Bullied by my Step-brothers

Chapter 4

When I went into the woods for a late-night snack, her eyes were closed and her clothes were drenched in water, even though it hadn't rained today. It was her—the young maiden from before, with the clear hazel eyes and wet chestnut hair. She looked too neglected, I thought to myself as I looked into her face.

Something about her, maybe her smell, made me want to be with her, even though I've been seeing her in strange places. Her eyes slowly opened, and I grabbed her hand and held her against my body. She felt too light to be a human.

Because I was sent to earth against my will, I have never believed in fate. I have lived without love or human emotions. So why does my heart beat faster whenever I touch her or even when she looks at me? That's what I kept asking myself as I carried her home.

When I got home, I told her to "get a change of clothes." I put her gently on the bed in the room next to mine, and Patricia, the oldest and closest maid, brought me my robe. "Master, please here is a change of clothes for you," she said, but I didn't hear her because I was too focused on the maiden's injuries to pay attention. I don't know her name yet, but I feel like I need to care for her because my eyes change colour whenever I'm around her.

As I put on the towel and stared at her, I noticed that her nose was turned up towards the ceiling. Her face looked fine and pretty, and her cherry red lips were tempting. Her hair was dry and a mess, but it was still in place, so I let her rest.

Because I had to study, I left her with Patricia and some of the girls. "Tell me when she's awake, and yes, no one should wake her up or talk to her. I'll be the first to talk to her," I told them before I left.

It took a few hours before someone knocked on the door and said, "The maiden has awakened, Master." It was Patricia, who was the only maid I let into my study. It was crazy how fast she had woken up, and I looked pretty upset. "I'll be right there," I said, pulling up my shirt that wasn't buttoned all the way.

It looked like she had just opened her eyes and was trying to figure out what was going on. I could feel her panic. "I can see you have awoken," I told her, looking at her eyes and then at the wounds on her hands. The sores on her feet made me think of how mean people could be.

I thought she wouldn't be interested in talking, so I only asked her name after telling her mine. She looked surprised, and I got the feeling she knew who I was but couldn't remember. I let her rest for a while longer.

I left the room to get some fresh air, but I knew I would have to claim her as mine at some point. I couldn't let anyone else have her; she was more valuable than I thought. That necklace is from Ivriah, the missing angel; she's the only way I can get my wings back. I was thinking so much that I forgot why I was outside.

I told myself, "There's only one way I can keep her close to me, and that's to marry her. That's why she was always so attractive—her soul was calling out to me."

A maid rushed out to the balcony and said, "Master, lady Kathleen has woken up again." She bowed slightly. I raised my eyebrows and stood up to see her in the hallway. I told the maid to leave, and she did. "Where does she think she can run from me?" I asked.She was very brave to stay away from me, I told her.

"Where do you believe you're going?""I said, staring deeply into her eyes. She froze right in front of me, watching her eyes because she couldn't make up a lie. I could see that she was wearing the dress I chose for her; I get the feeling she's stubborn and wouldn't listen when I told her to rest."

As she covered her mouth, I took her hand and picked her up easily. I took her straight to her room and laid her lightly on the bed. As she watched my eyes, I could see how scared she was. I watched her sleep for the night.

I had to get ready fast because I had work to do in the morning. When I checked on Kathleen, she was still in bed after the meetings were set up.

I was glad to leave for the meeting, and I made sure to get there quickly so I could see her awake. It turned out that she had made me a meal when I got home. The food smelled good, but her scent stayed with me. I asked her to stand closer while I told the maids to leave, and I pulled her to sit on my lap. I could see her face turn red, and I liked seeing her ask, "Do you dislike me so much?""I asked her while her back was to me. When she answered, I turned her face and her thoughts back to me. "Then be mine," I said after a short time.

She looked at me with doubt, so I told her it was her choice. That's when she cut me off, "Yes, I'll be yours." That made my heart burn even more for her. She said she would be mine, and I'd get my wings back and terrorise humans once more. I would no longer have to feed on lowly humans. When she took my name in hers, it made my heart race even faster. This would be the start of the end for those humans who hurt her.