Deviant Ardor

[o3 : Exodus]

From here on out, all chapters (as well as the previous two) can be found (unedited) on my alternate account:

https://www.wattpad.com/user/DeviantBun

Happy reading....

[Preview]

Imani woke, sore and lethargic.

Even though the fire in the fireplace had long since gone out, the room was still comfortably warm. Not wanting to get up, Imani let their eyes close again, allowing themselves this moment of calm before the storm.

While resting, they thought of running again. Just picking up and leaving this place with nothing but the pajamas on their back. All they’d have to do was slip out the door and go–where?

Closing their eyes, Imani could still hear the voice of the woman in the woods… Calling for them to come back.

Imani shivered as a cold chill shot up their spine.

No. Going back through those woods was too dangerous. They were lucky that they’d even been found at all.

Hearing a knock at the door, they opened their eyes again, watching the housekeeper that they’d only seen in passing before as she came into the room.

Amelia was striking in a way that Imani couldn’t immediately put to words. And they watched as the woman closed the door behind herself and casually crossed the floor.

Imani didn’t move, though they made no attempt to hide that they were awake.

“Good morning,” Amelia offered as she sat fresh clothes in the chair by the bed. “I’ve brought you your clothes. Cleaned, pressed, and mended where needed. Breakfast is on the table, fresh and hot, waiting for you. I noticed you didn’t eat much last night, so I imagine you must be famished still.” She went to pull back the heavier curtains, letting in the light, but left the thinner, gossamer curtains closed to maintain the guest's privacy.

Imani eyed the arrangement of clothes and made a face. They wanted to burn them. “Thank you.”

Their eyes going to Amelia again, Imani could see that there was an air of mystery to her smile. As if she were holding onto a well-kept secret. Approachable, but not overly friendly. But it was the long and almost fiery braid that the voluptuous woman pulled forward over her shoulder as she waited that made it all click for Imani.

“Venus,” Imani whispered finally.

Amelia’s brow raised. “I’m sorry?”

With the slightest smile curling the corners of their mouth, Imani spoke up. “The Birth of Venus. The painting. That’s who you remind me of.”

The corner of Amelia’s mouth twitched a little higher as she took in the complement. “Is that so? Well, that means a lot, coming from a young man as handsome as yourself.”

Imani started to correct the woman, but stopped and only smiled.

“I’ll leave you to get dressed. Then I’ll get you fed and walk you up to the main house. Alright?”

Nodding again, Imani watched Amelia leave, once again closing the door behind herself.

Groaning, Imani sank down into the bed, throwing an arm over their eyes. Getting up wasn’t the problem. It was the dreaded confrontation with their family that was the fear.