door, he titled his head back a bit , just enough to lock my gaze as I predicted and then his lips curved into a tiny lethal smirk. He raised his finger and dipped it into his moth, the same finger that almost touched me if we hadn’t been interrupted. The small action made my aching core pulse. The door closed with a loud bang and I was left…a shameful aching mess.