Warning, violence

Part 15

2 months later

Dafne was sitting at the small table, quietly eating her supper. The tavern was full of people, many of them were drunk. She had rented a cosy little room upstairs and right now she hoped that she would have decided to have her supper there as she usually did. Despite of her efforts, she hadn't managed to find work. At least not the kind of work she was looking for. Apparently people didn't want to hire a female scribe. Many men had however offered to pay her for a different kind of services.

She had to admit that being a lonely woman was more difficult than she had imagined and she hadn't got used to be treated like this. Not that it mattered. At least she was controlling her own life now. Thankfully she had plenty of savings, so she wouldn't starve while looking for work. Yes, she was a strong independent woman.

Yet she missed Elijah every single day. She missed their peaceful moments together, their conversations and just his presence. Couple of times she had even wondered if she had made a mistake. So what if he would never feel the same way she did, they have still had a good life together. Had they really? He had never physically harmed her, but mentally…

She had given him her body, mind and soul, but it hadn't been enough. She hadn't been enough. He had accepted her in his bed when he hadn't had anyone else. Anyone better. Not that he had ever forced her into anything; she had willingly allowed him to use her. Maybe the foolish part of her had hoped that he would suddenly fall for her and realize that she was the right woman for him. That hadn't happened and she knew now that it never would.

The strange thing was that she could have maybe accepted everything else, but the way he had judged her without even bothering to talk with her… He didn't know many things she had done for him, but she had thought that she had at least earned his trust and respect. And even if there hadn't been any deal, what right did he have to judge her? Had he honestly thought that she was supposed to stay in her chamber and wait for him while he was with other women?

No. She deserved better than that. Better than being his servant and Klaus' supper. She had no idea if they had looked for her after she had left, but she had no intention to return to that life. Sure she missed some things, like the safety, but she had made her choice. She would be fine by herself.

"Well, hello there, sweetheart," a male voice suddenly said. "May I join you?"

Dafne looked up and saw a sturdy middle-aged man, who judging by his clothes, was a nobleman.

"I am just leaving, sir," she replied calmly.

The man grinned and sat down opposite her.

"How about I pay your meal?"

"Thank you, but that won't be necessary."

"Oh come on now, a pretty little thing such as you shouldn't be in a place like this all alone."

"I am fine, thank you."

The man was starting to look annoyed.

"Enough with this. I want to buy you for tonight, how much?"

"I am not a prostitute," Dafne replied coolly.

"Oh please," the man laughed mockingly. "A poor little widow who is looking for work as a scribe? That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard."

Dafne had thought that it would be safer to say that she was a widow instead of an unmarried woman.

"I am looking for work as a scribe."

"Sure you are." He paused and leaned towards her. "I can recognize a whore when I see one, so why don't you be a good girl and take me to your room. I have money to pay, I can assure you."

Dafne stood up, trying to look as dignified as she could.

"Then I suggest you take your money and go to the nearest brothel. Good night, sir."

She had to struggle to look calm while walking across the room. Apparently the man had some friends with him, they were laughing. Dafne hurried upstairs, she really wanted to go to her room. The whole day had been awful; all she wanted was to go to sleep. She had just unlocked her door when someone grabbed her from behind.

"No whore makes a fool out of me!" the man's voice snarled.

Dafne didn't have time to react when the man dragged her in her room and hit her so hard that she fell on the floor. She tasted blood in her mouth and her vision was blurry, but she still fought with all her might when the man trapped her under him.

"Get off me!" she shouted. "Get off me!"

"Shut your mouth!" the man snarled and hit her again. This time she almost lost consciousness, but she kept fighting desperately as she heard a ripping sound. Then the man was suddenly gone and she heard a different kind of sound. The sound of a person's neck being snapped.

"What a pig," a male voice snorted. "Would you agree?"

Dafne blinked her eyes, but everything looked blurry. Someone kneeled next to her and touched her face.

"Hey? Can you hear me? Is something broken?"

Probably. She did hear him, whoever he was, but she couldn't reply.

"Alright, hold on."

She heard a very familiar sound as he bit his wrist.

"Here, sweetheart, drink."

She tasted his blood in her mouth and shivered.

"Here we go, that's much better."

She fought to keep her eyes open, but her body failed her and she lost consciousness.

"Oh dear," was the last thing she heard before darkness took her.