Caught in the Fox’s Teeth

Chapter 6: Taryn

“Girl.” The deep rumble booms from the far end of the table. I stab a bite of melon to keep myself from jabbing my fork in his eye instead. I don’t know why my lord continues to feign ignorance. He knows I have a name. His smirk only sets my teeth on edge. They’d surely crack if he continues to try my patience.

I respond. My tone as sweet as sugar and as smooth as cream. “Yes, my lord?” My voice could be misconstrued as seductive, but I give no other indications that I’m the slightest bit interested in taking Dryndenn as a lover. Just picturing the beast looming over me on a bed, rutting into me like a sweating pig is enough to sour the sweetness of the melon. I drop my fork and gently push my plate away as I wait for what the bastard has to say.

“Odin has sent word that he’s nearing the manse. It seems you’ll be happily re-married within the month. He’s asked me to give you this.” Dryndenn holds up a letter. It’s crumpled and dirty as if it has exchanged many hands before plaguing mine. I don’t move from my seat. If he wishes to grant me a curse, he can damn well walk the thing over to me. Sensing my apprehension, Dryndenn waves for Ullo to take the letter. Ullo obliges and passes me the parchment, placing it in my trembling hand.

The letter is sealed with the Vulpin house crest, a fox with an arrow in its mouth. It’s addressed to “My Beloved.” I wish I would have stayed in my room. I try to remember Aggy wanted me to come to breakfast so I can gain my strength. I will need every ounce of my strength to run. I must endure this fuckery for now. “Well? Are you going to read it or just stare at the damn thing? Your future husband has sent you a letter, you can at least take the time to read it.” Dryndenn’s eyes narrow on me. He does not appreciate my indifference to his son’s correspondence. I’m halfway tempted to toss the thing into the flames before opening it. Groaning under my breath, my curiosity ends up getting the best of me. Instead of destroying the thing, I end up breaking the seal. I open the letter and begin reading.

My soon-to-be wife,

While the passing of my brother comes as a shock and I’m distraught from the loss, knowing I will soon claim you as my mate has made our loss bittersweet. I am sorry to have missed the funeral but sorrier still that I could not be there to console you during your hour of need as well as announce our betrothal in person.

In anticipation for our wedding, I have cut all ties with any other women. I will restrain my urges and save them for our much-anticipated wedding night. I ache with need at the thoughts of seeing you bared before me as soft and juicy as a tree ripened peach. I long to drink the nectar from between your thighs. I lie awake for hours at night, haunted by the visions of you panting and writhing beneath me, squealing your devotions to me. I have hastened my travel in anticipation of hearing my name moaned in passion from those lovely lips of yours. I cannot wait to bury myself inside you and fill you with my—

Good gods. Is this man writing me filthy declarations of lustful devotions in the same letter as talking about his dead brother? My cheeks heat. I can’t read any more of this trash. Not here. Not now. Not ever. I crumple the letter and toss it into the fireplace. Dryndenn quirks up an eyebrow. “Good news I take it?” He asks, head c****d. I hum a noncommittal response. “We will begin preparing for the ceremony then. I’m certain Elzbith and you will be quite busy ironing out the fine details.”

“No. We won’t.” I say. The previous sweetness replaced by malice.

“Excuse me?” The lord growls.

“I don’t care about the wedding. Plan whatever it is you want. If I have no say in who and when I marry, then I certainly don’t give a single f**k about the color scheme and flowers.” Elzbith gasps at my spiteful words.

“Taryn! You should practice some humility. My loving wife has lost a son and is trying to wash away that sadness by planning a joyous occasion with her daughter. Do not spoil this for her. You will entertain this request.” Dryndenn grumbles.

“Or what? You’ll marry me off to another son? Sell me to a trader? Or perhaps you’ll send me back to my beloved Daodan as I have requested.” My eyes narrow and my feet move before I even know what I’m doing.

“Don’t you walk away from me, girl.”

“My name is Taryn! For f**k sakes. It is not a difficult name to learn and seeing as I am being forced onto another one of your sons, it would behoove you to learn it.” I almost make it out the door before the hulking figure of Dryndenn rushes into my periphery. For being older and heavier, the lord of house Vulpin is far quicker than I gave him credit for. Dryndenn grabs onto my bicep with a crushing grip. His meaty fist squeezes me painfully; a spark of delight etched across his severe features. “You’re hurting me!” My attempts at pulling myself from his grasp only force his fist to tighten.

“Good. Maybe the pain will knock some sense back into you girl.” His mocking tone nearly sends me into a frenzy. I could pluck out his eyes or perhaps I can drag my nails down his ugly mug. “Go on then. Try me.” Dryndenn juts out his jaw, straightening his posture and brings himself up to his full height. “I promise you, darling daughter, there are fates worse than death. If you act on whatever impulsive thoughts are bouncing around in that thick head of yours, you will quickly find yourself in an abyss of your own making.”

I tell my body to run. To fight. To do anything other than what it does. My knees begin to buckle; it’s like the fight has just gone out of me the same way someone snuffs out a candle. “Shhh. You’ve had a challenging time as of late…” my lord and master envelopes me in his arms, tugging me closer to his body. Our bodies press flush against one another. “Come. Let me see you back to your room.”

“I’d be happy to take her, my lord.” A chair scrapes across the stone floor as Ullo stands quickly. I hear him fumble with his seat as he grabs for the chair he’s nearly knocked over in his rush to stand. Ullo moves towards us, but Dryndenn is having none of it.

“What kind of man would I be if I failed to aid my grieving daughter to her rooms? Sit down Ullo.” Aggy shuffles a foot in our direction but a glare from our master freezes her where she stands. “I will not have Taryn disturbed. She is not herself.” With the lord’s words, a finality settles over the room. No one meets my eyes as Dryndenn scoops me into his arms. Sorsha squirms uncomfortably at my closeness to her lover. I almost laugh and tell her not to worry. I have no interest in playing nice with the high lord.