by Vi Carter
I see her heavy inhale as I release her from my stare. When I become the real Master, this tradition will be banished. It’s not just the ladies here tonight, members of the community are here and their families. The room is full, but I don’t seek anyone else out.
I sit in a chair like an imposter. I hate it. I hate the clothes I wear. I stretch my hands and hiss as the pain travels up my arms.
Mark walks to me. “Master Lucas, shall we commence?”
I nod at him and grind my teeth in irritation. I want this over with now.
Once again each girl is presented in front of me giving their names, I know I’m meant to say something nice about them, but I can’t find one thing to say about all the pretty things that are dangled in front of me.
They all curtsy and smile sweetly, when I don’t return their smiles, Mark hurries on to the next one.
Ella is presented and she refuses to meet my eye, her curtsy is the shortest one, like she’d rather spit on me. I tighten my fingers around the claw of the chair. Pain races up my arm.
“Look at me.”
Her eyes snap to me and her pulse pounds in her neck. I rise from the chair, knowing we have captured the room. Making slow precise steps to Ella, I stop only a foot from her. Mark looks at me wearily.
“I’m starting to think you like me, Ella.” She bristles at my words. I close the distance between us and speak low, just for her.
“You say you don’t want me, yet at every chance you crave my attention.”
“What are you talking about?” Her eyes grow wider and I see that temper rising.
“Of course I’ll dance with you,” I speak loudly and while she’s in a moment of confusion, I take her hand and lead her to the floor. I don’t know why I’m doing this. Pulling her close to my body, she releases a hard breath, her body flush with mine. Her small hand in mine looks tiny and I think of how easy it would be to crush it. Another voice in my head tells me not to hurt her. She’s stiff and I tighten my hold on her waist. She tenses. Her hand barely touches my shoulder.
Now that I have her in my hands, I don’t know what to say. Striking green eyes flicker up to me and I find my eyes trailing down to her lips. The box with my emotions in it is opening. I slam it shut and tighten my hand on hers, not tight enough to hurt her but to hurt me.
“I would like to ask permission to go home?”
I look down at her now. “Did someone die?” What could her reason be?
She looks confused with furrowed brows before she shakes her head. “No. I just would like a pardon. Please.”
Now it’s my turn to be confused. “A pardon from what?”
She raises her head even higher, but I see the fear trickle into her eyes. I stop dancing but don’t release her.
“A pardon from marrying you.”
CHAPTER NINE
ELLA
His eyes hold emptiness like I’ve never seen before. He’s beautiful and terrifying all at once. I’m on a tightrope as he stares at me, and I’m not sure if I’ll fall and hit the ground hard. I want to take my words back; I want to grab them and shove them down my throat. I don’t know how long we stand in that frozen state while he radiates pure anger, and my own fear grows with each second.
“No.” His hands tighten on me and his face tenses as he continues dancing, breaking us from our frozen stance only to enter a more dangerous phase. His anger is tightening around my throat.
“There are six others.” I challenge, keeping my voice low. I hate how my voice shakes, betraying me. He works a muscle in his jaw before releasing a hard sigh. His eyes snap to mine and my heart beats wildly in my chest. I feel all my bravery withering away with the look he gives me.
I drop my gaze. The dance feels so long. I’m aware of everywhere our bodies touch; I’m aware of his fisted hand on my hip. His hold on my hand has loosened. My chest aches and I close my eyes allowing him to lead me around the room.
My treacherous body loves the feel of him so close. His breath brushes my face and I slowly raise my lashes to find him looking at me. The dance stops and he releases me like I’ve burnt him. I curtsey, but he turns his back on me and walks away. The dismissal is shown to everyone in the room. I can hear the girls behind me start to chirp.
As I turn all eyes are on me, some gleeful in Lucas’s dismissal, some watching me wondering how I snagged the first dance. Vicky looks like she’s ready to chew me up and spit me out. I seek out Hannah with her soft blue eyes.
“Are you okay?” She mouths.
No, I’m not.
I nod and walk completely off the dance floor and to the bar, away from Hannah’s prodding eyes, away from all the curious stares. I refuse to cry. I refuse to let anyone see the turmoil that thrashes through my veins.
The bar area is empty as I arrive and I grip the counter to center myself.
“What can I get you?”
I glance up at the bartender. “Water please.” I wait, not thinking and focus on the feel of the wood under my fingers. It’s cool and sleek. Maybe it was recently polished. Was it polished to have this room looking perfect for the first ball? A twisted fairytale, that’s what this had turned out to be.
One. Two. Three. Four….I count the bottles on the top shelf. I didn’t want to think anymore.
“Ella,” Alex says my name like he is pained.
I accept my water from the bartender. “Please, Alex. Leave me alone.” I take a sip slowly without looking at him.
“I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
I peer at him sideways. My stomach tightens. “Go away,” I hiss. Is he trying to get me into trouble? If Lucas saw us talking, what would he do? And especially now that I have asked to go home.
“He left the room.” Alex has the cheek to move closer to me. “Did he hurt you?” His question is delivered with sincerity.
He’s sporting a mustard and dark green suit. It’s ugly, but he makes it look fun.
“No.” Yes.
“I…” He pulls his lip in between his teeth before releasing it. “I should have tried to help you.”
My anger with him splinters and I find my frame softening. “Are you afraid of him?” Of course he is, I’m afraid of him. Who wouldn’t be? Lucas is dangerous.
His smile showcases the gap between his teeth that just adds to the quirkiness of Alex.
“Not quite. I’m afraid of the power he holds. If it was just Lucas, I think I could take him on.” He ducks his head, his blond eyebrows drawing down.
I try to hide my smile at his words. My smile fades as I think about the complications of even talking to him. Alex is someone I could really see a friendship blossoming with. There is something about him that just puts me at ease, but it would be cruel to both of us to try.
“I don’t think we should be seen talking.”
The words snuff out the light in his eyes and he nods, leaning away from me. “I know, but I needed to apologize for being such a coward.”
I reach out to touch his arm. My fingers curl into a fist and I withdraw. “Apology accepted.” I smile and Alex’s face lights up.
“If I could, I would offer you a dance.”
I face the bar and smile into my glass. “You better go, Alex.” I don’t look at him but I can feel the burn of his eyes on me.
One, two, three, four…. I count the bottles on the top shelf again as I drink my water, allowing the cold liquid to douse the flames inside me. From the corner of my eye I see the space beside me become vacant. My stomach twists painfully, so I continue to count until another figure lands beside me. This one is not wanted at all.
“So you stole the first dance,” Vicky speaks while calling the bartender by waving two of her fingers.
“Vodka.” She leans against the bar so she is looking out on the dance floor. Her full-length black dress hits the floor and trails out behind her.
“I didn’t ask for the first dance.” I wonder why I’m bothering, but I don’t want them thinking I asked when I didn’t.
“You said you didn’t want him?” Her drink arrives and she takes it, turning to me with raised eyebrows. Her red lipstick leaves a print on the glass.
“I don’t.” I look away from her hoping she will leave.
She takes another drink before sneering. “I hate liars. I know it’s a competition but you’re such a liar. Playing this innocent facade like ‘he won’t leave me alone’” Her face changes and she flutters her lids like she’s trying to mimic me.
I place my glass of water back on the counter and make my way to the main doors of the ballroom. Mark is close to them and I stare at him, daring him to stop me. He reads my warning loud and clear and opens the door for me. I don’t pass him untouched, he stops me without looking at me. “Thread carefully, Miss O’ Leary.” I hear his warning, I do. Right now I can’t afford to snap in front of everyone.
I just want a moment alone, in my room that isn’t even my room. The cool banister under my hand is what I focus on.
“What are you running for?” Vicky follows me up the stairs. “Trying to run away now and look like a victim? You think he will follow you?”
I spin on the stairs and have the most horrible thought about pushing her down the steps. My hands instantly go behind my back, so I don’t touch her.
“I just want to be alone, Vicky.”
Her nose curls up and she closes the distance between us until there is only one step left.
“Alone with him you mean?”
“Now you sound crazy. I’m alone.” I look around the space before training my stare on Vicky.
“You sound crazy.”
I turn on my heel and march the rest of the way up the stairs, she’s hot on my heels and I don’t know what she wants. The moment my foot touches the wooden floor, she’s beside me. The burn erupts across my scalp as she digs her hands into my hair.
I find myself on the floor, staring up at a very pissed off Vicky. I’m in shock. No one has ever put their hands on me.
“You’re so ugly,” she sneers, standing over me.
My fingers prod at my head. My hair is all lopsided now, but it’s intact to my head. I rise slowly. Vicky towers over me as I raise my head.
“I will report you.” I make each word clear. She has no right to put her hands on me, but I’m giving her the warning as I don’t want to go that far. I just want this to end. Her hand moves quickly and the sting across my cheek is instant.
“Vicky.”
I hold my face as I glance at Hannah who’s racing up the stairs, holding up her gold dress.
“Get away from her.” Hannah continues to shout until she reaches me. “You can’t hit Ella.” She looks bewildered.
Vicky purses her lips, before calmly leaving like she did nothing wrong.
“Are you okay? She broke the skin. Come on.” Hannah leads me into my room.
I feel a little fractured as Hannah directs me to the bed. I sit down while she goes into the bathroom; I start removing pins from my hair.
The running water stops and Hannah returns with a washcloth. “Put this on, it might stop the swelling.”
The moment the cloth touches my face, I hiss. “Thank you.”
Hannah chews her lip, her eyes filled with worry.
“I’m okay, Hannah. Really, it wasn’t that bad.” I try to give her a reassuring smile.
She exhales loudly and plonks down beside me. “You know she’s just jealous that he favors you.”
Oh God. She has no idea.
“He hates me,” I say matter of factly.
When I look at Hannah, she smiles sweetly at me. “Nope. Not from where I was standing. You looked perfect dancing together. Like you were made for each other.” Her face is full of light.
I take the washcloth away from my cheek. There is no point explaining to her what is really happening. How I have requested to leave.
I take another look at Hannah. “Why are you being so kind?” I’m her competition. Didn’t her mother tell her not to befriend any of us?
She shrugs while smiling. “When you can be anything, why not be kind?”
I’m nodding at her so I don’t cry. I swallow around the lump that is forming in my throat. “Please don’t tell anyone about this. I just don’t need the hassle.” I put the cloth back up to my face.
Hannah chews on her lip. “You won’t be able to hide it. Take a look at your face.”
I’m off the bed and sitting down at the dressing table, taking the cloth away I curse Vicky. Hannah’s eyes widen at my un-lady like language.
My face is red and slightly swollen but that will go down, it’s the scratch across my cheek that will take a few days to clear.
I meet Hannah’s eyes in the mirror. “Just keep it to yourself about how this happened. Okay?”
“Of course.”
I divert my eyes from the mirror. “Thanks for helping me,” I speak to my hands.
“You are welcome, Ella, who isn’t Bella.”
I glance up at Hannah and give her a genuine smile. She is too good for this place. But I am glad she is here.
***
I toss and turn. My dreams are filled with Vicky growing taller, her lanky body bending around me. Alex is in the background laughing maniacally and Lucas lurks in the shadows, watching me with dark empty eyes.
I open my eyes and they all turn to shadows that dissolve slowly. All except for one shadow. The blood turns to ice in my veins as I become fully awake. A large frame is standing in the corner of my room watching me.
CHAPTER TEN
LUCAS
Her eyes are trained on me as she clutches the quilt in her hands. I don’t know how I ended up here, but after hearing that Vicky hurt her, I just had a primal need to make sure she’s okay.
“Hello.” Her voice trembles.
I smile. She can’t see my features, the room is cast in shadows but she knows I’m here. I step forward like this is normal, like me being in her room isn’t strange.
“I heard one of the girls attacked you,” I say frankly.
She pushes the quilt fully off her and her small feet touch the carpeted floor. “Lucas?” Outrage tinges her words.
She’s standing up now but she doesn’t come any closer, so I take a step towards her.
“What are you doing in my room?”
“This is my room.” I inform her and her brows draw down, she’s standing in a pool of light that’s filtered in from the window, and she’s a vision in her white nightdress. My trousers tighten as my eyes roam across her body.
“I’d like you to leave, please.”
I tighten my fist at her dismissal.
“I’ll leave when I’m ready.” I bite back the anger that’s starting to swirl inside me feeds my words. Taking another step towards her, she flinches when our eyes meet, as half my face comes into view, at that moment I want to ask her what she sees, that frightens her so much.
Being this close to her, I can see the mark left on her porcelain skin. I close the distance and I touch her cheek, she flinches again like I might hurt her. When I don’t move, she remains still and I stroke my thumb across the scratch.
I didn’t have to ask why one of the girls hurt her, I knew why.
“She will be removed from the house.” My eyes trail up to Ella’s large green ones. Her mouth opens and my focus moves to her lips. The pulse in her neck jumps, I want to kiss her neck and see what happens.
“It wasn’t her fault.” Her words are low but grab my attention.
She swallows. “If anyone is to blame, it’s you.”
Her neck that I wanted to kiss only moments ago, looks so fragile, like If I wrapped my hands around it, I could break it so easily. I take a step away from her.
“How is it my fault?” I tilt my head and wait as patiently as I can as she chews on her lip. My trousers grow tighter. Is she doing that on purpose? Is she trying to tease me?
“You made it seem like I had asked for the dance when I hadn’t.” Her chest rises and falls faster the l
onger I look at her. Her lips tug down at the edges like she might cry.
My fists clench, I hadn’t done anything wrong. I am only here to make sure she is okay. I have no idea why she is always so hostile towards me.
“I said I’ll have her removed.” My words carry my anger and her body recoils from me.
She’s afraid, but not enough. “No, I don’t want that.”
I’m in front of her now, moving quickly. “Stop answering me back.” She drops her gaze and focuses on the floor. Her breathing is heavy and real fear is gripping her. I close my eyes and inhale. She smells of soap and something feminine. I clench my fists causing the pain to pulse up my arms and I soak it up.
I hate her silence.
“I saw you with Alex.”
Her head shoots up and something settles around me now that I have her attention.
She’s shaking her head. “I barely spoke to him.”
I raise both eyebrows. “But you spoke to him.” I can feel the smile grow on my face as she clutches her chest.
“What are you going to do?” She sounds so resigned that I am going to punish her.
I exhale loudly and she shivers. “I don’t know yet.” I focus on her lips. I could kiss her. The thought pops into my head quickly.
“You could kiss me,” I speak my mind.
Her mouth falls open and color splashes her cheeks. “No,” she says the word but I can see how her eyes keep flickering to my lips.
“I told you before, Ella, your eyes give away too much.” I take a step towards her and she doesn’t stay still, she takes a step back. I keep moving towards her until her back hits the wall and she’s trapped, just where I want her. I place a hand on either side of her pretty head, boxing her in.
“Don’t you dare kiss me.” Her words are like a lash to me.
“Why do you keep provoking me?” It’s like she gets off on it.
Her mouth forms an O and she shakes her head, her hair brushing my bare arm.
“I’m not.” Her eyes plead with me.