She breathed out, and her wrinkles deepened. How she wished for him to see his own light. No matter how hard he tried to enshroud it, she knew he had a heart of a magnolia flower, soft and delicate. The way he lightened his path when he shape-shifted reminded her of his goodness. But he was too blind to realize it.
Chapter 1
“Veronica…” Ben screamed at the top of his voice, eating his own mucus as he drank his own tears. Two soldiers gripped both of his arms so tight that he thought they were being amputated. His visage belonged to a student, young and naïve. Although he was tall, his scrawny body spoke that he hadn’t been eating well lately. His Atlantic-ocean blue eyes were hollow and scared. He knew his big sister was in huge trouble. What else could he do? Fight with his arms grounded? Spit at the soldiers to show his abhorrence? Useless! Those soulless guerrillas had already decided to feast on his sister’s voluptuous body – virgin and untouched, not even a kiss travelled on her plump lips.
“Let my brother alone…” she cried out for mercy, but they kept on laughing, disregarding the upcoming danger.
Thunder and lightning struck, but they were untamed by the force of nature. Like his brother, her arms were seized by two strong and well-built soldiers. Their hands felt like sand papers, rough and sharp. She looked around for any object she could use to fight them with in hopes that would give her brother sufficient time to run away, but luck wasn’t on their side. They were in the complete mercy of these mongrels who wouldn’t spare a thought to slay them. Who wouldn’t? After all, they were William Tucker’s descendants, the first African child born in America.
“We’d let your brother go, only if…” One of the soldiers spoke, telling her their deadly condition.
“Only if…?” She was waiting for the answer – nervous her theory was correct. By the looks in their stoned faces, she knew what they were after.
“You would voluntarily give yourself to us. It’s not a big deal. I know you’re not a virgin, so don’t pretend you don’t like it…” His eyes leered with lewdness as he waited for her response. He leaked his lower lip as he was planning to taste her first. But Veronica was a fighter, she wouldn’t just relinquish herself to anybody, especially to these ugly and stinky bugs who raped women and plundered people’s houses.
“Over my dead body!” Her words pierced through their ears as if bullets cut through their eardrums, deafening them. Her defiance enraged every single one of them, but Ben was smiling and proud of his big sister. He remembered the day when his father died, she promised him that she’d keep herself untouched unless the rightful man would come. And he would.
Beads of rain began to trickle down the dark sky. Veronica clenched her fists, readying herself for the combat. She knew she might not see her brother forever, but she wouldn’t allow herself to die without dignity, either. They left her no choice. Now, she needed to apply everything that her father taught her. From the way she calculated her enemies’ distance to the weak spots in their bodies, she mastered them all. She eye-sided both soldiers on her side, throwing major shades of warning. Left first, and then the one on her right. It seemed to work as they both took their grips off her delicate arms.
“Go, Veronica… kill them!” Ben shouted his support, but instead of helping her out, he seemed to have strengthened their enemies’ annoyance toward them. A slave had no rights to utter such discourteous words. Such blasphemous tongue could sentence him to death, and this was something she couldn’t allow.
“A slave woman? Are we going to let a peasant defeat us? We’re men, and we’re in charge of everything in this planet, that includes rulership over women and children…” the commander enraged as he brought his gaze at Ben, emphasizing he was next. As if they could defeat Veronica.
Being encircled did not intimidate her. Not at all. While she focused on escaping, someone not far away was watching her every move. Each step she made was counted precisely as if she was a wild deer being preyed on. By now, the firmament of heaven opened its gates and let its tears down. That smell of animals’ manures painted everyone’s nose, but not Veronica’s. She was rather pleased with the situation as she found the time to sign Ben to escape. Those two soldiers who held him tight, couldn’t endure the reek of their horses’ excrements.
Without anyone watching, Ben made his immediate escape, in spite of the muddy and stinking road he threaded on. “Veronica…” his voice faded as he disappeared into the utter darkness. The soldiers were perplexed as they looked at each other for clues of what to do. They’d just lost 200 shillings with that black bondsman. If they only knew this would happen, they should’ve sold him for half a price to the old white lady whose house they broke into.
“Go… Go, get that slave!” the commander cussed out to his armies, indignant of their lack of action. His blue coat was now soaked with rain, and his bald head shone against the light of the moon. Then he cast out his fierce and abrupt gaze at Veronica…
She knew she’d breathe her last as the commander slid out his double-edged rapier. The sound of the sword clanking made her swallow her fear in despair for a hero. Help.
“I should’ve slain you before this even took place, you’re a filthy slave!” His eyes leered with great resentment that made her cringe and lift her arms up as her shield as if they’d protect her from being killed. She was finished. She’d kept her oath to protect her brother, and now she must face the consequences of her deeds. Nothing came free in this world. Everything had a cost.
Mama, Papa, forgive me for I failed to keep him safe. She whispered a humble prayer within herself, accepting her doomed fate.
“Prepare yourself, peasant. Your end is nigh,” he swung his rapier up high, stealing the gravity’s force for a greater impact that ensured her head would be cut off in an instant.
On the threshold of destroying her, a small sack fraught with metals rang on the ground as its sound wave travelled to his ears. He knew exactly what that sound was. An inch away from slicing her head, he postponed his verdict to slaughter her. Nothing she could do but to keep sweating, and praying that her brother was safe. He was the only family she had left. Losing him would be her death. Hope her sacrifice wouldn’t end up as a futile demise.
“Who are you?” His voice hinted awe and reverence. It was low and meek, but at the same time demanding. Perhaps, that was natural to him.
“I’d like her to be mine,” he ordered with such a strong and authoritative tone that sent chills to everyone’s spine, including Veronica’s, who was so relieved that her prayer was heard.
“I don’t sell what’s mine! And, this…” he held up the sack of silver, “is not sufficient to feed my men, and my family.” Liar! He never had a family, and he never fed his men. In the contrary, they fed him.
The man’s countenance fell as he learnt by studying the commander’s face he was deluding him. He could read his thoughts through the lens of the commander’s eyes that hinted dishonesty and malfeasance. Turning his head slightly, he brought his gaze at Veronica, and a sudden longing struck his emptied heart, deprived of that true emotion. The way she stooped down, and surrendered her will to that bastard made him want her, even more, this time. He couldn’t explain it. Perhaps, an adjective to describe his favour hadn’t been invented by those poetics who came after William Shakespeare.
The commander’s vexation reached the boiling point. “I’d rather slay this peasant if you don’t provide what I require…” His rapier stuck in the ground, forced by the weight of his right arm.
Veronica bravely looked up, defying the decree that no servant must gaze into their master’s eyes as it was seen as resistance against novelties. Her heart sank in gladness when she glanced at the man standing before them. He wasn’t just a mere man, but a prince charming that only belonged to her dreams where she could wear all those gorgeous fine silk dresses a queen had. She gulped as quiet as she could when she witnessed his affluence. His eyes were whirling silver, and the pupils were barely visible. Good that she had an
eye for fine details. She’d need that.
“How much do I owe you?” The man finally spoke, however, his voice’s timbre altered from stoic to intent. He must have fallen in love with her just like that. Love at first sight really did exist.
Heedless she was being sold for the second time, she continued studying the man’s features, from top to the very bottom, including his muddy shoes. She’d been sold before at the age of eleven, but redeemed by her parents who weren’t here to sell her back again. It was not just his quintessential brown hair that got her attention, but rather, his pale skin. He was majestic to her eyes. Countless times she’d wished on her birthdays to turn white, but her hunger to be born albino was never heard by her fairy godmother. She gazed down at his torso, imagining what was underneath those glossy black coat beneath his bloody red cloak. Her pony-tailed hair fell down past her shoulder, and without warning, her eyes met his, as if he knew she’d been lusting over him.
“Five hundred shillings.” He broke his gaze from Veronica’s inviting hyacinth-hazel eyes that confessed sincerity and intimacy when the covetous commander uttered.
“Let her come to me first, and afterward, I shall grant your request.” His words were firm and certain, but the commander refused to trust him for he saw danger in his countenance. He was now sensing that the man he was dealing with was not his kind. Oh well, at least not now…
“Mark my word! Take it as it is for I am not a deceiver as you are. Don’t lay your hands on her! She’s mine now…” he continued as he foresaw the commander harassing her again. He took a handful of gold from his coat’s pocket, and a bag weighing kilogram worth of precious diamonds, emeralds and sapphire. Those gems once belonged to his concubines, but for Veronica, he’d traded all the memories of his past relationships.
Each soldier looked at each other in complete disbelief. Who would have thought such a servant like her worth so much? None of them had any idea, including the greedy commander who was now thinking of how he’d spend all his wealth. After she fathomed what was taking place, her beautiful eyes with long eyelashes bulged out in total wonder. She’d never seen such expensive stones before, but instead of being materialistic, she brushed her avarice off her pure mind; something the man who purchased her loved about. For him, her worth surpassed all those sparkling rocks because she’d just proven herself to be an unmatchable jewellery that no one could afford.
“Please, take her…” the commander ordered while his eyes were fixed on the price. He was oblivious that his men were up to something. Something he didn’t want to know…
“Veronica, is it?” He reached out his hand for her to take, but Veronica was too meek to even touch the hem of his cloak, which by the way, was coated with ordure. Yuck!
“Please, don’t fear me for I am not an adversary. I’m Dion by the way,” he smiled with the sweetest grin she’d ever seen for a long time.
Volt of giddiness struck the string of her core as she blushed while taking his hand to lift her up from the filthy mud she was thrown into. “Thank you! Yes, it is. I’m Veronica…” Although she tried to keep herself steady, her hand rejected her command not to tremble.
“Let’s depart from this profane place. Say goodbye to your previous master for you shall see him no more.”
Veronica, who was now standing firmly on the ground, did not comprehend what he meant. He spoke soulfully as if he meant his every word, and to tell the truth, he did. He knew that the selfish commander would soon taste the dose of his own cruelty. You shall reap whatever you sow.
Who’s this stranger? She questioned herself as they walked on to his grand black chariot with two tall and strong horses in the front, their engine to get to his mansion. She blinked repetitively as he offered his hand for her to climb onto the chariot, just as though to speak his secret interest on her. Truth be told, she surely liked the attention as it made her feel important and wanted. At that moment, she’d forgotten every hardship she’d been through. Thank goodness, her prince had finally arrived. But was he, really?
Just after Dion shut the door, Veronica heard an agonizing scream. At first, she thought it was Ben, but the voice was deep and hoarse. It couldn’t be him, she thought. Then, she turned around and looked through the tiny slit. Her heart ceased to pump as she saw the soldiers stubbing their commander’s head, stomach, eyes, and almost everything they could pierce. Dion rested his hand over her thigh as to assure her, she was now safe under his care.
“Don’t fear for I’m with you. You’re safe now…” he beamed with the sweetest smile he could possibly show.
She blushed as her eyes twinkled in delight. “Thank you!”
Chapter 2
“Who is she? Is she your next victim?” Jessica’s eyes gawped in anger as she confronted Dion about Veronica. Veronica had been asleep for nearly a day now. On their way to his mansion, she fell asleep on his shoulder. But he did not mind it at all. In the opposite, he liked how comfortable she felt around him.
“I thought you need an assistant with all the household chores around here…” he looked around as his eyes pointed all those spider webs and moulding ceilings that thickened up in the past years to avoid answering her intruding question.
“No, I don’t! Please, let her go now. She has a better future ahead of her, so please, I beseech you, let her escape.” She kneeled down at his feet, worried for the young girl’s future. Although she hadn’t experienced being a mother, she knew what it felt like, and that was how she viewed Veronica – as her own daughter.
“I mean her no harm, therefore, put your worries and doubt away. You have no idea what she’s been through, so please…” he paused, thinking whether to say it or not, “leave us alone.”
She raised her left eyebrow as to show her indignation toward his rudeness. How dare you! Instead of arguing back, she decided to leave and keep her peace within herself. By experience, she knew she wouldn’t win against him. So she turned around and headed to the rusting door which needed replacing to add privacy just in case Dion and Veronica had decided to move forward in their relationship.
She was almost out of sight when she turned her head around to steal a glimpse of Veronica’s perfectly contoured face, “Bless you, darling.” A droplet of tears trickled down her face as to show her pity toward Veronica, who was still asleep in Dion’s bed. Jessica then brought her fierce gaze at him, as if warning him she’d tell Veronica who he really was. Finally, she disappeared. Perhaps, her lantern had run of out oil.
He could barely be seen but Dion sat comfortably beside Veronica as he extended his arm to brush her hair away from her face. She felt his hand touched her exquisite face as she tingled and brought her hand over his. He quivered with an explainable sensation that made his phallus stiffen to the point where he felt it choking under his pants. This was something he’d never felt before. Her palm felt like a cushion – soft and tender. She squeezed his hand unknowingly as she dreamed of Ben. In her dream, she was caressing her brother’s skeleton face, glad to have him back. But this sent wrong thoughts to Dion as he began to fondle Veronica’s generous breasts, thinking this was something she wanted like his previous mistresses.
She released her grip over his hand as she turned, and fell on her back. Her breasts were now facing him. He swallowed hard as her busts boasted in their full glory. They were bountifully round as if perfectly moulded for him to suck on. He was thinking how she’d react, but he brushed his doubt away and continued touching her tits, pinching her nipples as if wanting to wake her up.
Veronica’s countenance was crossed when she saw Ben fading away like a smoke on the commander’s musket. By now she could feel her breasts aching as Dion kept on massaging them while she was deeply asleep. Ben… she screamed at the top of her voice in her dream as his poor brother got skinnier and skinnier, and eventually – gone. Dion was so turned on that he became oblivious that Veronica was starting to wake up now…
With flickering eyes, she attempted to open them as to see what was happ
ening. In her over cooked stage, she raised her hand weakly to push whoever was touching her. She hadn’t eaten yet for days, and only water filled her empty stomach.
The moment he noticed her struggling, he quickly stopped and stood up, leaving her alone in bed. He felt as if he stole something from her. Yes, he did. He snatched her privacy without her consent. Oh well, she was his, so… perhaps, that could be forgiven. But still, how would she react if she found out what he did?
As soon as she opened her eyes, Dion quickly sat down on the chair beside the bed to make it appear he was there watching over her. That he was her hero, protector, and eventually her lover…
Still half-asleep, Veronica looked around the room, trying to figure out where she was. Above her was a meticulously designed chandelier with candles around it. Seeing that assured her that she wasn’t at home. This place was nowhere close to her home. A sudden panic crept into her as she began to recall what had happened before she fell asleep. She lifted her body up but was pinned down. She still hadn’t recovered yet from that slavery she and her brother endured. Then a violent pain struck in her head, surpassing the soreness on her breasts.
“Help…” she pleaded, but Dion was hesitant to reveal himself. “Is anyone around? Please, help me…” she cried out in complete agony. Now that her body was at rest, the effects of the hardship she’d experienced were now taking their toll on her. Her body was starting to shut down, and he was still afraid to show himself up in fear she would refuse his aid.
Out of the blue, a familiar sound caught both of their attentions. Since she was just a tiny girl, barely a meter in height, she’d been playing with him every time her parents went to the farm. A sense of comfort clouded her misery, easing her pain. She beamed as the creature was fast approaching…
Maddox? Dion suspected.
“Hey, Maddox…” Veronica opened her arms for the cat to embrace. At that moment, Maddox reminded her of her childhood when they used to play at the paddock close to their shack. She knew Maddox was not just a cat. He had that edge that spoke of his power. She felt safe whenever he was around. She grinned as he purred his head on her face, just like the old days.
ROMANCE: Paranormal Romance: The Valley (Book One) (Fun, Sexy, Mature Young Adult Vampire Shape Shifter Romance) Page 26