A/N: I never wrote anything before (as I am sure you can tell) so I just wanted to say a quick thank you for reading. An extra special thank you to anderpson, Scream4Help, FAESTPACK JW, and my anonymous guest reviewer as well.

Disclaimer: Still do not own these characters.

Rachel's POV

Coming out of my fainting spell, the first thing I noticed was how blissfully warm I seemed to be. With my eyes still closed and my body curled into the fetal position, I strained to hear other voices around me but heard none. I knew whoever left me here was bound to come back sometime, I reasoned that it was better to pretend to be unconscious when they returned. So with a heavy heart, I steadied my breathing and tried to remain motionless.

"I know you're awake."

Well damn. I suppose I could have acted like I didn't hear him, but if he saw through the first lie, I'm sure he could see through another. I breathed in deep and sat up warily. My eyes took a moment to clear and slowly take in my surroundings. My Guardians rarely let me out of the house, but sometimes I could see this type of car from my window. The interior of one of these long vehicles was so different from what I expected. Dark leather seats framed either side of me with what looked to be a bar on furthest side. I looked up to the origin of the voice to see a man sitting across from me silently looking out the window.

My head could not quite place who he was at the time. The stranger looked almost serene with his chin resting on one hand in a custom made suit. His tie was relaxed with the top button undone, and even with the suit jacket missing he was the most handsome man I have ever seen. As soon as his eyes turned toward mine however, the reason I passed out in the first place came rushing back.

Anger filled words. Suspicious and questionable actions. Black wings.

I held back the urge to pass out again and instead scrambled backwards until my back hit the other end of the vehicle. His missing suit jacket that I now noticed was the cause of my previous warm bliss, slid off of me in my haste to get away. My breathing became erratic and my eyes went wide as I stared straight ahead.

"Y-you…you have…wings!"

He tilted his head to the side with a quizzical expression. "What are you talking about?"

I swallowed and tried again. "I saw you… in the library talking. You and that other man had wings."

"Little dove, I think you may have hit you head when you collapsed after that auction."

He tried to reach for me but I flinched away from his grasp. He sighed and sat back once again.

We stayed in silence for a long amount of time. He returned to looking out his window, seemingly bored of the view. I looked out the many other windows myself and quickly recognized that we were parked in front of a castle. Well, it looked like a castle from where I was sitting. From the tinted windows I could see the stone walls complete with what I could only describe as princess towers. I can say with little shame that the huge double door entrance was more than a little intimidating. It felt like a literal mark signaling my new life and whatever it chooses to come with.

I turned back to him again and mentally prepared myself for the question I was about to ask. I was afraid of the answer but I needed to know nonetheless.

"What exactly are you going to do with me?"

His eyes were so full of heat and desire that I almost had to turn away. "Oh I have so many answers to that question." I blushed madly as he continued. "I just want to possess every delicious inch of you," my breath caught as he roamed my scantily clad form, "is that so wrong?"

I felt my anger flare up quickly. "Yes it is wrong. I'm not some piece of furniture!"

A smirk played on his lips. "I know that little dove. Now come, it is time to show you your new home."

I couldn't help the gasp that escaped me when I stepped out of the vehicle. The castle itself was beautiful but dark, cold and gritty on the edges. The grey stone and brick that covered the massive structure looked to be beyond repair worn by weather and time. The landscape seemed to be the complete opposite though, with its lush green grassy hills and other foliage littering the property. If that wasn't disheartening enough, thunder rumbled around us carrying its promise of a heavy storm. Shivering from a sudden gust of wind, I gave Master Anderson a small smile when he covered my shoulders with the suit jacket once again.

A tall man appeared beside us then, his demeanor was clumsy but sure while carrying large bags from the trunk of the car.

"This is my groundskeeper Finn Hudson. He tends to the land obviously but can also be used to help with the hard labor inside."

Ever the lady, I held out my hand in greeting. "Good evening. My name is Rachel, it's nice to meet you. May I call you Finn?"

He smiled while taking my hand and kissing it softly. "You can call me anything you like my lady."

I heard a low growl beside me and almost jumped when I felt an arm wrap possessively around my waist. Finn released my hand before straightening his body and giving Master Anderson a stern look.

"Your guests have sent word that they will arrive earlier than expected."

"How early?"

"They will be here by sundown Master Anderson."

I was starting to become exceedingly irritated with the way I was being carried around like a rag doll. Yes, I grew up with little to no freedom but it never went to these extremes. Before I could blink, I was thrown over my new owner's shoulder and dashed into the castle. I saw nothing but upside down blurs of my new residence before I was being set to my feet in an extravagant looking bedroom. The door shook with the force of his slam, and from my place behind him, I can see the tension rolling off his back in waves. Running a hand through his curls, he turned to walk toward me in a slow deliberate pace. I rooted my feet to the ground, determined to not show the fear that I felt inside.

"I thought I would have more time to break you in my dove…but it seems that time is not on our side."

"What do you mean?"

He stopped in front of me then, his hand coming up to cradle my face gently. I can see the fear in his eyes, but whether it was for me or for him I couldn't know. Before I could say anything more, his lips were pressed to mine.

His kiss was gentle. It wasn't passionate or lustful or desperate. He never pushed me to take further. It was as if he wanted me to remember this kind moment throughout the night we were about to have.

That possibility chilled me to my very bones.

He pulled away suddenly and whispered one word firmly. "Mine."

He sped over to a closet nearby, bringing out what looked to be a grey floor length gown. I didn't get the chance to see the details of it before it was thrown onto the bed. I looked down at my green dress and wondered why I couldn't just wear this one. He must have read my expression. He shook his head and spoke with authority.

"You represent me now. I will not have you looking like some commoner."

I watched as he made his way over to a dresser and pulled out a white diamond necklace. He unclasped the back and made his way over to me, seemingly to put it around my neck. I backed away in disbelief.

"I can't where that, it's too much."

"I am not giving it to you for sentimental reasons. It shows the others that you are already belonging to someone."

"So it's like a collar! I'm a dog now?"

He narrowed his eyes and tossed the necklace on the dresser. "We don't have time for this! I am not asking you to put it on…I am ordering you to."

I blame my pride for crossing my arms and saying the one word I knew he did not want to hear. "No."

The room went deadly quiet. My stubbornness has always been my defense mechanism, but it seems it has finally met his match.

"Don't put it on then. It will be interesting to see how far you'll get."

With those last words, he left me alone and shut the door with a louder slam than before. Sinking to my knees I finally let the tears fall. If this was to be my life now I didn't know how long I would last. I wasn't this person. With everything thrown at me I always stood strong. When my Guardians used verbal and sometimes physical abuse against me, I drew on something deep inside for strength. Like a fire or light that shielded my heart from becoming broken and lifeless. I stood to my feet and wiped the tears away furiously, taking stock of the room that I was held in.

Words couldn't describe the beauty of the room. It was the size of the entire bottom floor of the old Manor. It was obviously a female's room I was standing in, with lavender curtains and a huge four poster canopy bed as the focal point. At least eight pillows were organized at the head of it, each bigger than the other. Walking over, I touched the fabric that covered the bed cautiously. It was softest thing I ever touched. Whoever slept here must be pretty special. Then I noticed the connecting bathroom. It was almost as big as the bedroom itself. With shower and bathtub that looked like it could fit four. I continued walking around the main room, looking through the long windows, passing the fireplace, skimming my fingers across the dressers until I came to the closet. I stood there gaping like a fish at the rows and rows of dresses, shoes and accessories.

The strangest part was that they all seemed to be in my size.

I jumped when I heard a tentative knock on the door. I hurried out of the closet and cracked open the door, not knowing who to expect. Who I saw was a tall and beautiful brunette wearing a standard maid's uniform.

My eyes widened when she curtsied and spoke nervously. "Miss Rachel? My name is Marley Rose, your handmaiden. Master Anderson thought you may require my assistance in getting dressed this evening?"

"Uh sure come on in."

She gave me a relieved smile as if she thought I would refuse her at the door. As soon as she entered the room she hurriedly pushed me into the bathroom. I could hear her humming as she set the bath and poured some wonderful smelling soap in. She pinned my hair up and out of the way and held out a fuzzy towel.

"You must hurry. Master Anderson's guests have already arrived and he is most anxious to have you by his side."

She left me alone to bathe which I was grateful for. Sinking into the hot relaxing water was heavenly. If I had a bathtub like this I would soak in it every day. As soon as I was done washing all the necessary parts I released the stopper and wrapped myself in the towel. I walked back out to see Marley laying out a brush and a few other trinkets. She motioned for me to sit at the chair facing the mirror. When I did, she undid the clips holding my hair and started brushing out my long tresses.

I thought of a question to break the silence. "So how long have you been working here as a handmaiden?"

"About four years I suppose. My last employer treated me horribly. Master Anderson took me in and I've been here ever since."

She took a few strands of my hair and made two braids connecting in the back with the rest hanging down loosely. She had me stand and Marley held out the dress for me to step into. She looked away while I dropped my towel and when it came up over my breasts she helped fasten the strap that went around my neck. She situated the silver wing shaped clasp and nestled it securely to my chest, successfully giving the illusion of more cleavage. Reaching for a pair of silver wing shaped armbands she slid them up to rest on my forearms. She fiddled with my hair once more and smiled in satisfaction.

"I think you're ready Miss Rachel."

I turned toward the full length mirror and shook my head in disbelief. The beautiful woman staring back at me was someone I didn't recognize. The grey of the dress shimmered in the light. I gave a small twirl and I was delighted to see the lower half of my floor length dress falling a few seconds behind. Surprisingly enough, my skin seemed to glow a golden hue the more confident I became.

I slid on the matching low heeled shoes that Marley handed me. Mentally preparing myself one last time I walked toward the door.

"Wait Miss Rachel! You forgot your necklace!"

Oh the necklace. Or should I say collar. I couldn't decide whether to wear it or not so I slipped the diamond necklace into the fabric close to my chest. I didn't know what to expect when I made it downstairs but I felt better having it with me.

Besides it just a few guests…how difficult can it be?