The Dark Lord, a Priestess, and a Baby
Chapter One: The Priestess
A solitary figure sat on a black king-sized canopy bed in a grand bedroom with high ceilings, black marble floors and pillars, and a dark wood dresser and vanity on the opposite wall from the bed. It was hard to see these features of the room because the person was sitting in complete darkness, sitting up with their back ramrod straight, small hands folded neatly in it's lap. The figure was hard to see as well because it was dressed all in black. The only thing that gave it away as a woman was the black dress that she was wearing. She seemed to be expectantly awaiting something or someone, as she was being perfectly still and appeared to be listening for some sort of cue. Heavy footsteps approached from down the hall, and she held her breath as the door clicked open, and a lantern was lit, exposing her features in it's harsh light. She was short, petite, and had very thick, wavy hair that barely reached her small shoulders. Her once tan skin had become a pale olive complexion from no exposure to the sun in so long.
A tall man wearing a black cloak and hood stepped into the room and quietly shut the door. He turned to see the woman squinting in the sudden light. He chuckled to himself in a hi-pitched voice at her dilemma, and pulled his hood back, showing his face. Red eyes stared at her through the slitted pupils. She did not return the stare, she had, through time, learned better of it, and instead looked intently at the floor as the Dark Lord began to speak:
"Why do you not look at me?" He asked of her in a slightly amused voice as he removed his cloak and sent it to the grand walk-in closet in the corner. He was toying with her, of that she was sure, but she had to answer him when he asked a question or be punished. Then again, anything that she were to say in this situation would only anger him, and then she would be punished. He always was so good at setting up the lose-lose situations with her. What she wouldn't give to be able to tell him 'Because you disgust me!' but unless she wanted an early grave, that just wasn't an option. Fortunately, he spoke again:
"Come now, I don't look that bad, now do I?" He queried, taking the young woman's delicate chin into his hand and forcing her to look him in the eye, "You don't like my new body? I got it especially for your appreciation." Since he was holding her chin, she just shook her head and waited for him to release her before she replied.
"No master, you do not look bad at all," she lied in a flat voice, too tired to attempt sincerity, "I greatly appreciate your new body in all it's glory." Oops, that last bit was just a little too much. He narrowed his slitted eyes at her, and she braced for the impact that sent her across the bed.
"You are lying to me," he told her in a matter-of-fact tone, "You know you are not allowed to do that without severe punishment." She hadn't moved from where she had landed on the far edge of the bed, but now she trembled, not only out of fear, but also out of anger and pure hatred at the indignity of what he was about to do to her. Ohjusthurry up and get it overwith she thought furiously as the light from the lantern flickered and died. She felt the Dark Lord crawling across the bed towards her, and couldn't help but tremble even more as he climbed on top of her. Alright, you can do this, she thought to herself, Just take a deep breath, remember your meditation training. Focus on something else. She found an interesting flaw in the fabric of the canopy over the bed as he began to undress her, and she kept her eyes focused on that one thread. Just think of someplace that makes you happy she thought to herself as he began to move above her. For some reason, she wasn't able to take her mind elsewhere this time. She was still in this huge, cold room. Still in the enormous black bed, still being raped instead of being transported to her happy place. She could feel every fingernail digging into her skin as he groped her, every stroke, all the pain. She couldn't get away from the moment like she always had been. Wait, then that can only mean…
Gasping for air, the very same woman awoke from her horrible nightmare of the past, drenched in a cold sweat. She quickly looked around her at her surroundings, trying to figure out where she was. She was in a cozy little bed with her oversized comforter, surrounded by her mahogany dresser and writing desk. Safe at home. She tried holding her small hands that still seemed cold from the nightmare under the covers tightly to stop their uncontrollable shaking.
It was just a dream. It was all just a horrible nightmare. I'm safe at home, no one else is here. Just me. No one can hurt you if you're all alone. she reasoned with herself before laying back under the covers to try to get some sleep before the sun came up.