II. – Wading Through Darkness
She did not tell her father of the times she woke at night, drenched in cold, unpleasant sweat that made her silken nightshift cling to her pale skin. She spared him the revolting nightmares that plagued her in the early hours of morning. Of how a grimy peasant had pressed hot, moist lips to hers, stripping away a young girl's dream of receiving her first kiss from a handsome, young man whom she could hope to fall in love with.
Adet's mouth had been hungry and seeking that dreadful, fateful night, though she had tasted the obvious hatred and disgust, too. By sheer instinct she had shrunk away in terror, mercifully slipping into unconsciousness. But even as she slipped in his arms and sagged against the plush cushions of the carriage, she'd vaguely heard him chuckle beneath his breath, and he had then followed through with the rest of his threat, pressing those greedy lips to her dainty, slender throat where it met her chin, nipping his teeth there, positively terrifying her.
But, oh, he wasn't satisfied with simply that! He had then kissed each of her cheeks, just as he'd so evilly promised; the rough stubble of his chin scratchy and foul, while his hand brushed lightly beneath her young, tender breasts and then over the tops. He had traced the fine, expensive lace of her bodice and the porcelain skin just above it, entertained by the light, barely-noticeable swells that were just starting to peep above her gowns.
It did not matter that she had returned home alive and with her virtue still in tact; the truth was that Adet had accomplished his true purpose – she would never forget those wretched kisses and touches, the stolen moments she should have had with the dashing knight in all of her fairytale daydreams.
Instead, she now had fear.
Fear that this was what any man would be like. Fear that any man's lips would be hot and wet and feral, demanding from her what she now did not desire to give to just anyone. Fear that love was impossible, for how could love exist if men kissed so vilely?