Sarah’s POV

My name is Sarah Salvatore. I’m a twenty two year old, female, college graduate.

I spent the last four years in college studying day and night, sacrificing my social life, sleep, and the ability to date the cute guys, because I had a dream and therefore could never settle for less than a perfect score. I did this all in the hope that I would get the chance to work at World Capital. The top law firm in the country.

After interviewing with them along with hundreds of others, I was chosen for a Junior Lawyer position. Today I received the phone call that they had picked me, making this the happiest day of my life.

As soon as the call ended, I danced around my kitchen, freely waving my arms about which knocked over a glass of milk from the counter, shattering it on my white tiled floor.

Having been clumsy my entire life, I was used to things like that happening but this time I didn’t care about having to clean the mess or about the cuts I received on my hands when picking up the shards.

After dumping the broken glass in the trash can and mopping up the milk, I made sure that there wasn’t anymore peices of glass. Regardless of how well I look, there will likely be a tiny peice I miss which I will of course find later by stepping on in, probably in the middle of the night. Such is my luck.

Just as I open my hall closet to put away the mop and bucket, I hear a knock on my front door. On the other side, my parents stand waiting for me to let them into my small studio apartment.

For most people there wouldn’t be anything odd about having their parents standing at their door. For me, this was strange.

My relationship with my parents was different from most peoples. I didn’t hate them or anything like that. We just didn’t interact much. They did their own thing and I did mine. It’s just how it’s always been ever since my childhood. The only thing that hurt was how they were with my little brother. They catered to him while ignoring me. I always figured it was because he’s the youngest and a boy.

Opening the door, I hug them both then ask them to come inside. My mother and father sit next to eachother on my sofa and I bring them two glasses of water before sitting in a chair accross front of them.

“What brings you here? Is anything wrong?” I ask.

“Well, we just got back from abroad this morning and wanted to drop off your graduation gift.” My father answers while noticeably not making eye contact.

My parents had left for a vacation the day I graduated so they missed the ceremony. I wasn’t expecting them to come but normally they send me gifts or money when they blow off important events of mine.

My mother turns and pulls a box from her bag. I reach out to take it from her, but surprisingly she opens the box herself and removes a beautiful pendant necklace. A large yellow teardrop shaped stone, hangs from a long silver chain.

Putting the box back in her bag, my mother stands and walks behind my chair.

“Lift your hair, I want to see it on you.” I lift my hair so my mom can put the necklace on me. I can see my father watching us with a strained look.

“The price must be paid, the deal must be honored. We exchanged the debt, and own nothing further.” My mother says this as she closes the necklace around my neck. It feels warm as if it had been sitting in the sun for awhile.

Smiling broadly, my mother prances back to her bag and picks it up, as I examine the yellow stone which sparkles in the light. If I didn’t know better, I would think it’s a diamond but a stone this large would be a few million dollars. The chain is long and it hangs to the middle of my stomach. I pickup the pendant, turning it over in my fingers feeling the weight.

“Thank you, it’s beau..” I look up to see my mother ushering my father towards the front door.

“Sorry, we have a prior engagement. Since you like it, don’t take it off.” My mother opens the door and practically pushes my father through it. Then closes it behind her.

“That was weird.” I say to the empty room.

Sarah’s Father POV

Alice is pushing me towards the car. I knew this day was coming and thought I was prepared. Now that our part is done, I’m having second thoughts.

“What is with that look, David? You know this had to be done. It’s why we kept her around all this time.” Alice says while tugging his arm towards the car.

“This isn’t right.” I mumble.

“Would you rather it be you? Or maybe you’d like it to be my son?” Alice opens the drivers side door and pushes him into the car. “It has to be someone, David. It’s done now. We’re free and can live in peace. Forget about her. It was always the plan so don’t back out at the last minute.”

Alice climbs into the car and slams the door.

“Drive!” She demands. I put the keys in the ignition and start the car.

“Forgive me, my daughter. I will make it up to you in your next life.” Alice glares at me as I drive away.

Sarah’s POV

After the weird interaction with my parents, I head out to buy myself some work attire. My first day will be tomorrow and I want to look like I belong there.

I use my credit card to buy several blouses, skirts, pants, shoes and blazers. I even get a hair cut and purchase new makeup. The lady at the makeup counter was very nice and helped me pick out work appropriate colors and showed me how to apply them.

By the time I’m done, my credit card has several thousand dollars put on it. I shuttered a little as I hand the card to the lady at the register. My new salary is going to be much more than I’m used to so I should pay it off really soon but it’s still nerve racking.

Gathering my items, I head back home to put together my outfit for tomorrow. I settle for a cream blouse, dark blue pencil skirt and cream pumps. I fuss over every wrinkle with my iron and run a sticky roller over everything so there aren’t any fuzzies anywhere.

When I’m done, I hang my outfit over my closet door and get ready for bed but I’m restless. Tomorrow will be the day I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. My nerves are getting to me and I know I won’t be able to sleep.

After brushing my teeth, I open my medicine cabinet behind my bathroom mirror. Taking out a sleeping pill, I pop it into my mouth then take a sip of water from the sink to swallow it down. In twenty minutes, the pill does its job and I’m sleeping like the dead.

Third Person POV

The clock on Sarah’s night stand turns to midnight. Sarah’s body begins to heat and she kicks the blankets off. Laying in her white nightgown, she moves restlessly as her clothes and sheets become wet with perspiration. Her heavy breathing is load in the otherwise silent room.

Having been distracted, Sarah fell asleep with the necklace on and now it started to glow, emitting a soft yellow light that got brighter as seconds pass.

Once the light became to bright, it engulfed Sarah and in a flash she disappeared from her bed.

Unknown POV

“Your majesty, the debtor’s stone has been detected in the kingdom. The royal magician felt its presence appear near the Lake of Dreams.” The King’s asstant bows while delivering the news.

An evil grin spreads across the kings handsome face.

“A debt must be paid. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. Bring me the traitor alive.” The King gives the command and his assistant bows deeper before rushing off to complete his mission

“I wonder who it will be?” He ponders. “Whichever one it is, I will be sure to punish them severely.”

In thousands of years, a debtor’s stone had only been used once. It took a great amount of magic to create and bind to the victim but once bound, it will find the person who’s blood was used to create the magic, destroying them and everyone in their family unless someone willingly sacrifices themselves to save the others.

The traitors had used magic to escape to a different world, making it harder for the stone to find them. The king learnt that the world they traveled to had a different passage of time than theirs. The king had waited a year for the stone to find them but in their world, the traitors had lived over twenty years in peace.

‘Whoever was sent back is going to pay dearly for each year they escaped punishment.’ He thought to himself.

Sarah POV

Being cold and wet woke me from my sleep. Groggily feeling for my blanket, my hand lands in muddy grass.

My body jerks into a sitting position after feeling the cold, slimy, mud squishing between my fingers. Looking at my muck covered hand, I struggle to understand my surroundings.

“Am I dreaming?” I ponder out loud.

I can smell the musty stink of wet and rotting vegetation as crickets chirp and flying night creatures take off from branches over my head.

Hearing the movement, I look up to see trees looming above me and a twinkling starry sky, shining between the branches.

Standing, I feel around trying to move out from under the trees and come across a silver lake. Freaking silver, as if it’s made of mercury, and reflecting off its surface are two full moons.

“What the actual eff, is going on?” I ask out loud.

“Don’t move.” I hear a deep, authoritative voice behind me. Startled, I jump and turn to see who spoke.

A tall figure, with broad shoulders, and a long hooded cloak stands several feet away next to a tree.

“Touch that water and you will sleep forever. Come to me now and I promise to be civil, if not and I will take you with force. You won’t like it if I have to force you.” The man tells me with a voice that makes me shiver.

“Who are you? Where am I? I don’t understand wants going on.” Instead if answering, he takes a step towards me.

This man gives a sense of dread. I can’t see his face but he sounds young, around my age but he comes off intimidating and I know that I don’t want to go anywhere near him.

Turning, I take off at a sprint along the shore of the silver lake. My wet night gown sticking to my figure, hugging every curve and tangling around my legs. The chill in the air cuts through the wet fabric, as my bare feet dash across the smushy ground all of which hinders my escape.

Looking behind me, I don’t see the wall of muscle I slam into, nearly falling backwards from the force. A thick arm wraps around my waist stopping me from landing in the mud.

“I told you not to run.” How did this guy get ahead of me?

Pushing at his chest, I struggle to break free from his iron like grip.

“Woman, I am losing my patience. Stop your struggling. You can’t get away. A debt must be paid.”

“What are you talking about? What debt? I don’t owe anyone any money. I just used my credit card today and I can pay it off with my first paycheck. You have the wrong person. Let me go. I have to get home.” I continue to push at his arms and chest. Instead of letting go he pulls me in harder smashing my chest against his.

I hadn’t noticed how cold I’d gotten until his warm chest was against mine. My teeth chattered and my body shook, causing me to seek out the warmth his body offered. Unconsciously, I leaned into him despite my fear.

In response, his strong arms wrapped around me, holding me close. I look up to see under his hood. Violet eyes framed by long black lashes, set into a pail face, are staring down at me. Strands of white hair fall around his face. A straight thin nose, strong jaw and pointy chin create a strikingly handsome face. His smooth porcelain skin seems to glow in the moon light and his ruby red lips are set in an annoyed scowl.

“You have a debt to pay. You’re not going home, ever again.” With that, the strange man pulls a golden rope from within his robe. Taking a closer look, I see it’s not a rope but is in fact a golden snake with red shining eyes.

I try to pull away, as I’m terrified of snakes. Hearing a hiss, I feel the creature wrap itself around my neck. Fearing it’s about to bite or strangle me, I reach up to pull it away, all while screeching.

The handsome but scary man whistles and the snake hisses loudly in my ear, as a warning. I stop yelling and whimper instead. Now I’m shaking from the cold and from fear while slowly lowing my arms.

“No more running or the basilisk will strike. It’s venom will paralyze you for hours. Do you want to be alone with me, unable to move?” He askes while pinching my chin and moving his face closer to mine.

“N-No.”I respond with tear filled eyes.

“Hum, pitty.” He smirks and moves way. Still holding me tightly, now with one arm, he uses his other to wave it about while chanting in a language I don’t understand. A shimmering portal appears and he steps into it, pulling me after him.

Sarah’s POV

Stepping into the swirling light brought a weightless feeling simalar to going down a drop on a roller coaster. My stomach suddenly felt like it was in my throat and I clung to my abductor’s arm. The disorientating experiences only lasted a few moment before I found myself on all fours, squeezing my eyes shut as I try to get over the vertigo.

When I was finally able to open my eyes, I found that the man and I were now in a large marble room surrounded by odd looking beings and a handsome man was sitting on a thrown, staring angrily at me.

Whispers from the on lookers can be heard around the room. Their faces are hostel as they glanced between me and the man on the thrown.

“Who are you?” He yells across the room. The whispers stop and the room seams to freeze, waiting for my response.

Struggling to my feet, I notice that the hooded man is standing slightly behind me, offering no help or explanation.

‘Thanks a lot, asshole.’ I think.

“My name is Sarah. I’m.... lost. I woke up in this strange place. I think you have the wrong person. I’ve never seen any of you before so I know I don’t owe you a debt. I just want to go home.” Shaking in my wet night gown, I wrap my arms around myself trying to cover my chest. The wet fabric is slightly translucent and my bre*sts are on display.

King Thassus POV

The young girl shivering in front of me is neither Alicious or Davour, the two traitors who owe me greatly. The magic of the stone would have only sought out the blood of the two who the spell was cast for. Yet, this wet and muddy creature was standing with the debtors stone hanging from her neck.

Storming across the hall, I stop infront of the wide eyed girl and bring my nose to her neck. Taking in her scent, I smell the unmistakable mark of a nobel Sprite mixed with an unknown creature.

Realizing what happened, my grip on her becomes harsh and I growl deep in my throat. The frightened girl begins to struggle, trying to pull her arms free. I hear the basilisks around her neck hiss in response to her resistance. She visibly shutters while the snake tightens its grip on her. Grabbing her face harshly, I hold her still.

“Your father, the bastard, owes me more than what your useless life is worth. That damn coward sent me you in his place.” Pushing her dark brown hair behind her ear, I take a good look at her. She is pretty with a small heart shaped face, full red lips and grey green eyes. Her features are delicate and attractive.

I watch her lips tremble and feel conflicted. The stone was to bring me justice and instead I have this girl who had nothing to do with the crime. With her appearance, Alicious and Davour have slipped through my grasp forever. Escaping their punishment and my vengeance.

Picking up the stone hanging from her chain, I bring it to the matching yellow stone of my ring. Both the stones become purple and the spell is completed. She’s now bound to me and only I will be able to remove the chain from her neck.

“You were given to me, so now you are mine.” Turning I leave the hall. The debtors stone forces the girl to follow. I feel the eyes of the nobels watching us as we leave. My assistant will pay the bounty hunter who brought her here, so I say nothing to him on my way out.

Passing servants, I order a bath to be drawn and the girl bathed.

“Please, I don’t understand what’s going on. I’ve done nothing wrong. You and I have no grievances. I just want to go home.” The girl seams to be resisting the charm of the stone. Her movements are jerky and slow. Turning and pressing her against a wall, I lean into her space.

“Stop resisting or the stone will hurt you. You accepted the stone, therefore you accepted the debt. Do as your told or things will be hard for you.”

“H-How much does my father owe? I can work. I went to school and just got a job. The pay is pretty good. I can pay the debt in payments over time.”She tells me. I almost feel bad until I remember that she is the daughter of the man I hate.

“You’re father owes more than you will ever be able to pay back.” I tell her while stroking the snake around her neck. It slithers in response causing a squeak to escape her lips.

“What do you want from me?” She fearfully asks.

“I planed so many punishments for the person who came back wearing the debtors stone. Pain and humiliation, that is what I want. It’s the only way I will ease the burning rage within my soul. But now, with you here, what am I to do? Such a young sweet thing. Innocent. Afraid.” Trailing my fingers down her ribs I cruelly laugh when she pushes my hand away.

“Kneel,” I command and the stone forces her to comply.

“You are utterly mine now. Anything I want, you will do. Open your mouth.” The girls jaw drops and her eyes grow wide. There are still people walking through the hall, their eyes glance at us as they pass.

I move my hands to the clasp of my pants and begin to open it. The girl struggles against the stone’s power. The basilisk hisses.

I have never been a cruel man but I wish to take out my frustration on this poor girl. She will be the closest that I will ever get to my enemies. My enemy’s daughter. Blood of his blood.

Sarah’s POV

My body feels like it is not my own. I have no control as I kneel in front of this cruel man. His gold eyes have no mercy as they look down at me. His black hair is pulled back into a half ponytail, showing his pointy ears.

I watch in horror as he reaches for his pants. Women and men rush around us stealing glances at what’s happening but no one attempts to intervene. I try to beg him with my eyes. I can’t stand this. It’s too cruel.

Time seams to slow and I hear my blood rushing in my ears. This can’t be happening to me. It has to be a nightmare.

“I will give you a choice. Pain or humiliation. Answer.”

“Pain.” I shout.

I watch his mouth turn down and his brows pull together.

“As you wish.” He fists my hair pulling me to my feet. He keeps his hand in my hair while dragging me further through the stone hallways of what appears to be a mid-evil castle.

Reaching a large opulent room he tosses me, clothes and all, into a steaming bath. The water is uncomfortably hot and I struggle to get out.

“Stay.” He commands.

My body freezes in place and the water turns my skin red from the heat.

“Please don’t do this. I’m innocent.” I am able to get out my plea just before he grabs my head and pushes it under water. The snake around my neck releases and swims to the side of the tub.

I’ve never been good at holding my breath and it takes no time at all for bubbles to escape from my mouth. The water is scented with oils. When my eyes open, they burn from the fragrance. Just as I’m about to breath the water in, he drags me out by my hair and I’m able to take a large breath into my burning lungs. Fearing he will plung me under again, I grip his shoulders, tangling my fingers into his cape.

Crying I beg him again. “I’m sorry for what ever my father did. Please don’t hurt me. Please let me go.”

“Pain or humiliation?” He asks again.

I shake my head, not wanting to answer. He grabs me by my upper arms and attempts to push me under.

“No, no, no.” I hug myself to him. Refusing to let go and end up dragging him into the water with me.

He is still trying to push me into the water, this time I wrap my legs and arms around him, tightly.

“Release me.” He commands and my limbs relax on their own. Expecting to be drowned again, I sob.

“Pain or humiliation? Answer.” My mind is a mess of thoughts. Each option seams to be equally bad but my mouth moves on its own.

“Humiliation.” I cant believe what I just said. I want to change my answer but my mouth won’t move now.

“Remove your gown.” He commands. My fingers go to the tie at my neck. I try with all my might to stop moving. My trembling hands slow to a crawl but as I resist, the stone starts to get hotter. The chain around my neck starts to turn red and burn my flesh.

“Awwwww!” I cry out in pain. Never before had I felt something as painful as this. Steam from the evaporating water, drifts up from the burning necklace, showing just how hot it’s getting.

“I told you not to resist or the stone will hurt you.” Grabbing the front of my gown, he rips it down the middle, pulling it from my shoulders while I try to protect my modesty with my arms.

The stone cools to its original temperature when the gown leaves my body. Turning so my back is facing the angry man, I curl into myseft and allow my hair to hide my face. Both my arms are wrapped around my chest.

Suddenly, I hear a wet smacking sound as a sopping wet peice of clothing hits the ground. More clothing is tossed out of the tub as he gets undressed.

“No, please don’t do this.” I tremble and plead without any pride left.

Warm hands covered in floral soap begin to caress my back and my weeping gets louder. Gentle fingers slide along my shoulders and arms. He turns and poors more soap into his palm then messages it into my hair pressing his fingertips into my scalp.

Turning me in the water, he runs his hands along my face, cleansing away the dirt. Then with great care, he rinses the soap from my body with a large jeweled cup.

I keep my eyes tightly closed, not wanting to see his n*dity, so I feel everything with more sensitivity. When his fingers dip into the elastic of my underwear, the last remaining item clothing, I jerk away. The snake never returned so I don’t get a hissing in my ears.

“Don’t move.”He commands me, his tone more general this time.

Again he pulls my underwear and by instinct, I try to pull away only to find I can’t move. The pain along my skin where the necklace sits has taken away my strength. I’m unable to resist the command of this man. I feel traumatized and hopeless.

Soon, the last item I have is removed and hands continue cleaning me. I cling to myself, trying not to feel anything and thinking of anything else.

Finally, warm hands grip my wrists and attempts to unwrap my arms. Desperately, I use every bit of strength in me to stop him. The monster of a man doesn’t even seem to notices my fight and pulls my arms apart easily.

A deep anger overcomes me in that moment and I yank my right arm from his grasp. Swinging my hand back, I slap him accross the face with enough force to hurt my palm.

I’m too late to realize my mistake. If the burning necklace was bad, what comes next is far worse. What feels like an electric current courses through my body. Muscles and joints lock in place. Unable to scream, I suffer in silent agony, punishment for striking the man who owns the stone I wear.

Sight and sound fade away, drowned out by the excruciating feeling racing through my body. Why is this happening to me? What great sin did I do to deserve all of this?

After what feels like an eternaty, the pain eases leaving behind my frayed and overly sensitive nervous system. Unable to support my own weight, my legs crumble under me, leaving the man to support my body so I don’t slip under the water.

My head roles about my shoulders and I’m unable to gather enough strength to open my eyes. Pathetic whimpers leave my mouth.

“Brazen woman. All this pain you brought on your self. Was it worth it?” The man mocks me.

Unable to answer, I hang limply in his arms, trying to catch my breath.

King Thassus POV

The girl is unresponsive in my arms. Red blotchy patches of skin, decorate her body. A sign of the punishment she went through.

Her head is hangling against her chest and the back of her neck is visible. Under the rope of the debtors chain, blisters are forming along with an angry burn.

Without a doubt, the girl is suffering but it brings me no joy in her torment. This was meant for the traitorous couple. Even I know this girl does not deserve to suffer on their behalf.

Lifting her from the tub, I gently wrap her in a towel and lie her on the bed.

Dante (Assassin) POV

The king walked away with my trembling bounty, while arrogantly ignoring my presence. The girl still had my trained basilisk around her neck. A rare and priceless creature. Of course I would need to get it back. It was worth more than the amount I’m receiving for this job.

After the king’s assistant hands me pouch of gold coils, I open a portal and appear outside the castle walls. In no time, I sneak back in hiding my presence and becoming invisible, I head in the direction where I sense my pet snake. Outside a large wooden bedroom door, I listen to the voices inside. I can tell one belongs to the panicked girl.

Her situation is quite pitiable. From what I gathered from the confirmation in the great hall, the girl was innocent of the crime and had been tricked into taking the punishment. It explains her reaction when I had come accross her at the lake. She really didn’t understand what had happened or where she was.

To get into the room I climb through a window in the hallway and make my way to an open bedroom window. As I peek inside the room, the girl lets out a blood curtailing scream. Still invisible, I hop through the window landing soundlessly and make my way up to the wooden rafters. From the shadows, I stare down at the seen below.

The girl stands in a steaming tub of water, the debtors chain is glowing red burning into her skin.

“ I told you not to resist or the stone will hurt you!” The king yells and rips the shift from the suffering girls body.

From what I know of the king, he had always been a fare ruler. Ruling with a firm but righteous hand. This behavior is disturbing and out of character.

The girl curls away covering herself, sobbing pitifully and begs the king to stop. Sensing my basilisk under a peice of furniture, I decide to head towards it and leave before I witness anymore of the king’s assult on this girl.

Sneaking my way around the room, I try to avoid looking while I hear the sounds of crying. The king is running his hands over the girl’s body which make her cry louder.

I am just about to grab my basilisk, when there is a loud smack. Turning I watch as the girl’s body locks and bows and a red hand print forms on the king’s face.

‘Don’t get involved.’ I tell myself, but I’m unable to look away. The pain in her eyes was apparent and when her body slumps, small whimpers leave her mouth like a wounded animal. She doesn’t move or open her eyes while limply hanging in the king’s arms.

“Brazen woman. All this pain you brought on yourself. Was it worth it?” I hear the king snear at her.

Anger filled me hearing how he spoke to her after the torcher. My basilisk crawls out from its hiding place, and I scoop it up. I should leave but I’m unable to.

Dante (Assassin) POV

The king placed the girl, wrapped in a towel, on his bed. She didn’t move, but exhausted pants and whimpers are coming from her trembling mouth.

I don’t know why I’m so interested in this girl. I’m an assassin. I kill when I’m paid too. Occasionally I’ll collect bounties, like I did for her, but my specialty is in taking lives, which is why I’m at the top of the Assassin’s Gild.

As a rare Jibson, a creature who walks the path between life and death, being an assassin comes naturally. Nearly all Jibsons have occupations related to death because we’re comfortable with it, so I have never had a problem taking lives. I am not soft hearted and yet, looking at the girl on the bed, I feel guilt.

Of course if I hadn’t brought her to the king, someone else would have. Her fate was sealed the moment she put on the stone. Now she belonged to the king, her life was his to do with as he pleased.

Even if I wanted to take her away, there’s nothing I can do. The magic binding her to the king is strong and only the king can break it.

Before I decide to do something stupid, like kill the king, I make my way to the window and leave.

King Thassus POV

After placing the girl on the bed, I return to the bath and wash myself. When I get out, I grab a silk robe and poor a glass of wine from my bar.

What am I going to do with this girl? She’d been in my hands for only a short time and her condition is already this bad. Those burns will leave scars if not treated.

Summoning staff, I request they bring a healer and a set of slave silks.

“S-Slave silks, your majesty?” The startled woman asks.

“Yes, any problem?” I give her a cold stare as I’m in no mood to repeat myself.

“There haven’t been any, um, need for slave silks. I don’t believe we have them, your majesty.” I realize the woman is trying to tell me that there are no slave silks because those types of slaves are illegal. They have been since my father took over the throne and banned those types of slaves.

“I’m sure you can find something. If not, have them made, with haste.” I demand.

“Yes, your majesty.” She bows respectfully and leaves. Moments later the royal healer arrives. I gesture towards the girl and the old man goes to the bed.

It annoys me when I see him place his hands on her. It must be done in order to preform the healing magic but I can’t help grinning my teeth.

I see a faint light around the two and the girl’s breathing gradually slows, becoming normal for someone sleeping.

“Your majesty, she is not in danger. I was able to heal the burns on her skin, but I’m afraid that there will always be faint scarring. She has internal injuries as well. If this continues to happen, the stone will kill her.” The old healer respectfully folds his hands and dips his head while speaking but I’ve known the man long enough to pick up on his disapproval.

“You may go now.” I dismiss him, not wanting to deal with his judgement.

Standing over her, I see the scars the stone left behind. Surprisingly, rather than an ugly line of raised disfigured flesh, a white thin pattern marks where the chain naturally rests when she’s standing. On closer inspection, I see that the pattern is actually writing that repeats. My name, in beautiful ancient text, swirls and slightly sparkles, in the light.

With my index finger, I trace the pattern, starting on her chest and moving towards her neck. She flinches in her sleep. Uncomfortable with my touch, even now.

I stop touching her and finish off my wine, before joining her in bed. The slave silks haven’t arrived but I know they will be ready tomorrow. The staff will stay up through the night making them if they have to.

After removing the wet towel from her body, I pull her to my side and go to sleep.

Sarah POV

Waking up in the middle of the night, I feel terrible. My muscles are soar and my skin feels like I spent a day at the beach without sun block.

Warm breath hits the back of my neck and heavy arms circle my body. Everything hurts and I can’t tell from the pain if he did anything to me after I passed out.

I can feel the sheets under my body and his muscular chest pressed against my back. I’m not wearing clothes and in bed with a stranger.

To scared to move, I lay in the dark as large tears drip from my eyes. I can actually hear them hit the bed, with little wet plops

Suddenly, I feel a thumb on my cheek, sweeping away my tears. At the unexpected touch, I flinch and inhale sharply. Adrenaline starts coursing through my vains, making my heart race and body shake.

I feel lips gently kiss my shoulder moving slowly to towards my neck. The arms tighten, crushing me to the body behind me.

“D-Don’t.” I pull away but his arms keep me trapped.

“Shuuu. Don’t move.” Immediately, I’m frozen, unable to even cry. Incredible terrified, and locked in my own body, I can only yell in my own mind.

Fingertips brush my stomach, tracing soft circles as a mouth sucks my neck. I hate his touch even though he’s being gentle and in my mind I pray for it to stop.

I feel a tung lick my ear and try to pull away. It’s hard, but I manage to move slightly, bending my head enough to escape the unwanted feeling. The necklace gets warm against my skin, and lights up with a soft red glow.

“You’ve learnt nothing, I see.” His hand stops moving and just rests against my belly.

“Tell me about your parents. What was your relationship like with them? Do you feel like they love you?” He whispers against me ear.

My lips move on their own, spilling the truth about my past.

“They took care of me. I had everything I needed except their attention. They didn’t care enough to be there for me. Not like my brother. No, I don’t think they love me. Especially not now.” It hurts to say that out loud. Knowing they sent me here on purpose, it’s apparent they never loved me.

“You have a brother? Tell me about him.”

“He’s a year younger and looks like my mother. I look more like my dad. My parents fuss over him. We weren’t close either.” I don’t want to talk anymore and I’m still unable to move.

“Turn over and face me.” I roll over and our noses nearly touch.

“How did you get the debtor’s stone?” His sweet breath washes over my face.

“They brought it to me as a gift for graduating. My mother put it on me and left. There was no warning. They didn’t even say goodbye.” I can feel tears falling again. His fingers brush them away. I don’t understand what’s happening. Why is he suddenly acting like he cares?

His arms hold me to his chest again, my head just under his chin and his hand rubs against my back.

“Go to sleep.” I’m still scared of what he might do to me. Regardless my eyes shut and I drift off to a deep sleep.