There were quite a few comments in the reviews about me going into more detail about Serena. I will. Information will be revealed in the course of the fic, as it progresses.
Read, enjoy and review!
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A RELUCTANT PASSION
Chapter 2
Rosegalaxia
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Once again Serena stood on a stage while numerous men looked at her. Except that this time the situation was slightly different. On either side of her, stood various other young girls, around the same age as her, all wearing a beautiful dress like her and all with extremely nervous and afraid expressions on their faces. Also, this was no auction. The choice was of one man's. He stood there, slightly apart from the group of men, his eyes alighting on each woman, one of whom he was to choose for his wife... as a gift.
Serena stiffened warily as Darien Straffiony's gaze landed on her. She watched as his eyes swept across her face, down her neck, across her... gritting her teeth in righteous anger, she glared at the man... and then down her legs. A small smile twisted his lips as he brought his eyes up to meet her angry and embarrassed ones. Serena inhaled sharply as she felt hot colour invade her cheeks and she frowned inwardly as she felt a curious sensation start at the pit of her stomach. What was happening to her? What was that man doing to her? She stood there, with her mouth partly open, her chest heaving as she fought to draw in some much needed air.
Serena sighed in relief when, finally, Darien Straffiony's gaze moved over to look at the next girl. Her heart was still racing so fast that it could have outrun the fastest horse if such a thing was possible. She nearly smiled at the mental picture that made but she was too nervous. Her palms felt even more damp then they had been when she'd found out what was going to happen to her. She didn't know whether she wanted the man to choose her for his bride because she didn't know what he was like. Though she had to admit that the alternative to being chosen was even more unpleasant than marriage to a stranger. Surely it was better to be one man's wife than to have to lay down for any man who had enough money to buy her for an evening's entertainment.
Oh she didn't know! She really hadn't thought about being landed in circumstances such as these. She hadn't thought of this happening to her in her worst nightmares. She supposed that was evidence of how pampered she had been but the last few months had seen to removing all innocence and naivety from her. She'd seen things that many others had never seen in their entire lives. But this- this was so new to her.
Well, she thought to herself, she was going to get acquainted with this side of life. Apparently fate had decided that the disintegration of her entire family wasn't enough. She had to loose her virginity, her honour, her self-repect in this fashion as well. Which made her think that perhaps marriage to that man might be the better choice. But oh marriage was so permanent. But then, being the property of a man who ran a whorehouse wasn't an appealing thought either, especially considering that she'd probably have to stay there for as long as men wanted her.
But in the end, of course the decision wasn't hers. She just had to pray to God that he'd show her mercy.
Her 'master' stepped forward and lifted his arms up in a flourish as he pointed to the girls who stood in front of them all. He waked over to Darien Straffiony and made a little bow. " Well sir? Which one would you have as your bride? I assure you that all of them are as untouched as the day they were born-"
The other man lifted a dark black brow to show his disbelief. " Really? All of them must have been with you since the day they were born to warrant such an exclamation."
The master's smile vanished and he opened and closed his mouth as he thought of what to say in the face of this unexpected development. " I... well no. No of course not. They are all foreign and have been guaranteed to be pure. The witch woman herself made sure of that. We can call her here if you wish to have her personal assurance."
Darien smiled. " Who pays the witch woman's fees?"
The men all around the room shifted uneasily. This was definitely unforeseen. Serena also stared at the man. She could tell that what he was doing- asking these questions- just wasn't done but apparently he must be some-one really powerful and with a lot of influence because nobody was confronting him. Instead, the master seemed besides himself to try and pacify the other man.
He wiped his forehead with a clothe as more and more sweat beaded there. " I do sir."
Darien nodded. " As I thought. That means that the witch woman would not want to upset you? Am I right?"
It was apparently a rhetorical question because the master didn't reply and after a moment or two of tense silence, he swallowed nervously and continued with his rehearsed speech again. " They are young and of childbearing age. Any of them would make you an excellent wife."
Darien just nodded again, but it was obvious to Serena that he hadn't been listening to his host. Instead, his thoughtful gaze had been on hers and she swallowed convulsively as she saw him step forward, towards the stage. The master stepped out of his way and stared after him, relieved that he wouldn't be subjected to anymore of the man's interrogation.
All the girls watched nervously and with trepidation as the future husband of one of them stepped up the stairs and stood in front of them. Serena made sure not to look at him. She kept her gaze centred somewhere on the wall opposite her. Even though she couldn't see the man, her skin prickled in startled awareness as he stepped nearer and nearer towards her.
Her reaction must have something to do with this foreign air, Serena thought desperately, she just didn't understand it.
She froze as Darien stepped directly in front of her and his broad chest, dressed in the finest clothe, appeared in front of her eyes. Her breath rattled in her throat and she ran her tongue over her dry lips. She flinched as his hand unexpectedly came up and gently grabbing hold of her chin, he lifted it up so that her face was fully open to his piercing gaze. She kept her eyes downcast, so as not to look into his face, but he kept his grip on her chin strong and lifted it up a little higher so that she winced slightly at the pressure on her neck.
" I choose this one for my wife." His voice sounded from far away and she barely heard him because of the roaring in her ears.
Her eyes finally snapped up and met his and in that moment of close contact, their destiny was sealed.
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He stood facing the window, his hands clasped behind his strong back, and on spotting him, Serena stopped at the threshold of the room where her 'fiancé' stood. She stared straight ahead of her and didn't spare a glance to where they were because she was well aware that he was watching her reflection in the expensive glass and she'd be damned before she showed him how curious she was. Of course there was only a small part of curiosity inside her because mostly, she was filled mind-racking fear as to her future but she wasn't going to show him that either.
Darien Straffiony turned around and looked at her and Serena jerked a little as if his gaze was a physical force. With an enormous amount of will, she kept her eyes trained in front of her even when she saw him start to move towards her from the corner of her eye. Her brain was sending wild messages to her legs to turn and run but where would she go?
" What is your name?"
Her stomach muscles clenched and quivered as the husky tones of his voice reached her, but she kept silent, still not looking at him.
" I asked you a question."
He moved so that he was standing directly in front of, and his hands came up and gripped her shoulders tightly. He pulled her slowly towards him until her nose was practically brushing the front of his chest.
" First lesson: when I ask a question, you answer it."
Closing her eyes momentarily, she took a deep breath and moving her upper body away from his, lifted her head and looked at him.
She opened her mouth and regarded him with barely veiled antagonism. " You, sir, are not a very good teacher."
He was still for a minute but then he bent down until his mouth was level to her ear. She barely suppressed a shiver as she felt his breath stir her hair.
" You, lady, are not a very good pupil," he breathed.
She turned her head away from him but he still had hold of her shoulders and he jerked her around so that she stood facing him again.
" Now," he said, "We will try again shall we? What is your name?"
Serena bit her lip and stared at the odious man's shoulder. They'd be here all night if she just didn't tell him. The man wasn't going to give an inch, it was clear. " I am Lady Serena Heaton."
His grip tightened and he drew her back so that he could look into her face. With raised eyebrows, he regarded her defiant face. " A real lady? Well, who would have thought? A lady." he mused. " And may I ask what a lady like you was doing with a man like him."
Here he jerked his head towards the door and Serena took it to mean that he meant the man who had bought her at the auction.
She glared at him, " I am not here by choice. I was kidnapped and brought to this place by force."
He nodded thoughtfully and continued to look probingly into her face. " I assume you were taken to an auction house where that man bought you?" At her stubborn look, he continued, " Yet, a gently reared lady like you, having been through these horrors, you are looking remarkably..."
He stopped and Serena waited for him to finish his sentence. When he stayed silent and when she could no longer stand to have that intent stare boring into her eyes, she repeated, " Remarkably what?"
" Well, you are not by any means displaying any signs of upset are you? You look very calm."
Serena smiled dryly, " You are nothing to me that I should let you witness what I am feeling."
Darien smiled back at her but she could see the hardening resolve in his eyes even before he pushed her away and strode to the door to call for a servant. " That is where you are wrong, Lady Serena Heaton. For I am your everything now. I am your betrothed, I will be your husband, your lover and your confidante. So you will get used to this now, before it causes serious problems for us."
Without waiting for a reply, he gave some brief instructions to the woman who appeared and after that, without even pausing to glance at her shaken face, he left the room on swift feet and slammed the door behind him.
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Once again, she was on sitting on a mount, with an entourage of several men around her. She thought back to that night when all this had started. History seemed to be repeating itself, but slightly differently each time. She just hoped that when the opportunity presented itself to her, she would be able to escape instead of being bought by some-one. Of course she wasn't on her way to an auction. She was going to get married. A situation she hoped to rectify as soon as possible. She was just waiting for the right time.
Her gaze was drawn towards Darien Straffiony, who was riding at the front of the party and she watched the way the slight wind rustled his thick, black hair. That same nameless something moved in her stomach and she drew in a small breath sharply at the weird sensations she was feeling. Suddenly, as if he was aware of the fact that her gaze dwelled on him, Darien turned his head around and his blue eyes met hers. She continued to stare at him and a small smug smile twisted the hard contours of his mouth. He inclined his head a little and to Serena, it seemed as if the gesture was made in conceited arrogance. She scowled a little and as she saw the smile widen on his face, she sent a mocking smile his way. Let him smile like that after she had made her escape. Huh. Smiling would be the last thing on his mind after the way she would have made him look like a fool.
First though, she would have to make her escape. When that time would some, she did not know. How she would flee, she did not know. But she would, and before the marriage ceremony took place. Way before.
It was late evening when they stopped. The man who had been behind her throughout the ride, took hold of the reins of her horse and led him to a tree where some of the other horses were already tethered. Serena hopped off the horse easily since it was quite small. That man, she thought bitterly, must have given her a small horse on purpose, so that she would have no chance of outrunning any of them. But looking at the big brute Darien was riding, she didn't think there were many horses that could get the better of him. The man or the beast.
She stretched a little to try and relieve the stress in her muscles. She was used to riding- and not slow, dainty, lady-like riding. Her father and her had used to race across the hills for hours on end. Still though, her negligence since her father had died seemed to have taken its toll.
Serena jumped as a heavy hand descended on her shoulder and turned her round.
It was him.
" I hope that you are not too weary after the ride. We would not have ridden so hard had we not been so pressed for time. So you are alright?" His white teeth flashed in the light from the fire which was now being made in the centre of the clearing they had stopped in.
She focused her unsmiling attention on him." Would you care?"
He smiled again, this time without showing his teeth. " Why of course I would. Your safety and comfort is of the utmost importance to me now that you are to be my wife and the mother of my children." He waited for her response but when he didn't get one, his hand tightened slightly on her shoulder. " Just as my comfort is of the utmost importance to you. Do you understand, lady?"
Serena shook her head and let the bewilderment she was feeling reflect on her face. " I do not understand why you are doing this. Why? Why choose me?"
He stared seriously at her. " Would you rather that I had chosen one of the other girls in your place? Is being a whore more preferable to you than being my wife?"
Serena looked down at her hands so that he wouldn't see the glimmer of tears in her eyes. " No. I- I do not know. I just... wish that this was not happening to me. That I was home and all this was a nightmare."
" It is not a nightmare lady. You are not dreaming. This land is your home now and you will have to learn to be happy here, for the rest of your days will be spent here. Would you rather pine after what can never be or would you like to be satisfied with you will have? I assure you, the second option is very much more advantageous and you will be more happy if you adopt that policy."
Serena let out a wobbly sigh and licked her dry lips. " But why? Why would you want-"
"-that is enough." He dropped his hand from her shoulder and taking her arm in his grip, he led her over to an area where his men had hooked a large piece of clothe on the branches of two trees. " There will be no more talk on this subject. Simply accept what is. Now. I want you to rest and make sure that you get enough sleep. Tomorrow we ride hard again if we are to reach my demesne before nightfall. You will find the things you might need inside. Good night."
So saying, he lightly thrust her underneath the clothe and strode away. She stared after him for a moment but then looked around the small area she was to sleep in. It wasn't much. It barely presented a barrier against the harsh wind which had sprung up just as the sun had sunk beneath the horizon. On one corner, besides a tree trunk, was a pile of clothe, which she guessed to be a nightgown of some kind. There was also other smaller pieces of clothe for her use and also quite a sizeable stone chalice which held some water in it.
Well, she grudgingly admitted, at least the man had given some thought to her comfort. Though if he did want what was best of her, he'd make sure that she got back home safely and soundly. But no, he wouldn't do that now would he? It was all up to her.
She lifted a corner of the clothe slightly and peeked out at the scene. Most of the men were gathered around the fire and it looked like they were about to go to sleep. She could see a couple of them, standing in the shadows and presumed that they must be some kind of guards. Of Darien there was no sign. So she must wait for a while until everybody was asleep. And when the time was exactly right and the clouds presented her with cover from the brightness of the moon, she would make her escape. Quietly. Silently. Quickly. Successfully.
Huddled there, on the ground, wearing the nightgown under her gown, Serena shivered from the biting cold which seeped through the thin barrier of the clothe under which she sat. She listened to the howl of the wind as it whistled through the trees. The branches of these trees shook wildly as the ferocity of the storm increased.
Oh Lord, how was she going to get away in this weather? She had a feeling that if she stepped outside for one moment, she would be blown away as if she weighed no heavier than a feather. Still, there was an advantage to this. The men and especially the guards wouldn't hear any noise she made. So tonight must be the night. Now must be the time.
Quietly, grabbing hold of one of the smaller pieces of clothe, she roughly plaited her hair and tied it out of the way. Another piece she used to try and cover her head for she didn't want to chance anybody glancing upon the light which would reflect on her silver coloured tresses. There. She was as ready as she would be.
Crawling forward and lifting a corner of the clothe out of the way, Serena looked out and saw that the fire was almost out except for a few embers which valiantly tried to keep on glowing in the face of the storm they were facing. She could sense no movement in the centre of the clearing and lying down, she trained her eyes on the shadows to where she had last seen the guards. Again, there was no sign of anybody being there. Taking a deep breath, she inched her body out of the barrier the clothe presented and into the open air. Stopping for a moment to get used to the push of the wind against her, she strained her ears to catch a sound of anything which was not natural. Nothing.
She'd had the idea to go from the back, the opposite direction from the clearing. But when she had tried, she had discovered that the clothe had been nailed down to the ground and no matter how she tried, it wouldn't rip. So, here she was. In plain sight of any who was awake. But thankfully, there seemed to be no-one who would raise the alarm. Still lying down, she slithered backwards, hoping to get into the clump of trees so that she could start running. But just as her head drew level with the first of the trees, something heavy planted itself on the small of her back and pressed down. She froze.
" Going somewhere?" A voice said to her, chillingly.
Serena shook her head silently, in despair. No. No no no. Please. Fate would not be so cruel. Hadn't she been already dealt with enough blows?
" Come come lady. Do not loose courage now. You have been very brave- and very foolish- to attempt to escape me. Do not disappoint yourself now by backing down. I think you know that this submission does not suit you."
He was right. She would face him just like she had faced everything else. Bravely.
Arching her back a little, Serena slithered to one side so that his boot would slide off her back. Then lifting herself up on all fours, she wiped her hands on her dress and then standing up, she took a deep breath before turning around to face Darien.
Looking upon his face, she wished she hadn't. She wished that she had taken the cowards' way out. For the look upon his face- she shivered in real fear- the look upon his face was one she had hoped to never see in her life. It was filled with so much rage, his eyes held so much anger in them, that she wished that she had never even thought to escape.
But she had. She had been caught. So she would have to face the consequences.
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Rosegalaxia
rosegalaxia@yahoo.com
Read, enjoy and review!
**********
A RELUCTANT PASSION
Chapter 2
Rosegalaxia
**********
Once again Serena stood on a stage while numerous men looked at her. Except that this time the situation was slightly different. On either side of her, stood various other young girls, around the same age as her, all wearing a beautiful dress like her and all with extremely nervous and afraid expressions on their faces. Also, this was no auction. The choice was of one man's. He stood there, slightly apart from the group of men, his eyes alighting on each woman, one of whom he was to choose for his wife... as a gift.
Serena stiffened warily as Darien Straffiony's gaze landed on her. She watched as his eyes swept across her face, down her neck, across her... gritting her teeth in righteous anger, she glared at the man... and then down her legs. A small smile twisted his lips as he brought his eyes up to meet her angry and embarrassed ones. Serena inhaled sharply as she felt hot colour invade her cheeks and she frowned inwardly as she felt a curious sensation start at the pit of her stomach. What was happening to her? What was that man doing to her? She stood there, with her mouth partly open, her chest heaving as she fought to draw in some much needed air.
Serena sighed in relief when, finally, Darien Straffiony's gaze moved over to look at the next girl. Her heart was still racing so fast that it could have outrun the fastest horse if such a thing was possible. She nearly smiled at the mental picture that made but she was too nervous. Her palms felt even more damp then they had been when she'd found out what was going to happen to her. She didn't know whether she wanted the man to choose her for his bride because she didn't know what he was like. Though she had to admit that the alternative to being chosen was even more unpleasant than marriage to a stranger. Surely it was better to be one man's wife than to have to lay down for any man who had enough money to buy her for an evening's entertainment.
Oh she didn't know! She really hadn't thought about being landed in circumstances such as these. She hadn't thought of this happening to her in her worst nightmares. She supposed that was evidence of how pampered she had been but the last few months had seen to removing all innocence and naivety from her. She'd seen things that many others had never seen in their entire lives. But this- this was so new to her.
Well, she thought to herself, she was going to get acquainted with this side of life. Apparently fate had decided that the disintegration of her entire family wasn't enough. She had to loose her virginity, her honour, her self-repect in this fashion as well. Which made her think that perhaps marriage to that man might be the better choice. But oh marriage was so permanent. But then, being the property of a man who ran a whorehouse wasn't an appealing thought either, especially considering that she'd probably have to stay there for as long as men wanted her.
But in the end, of course the decision wasn't hers. She just had to pray to God that he'd show her mercy.
Her 'master' stepped forward and lifted his arms up in a flourish as he pointed to the girls who stood in front of them all. He waked over to Darien Straffiony and made a little bow. " Well sir? Which one would you have as your bride? I assure you that all of them are as untouched as the day they were born-"
The other man lifted a dark black brow to show his disbelief. " Really? All of them must have been with you since the day they were born to warrant such an exclamation."
The master's smile vanished and he opened and closed his mouth as he thought of what to say in the face of this unexpected development. " I... well no. No of course not. They are all foreign and have been guaranteed to be pure. The witch woman herself made sure of that. We can call her here if you wish to have her personal assurance."
Darien smiled. " Who pays the witch woman's fees?"
The men all around the room shifted uneasily. This was definitely unforeseen. Serena also stared at the man. She could tell that what he was doing- asking these questions- just wasn't done but apparently he must be some-one really powerful and with a lot of influence because nobody was confronting him. Instead, the master seemed besides himself to try and pacify the other man.
He wiped his forehead with a clothe as more and more sweat beaded there. " I do sir."
Darien nodded. " As I thought. That means that the witch woman would not want to upset you? Am I right?"
It was apparently a rhetorical question because the master didn't reply and after a moment or two of tense silence, he swallowed nervously and continued with his rehearsed speech again. " They are young and of childbearing age. Any of them would make you an excellent wife."
Darien just nodded again, but it was obvious to Serena that he hadn't been listening to his host. Instead, his thoughtful gaze had been on hers and she swallowed convulsively as she saw him step forward, towards the stage. The master stepped out of his way and stared after him, relieved that he wouldn't be subjected to anymore of the man's interrogation.
All the girls watched nervously and with trepidation as the future husband of one of them stepped up the stairs and stood in front of them. Serena made sure not to look at him. She kept her gaze centred somewhere on the wall opposite her. Even though she couldn't see the man, her skin prickled in startled awareness as he stepped nearer and nearer towards her.
Her reaction must have something to do with this foreign air, Serena thought desperately, she just didn't understand it.
She froze as Darien stepped directly in front of her and his broad chest, dressed in the finest clothe, appeared in front of her eyes. Her breath rattled in her throat and she ran her tongue over her dry lips. She flinched as his hand unexpectedly came up and gently grabbing hold of her chin, he lifted it up so that her face was fully open to his piercing gaze. She kept her eyes downcast, so as not to look into his face, but he kept his grip on her chin strong and lifted it up a little higher so that she winced slightly at the pressure on her neck.
" I choose this one for my wife." His voice sounded from far away and she barely heard him because of the roaring in her ears.
Her eyes finally snapped up and met his and in that moment of close contact, their destiny was sealed.
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He stood facing the window, his hands clasped behind his strong back, and on spotting him, Serena stopped at the threshold of the room where her 'fiancé' stood. She stared straight ahead of her and didn't spare a glance to where they were because she was well aware that he was watching her reflection in the expensive glass and she'd be damned before she showed him how curious she was. Of course there was only a small part of curiosity inside her because mostly, she was filled mind-racking fear as to her future but she wasn't going to show him that either.
Darien Straffiony turned around and looked at her and Serena jerked a little as if his gaze was a physical force. With an enormous amount of will, she kept her eyes trained in front of her even when she saw him start to move towards her from the corner of her eye. Her brain was sending wild messages to her legs to turn and run but where would she go?
" What is your name?"
Her stomach muscles clenched and quivered as the husky tones of his voice reached her, but she kept silent, still not looking at him.
" I asked you a question."
He moved so that he was standing directly in front of, and his hands came up and gripped her shoulders tightly. He pulled her slowly towards him until her nose was practically brushing the front of his chest.
" First lesson: when I ask a question, you answer it."
Closing her eyes momentarily, she took a deep breath and moving her upper body away from his, lifted her head and looked at him.
She opened her mouth and regarded him with barely veiled antagonism. " You, sir, are not a very good teacher."
He was still for a minute but then he bent down until his mouth was level to her ear. She barely suppressed a shiver as she felt his breath stir her hair.
" You, lady, are not a very good pupil," he breathed.
She turned her head away from him but he still had hold of her shoulders and he jerked her around so that she stood facing him again.
" Now," he said, "We will try again shall we? What is your name?"
Serena bit her lip and stared at the odious man's shoulder. They'd be here all night if she just didn't tell him. The man wasn't going to give an inch, it was clear. " I am Lady Serena Heaton."
His grip tightened and he drew her back so that he could look into her face. With raised eyebrows, he regarded her defiant face. " A real lady? Well, who would have thought? A lady." he mused. " And may I ask what a lady like you was doing with a man like him."
Here he jerked his head towards the door and Serena took it to mean that he meant the man who had bought her at the auction.
She glared at him, " I am not here by choice. I was kidnapped and brought to this place by force."
He nodded thoughtfully and continued to look probingly into her face. " I assume you were taken to an auction house where that man bought you?" At her stubborn look, he continued, " Yet, a gently reared lady like you, having been through these horrors, you are looking remarkably..."
He stopped and Serena waited for him to finish his sentence. When he stayed silent and when she could no longer stand to have that intent stare boring into her eyes, she repeated, " Remarkably what?"
" Well, you are not by any means displaying any signs of upset are you? You look very calm."
Serena smiled dryly, " You are nothing to me that I should let you witness what I am feeling."
Darien smiled back at her but she could see the hardening resolve in his eyes even before he pushed her away and strode to the door to call for a servant. " That is where you are wrong, Lady Serena Heaton. For I am your everything now. I am your betrothed, I will be your husband, your lover and your confidante. So you will get used to this now, before it causes serious problems for us."
Without waiting for a reply, he gave some brief instructions to the woman who appeared and after that, without even pausing to glance at her shaken face, he left the room on swift feet and slammed the door behind him.
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Once again, she was on sitting on a mount, with an entourage of several men around her. She thought back to that night when all this had started. History seemed to be repeating itself, but slightly differently each time. She just hoped that when the opportunity presented itself to her, she would be able to escape instead of being bought by some-one. Of course she wasn't on her way to an auction. She was going to get married. A situation she hoped to rectify as soon as possible. She was just waiting for the right time.
Her gaze was drawn towards Darien Straffiony, who was riding at the front of the party and she watched the way the slight wind rustled his thick, black hair. That same nameless something moved in her stomach and she drew in a small breath sharply at the weird sensations she was feeling. Suddenly, as if he was aware of the fact that her gaze dwelled on him, Darien turned his head around and his blue eyes met hers. She continued to stare at him and a small smug smile twisted the hard contours of his mouth. He inclined his head a little and to Serena, it seemed as if the gesture was made in conceited arrogance. She scowled a little and as she saw the smile widen on his face, she sent a mocking smile his way. Let him smile like that after she had made her escape. Huh. Smiling would be the last thing on his mind after the way she would have made him look like a fool.
First though, she would have to make her escape. When that time would some, she did not know. How she would flee, she did not know. But she would, and before the marriage ceremony took place. Way before.
It was late evening when they stopped. The man who had been behind her throughout the ride, took hold of the reins of her horse and led him to a tree where some of the other horses were already tethered. Serena hopped off the horse easily since it was quite small. That man, she thought bitterly, must have given her a small horse on purpose, so that she would have no chance of outrunning any of them. But looking at the big brute Darien was riding, she didn't think there were many horses that could get the better of him. The man or the beast.
She stretched a little to try and relieve the stress in her muscles. She was used to riding- and not slow, dainty, lady-like riding. Her father and her had used to race across the hills for hours on end. Still though, her negligence since her father had died seemed to have taken its toll.
Serena jumped as a heavy hand descended on her shoulder and turned her round.
It was him.
" I hope that you are not too weary after the ride. We would not have ridden so hard had we not been so pressed for time. So you are alright?" His white teeth flashed in the light from the fire which was now being made in the centre of the clearing they had stopped in.
She focused her unsmiling attention on him." Would you care?"
He smiled again, this time without showing his teeth. " Why of course I would. Your safety and comfort is of the utmost importance to me now that you are to be my wife and the mother of my children." He waited for her response but when he didn't get one, his hand tightened slightly on her shoulder. " Just as my comfort is of the utmost importance to you. Do you understand, lady?"
Serena shook her head and let the bewilderment she was feeling reflect on her face. " I do not understand why you are doing this. Why? Why choose me?"
He stared seriously at her. " Would you rather that I had chosen one of the other girls in your place? Is being a whore more preferable to you than being my wife?"
Serena looked down at her hands so that he wouldn't see the glimmer of tears in her eyes. " No. I- I do not know. I just... wish that this was not happening to me. That I was home and all this was a nightmare."
" It is not a nightmare lady. You are not dreaming. This land is your home now and you will have to learn to be happy here, for the rest of your days will be spent here. Would you rather pine after what can never be or would you like to be satisfied with you will have? I assure you, the second option is very much more advantageous and you will be more happy if you adopt that policy."
Serena let out a wobbly sigh and licked her dry lips. " But why? Why would you want-"
"-that is enough." He dropped his hand from her shoulder and taking her arm in his grip, he led her over to an area where his men had hooked a large piece of clothe on the branches of two trees. " There will be no more talk on this subject. Simply accept what is. Now. I want you to rest and make sure that you get enough sleep. Tomorrow we ride hard again if we are to reach my demesne before nightfall. You will find the things you might need inside. Good night."
So saying, he lightly thrust her underneath the clothe and strode away. She stared after him for a moment but then looked around the small area she was to sleep in. It wasn't much. It barely presented a barrier against the harsh wind which had sprung up just as the sun had sunk beneath the horizon. On one corner, besides a tree trunk, was a pile of clothe, which she guessed to be a nightgown of some kind. There was also other smaller pieces of clothe for her use and also quite a sizeable stone chalice which held some water in it.
Well, she grudgingly admitted, at least the man had given some thought to her comfort. Though if he did want what was best of her, he'd make sure that she got back home safely and soundly. But no, he wouldn't do that now would he? It was all up to her.
She lifted a corner of the clothe slightly and peeked out at the scene. Most of the men were gathered around the fire and it looked like they were about to go to sleep. She could see a couple of them, standing in the shadows and presumed that they must be some kind of guards. Of Darien there was no sign. So she must wait for a while until everybody was asleep. And when the time was exactly right and the clouds presented her with cover from the brightness of the moon, she would make her escape. Quietly. Silently. Quickly. Successfully.
Huddled there, on the ground, wearing the nightgown under her gown, Serena shivered from the biting cold which seeped through the thin barrier of the clothe under which she sat. She listened to the howl of the wind as it whistled through the trees. The branches of these trees shook wildly as the ferocity of the storm increased.
Oh Lord, how was she going to get away in this weather? She had a feeling that if she stepped outside for one moment, she would be blown away as if she weighed no heavier than a feather. Still, there was an advantage to this. The men and especially the guards wouldn't hear any noise she made. So tonight must be the night. Now must be the time.
Quietly, grabbing hold of one of the smaller pieces of clothe, she roughly plaited her hair and tied it out of the way. Another piece she used to try and cover her head for she didn't want to chance anybody glancing upon the light which would reflect on her silver coloured tresses. There. She was as ready as she would be.
Crawling forward and lifting a corner of the clothe out of the way, Serena looked out and saw that the fire was almost out except for a few embers which valiantly tried to keep on glowing in the face of the storm they were facing. She could sense no movement in the centre of the clearing and lying down, she trained her eyes on the shadows to where she had last seen the guards. Again, there was no sign of anybody being there. Taking a deep breath, she inched her body out of the barrier the clothe presented and into the open air. Stopping for a moment to get used to the push of the wind against her, she strained her ears to catch a sound of anything which was not natural. Nothing.
She'd had the idea to go from the back, the opposite direction from the clearing. But when she had tried, she had discovered that the clothe had been nailed down to the ground and no matter how she tried, it wouldn't rip. So, here she was. In plain sight of any who was awake. But thankfully, there seemed to be no-one who would raise the alarm. Still lying down, she slithered backwards, hoping to get into the clump of trees so that she could start running. But just as her head drew level with the first of the trees, something heavy planted itself on the small of her back and pressed down. She froze.
" Going somewhere?" A voice said to her, chillingly.
Serena shook her head silently, in despair. No. No no no. Please. Fate would not be so cruel. Hadn't she been already dealt with enough blows?
" Come come lady. Do not loose courage now. You have been very brave- and very foolish- to attempt to escape me. Do not disappoint yourself now by backing down. I think you know that this submission does not suit you."
He was right. She would face him just like she had faced everything else. Bravely.
Arching her back a little, Serena slithered to one side so that his boot would slide off her back. Then lifting herself up on all fours, she wiped her hands on her dress and then standing up, she took a deep breath before turning around to face Darien.
Looking upon his face, she wished she hadn't. She wished that she had taken the cowards' way out. For the look upon his face- she shivered in real fear- the look upon his face was one she had hoped to never see in her life. It was filled with so much rage, his eyes held so much anger in them, that she wished that she had never even thought to escape.
But she had. She had been caught. So she would have to face the consequences.
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Rosegalaxia
rosegalaxia@yahoo.com