Part 2

Dafne had always loved animals and she was very good with them, especially with horses. She had learned a long time ago how wise animals they were. Right now she kept her eyes on the mane of her master's horse. She had been placed practically on his lap, pressed firmly into his body. Her other master, the blonde one, was riding next to them. They both smelled like alcohol.

Neither of them had said a word to her and she was smart enough not to speak unless someone asked her a question. She didn't really dare to move either, although she was cold and her position was slightly uncomfortable. Obviously she was also tired and hungry, but she had got used to both of those feelings. Suddenly she felt her master leaning closer and sniffing her hair.

"Everything alright, little one?" he asked.

"Yes, master," she murmured.

She couldn't help but startle when his fingers touched her neck.

"I must say that you smell very nice," he hummed. "Perhaps I should have a taste before…"

"Enough, Kol," the blonde man snorted. "She's for Elijah."

"Yes, but surely we must make sure that she's good enough for our dear brother. We both want him to stop sulking, don't we?"

"We want him to stop starving himself," the blonde man huffed. "He will soon be worse than Finn."

The dark-haired man didn't reply to that, he held the reins with one hand and used his other hand to play with Dafne's hair. She gripped the front of the saddle to steady herself, but she didn't try to move away from him. That would have been completely useless.

"You seem like a brave little thing," he hummed. "That's good, because we have a very special task for you."

"Yes, master."

"Hmm, I am actually not your master. You are a gift for our brother."

She wasn't sure what to say, so she thought it was best to stay quiet. A part of her could still feel fear, but she didn't show it. Again, that would have been useless. She had no choice but to see what would happen and try her best to adapt and survive.

"What if he does not want her?" the dark-haired man asked after a moment of silence.

"He needs a new servant, so why would he not accept her?" the blonde man replied. He paused and glanced at Dafne. "What skills do you have?"

"I can take care of the horses," she replied quietly. "Clean, cook, sew…"

"Yes, yes, that should do. And you do not seem too timid. Can you follow orders?"

"Yes, master."

"Good. Do as you are told and everything will be fine."

Dafne wasn't sure what to think, but she forced herself to stay calm. She didn't expect kindness from anyone, especially men, she knew better. She had been at other people's mercy her whole life, she didn't know otherwise. Enduring was all she had got used to. Right now she tried to ignore how cold and hungry she was. Her body was pressed up against the dark-haired man's wide chest and finally she took the risk of trying to seek some warmth. His body didn't feel warm at all, on the contrary. He noticed her efforts.

"Are you cold, little one?"

"Yes, master, a little," she murmured.

"Nik! Toss me your jacket!"

"What?"

"She is cold. We do not want her to get sick, do we?"

The blonde man rolled his eyes and removed his jacket.

"Thank you, master…masters," she corrected as the dark-haired man wrapped the jacket around her.

"You are welcome, little one."

She felt a little better and her body relaxed slightly. Finally she was too tired to keep her eyes open. Her head leaned back, but the dark-haired man didn't say anything. At some point she felt him nuzzling her hair.

"Is she asleep?" the blonde man asked.

"Yes, I think so."

Dafne didn't correct him, since he didn't sound angry. She wasn't fully asleep, but her body was resting. She had got used to take advantage every opportunity she got to rest.

"How very trusting of her," the blonde man chuckled. "A little lamb sleeping in the arms of a wolf."

"Yes… She is a pretty little lamb though."

Dafne allowed herself to rest until they finally rode into a large courtyard. Both men dismounted and the dark-haired man lifted Dafne off his horse.

"Thank you, master," she murmured and took the blonde man's jacket off. "Shall I wash this…?"

"No need," the blonde man cut in and took the jacket from her. "Come along."

She took a quick look around while following the men inside. The house was very big; clearly her new masters were very wealthy. The stable seemed to be big as well, she noticed a young boy who hurried to take care of her masters' horses.

"Lorena!" the blonde man called.

A timid brunette hurried to them and curtsied.

"My lords," she mumbled, keeping her eyes on the floor.

"This girl will serve the lord Elijah from now on; I want you to get her ready."

"Yes, my lord."

"Give her something to eat and make sure that she looks presentable."

"Yes, my lord."

The brunette curtsied again and backed away. Dafne followed her example.

"Thank you, masters," she said just in case.

"I will see you soon, little one," the dark-haired man hummed.

Dafne followed the brunette who didn't say a word. She led her to the well behind the stable.

"Servants wash themselves here," she finally murmured.

"Alright. Your name is Lorena, right?"

"Yes," she replied tensely.

"I am Dafne."

She didn't reply to that, she started to lift up the water. Dafne helped her and obeyed when she told her to undress. Lorena looked at her scars for a moment before pouring the ice-cold water on her.

"Thank you," Dafne said and put her tattered dress back on.

"You will have a new dress," Lorena muttered. "Come with me."

"Wait, please," Dafne said. "Could you be so kind and tell me something about my new master?"

Lorena tensed and was quiet for a while.

"Do not anger him," she finally murmured. "Do not anger any of them. It will be the last thing you will ever do."