Hi again! This chapter isn't violent, but it might be triggering for some people. Otherwise, read on and enjoy.

Lady Ravanna- That's a neat way to put it; twisted, but not crazy twisted. At least, not yet… ;) Thanks for reviewing!

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Even after a week or so had gone by, it was all the same. Eabha was still imprisoned within the house wearing nothing but her underclothes, forced to rely on the Swede for everything. Whenever the man wanted to kiss and touch her during the night, she still endured it. She still had to put on a cheerful face for her daughter to keep her from being afraid. And worst of all, she still felt the horrible numbing sensation every moment of every day.

But as much as she suffered, the woman was able to find a large amount of joy by means of Branna. Every smile and giggle gave her the strength to get up each morning. It was her only happiness, so she cherished it with all her might. Though it felt immensely abhorrent to force all thoughts of her parents from her mind, it was the only way to keep from breaking down. In fact, Eabha hadn't shed tears in quite a while. Despite how inhuman it seemed to her, as long as it kept her child safe, that was all she cared about.

Still, she would sometimes think of Catrina while learning how to use the woodstove. It was difficult, but she made herself focus on the memories of when her mother was alive. Those times made her happy as well, only to turn sour upon remembering her spouse's heartless crime. But she couldn't dwell on it.

They would want me to keep Branna happy. I need to suffer for the both of us, so she doesn't have to.

After feeding the baby a few small forkfuls of scrambled eggs and finishing the rest herself, Eahba took her back upstairs. A familiar odor was floating around in the air, so it was important to deal with it quickly. She fastened the new nappy before walking over to put the dirty one into the chamber pot. Upon turning back towards her daughter, the woman was suddenly overcome with joy.

Branna was crawling towards her. It never happened before, but now that it had, Eabha knew the child was finally learning how to maneuver herself on her own. Tears of delight filled her eyes as she kneeled down and extended her arms.

"That's it," she whispered, not even noticing the door opening behind her. "That's my girl, come on. Come here to me!"

A few seconds later, the grinning baby made it into her mother's embrace. Eabha stood up, stroking the girl's soft hair as she held her. While the circumstances made it somewhat sad, it was still a wonderful milestone. She would never forget it.

"My perfect baby. Mama loves you so much."

Just then, she heard the bedroom door shut. Upon beholding her captor, the thrilling atmosphere suddenly became stormy, despite the smile on the man's face.

"She's becoming a strong child, yes?"

Eabha glanced down, trying not to show her displeasure at seeing him.

"Yes. It was her first time crawling."

The woman felt resentful that Thor was experiencing this moment with them. After everything he'd taken from her, and all he was continuing to do, he didn't deserve to be in the company of a pure thing like Branna. She spoke again after a few seconds in an attempt to change the subject.

"Has your day been well, husband?"

The older man chuckled lightly, as if he knew what was on her mind.

"Yes. A sinner has wandered into our paradise, and I'm consulting with God as to whether or not he should live."

Her insides twisted in disgust at this.

"What's he done?"

The Swede hesitated briefly before replying.

"He murdered one of the militia's sons, and he also defiled an untouched sister of our flock."

And you've never defiled anything?

"Will he die?"

"The Lord hasn't decided yet."

"You mean you haven't decided." Eabha couldn't stop herself. "Who are you to make that choice?"

Thor's eyes suddenly flashed in annoyance. But it was quickly gone, replaced with that eerie calmness the girl had grown to fear.

"It would be in everyone's best interests if you don't say such things again."

Instinctively, the woman tightened her arms around Branna and looked away. She mentally kicked herself for putting the child in danger, but she simply couldn't hold back her ire.

Killing makes him feel strong, and he's not even decent enough to admit it.

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

Later that afternoon, Thor went back into his abode after joining Cullen and Naomi in marriage. This unexpected situation had worked out very nicely for him. Bohannon, the scheming devil…he thought he was the one with all the power, but now, the tables had turned. God was surely the reason for this gift. He knew how much suffering needed to be bestowed upon Satan's snake, and what a perfect opportunity he had to carry out this slow death.

"You'll be pleased to know that the outsider will live," he told Eabha upon entering the kitchen area. "I've married him to the young woman he impregnated, and he'll pay for his crimes with hard labor."

Though she didn't show it, he knew the girl was relieved. Then again, she was likely too young to know that some things were worse than death. After glancing at his daughter sitting in his wife's arms, the Swede stepped forward to pick her up. Eabha didn't resist, since she was well aware that to do so would be in vain.

"Such perfection," he muttered, carefully grasping one of the little hands in his fingers. "Do you need anything else for her today?"

"No."

A thought occurred to Thor as he cradled the baby for a few more seconds.

"What made you choose the name Branna?"

The woman was almost shocked that her wicked spouse was trying to make friendly conversation. But her protective reflexes compelled her to answer.

"Well, it…it's an Irish name. It means 'beauty with hair as dark as a raven,' something like that."

"Indeed. Her hair is quite dark, more so than yours."

Eabha nodded slightly before making herself reply.

"I think the color came from you."

Yes. She truly is mine.

Thor finally returned Branna to her mother after a couple of minutes.

"I'm off to host the newlyweds' feast, but I'll be back later."

He turned to leave, but the young woman suddenly thought of something.

"Bishop?" When her husband looked at her again, she continued. "Would you bring some bread?"

The Swede stared at her for a while before letting a soft smile grace his expression.

"Of course."

"The fluffy kind is easier on her teeth."

"Then she'll have it."

He bowed his head slightly before putting his hat back on and leaving the house, allowing Eabha to sigh in relief. Part of her worried about how calmly she'd made her request.

I hope he doesn't think I'm truly getting comfortable.

But she brushed the notion away. As long as Branna was getting the food she needed, she didn't care what her captor thought.

OOOOOOOOOOOO

After putting the child to bed that night, Eabha slipped beneath the covers and waited for Thor to enter. She'd heard the downstairs door open and shut a few seconds earlier, so it wouldn't be long before another troubled slumber began. One might have preferred such gentle caresses to something worse, but it was pure torture to the girl. It was as if death itself was bringing an evil curse upon her. The camisole and bloomers were Eabha's only form of protection. Even with how thin the fabric was, it felt like armor.

She lay there as the Swede came in and started undressing. As she'd learned long ago, pretending to be asleep was virtually impossible. It never did any good to focus on her disgust, so she started directing her thoughts inwards. Sometimes, Eabha would be able to go somewhere in her mind that enveloped her with a dulling peace. It didn't always work, but it was just enough to maintain her sanity. When Thor settled onto the mattress next to her, the girl was horrified to find him devoid of clothing. Still, she took a very quiet breath, trying to ignore the feeling of dread brewing in her gut. The man carefully moved over his wife and slid his hands beneath her small form, pulling her against him. A period of odd tranquility went by before the silence was broken.

"Eabha," he breathed. "It's God's will that we…consummate our new life tonight."

The girl finally let her tears fall as her worries were realized.

"I see."

She lay still, but nothing happened, aside from Thor moving a hand up to rub the woman's shoulder. One might've described the beast's touch as gentle. However, his words were even softer.

"Be at peace. You know I won't hurt you."

Yes…but I almost wish you would.

Then, he sat up and put two hands on her hips. The girl's first instinct was to resist, but instead, she kept still as the Swede began tugging down her bloomers.

"Don't fight me," he cautiously told her, feeling the stiffness in his wife's form. "Please."

Eabha responded by making herself relax, blocking out the calloused fingers undoing the camisole and pulling it off over her head. The older man tossed both garments aside before looking down at the girl. She numbly turned her head away, but those large hands moved to her cheeks and directed her unwilling gaze back at him. Her eyes impulsively glanced at Thor's naked form, and even through her tears, the outdoor bonfires were bright enough to let her see the harsh scarring scattered across his skin. If not for all he'd done, the sight might have stirred her pity. She quickly closed her eyes as his mouth carefully captured hers.

Though the woman was used to the simple kisses forced upon her each night, it took all of her control to not gag when his tongue brushed against her lips a few moments later. She adored such gestures in the past, but now, she could only think about the corpses of her family. Despite the Swede's growing passion, Eabha didn't react. All she wanted was for this revolting torture to end so she could retreat into her dreams. But upon feeling a hand trailing down to her center, she realized it was far from over.

He's trying to…no, I won't want this. I can't!

"Please," she tearfully whimpered when her spouse's lips moved down her neck and onto her chest. "Just…"

She knew he understood what she meant. However, it didn't halt his actions in the least. Eabha could only lie there and count the seemingly eternal minutes as those fingers gently stroked her sensitive bud. Fighting against her arousal was her only method of feeling somewhat victorious, but as more time passed, it became too much to resist.

Even though there was no denying her slickness upon Thor pushing into her, she didn't let herself make it known. She bit back her noises as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and reclaimed her mouth. Then, to her further anger, he slid his other hand back down and thumbed above her entrance in time with his thrusts. She silently cursed herself as a small moan broke its way out of her a few seconds later. By the time it was finally over, her loins had already burst with an almost hollow heat.

More tears started streaming down Eabha's cheeks before she had a chance to slow them. She wasn't able to keep from squirming as her husband enveloped her into his confining arms right after withdrawing from her. A small part of her wondered if he would get up and punish Branna for it. But the Swede simply pulled her closer.

"Oh, shh," he cooed into her loose hair, cradling her face with one hand. "There's no need to cry."

Not having it in her to respond, Eabha squeezed her eyes shut. All she could think about was her shame. Though she'd gotten through another day of protecting Branna, the price of doing so had a crippling effect. She no longer had the might to tune out what was happening, to say nothing about wriggling away again. On the contrary, her whole body went limp as her spouse ran his kisses across the flesh of her throat.

"I love you, Eabha. I love you with all my heart."

Do you, Thor? Can you?

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