Chapter Three,
So the challenge was on. Aro was pleased with himself. It was a perfect game. What a splendid bargain he had made.
The three kings watched as Alistair was half dragged out the door. Demetri was obligingly silent while he ushered the vampire toward the dungeon. Aro smirked as he remembered the treatment of the girl. The dungeon would be a far nastier fate than the freedom from debt and fear he visualized.
The hybrid on Aro's lap stiffened and oh how the sensation teased him as she pushed roughly against his finally interested member. She didn't make a sound, then stayed still waiting, perched over his lap. Her legs open and thighs gripped him with surprising strength. Likely so they would not have to touch anywhere else.
"Are you hurt?" He asked flatly, now considering her. "You're so filthy."
"No, really?'' She muttered sarcastically, anger rising.
Aro smoothed the hair back from her eyes, a gesture that seemed odd coming from him. His face hardened again. Then he rose with her in his arms.
She wanted to cry out and scream at him to leave her alone. Though she felt weak from her long journey and the effort to control her emotions was waning. She couldn't help but to whimper a little.
"Hush now little one, you are in better hands now."
She wanted to argue, but the exhaustion was quickly taking over, and she could feel herself slipping away into darkness. She snuggled down into his muscular embrace.
''Where are we going?" Raina whispered., but if he answered, she didn't manage to stay awake long enough to hear it.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Raina woke up with a start. More panic came to the surface of her mind as her dreams of the forest, her home, faded away. The room was dimly lit and seemed like something out of the distant past.
The wild hybrid couldn't get her mouth to close for more than a few seconds at a time. Everything was so astonishing and so strange. She had never seen a room like this or dreamed it could exist, let alone dreamed of living in one. As she looked up she gasped as she took in the wonderful artwork on the ceiling. She'd never seen paintings before, such colors and details!
Raina did in fact draw but on her cave wall. There she created amazing things with charcoal she'd scavenged. But her creations had no color, and nowhere near as splendid as this. The chandelier was spectacular, the thousands of pieces of glass reflected the multitude of sparkling colors. Rich heavy red draperies hung around the bed. A flagstone floor covered with plush velvet rugs, and dark mahogany making up all the furniture she could see.
Raina swallowed heavily as a crushing sense of impending doom falls over her. She was stuck here, trapped in a world of decadence, greed, brutality, lust and death.
For the first time true concern for her well-being began to take hold. She'd been too stunned to feel anything. Too determined to show no emotion before. She was sinking now, it was not good. Her hummingbird-like heartbeat raced against her rib cage. Maybe she should consider lying down and covering up her head. Maybe somehow they would forget that she was here. Not that it would do her much good. Anyway, they seem to always know the truth, she sensed that much.
She focused back on the room. Tears unwillingly sprang to her eyes at the lavish splendor. Her window overlooks the most picturesque garden she has ever seen. Flowers bloomed everywhere, spilling out of the beds. Ornamental trees were scattered throughout and it flowed through a beautiful wave of color. She loved her home in the woods, and savored her time within the shadowy interior of the massive trees. But what they were lacking in color this garden made up for in spades.
In the room, handsome lamps, colorful vases were spread throughout the tables. Soft sofas within close proximity to the vast fireplace looked cozy and inviting, they were a dark hunter's green that reminded her of the Ivy she loved in the grove of the forest.
As she absorbed the beauty around her, she was more than a little overwhelmed and completely enthralled by the magnificent surroundings. For just a little while she didn't have to worry, for the harshness of weather and the possibility of starvation. And at that moment there was only beauty and peace and a sensation of amazement so deep and profound that she could hardly breathe.
A faint knock on the door made Raina jolt out of her sweet reverie. The door opened after a polite moment, and in came the vampire Aro from the night before, she recalled. Although her memories towards last night were a little bit fuzzy from exhaustion. He was standing there contemplating what to do next, looking at her almost as though he already knew she was awake now.
''Where am I?'' She asked a little too softly, scared of him and this mysterious place.
Aro folded his arms across his chest and arched an Elegant brow.'' In your room of course.''
She blinked at the smooth, even tone and tried to suppress her desire to run. After all, it wasn't like she could trust this vampire or anyone else again. She looked past the attractive arrogance of the man and assumed him to be just like the rest or worse. Her pulse began to quicken and then he cocked his head to the side listening to her thoughtfully.
'' You needn't be afraid.'' he muttered softly.
Raina eyed him doubtfully. Aro's face hardened but turned back neutral seconds later.
'' What's your name?'' he asked.
As she took time to consider her words he rolled his eyes skyward.
'' It's not a hard question for you is it?''
"Raina." She said finally. Still unsure if she should tell him very much.
He studied her for a minute longer, then strode over to the bedroom door and peered into the hallway. She heard him rapidly call to someone then turned back to her.
''Of course, the guards are at your beckon call for the duration of the stay with us.'' He said placing his hand on the door as it closed.
Corin will wait outside the door, she will always be near you. If I decide to allow you to leave the room, she will shadow you about the grounds.''
He said it's so nonchalantly as if she should be okay with being a prisoner.
'' I can't believe you're doing this to me! I don't want to experience pleasure or anything else from you.''
Aro raised an elegant eyebrow. His disdain was nearly palpable dripping from his voice when he said. ''And just where would you go? Back to the forest and the caves to live like a wildling?''
He sighed as he calmed his voice again.
'' Besides, you're weak. You need food and blood to gain some strength. Plus you are part of a bargain and a good one, though I do say so myself. Don't you agree?''
Aro tsked impatiently as he saw her hesitate just as he was about to argue with her, there was a knock at the door. The tallest vampire King came in carrying a tray.
"Aro." He said with a hollow soft voice, '' I brought her some food.''
'' Marcus, just in time.'' Aro said, showing Marcus the way to the table.
Marcus poured some blood for Raina into the goblet.
''May I do it brother?'' He asked.
'' Why certainly dear one.'' Aro moved to sit in front of her, looking on.
Marcus moves next to Raina and eases onto the bed. Gently he put his arms around her shoulders, guiding her to lean back against his hard and muscular chest. He leaned down into her chest and nuzzled her flesh. With his tongue he licked the valley of her heavy breast. Then he closed his eyes and inhaled slowly. The big vampire had not hurt her. He had not pulled on her nipples or squeezed them too hard. He treated her with reverence. His tongue is soft and wet and a little weird.
He lifted his head and spoke to Aro.
"She has the scent of fear on her."
"We'll have to remedy that., feed her, please her."
Marcus lifted the gold goblet. At first his fingers caressed the stem of the vessel then he took a whiff of the blood.
"Perfect." Marcus purred.
The real human blood scent wrapped around her senses. Aro lifted Raina, shifting her until her bottom was between both men's legs. Her head on Marcus' lap and her legs spread wide around Aro's waist. He held out his palm for Marcus and watched him pour a small amount on it. They moved together as they painted her opening lips with the substance. Drop after precious drop was sucked and licked from each finger tip offered.
The taste was amazing to her. That made her happy or it should have. But the subtle sense of disappointment kept her on edge. In unison they slipped her dress off her shoulders and each took a breast. Each bent a head and explored the altar of her succulent peaks. Their cool mouths opened over the entire areola and sucked in rhythm to the throb of their growing erections pulsating against her mound at the back of her head. Oddly the sensation was not unpleasant. She visualized it would be amazing if she could fulfill the bargain and be done with all this.
But nothing came. No erotic sensations. Just a distant reminder of the pain and shame of her rape.
"Don't compare us with him."
The thought coming could not be stopped. She grew increasingly uncomfortable as they continued to caress her body with affection. Then with a shout she bolted upright sending the goblet flying across the room.
"No!" Raina screamed, "stop!"
They jerked away and moved off the bed. Marcus looked mournfully distressed and Aro appeared stormier here then he looked as he sentenced Alistair. When Marcus moaned sadly, Aro gave Raina a scathing glance but turned to Marcus.
''Marcus my dear brother, there is no need to worry," he said tenderly, reaching out and lovingly stroking his brother's face.
''Will you give us a moment, I need to teach this girl lesson.''
Raina's blood ran cold. What was he going to do to her? What woud he do, beat her, perhaps, rape her painfully like Alistair did? What has she done now?
Marcus nodded and slipped out the door but not before looking back at her with sadness.
Aro turns back towards the bed. He put on a mask of neutral features, but his eyes sparkled with anger within.
He gestured abruptly to the spilled goblet.
''Now look what you've done!'' He fumed and pointed at the door. ''And poor Marcus, he only wishes to please you. He looks so crushed, have you no pity?''
He took a step towards the bed and Raina flinched, and sobbed in her hands.
She cursed herself for being weak at that moment. She wanted to blame it on the continued exhaustion but mostly because of this hopelessness she found herself in. Why did these things keep happening to her? And to be at their Mercy was intolerable. It was not fair.
Aro paused as a strange look of regret surfaced.
Finally he sighed. ''Calm down. My dear.''
He floated to the bathroom and returned with a wet rag. Crouching, he began cleaning up the wasted blood.
'' Wait, I'll help you.'' Raina offered, trying to get up but only falling back onto the bed.
Aro scoffed. '' Oh indeed, can you?'' You can hardly get out of bed.'' He paused and rose to pick up the goblet and placed it back on the tray. He stood there before her now after tossing the rag on the table.
He crossed his arms and said firmly,'' I have a few ground rules to tell you. One, you will give respect to all those who serve you. Second, you will remain in this room unless you are accompanied by myself, my brothers or Corin, your personal guard. This castle is large and I will not have you stumbling around in the dark getting lost. Third, I reserve the right to add new rules at any time and believe me, you will follow them.''
He leaned forward and gazed intensely into her eyes.
''The consequences will be unpleasant if you disobey.''
A chill ran down her spine upon hearing the dark threatening tone in his voice.
She knew she messed up and nodded. How would she be able to leave this place when she could hardly tolerate sexual touch, let alone be pleased by it?
