A/N: A new story! Yay! Please shoot me now! I have other stories pending and a new one comes up! Argh! Oh well, since school's out might as well be productive. Either way, this is a new story which I dreamt of yesterday so by default it becomes a story :p
Important Note: Anyway, I just want to mention this story is much darker than what I usually write; some chapters will include sex (I won't be writing it word by word), graphic details of grotesque beasts or macabre scenes not for the squeamish. It's just graphic and plain messed up. This is a drama/fantasy story with elements of horror and tragedy. Don't worry, not everything is messed up as it seems. Finally, some chapters will alternate between rated T and M. I will warn you on chapters that are rated M (for those who are uncomfortable with certain acts, activities and/or details).
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Summary: AU. Mariah craved freedom yet it was far from reach. Bound to the Lord, escape was futile. Closing her eyes the moment the sirens of sleep called to her, she dreamt of a pair of golden eyes whisking her away into the darkness granting her eternal freedom. Was freedom worth the risk of death in reality or in her dreams?
Chapter 1: Sweet Dreams
Lost in a sea of gold, I let myself die in his arms releasing a trail of red ribbons into the wind.
Pushing off the dew covered ground, the mist around her dispersed revealing tear stained cheeks. Taking one last glance at the eroded tombstone, she turned on her heels and exited the cemetery. Ghostly footsteps crunched against the dry grass as she made her way through the maze of decayed, lifeless trees and unmarked graves. Stepping out onto the main road, she immediately received strange glances from the townspeople. Quickly hiding her tear filled eyes under the black floral veil, she hastily made her way down the road, taking a sharp turn around a corner as another tear escaped her eye. Leaning against the brick wall, she momentarily stopped to catch her breath.
"Hey baby,"
Great, she thought as. she turned her head, locking onto a pair of light blue eyes along with a mouth filled with pearly whites; a Cheshire cat's grin at best. Arms slithered out of the mist grasping her ivory shoulders before sliding down her arms. He pushed her into the cold brick wall and breathed down her exposed neck.
Placing a kiss on the side of her exposed neck he asked, "Will you come and dance for me today, Mariah?"
Like he doesn't know the answer.
Pushing him away, she quietly replied, "Yes Bryan. What time do you want me to come by?"
Although she refused to make eye contact with him, she knew he smirked. "I don't know. What time do you think you'll come?"
Mariah bit her lip. She hated when he did this, playing games and riddles! Curious hands slithered around her curves until fingers slowly pulled up the black dress. A sudden snap echoed from the mist; Bryan shot his head to the right, making eye contact with a pair of pink eyes.
Matilda!
The short haired girl bushed and immediately ran away in the opposite direction. She couldn't be more relieved when Bryan's features turned grim. He wasn't too pleased with interruptions but for now, he had to stop.
He grunted. "Well Mariah… I'll be picking up where I left off later."
His hand slithered down her arm as his fingers picked up her hand, bringing his lips to it. Before she knew it, he released her hand and bowed, acting like the perfect gentleman. He was a man without flaws, a man whom respected women and a man who had power at the tips of his fingers. Bryan grinned at Mariah as he took several steps back, fading with the mist.
Mariah sighed, turning heel heading toward home. Mariah was weary; pulling her veil lower, she avoided all eye contact with the rest of the townspeople. Luck was on her side arriving in front of the vine covered grey mansion. Pushing the black metallic gates open, an eerie creak resonated in the silence sending crows darting off the trees cawing aloud, singing a song of death.
"Mariah?"
Turning around, Matilda emerged from behind a nicely trimmed bush. A small smile crept on Mariah's face prompting Matilda to approach her, embracing the girl tightly.
"Hey, I'm fine," Mariah spoke. Distancing an arm's length from Matilda, Mariah brushed away Matilda's pink locks away from her eyes. "See? I'm fine. I'm okay. That creep didn't do anything to me."
Matilda was not convinced. "Mariah, look at you; in order to pay back your brother's debt, you're using your body for compensation. Isn't there any other way?"
Mariah simply shook her head, "No. You know the story Matilda…"
Remembering the events of how she ended up in this situation, she couldn't help but hate her brother a little more. This all began with his gambling addiction. Like any addict, he didn't know when to quit! Abandoned by the rest of the family and his best friends, he continued gambling until he had nothing left, that is, until he heard an 'interesting proposition'.
"I'll tell you what, Lee,"
Lee's eyes widened. Ripping his gaze from the expensive black and gold threaded carpet, his eyes traveled up the black leather shoes of the Lord whom remain seated on his throne.
"Y-Yes?"
"Since you owe me over a hundred thousand gold, in return, I demand your sister."
"M-M-Mariah?" Lee sputtered. "But, sir! She's my baby sister! She's—"
Bryan's cold eyes silenced Lee. What was Lee to do? Slamming his fists onto the carpet, he had no choice! If Lee couldn't pay up then Bryan would forcefully cease Lee's property, estates and treasury. Of course, the situation would have turned for the worse if Bryan wasn't satisfied with Lee's property; he may have demanded his life. Biting his lip, Lee had no choice but to give up his baby sister to Bryan; it was the only choice he had. Hearing shuffling, Lee looked up at Bryan who crossed his leg, knowing all too well Lee's favorable answer. Rubbing the golden falcon ring on his finger, he watched Lee tremble.
Without looking Lee said, "Agreed."
Bryan grinned, "Excellent. Do not worry Lee, when Mariah comes of age I shall ask for her hand in marriage."
Mariah's heart fell through the floor after hearing those words. She immediately turned her head away the moment she felt Bryan's lustful gaze on her body. Biting her lip, now she realized why Lee asked, no, demanded her to dress in her finest garments and jewelry. Like a coward that he was, he couldn't look her in the eye. Hearing footsteps, she didn't want to look up when Bryan approached her, slipping a finger under her chin and forced to meet eye to eye with him.
"Beautiful." He slipped a hand to her back slowly nudging her to move.
Without a voice, she couldn't tell him to stop. All she had to do was to follow him side by side down the candlelit hallways and into his sleeping chambers.
How many years passed since that faithful day? Ah, yes, five years. Five years ago Bryan took away Mariah's innocence at the age of sixteen. Now at the age of twenty-one, she was nowhere close to regaining freedom. Thinking about it carefully, freedom was only a fleeting dream; a thought and vision… Shaking her head, Mariah weakly smiled at Matilda whom stood there, with hands over her heart. Excusing herself, Mariah headed toward the house pushing the solid wooden door open; it creaked, sending a curtain of dust falling.
Walking up the wooden railing, her mind was fixed on tonight's events; when the town bells chime she was to wait in front of her house for a personal carriage to arrive, driven by mechanical horses and a phantom rider. Gripping tightly onto the railing, Mariah was disgusted at herself. She hated dancing for him, giving in into his lustful desires and fantasies. Most nights end up with erogenous sex.
Arriving at her bed room, she released an unannounced yawn. Mariah trotted over to the bed, kicking off the heels and plopped down onto the soft lavender scented mattress. "As for tonight, I may not get to dream… again…"
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
Travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something
Some of them want to use you
Some of them to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused…