The Love He Stole

Confrontations

Poppy had gone off to the servant’s quarters for the night and Lily took a moment in the mirror to wipe off the makeup that didn’t get washed away by her tears. Even though it was late, she didn’t want to risk being seen looking completely unkempt in the hall. She ran her fingers down the length of her hair, smoothing out any tangles or frizz. She got up from her stool at the vanity and opened her bedchamber door as Sam walked by with his head held high.

Her heart fluttered at the sight of him. He was dressed in his usual white puffy shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his muscular forearms and the high waisted pants accentuated his lean core and thick thighs. Her eyes trailed down his back to his butt, the sight of which she found very pleasing. Lily snapped herself out of ogling over him and called out to him. He stopped and looked over his shoulder before turning to face her.

“Why aren’t you in your room?” he scolded.

“I… was going to check out the library… Is that okay?” she muttered, afraid to meet his eyes.

“Whatever,” he sighed, turning to leave.

“Wait!”

Lily closed the distance between them, grabbing his arm. She looked up at him and her heart started pounding. She wasn’t sure if it was fear, l**t, or both, but he didn’t look happy.

“What?” he growled. She let him go and stepped back, looking down at the floor.

“I just… I wanted to apologize for what I said yesterday. It was…”

He cut her off with a snicker.

“You think I care what you think?” he mocked, walking closer to her and backing her into the wall. His face was inches away from hers and she could smell liquor on his breath. She was still afraid to look at him, she knew he was likely drunk and acting out of hurt but she couldn’t help feeling hurt herself now. He put his arms on either side of her head, trapping her against the wall.

“You’re just a pawn I get to f*ck…three more days, love” he whispered in her ear. Her breathing was deep and quick and seemed to egg him on. He looked down at her chest heaving up and down and smirked.

“Sam…please stop,” she whimpered.

“I could just take you now. Who’s gonna stop me?” He grabbed her by the base of her neck and leaned into her. She was scared and electrified at the same time.

“Please, Sam…”

“Please what, Lily” he said, l*****g his lips. “Please take you to my room and show you what a scumbag I really am?” He looked deep into her eyes, and she saw darkness within him, the pain he was hiding.

“Stop it!” She gathered all her strength and pushed him, but he was too strong. He chuckled at her weak attempt and pressed himself against her body, his hand grabbing her waist.

“It’s going to be fun making you mine,” he purred against her neck, his voice like fine velvet. Goosebumps formed under his breath and she knew she was losing control, losing the mental fight against her l**t.

“Looks like your body agrees,” he grinned. His lips lingered above her neck and she knew she wanted him. Against her better judgment and will, she wanted him to take her. She was vibrating with desire beneath him, her insides aching for him.

“Just say the word, Lily…”

Shame filled her as a tiny moan escaped her lips, driving him wild. He nuzzled her ear, and she tilted her head back and bit her lip.

“Say it,” he cooed.

“…Take me, Sam,” she breathed out, surrendering to him. He released her and suddenly backed off, turning away from her. She was dismayed, her jaw dropping in anguish.

“I…I don’t understand, Sam. Why…”

“I’m just a scumbag, Lily… You tell me,” he scoffed and walked away. Tears welled up in Lily’s eyes, devastated that she even opened up to him. She watched him go into his bedchamber and she held her arms around her chest, embarrassed and frustrated. But also understanding that she was not forgiven. He was angry at her and wanted her to feel the same way. She hated that she understood why. She just wanted to hate him. Stupid psychology…

She blinked the tears away and went to the library down the hall. It was dark until she walked in, the oil lamps around the room turning themselves on. Damien must've enchanted them to be motion activated. The room was modestly sized but every wall was covered by bookshelves and in the middle of the room were brown leather chairs and little tables. There were no sections labeled like the NYU library she was used to so she had to search around to find the section of books on law. She ran her fingers along the spines of the book, their numbing power not working for the first time in her life. She sniffled and sighed but kept searching.

It took fifteen minutes but she finally found the section. She grabbed a couple of the books and brought them over to one of the chairs, setting all but one on the table. She flipped through the book on Bramsford village law and marriage wasn’t even mentioned. She swapped it for a kingdom law book and skimmed the book, finally finding a section on marriage.

“Under the law set forth by King Silas I and henceforth, any marriage committed in the realm should require a witness to the consummation by at least one trusted guard. He will witness the bride and groom enter into the marriage bed and exit the room, posted at the door to ensure the legitimacy of the union.”

Lily rolled her eyes, annoyed by this stupid archaic law. She read on but found nothing of use, feeling hopeless for Rose’s sake. She got up to put the books back on the shelf, and searched for another book. The sound of footsteps coming up behind her startled her and she quickly turned around, disappointed it wasn’t Sam.

“Mr. Belgrave,” she trembled in surprise.

“Hello, little flower,” he sneered. “I hear you’ve been asking around about me.. you and that little maid of yours.”

Oh no…he knows. Her heart started racing and she curled her hands into fists, preparing to fight for her life.

“So…” he started, taking a step closer to her. “Sam isn’t to your liking, huh?”

“What?” she whispered.

“I must’ve made quite the impression in that dungeon cell… for you to be wanting more.”

She didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t know the real reason but she couldn’t think up an excuse on the spot. Panic rose in her stomach and her palms started to sweat.

“That’s okay, you don’t have to admit it, my delicate little flower,” he leered. Her disgust was evident on her face. She watched him in the flickering light, thankful she was in the shadows and her facial expressions were hidden, but she didn’t know how to get out of this situation. She couldn’t fight off Sam earlier and even though Charles is smaller, her confidence was shot. He took another step closer and a knot formed in her throat.

“I should get to bed…” she tried, but he raised his hand up.

“But Lily… we’re alone now. You don’t have to fake it anymore.”

“You misunderstand, Mr. Belgrave…”

“Hmph… what other reason could you have to be asking about me? Hmm…Lily?” he threatened, only a couple feet between them now.

“I…”

“See, there’s only one acceptable reason… and if you’re telling me that isn’t it… then we have a problem,” he hissed, pulling out a small knife and holding it up at her. Lily’s heart was breaking, mourning her life and everything that could have been. Tears fell from her eyes and she squeezed them shut as he held the blade up to her throat, backing her into the bookshelf. This is it, isn’t it…I’m going to die.

“Well, love. What have you got to say for yourself?”

“I… I…”

“I,I,” he mocked. “Relax, I’m not going to kill you. You’re far too beautiful for death,” he snickered, putting the knife away, but he stayed in her space, taking a deep inhale of her neck. She whimpered, fearing for what else he might do. “Mmm, such a shame. Sam’s a lucky bastard…for now,” he smirked.

“What do you mean for-”

Just then, Sam was there and he pulled Charles off of her, pulling him down to the ground. His body thudded hard against the wood. Sam crouched above him and landed two quick punches at his face. He shrunk beneath Sam, trying to cover his head. Charles cried out in pain and grabbed at his nose, blood dripping out of his hands.

Lily was speechless, struggling to process everything unfolding around her. She wasn’t sure what Charles was going to do to her but she was saved by Sam again. The same man who just emotionally manipulated her in such a teasingly cruel way. Sam stood up and grabbed Lily by the arm. He pulled her out of the library and rushed her down the hall back into her bedchamber. She was still shaken up, trembling and silent. And suddenly angry.

“Lily, are you okay?” Sam said, grabbing her face to meet her eyes, but she wouldn’t look at him.