Chapter2 -The Slave
1219 Words
The heavy doors of Evander's chambers slammed shut behind me, the sound echoing like a death siren. I stood in the centre of the room, my body trembling beneath the coarse slave tunic they had forced me into. The fine gown I had arrived in was gone, stripped away along with any illusion of dignity. My fine blonde hair, once intricately braided, now hung in loose, tangled waves around my face.
I had been stripped of everything fine I was wearing and left like some common fae.
Evander leaned against the massive stone fireplace, his arms crossed over his broad chest. His electric blue eyes gleamed with a predatory light as he watched me, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
He was a savage. A savage beast. That's what he was.
"You'll sleep here," he said, gesturing to a narrow cot in the far corner of the room. "You'll clean, you'll serve, and you'll obey. Is that clear?"
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. "I am not your slave. I am Princess Lirael Aurora Ashcroft of Dragondale. You cannot treat me like this!" I said, my voice low but steady.
Evander raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "Oh? And what do you think you will be here, princess? A guest? A wife?" He pushed off the fireplace and took a step toward me, his presence overwhelming. "You're here because your people sold you to me like a prized mare. You belong to me now; I can treat you however the hell I want."
My magic surged within me, a desperate attempt to fight back, but it fizzled out before it could manifest. There was something in this castle that stifled my magic. I didn't know what it was, but I couldn't use my powers with it.
Evander noticed my struggle and chuckled darkly. "Your powers are useless here. I have every inch of this castle protected from the likes of you. You'll learn quickly that defiance has consequences here."
"So stay here. And do as you're told."
With that, he walked out of the room. I sighed in annoyance. I wanted to cry, but before I could even start, the door creaked open, and two lycan warriors entered, their eyes fixed on me. One of them, a burly man with a jagged scar across his face, stepped too close to me, his breath hot against my skin. The other one stood at the door, preferably watching. He had a sick twisted smile on his face.
"Pretty thing, isn't she? Like a doll." he sneered, his hand reaching out to brush a strand of hair from my face.
I reacted instinctively, my hand flying out to slap him across the face.
"How dare you?!"
The sound echoed through the room, and for a moment, there was stunned silence.
The warrior's eyes darkened with rage. "You little—"
He grabbed me by the arm, his grip bruising, and threw me to the ground. I cried out as my head hit the stone floor, pain exploding behind my eyes. The warrior loomed over me, his hands fumbling at the hem of my tunic.
No, no. I thought.
"I will teach you. I will teach you how to respect wolves. Let's see how high and mighty you are now," he growled.
I kicked and thrashed, but he was too strong. His hand tore through the top of my tunic, exposing my bare and naked chest. As he caught a glimpse of one rosy pink n****e, he smiled happily and panic surged through me. I opened my mouth to scream, but no sound came out.
"Enough."
Evander's voice cut through the chaos like a blade. The warrior froze, his hands still gripping my shoulder. Evander crossed the room in three strides, his expression thunderous. He grabbed the warrior by the back of his neck and hurled him across the room.
"Touch her again," Evander said, his voice low and dangerous, "and I'll rip your throat out."
The warrior scrambled to his feet, his face pale. "Alpha, I—"
"Get out," Evander snapped.
The warriors fled, leaving me alone with Evander. I lay on the floor, my chest heaving, tears streaming down my face. I gathered what was left of my torn tunic and held it close to my chest. Evander crouched beside me, his blue eyes boring into mine.
"You're lucky I intervened," he said. "But don't mistake my actions for kindness. You're mine, and I don't share."
I glared at him, my fear giving way to anger. "I am not yours, I am not some property you can own!" I spat.
Evander's smirk returned. "We'll see about that." He straightened and gestured to the large copper tub in the adjoining room.
"Draw me a bath."
I stared at him, incredulous. "You expect me to serve you like some slave?"
"I do."
"I'd rather die."
Evander's expression darkened, and he took a step toward her. "Careful, princess. You're testing my patience."
I stood my ground, my chin lifted in defiance. "I will not be your slave."
Evander's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I thought he might strike me. Instead, he turned and walked to the door. "Bring Sorros back," he called to the guards outside.
I didn't know what he meant, or what he was talking about till the scarred warrior returned, his eyes gleaming with malice. Evander crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, his gaze fixed on me.
"You have a choice," he said. "Draw my bath, or let him have his way with you."
My heart pounded in my chest. "You wouldn't dare. You're bluffing."
Evander's smirk returned. "Am I?" He nodded to the warrior, who had entered the room; he took a step towards me.
My breath hitched as the warrior reached for me again. I looked at Evander, searching for any sign that it was a cruel joke, but his expression was unreadable.
The warrior's hand closed around my arm, and my resolve shattered.
"Wait!" I cried, my voice trembling. "I'll do it. I'll draw your bath."
Evander raised a hand, and the warrior released me, stepping back with a disappointed grunt. I stumbled toward the other room, where a large tub was waiting, my legs shaking beneath me. I filled it with water from the nearby basin, my hands trembling so badly I could barely hold the pitcher.
Evander watched me in silence, his arms still crossed. When the tub was full, he walked over and dipped a hand into the water.
"Cold," he said, his tone mocking. "Do it again."
I bit back a retort and emptied the tub, refilling it with fresh water. This time, I made sure the water I took from the other basin was warm enough by putting it next to the fireplace.
Evander tested the water again and nodded. "Better." He began to undress, his movements slow and deliberate. I turned away, my face burning with shame.
"You'll learn, princess," Evander said as he stepped into the tub. "Defiance has no place here. You're mine now, and you'll do exactly as I say."
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms once more. I said nothing, but my mind raced with plans of escape, of revenge.
This was only the beginning.
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