As Bellatrix apparated into Rodolphus's house, she could hear loud voices and laughter. Slowly, she set her trunk down on the floor and headed towards the noise. It was coming from the parlour, and she realised that Rodolphus must have company. Trying not to let that upset her, she slowly pushed the door open and walked in.

Including Rodolphus and Rabastan, there were six men in the room. They were all very loud and Bellatrix wondered if they were drunk.

"Ah, here she is!" Rodolphus said loudly from the armchair he was sprawled in. He had a cigarette in one hand. "Come here and say hello," he continued, looking up at her.

Swallowing, Bellatrix did what she was told. She slowly approached him and pressed a light kiss on his cheek. "Rodolphus," she murmured, pulling back.

His eyes swept up and down her. "Is that what you wear at school?" he asked, frowning slightly. Bellatrix looked down at herself. She was wearing a black tunic underneath her robes, with a shirt, tie and knee length black socks. She thought she looked as nice as she could in a uniform. "It's a bit short."

Bellatrix took a step back, wondering why he had to speak to her like this in front of his friends.

Rodolphus took another drag from his cigarette. "The boys are going soon. Go upstairs and wait for me. Leave your uniform on." Nodding, and pleased to escape the room, Bellatrix turned and headed to the door. "And change your shoes," he shouted after her.

Biting her lip hard, Bellatrix headed up the stairs with her trunk. She could hear them all laughing and making lewd comments on her way up. She knew what was coming next, and she wasn't sure she was going to keep the tears from flowing.

As she entered the bedroom, she placed the trunk by the wardrobe before looking around her. It was a nice room, decorated in a different way to the rest of the house. It was much lighter and brighter, and she was grateful. She didn't think Rodolphus would let her change anything in the house.

Hearing loud voices in the entrance hall now, Bellatrix hastily kicked off her shoes and opened the wardrobe, quickly pulling out the shoes she knew he liked and placing her feet into them. Not quite knowing what to do, she slowly opened the trunk and started putting some of her clothes away.

The door opened, and he was there. Bellatrix looked up at him, feeling her hands shaking slightly as he approached.

"Now you've finally left school," he said, moving closer and surveying her. "I want to make some changes." He slowly walked around her, and Bellatrix felt very uncomfortable with the way he was looking at her. "Your hair." She felt his wand against her skull, and for a moment she was terrified. "I prefer it darker." She felt a tingling sensation in her scalp, and as she looked down she could see her brown curls turning black. She was too scared to be outraged at his behaviour. "This dress is too short. I don't want to see it again." She felt his hands at the zip, pulling it down. Then he roughly pulled it from her shoulders, leaving her in her shirt and underwear.

"Sorry," Bellatrix mumbled, stepped away from the dress.

"Take that shirt off as well."

Hands shaking, Bellatrix quickly unbuttoned her shirt, pulling it from around herself and dropped it to the floor. She raised her hands to the tie, about to remove that as well.

"I don't think so," Rodolphus said, stepped forwards and gripping the tie. He pulled it up so it was tight around her neck. "Get your tits out."

Feeling sick, Bellatrix removed her bra and dropped that. His hands were cold as he gripped her, fondling roughly. Then he grabbed the tie, pulling her towards the bed and shoving her face down, bent over it. For some reason she didn't understand, Bellatrix could feel liquid pooling in her panties.

"Since you've not had a fuck for nine months, I will be gentle," he said. She heard his belt unbuckling, then she was suddenly wrenched upwards by her hair. "Or have you been fucking around the school?"

"No," Bellatrix gasped out. "Honestly."

Rodolphus seemed to take that, because he released his hold on her hair. She felt the tie moving, and she realised that he had turned it around so that the knot was at the back of her neck. Then his hand was at her panties, feeling inside of them. He laughed a moment later. "You're fucking turned on by this?" he said, amusement clear in his tone. He pulled them down around her knees, smacking her arse with one stinging blow. "In that case, I won't go easy on you."

"Rodolphus, please," Bellatrix said pleadingly, knowing it was going to hurt.

He was laughing again. "Ask me nicely and I will consider it." Two fingers were plunged inside of her, and Bellatrix moaned.

"Please fuck me," she said, and she was surprised at the words leaving her lips. She was going to ask him to be gentle.

He barked a laugh again. "You fucking slut," he hissed, and then removed his fingers. His cock followed, roughly pounding into her. Bellatrix moaned loudly again, pushing back against him. It did hurt, but she found that she quite liked it. He gripped the tie, forcing her head backwards and her back to arch. "That's it," he said, moving faster now.

Bellatrix groaned, he felt amazing inside of her and it wasn't long before an orgasm crashed over her. Rodolphus let out a grunt, releasing the tie and pressing his fingers into her hips. Bellatrix knew there would be bruises, but she found she didn't care. He finally let out a moan, and Bellatrix knew he was coming as well. After a moment, he withdrew, flopping down on the bed. Bellatrix felt her legs give out, and she hauled herself onto the bed next to him.

"You are a good fuck," he said after a moment. He reached out and slapped her bare arse.

Closing her eyes, Bellatrix felt vaguely disgusted with herself for enjoying that. She jumped slightly as she heard a noise, and when she looked up she realised that he was lighting another cigarette. He inhaled deeply, looking over at her.

"I have made some changes to your wardrobe," he said, after a moment. "I won't have you wear anything revealing in public. Your wedding dress was too tight, that was a disappointment." He shifted slightly. "I expected more sense from you, Bellatrix."

"I just wanted to look nice for you," she said, her voice soft. "You were all I thought of."

Rodolphus looked over at her. "I did like it, but so did my mates. As they liked your uniform." He inhaled another puff. "So now they have seen parts of you that only a husband should see."

Bellatrix nodded. "I'm sorry," she mumbled.

"So, you will think only about what will please me when you get dressed each morning." He paused, and Bellatrix knew there was more coming. "I expect you to be perfect, in your appearance and you work. I have paid a fortune for you. If you displease me..." He took another drag. "I will make you sorry."

"I will do my best," Bellatrix responded, biting her lip.

"Go and run me a bath," he said after a moment.

Standing up slowly, Bellatrix headed into the bathroom and turned the taps to the bath on. She rose, catching sight of herself in the mirror. A smile reached her lips, she did look good with black hair.

Rodolphus entered, catching her looking at herself. "Do you like it?" he asked.

"Yes," Bellatrix replied, smiling at him slightly.

He approached her, undoing the tie and flinging it to the floor. "The choices I make benefit both of us, Bella. I don't want my wife to look ridiculous."

Bellatrix looked up at him, her stomach dipping slightly. He was gorgeous and she was attracted to him. Slowly, she pressed her hands against his robed chest, tilting her head. He closed the gap, his lips meeting hers in a deep kiss. They finally separated, and Bellatrix was gasping for breath.

Rodolphus pulled off his robes, and Bellatrix was pleased to see his firm chest and huge arms. "Roddy," she mumbled, running her fingers down his hot skin.

"Get in the bath," he said, kicking his shoes from his feet. Hastily, Bellatrix copied, peeling her long socks from her legs and removing her remaining underwear. She looked up, seeing him now naked before her. Unable to help herself, she moved back towards him, running her hands over his skin again. She stood on her toes, pressing a kiss against his lips once more. His hands made their way into her hair, tugging on it roughly. Then his hands slid down to her arse, picking her up from the ground slightly and moving closer to the bath. He pulled back, looking down at her. "In," he said, smacking her arse lightly.

Bellatrix did as she was told this time, stepping into the massive bathtub and turning the taps off. She watched as Rodolphus got in as well, sitting back and relaxing in one of the seats. Then he sat up, as if suddenly remembering something. He grabbed a bottle from the shelf, passing it over to her. "I got you bubbles."

Looking down at the bottle, Bellatrix realised he had indeed bought her some bubble bath. She smiled. It was very sweet of him. "Thank you," she replied, opening the bottle and pouring some of the liquid in. It fizzed, quickly filling the tub with foamy bubbles. She moved across to him, sitting in the seat next to him. Leaning over, she caught his lips in hers again, smiling into the kiss as he grabbed her and pulled her onto his lap. The kiss deepened and Bellatrix was aware of him pulling her legs apart and pushing his hardness inside of her once more.

She moaned into the kiss, he felt incredible inside of her. Slowly, he moved his hips, still not breaking their lips apart. Finally, when there was no more air between them, they pulled apart. As she looked down at him, she noticed his expression was relaxed, in a way she had never seen him before. Slowly, Bellatrix pressed her hands against him, stopping him from moving. His eyes snapped up to hers, she could see he was about to tell her off so hastily she lifted her hips and slammed down onto him. He gasped.

"Let me," she murmured, running her hands through his hair. She moved her hips forwards, bringing him in deeper. She pressed her lips against his once more, not really kissing him now but not wanting to be apart from him. It felt amazing. She sped up, moaning lightly as her insides clamped around him in orgasm. A moment later, he let out a groan and she knew that he was spent.

"You feel so good when you come around me," Rodolphus said, his voice slightly hoarse. She felt his arms move around her, pulling her into him. Bellatrix looped her arms around his neck, resting her head against his chest. He pressed a light kiss against her hair. "I'd forgotten what it was like, being with you."

Bellatrix laughed slightly, feeling tired although surprisingly happy.

"I've booked a table for tonight," he said after a moment. "And then some of the guys are going out later. Evan will be there, possibly the Dark Lord, although he's not been very social recently."

Nodding, Bellatrix looked up at him. "Will we have to endure Lucius?" she asked.

Rodolphus rolled his eyes. "Probably." His hand smoothed down her back. "And tomorrow I will take you to the Dark Lord. We have had a discussion and you may join him."

Bellatrix pulled back, looking down at him in surprise. "He will mark me?"

Nodding, Rodolphus smiled at her slightly. "Call that a welcome home gift."

Bellatrix grinned at him, swooping forwards and kissing him on the lips. "Thank you," she murmured against him.

Rodolphus chuckled. "You might not be thanking me when your arm starts burning at two in the morning, just because he's had an idea he wants your opinion on," he said. "I don't think he sleeps."

"I don't even care," Bellatrix replied, snuggling into him again. "I am so happy to be able to help him."

"It's not all easy," Rodolphus said, his voice slightly cold. "He has a temper, piss him off or fail him and he will kill you."

Bellatrix shook her head. "You and I... We're too important for him to kill."

"We'll see," Rodolphus replied, closing his eyes. "There's a dress in my wardrobe. Go try it on."

Frowning slightly, Bellatrix pulled back from him and stepped out of the bath, wrapping a towel around herself. She moved into the bedroom, flicking her wand to dry her hair. She approached his wardrobe, opening the door slowly.

Hanging up at the very front was the most beautiful dress Bellatrix had ever seen. It was the same colour as her sapphire engagement ring, the deepest blue. It had a long chiffon skirt but the bodice was what made it so special – it was made from lace, but encrusted with tiny diamantes and sapphires, from waist to the tip of the long sleeves.

"Roddy," she said, gasping. "It's beautiful."

"Put it on," he shouted from the bathroom.

Bellatrix threw the towel onto the floor, pulling the dress out and stepping into it. As she pulled her arms through the sleeves, she could feel it magically doing up at the back. It was tight, but as she looked in the mirror she could see how it enhanced her figure.

"Hurry up, you slut," he called again. Smirking a bit at that, Bellatrix headed back to the bathroom. His hands were behind his head, and he was smiling slightly. "Good," he said. "Get used to dresses like these. I will not have my wife seen in anything less than the best."

"This must have cost a fortune," she said quietly.

Rodolphus stood up, stepping out of the bath. Bellatrix gulped, his amazing body really did catch her off guard every time. Slowly, she passed him a towel, disappointed when he put it around his waist. "Of course it did," he replied, his voice rough. "And tonight, when we see my brother and my friends, they will not know what has hit them. They will not recognise you from this morning." He kissed her briefly on the lips. "You are exquisite."

Bellatrix shook her head. "Rodolphus, I don't know what to say."

He laughed, and he sounded like he meant it this time. "This whole thing – life – it's a big game to be played. I will teach you how to play it." He put his hands in her hair, twisting it and placing it on the top of her head. "It starts with the way you look, and the way you act. This morning, my friends were rude to you." He smiled slightly, letting go of her hair. "Let them know you're pissed off at them."

"I would never want to disgrace myself in front of your friends," she responded softly.

"You're my wife. So long as you please me, you may do what you want to everyone else." He moved across the room to his wardrobe, ditching the towel. Bellatrix tilted her head, staring at his perfectly formed arse. "You'll not get far with the Dark Lord if you allow those below you to belittle you."

"You think they are below me?" Bellatrix asked him, frowning slightly.

He turned to look at her. "You think they are not?" he asked, sounding surprised. "You, I, Rabastan, Lucius, Evan... We have the best blood of all of his followers. Are they really my friends?" He paused. "Probably not. But they think that they are and they do what I want them to do." He pulled a set of robes over his head before approaching her again. "You will be their queen." Slowly, Rodolphus bent over her hand, lifting it to his lips and kissing it. As he returned to standing, she could see his smirk. "And my slut," he murmured. "No knickers tonight. I like to have full access to my property."

Bellatrix's jaw dropped as he patted her briefly on the cheek, heading towards the door.

"Put your hair up and do some sexy makeup. There's some shoes in the box on the dresser," he said on his way out. "Practice your filthy glare."

Unsure of whether to laugh or not, Bellatrix sat down in front of the dressing table. She didn't remember it being in the room before, and she realised he must have got it for her. This, in Rodolphus's own way, was a very sweet gesture. Looking into the mirror, she picked up the silver-plated hairbrush that lay before her, smoothing her curls down slightly. Slowly, she twisted her hair up until she was happy with the position, securing it with some pins.

The last few hours had been a whirlwind of emotion and feelings. Rodolphus was a tricky one, she knew that much. He was so horrible to her in one moment, but in the next he was generous and almost romantic.

She pulled some curls out of the twist of hair, nodding at herself in the mirror. The black hair did look amazing. Slowly, she picked her makeup bag up from the top, rummaging around in it. Carefully, she applied her makeup, making smoky lines around her eyes and darkening her lips to a shade of red.

Looking at the box next to her, she opened it up and saw inside an amazing pair of dark blue shoes, covered in lace and sparkles. She slipped her feet into them, pleased at how comfortable they were even though they were very high.

Frowning a bit, Bellatrix moved back to her wardrobe and opened it. Sure enough, it was filled with an array of dresses and robes, all equally splendid, as well as several rows of new shoes she hadn't seen before.

Realising he has bought her an entirely new wardrobe, she headed over to the chest of drawers she was sure must belong to her, as they were near her side of the best. She opened the drawers, amazed at the amount of underwear, corsets and skirts that filled them.

Shaking her head, she shut the drawer, knowing she should go downstairs and find him. Before she left, she stepped in front of the full-size mirror that covered one of the walls. She hardly recognised herself. She looked older, more imposing and she knew she would definitely make Rodolphus's followers regret laughing at her.

Bellatrix walked confidently down the stairs. The sound of her steps had brought Rodolphus out of the sitting room, cigarette in hand, and he was watching her descent. She reached him, looking up at him coldly. "Husband," she said, nodding.

Rodolphus was smirking again. "Yes," he said, nodding at her. "This is what I wanted." He walked around her, running his fingers across her waist and pulling her into him. "Madam Lestrange," he said, looking down at her. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a long string of diamonds. Slowly, he placed it around her neck, doing the clasp up. He drew her towards the mirror in the hall, and Bellatrix could see a long waterfall of diamonds falling from her neck down. "Tu as l'air parfait."

x-x

After their dinner, which had gone very well – Rodolphus had even shared a bottle of wine with her – they were on their way to a nightclub Rodolphus said everyone would be at. The entrance was just one door, and she noticed how he'd flashed the mark on his arm to the doorman to enable them to skip the queue of people.

"It's amazing what I can get for free with this," he said, smirking at her as they descended the steps.

The club was loud and smoky, but there were plenty of women dressed in a similar way to how she was, although she definitely looked better than any of them. Rodolphus had one arm around her waist, drawing her into him. There were a lot of women staring at them both, and Bellatrix was faintly aware that he must be the subject of a lot of attention from witches. She realised that this made her feel possessive, and she shifted closer into his embrace.

"Through here," he said, opening a door at the end of the corridor slightly. He paused. "I'll go first. I don't want there to be any doubt..."

"Any doubt of what?" Bellatrix asked, frowning.

"Any doubt that we are here for anything other than to rule. Together, we have such a strong and powerful union." He smiled slightly, before turning and opening the door fully, entering the room. "Gentlemen," he said. "May I introduce my wife."

Bellatrix entered, keeping her expression cold and her head high. She recognised some of the men from earlier, and she fixed each of them the filthiest stare she could muster. Slowly, she sat down at the chair Rodolphus had pulled out for her.

"McNair, go and get us some drinks," Rodolphus said, sitting down.

McNair, one of the men from that morning, frowned, looking across at Bellatrix. "That's a woman's job."

Rodolphus stared at McNair. "Are you insinuating that my wife should go?" he asked, his eyes narrowed.

"Yes," McNair snapped back. Then he began choking, gasping for air and was clutching at his throat. Rodolphus looked over at her, noticing her wand was out. He smirked. Bellatrix released him from the spell. "What the-"

"Just do it," Rodolphus snapped. "A bottle of red wine for my wife. I will have Ogden's." Glaring at Bellatrix, McNair did as he was told and left the room.

Rabastan stood up, casting a weary expression towards his brother before bending over Bellatrix and placing a kiss on her cheek. "Sister," he said, nodding at her.

"Brother," Bellatrix responded coolly.

The door behind her burst open. "Bloody hell, what's got McNair's knickers in a twist?" someone shouted. Bellatrix rolled her eyes, knowing that to be Evan's voice. She didn't move. "Ooh, who is going to introduce me to this fine lady?" he continued. Slowly, Bellatrix stood up and turned around to face him. "Oh, fuck me!" Evan cursed, grinning. "Bellatrix, I didn't know you were back."

Bellatrix smirked at him, allowing him to kiss her on the cheek. "Hello, Evan," she said.

"What the hell have you done to my little cousin, Lestrange?" Evan asked, looking over as she sat down. "She looks like a lady!"

Rodolphus barked a laugh. "She is a lady," he said.

McNair barged back in, slamming a bottle and a glass down before Bellatrix, and giving Rodolphus his tumbler, before sitting back down. "Does wine pour itself in this establishment?" Bellatrix asked, her voice cold.

There was a stunned silence in the room.

"If you think I am fucking-"

Rodolphus's wand twitched, and McNair immediately stopped speaking. Slowly, he stood up, picking up the bottle and pouring Bellatrix a large glass full. Then, he set the bottle down, sitting back and looking over to Rodolphus.

"McNair," Rodolphus said, his voice rough now. "Do you need me to remind you why it is you I task with these things?"

"No, Lestrange," McNair replied, shaking his head.

"Then let me inform my wife," Rodolphus said, looking over at her. "McNair's grandmother had an affair with a half-blood, resulting in his mother, and then resulting in him."

Bellatrix allowed an expression of disgust to appear on her features. "I see," she said. "Husband, you know I am quite unused to associating with people like him. Is it safe to be near him?" McNair's jaw had dropped open, and the other people in the room were laughing. She smiled innocently, looking over at Evan. "Did you know about this?"

Evan was too busy laughing to reply. Smirking, Bellatrix picked up her wine glass, taking a sip from it. Rodolphus was looking at her, his expression pleased. Bellatrix knew she'd done what he wanted her to, although she still didn't fully understand, she knew it was all down to the power game he seemed to be engaged in. He passed her a cigarette, which she lit with her wand, inhaling deeply.

She stared around the room, taking in the faces of her allies, knowing that they were also her enemies. She knew that she had something none of them had, and that was her sex. Rodolphus knew he could use it, and Bellatrix knew that she must use it to win her own game. Afterall, Rodolphus was not a kind man, and she might need power of her own one day to escape him.

x-x

The next morning, when Rodolphus was apparating them to the Dark Lord's house, she felt sick – and that wasn't entirely down to the hangover. Bellatrix couldn't believe it, she was finally about to become a Death Eater. It was really happening.

Bellatrix could feel herself shaking as they entered the house. Rodolphus was gripping her hand tightly. They walked up some stairs and reached a dark wooden door. Rodolphus cast her a glance, before knocking.

"Come in," she heard called on the other side.

Rodolphus pushed on the door, opening it and stepping in. He let go of her hand and she followed into the room, pushing the door shut behind her, but not daring to step any closer. "My Lord," Rodolphus said, his voice low. "I have brought my wife to you, my Lord."

"Your wife?" she heard the Dark Lord say. "Why does she hide behind you?" he continued, but this time she could hear amusement. Rodolphus turned around, giving her a hard look, before grabbing her hand and pulling her forwards. "Wait outside, Rodolphus," the Dark Lord said, his eyes not leaving Bellatrix for a moment.

Bellatrix looked down at the floor, hardly daring to breath. She heard the door click shut, but still he didn't speak. She glanced back up at him, seeing that he was still staring.

"You've been married for… what is it, a year now?" he asked.

"Almost, my Lord," Bellatrix replied, feeling slightly breathless.

"Does your husband not want a child from you?" he continued, his voice slightly harsher.

Bellatrix looked up at him with a frown. "I am capable of more than bearing children," she told him. She shivered, knowing it should be because she was scared but it was nothing to do with fear. She desired him.

He continued to stare at her, his eyes narrowing. "Such a pity Rodolphus has not taught you how to address those superior to you," he said coldly. He stood up, walking slowly around his desk until he was stood before her. Bellatrix could see his wand in his hand, and for a long moment she was very worried about what he was going to do to her.

"I apologise, my Lord," Bellatrix responded, looking into his eyes. "It's just that I feel very strongly about your cause. I am a passionate supporter of yours and I think I can help."

He smiled at her and he leant closer to her. "If I had known sooner that the eldest Black daughter looked like… This… Then I might have insisted on meeting you sooner."

Bellatrix looked up at him, raising an eyebrow. "I am a married woman now, my Lord," she responded.

"When I want something, I take it," he said, staring at her.

"There might not be anything for you to take, my Lord," she replied quietly.

"We shall see."

They stared at each other for a moment, before he reached out and took her hand in his. Bellatrix gasped, about to snatch her hand away, when he lifted it up, turning it over to look at her palm. Then with his spare hand, he pushed the sleeve of her robe up to her elbow. He looked up at her.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" he asked, tilting his head to one side. "This is a full time commitment. It's not a game, nor is it a hobby. If I summon you to my side, I expect you to drop everything."

Bellatrix inhaled through her nose, nodding at him.

"I will hurt you when you displease me," he continued, frowning now.

Bellatrix smirked slightly. "If I displease you, my Lord," she said.

He gripped her wrist tightly, still deadly serious. "I am not messing around, Bellatrix. You will not be able to have a child until I agree to it, and if you find yourself to be pregnant, I will decide the fate of the child."

Bellatrix turned her hand around, grabbing his wrist. "I know," she said. "My Lord. I am told you know Legilimency, perhaps I was misinformed?"

Voldemort looked down at their hands, twisted together, before he looked back up at her, completely emotionless. "There is no going back after this," he said, quietly. "You are the first woman I have considered, and you have presented me with many concerns."

"But if I was a man, you would not have any?" Bellatrix asked, her voice slightly cold.

Voldemort looked irritated for a second, but did not respond.

"How about if I was unmarried?" she challenged.

"Enough," he snapped, putting her hand from his wrist and moving his own grip up to tighten around her forearm. "You are, without a doubt, the most intelligent person I have around me."

"Master," Bellatrix hissed, hoping that might make him realise how much she wanted to be his and to join him.

His face broke into an expression of mild amusement. "You learn quickly," he said. Bellatrix smiled back. Then his grip tightened and Bellatrix could feel her skin burning, a searing pain right through to her bone. She inhaled sharply, seeing a black outline appear on her skin beneath his fingers, before she looked back up at him.

Voldemort released his hold on her, looking surprised. Bellatrix looked down at her arm, breathing heavily. The pain was fading surprisingly quickly. She looked back up at him, smiling brightly. "Thank you," she breathed.

"Your husband screamed like a baby when he received his mark," he remarked casually, as he turned and moved back to his desk.

"I am a Black," Bellatrix replied, stepping closer to his desk and leaning on the back of the chair facing him.

"You're a Lestrange," he corrected, his tone slightly sour, as he sat down.

"My Lord," she said, her voice soft. "I bear your mark now. I will do anything you ask of me."

She noticed the corners of his lips turning upwards, just slightly. "You can go," he snapped. "Send Rodolphus back in."

"Thank you, Master," she said quietly, sad to leave him. She turned away, hoping he would call her back, but nothing came. She opened the door a bit and slid out, closing it again.

"What took so long?" Rodolphus asked, appearing in front of her. "Did you piss him off? I didn't hear any screaming so I assume you have not been marked."

Bellatrix shook her head, showing her forearm to him. "He was just making sure I wanted to take the mark."

Rodolphus looked annoyed. "I decided with him that his conditions were acceptable. You did not need to be told of them."

Anger bubbled up inside of her, but she was too afraid of him to show it. Instead, she swallowed hard and inhaled sharply. "He wanted to see you before we left," she said, wishing she had never married him.

"Wait here," he snapped, heading to the door. "And don't talk to anyone."

Bellatrix shut her eyes, wondering what he meant by that. She bit her lip, hoping that might stop the tears from forming. She hated that Rodolphus had, and was entitled to, complete control over her destiny.

She lent against the wall, hoping with all of her might that the large drink he was certain to have when they returned home would soften his temper tonight, rather than inflame it.

x-x