Bound By Desire

Chapter 11: Rules

Hunter’s POV:

I stand by the railing and watch Eris’s retreating figure until she’s swallowed up into the night. Smiling to myself, I feel my joy suddenly dim as I remember my previous, more melancholy train of thought. I heave a long sigh and glance over at the dark-haired girl lying on the couch. Remembering Eris’s parting words, I use my nail to cut a thin line over the inside of my wrist.

Moving back to where her head rested on a cushion, I grabbed a small glass and let my blood slowly pour in until half the glass was full. That should be enough to heal her without tempting fate to tip the balance and put her in more danger. Using my thumb, I wipe the blood away and see the cut has already healed. Perks of being a vamp I guess. Grasping the glass in my left hand, I stand and place my book on a small table and move over to Rosalia. Kneeling by her side, I sigh when her ragged complexion registers with me.

In the few short days she’s been with my brother, she has lost weight and the colour has started to drain from her skin, leaving her looking pale. She twitches restlessly and when she turns I see how lifeless she already appears. Smoothing her hair away from her eyes, I feel a hot wave of rage rush through me at the thought of my brother harming her. I wanted to kill him. Scowling at the window, I try to calm my temper and look back at the angel sleeping next to me. Finally, she’s sleeping peacefully. I find myself smiling at the thought as I tuck her hair behind her ear and move to support her head so she can drink the contents of the glass in my left hand. I watch as she drinks it slowly before I let go and rest her head back on the cushion.

Placing the glass back on the table, I pause to glance back at Rosalia’s sleeping face, pale but relaxed. The same strange protectiveness settles over me the longer I watch her. I pause, watching her with a contemplative frown. What was it about her that made her so special? Why can’t I get her out of my head? I watch her carefully as the darkness outside slowly fades into the faint lavender hush of a new day. As the daylight climbs further, I pick Rosa up and walk down a narrow corridor between the small room and my living areas so I can watch over her. Pushing open my bedroom door, I lie her on the bed and pull the sheets up so she’s comfortable.

Grabbing my phone, I click Eris’s name and wait for her to pick up. “Hunter, what’s wrong? Is she okay?”

I sigh and run my hand through my hair. “Yeah, she’s still out and I’m gonna keep it that way but he left her in a.. compromising situation.” I struggle to find the words, but however hard I try I just– can’t.

Eris’s response is friendly and concerned. “What do you need?”

“Clothes. For her.” and an aspirin. I think to myself tiredly as I hear Eris laugh down the phone. Damn mind reading. Another laugh. “Eris, stop.” I groan and she laughs again. “Eris, please.”

“Okay, okay.” She laughs again and a minute later I hear her landing on the terrace outside my room. When I put the phone down, I looked towards the window and saw her standing on the other side. Jumping back in shock, Eris twists the knob silently and pulls me outside. I start to protest until she pulls me away with enough view into the room. As a compromise, I keep the door open and motion for Eris to whisper. She obliges, her worried gaze never leaving Rosalia. “Is she okay?”

I sigh and lean against the wall. “Honestly, Eri, I don’t know,” I mumble, lapsing back into using the nickname I gave her years ago. She must sense my worry as she places what she was holding on the table and reaches to hug me. “I don’t know.” I cast a glance back at Rosalia and see she’s still sleeping. “I don’t know what’ll happen to her and I don’t know what to do.” I groan in frustration and Eris moves slightly so we’re both leant against the wall.

“I do. Talk to me.” I think about staying silent, but the more I try to mentally rationalise everything, the more I seem to struggle. Eventually, I sigh and turn to look over to where she was still waiting.

“I just don’t know what to do about the whole situation. I want to help her but I know if I make one wrong move I’ll just end up making it worse. He’s already going to find out someone healed her and that’s going to make it bad enough, her one small mercy being that she doesn't know who. I just.. I don’t know how to help.” I mumble into my hands as I look away.

Eris is silent for a moment before she speaks, her soft whisper almost lost in the wind. “You want my advice? Keep her here until you think she’s recovered enough and then leave her with Mara. She’s in safe hands there, so that should alleviate your immediate worry.” A pause. “As for how to deal with Ash, tread carefully. You know how volatile he can become and I’d hate to see anything happen to you. Either of you.”

“She’s already in trouble.” I moan, my head in my hands. “He’ll know she wasn’t working today and that’ll probably delight him because he can punish her again.” I punch the wall in frustration and notice Eris giving me a weird look. “I want to help her but I…” An image of Ash throwing her out the door yesterday makes me feel nauseous. Eris places her hand over mine and gives it a reassuring squeeze.

“She’ll be okay.” I glance back again at Rosalia and feel my earlier protectiveness settle in my chest.

“I know,” I mumble, tearing my gaze away from the girl sleeping soundly in my bed and back to my best friend. “I’ll talk to him, try and see if I can make things better.” She smiles and motions towards the pile on the table. “Thanks. For everything.”

Another smile. “Don’t mention it.” She turns to leave, her hand on the rail to go down the steps. “I’ll see you soon. Both of you.” I frown and think about asking her what her cryptic parting comment meant, but she’s already gone.

Smiling to myself, I collect the clothes Eris had left for Rosalia and place them at the foot of the bed, pausing once more to watch her for a moment. She was still fast asleep and I let her stay that way. Reassured that she would be okay, I soundlessly turned the door handle and slipped through the door, locking it as I went, before heading off to find Ash.

Rosalia’s POV:

I come back to reality slowly. Once after I passed out in the hall, I half woke up when the stranger carried me back to a room and wrapped me in a soft thick blanket. The next time I felt aware of my surroundings, I was being given a drink. Thick and sweet, it had the aftertaste of mint and burnt cinnamon that left a slightly peppery taste. Sighing, I sleep peacefully for the first time since I can remember.

The next time I properly start to wake up I don’t remember moving, but somehow my mysterious saviour must have carried me as I wake up in a large, soft bed with silken sheets that soothe my damaged skin. I sigh with relief and burrow down further into the sheets until I hear soft voices outside.

“I don’t know what’ll happen to her and I don’t know what to do.” A male voice groans in frustration and I hear someone move over to them. There’s a moment of silence before someone answers.

“I do. Talk to me.” The new voice is soft, feminine. Sensing a slight tension, I wait, holding my breath until the first voice answers her.

“I just don’t know what to do about the whole situation. I want to help her but I know if I make one wrong move, I’ll just end up making it worse. He’s already going to find out someone healed her and that’s going to make it bad enough, her one small mercy being that she doesn't know who. I just.. I don’t know how to help.” The voice mumbles.

Their friend is silent for a moment before her soft whisper drifts to me through the open door. “You want my advice? Keep her here until you think she’s recovered enough and then leave her with Mara. She’s in safe hands there, so that should alleviate your immediate worry.” A pause. “As for how to deal with Ash, tread carefully. You know how volatile he can become and I’d hate to see anything happen to you. Either of you.”

“She’s already in trouble.” The first voice moans, their voice slightly indistinct. “He’ll know she wasn’t working today and that’ll probably delight him because he can punish her again.” I jump slightly when I hear a thud against the wall. Silence resumes before the voice resumes “I want to help her but I…” they trail off.

“She’ll be okay.” the second voice replies and I stiffen slightly getting the feeling I was being watched.

“I know,” The first voice mumbles in response, and I breathe a sigh of relief when I feel the stare leaving me. “I’ll talk to him, try and see if I can make things better.” The first voice sounds convinced and strangely I can almost see the smile on their friend’s face. “Thanks. For everything.”

“Don’t mention it.” The second voice replies and I hear her move away as her voice becomes fainter. “I’ll see you soon. Both of you.” I frown at her comment. What do we have in common that makes her so certain of that? I shake the thought off and settle back on the bed, feeling sleep pulling me down.

Hearing the person outside come in, I inhale sharply once when I feel the earlier stare return to me. However, this time it doesn't fill me with fear but calms my racing heart. Weird. Weird that I feel safe in the presence of this mysterious figure who I can’t see. I hear them move something around for a few minutes before the stare leaves me and I hear a door handle. A few seconds later, I hear the lock click and am left in a room full of the scent of mint mixed with burnt cinnamon that seems so familiar..

Hunter’s POV:

Leaving Rosalia sleeping, I quickly find Ash and put a hand out to stop him. He shoots me a calculating look and I return the stare, refusing to let my anger show. “Can I talk to you?” I fight to keep my voice level. He nods and we walk together to his study. Once there, I move to the other side of the room and shoot him a glare,

“Whatever’s on your mind, little brother. I haven’t seen a scowl like that since… well, her.” Ash’s comment was cruel and I fought to keep my memory in the present and away from Ash’s implications.

“You bastard. You know that she has nothing to do with this. She’s dead, for Christ's sake.” I feel like shouting but I know that it will get me nowhere and probably make Rosalia’s life more hellish if I provoke him. “It's about someone else.”

Ash sits on the desk and gives me a bored expression. “Who have I upset now?” He crosses his arms and I feel my temper start to spike.

“Me.” I glare, my tone full of hate. “That’s who you’ve upset, Ash. Me.” I keep my eyes on him and see him raise a brow, shrugging with boredom.

“How’s that, little brother? I’ve barely seen you in years.” Ash moves off the desk and studies me intently. “How have I managed to upset you?”

“You know perfectly well how.” I seethe. You know all too well. I think as I keep glaring at him until his expression changes. Then I know he understands.

“She’s my property to do as I wish with. If you have a problem with that, then deal with it. But stay out of my life and I’ll stay out of yours.” Ash’s tone changes to that of malice, but I stand my ground. He makes a dismissive wave and I turn to go, attempting to keep my temper in check and almost succeed, until he calls over to me. “Oh and Hunter? I’d appreciate it if you could return my property.”

I ignore him as he calls after me again. Asshole. I hate the idea of giving her back to him, but I know I don't have a choice. According to Aerilon Law, she legally belongs to him and I can’t save her. Not yet anyway. But I will. Someday. Someday, I’ll save her.

Leaving Ash, I hurry back to where I had left Rosalia. Unlocking the door, I glance in to see she’s still fast asleep. Closing the door silently, I grab the clothes Eris had left and silently dress her, since she’s still dead to the world and probably will be for a good few more hours. Once she’s dressed, I pick her up and carry her back through the palace to where the slave rooms are. Hers, luckily, is empty and I carefully place her on her bed. Hearing light footsteps, I come face to face with her friend Mara and I see her distrust. “I didn’t do that to her.” She nods but she’s still analysing me. Heaving a sigh, I decided to tell the truth. “Her Master is my brother and he’s the one who abused her. I was simply looking after her and am now returning her to you. Eris says she’s in safe hands here.”

A sharp intake of breath. “Eris as in Eris Murdock?” Her anticipation is almost tangible, like a ray of sunshine. I nod. Her smile dims slightly and she looks away. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” I move to leave but turn back once more. “Look after her. Please.” I keep my voice soft and Mara nods twice. “Thank you,” I mutter softly as I leave.

Rosalia’s POV:

When I wake up this time, I can tell I’m not gonna be going back to sleep for some time. My first indication of this is the fact that someone is shaking me awake. Roughly. I moan in pain and the figure stops shanking me and instead envelopes me in a smothering hug. “Wha- who?” I mumble as I force my eyes open and take in Mara’s worried expression. “Mar!” I cry and hug her tighter.

“Rosa! I was so worried. What happened?” I start to open my mouth when Mara stiffens and helps me up. “Tell me on the way, we’re already late– well, you are.”

I blink in confusion as I rub my eyes. “Late for what, Mar?” I look at her out of the corner of my eye and see her face pale as my appearance clocks with her. She lets out a pained sigh and I rub her arm soothingly. “Mar, what is it? You know you can tell me, right?”

Mara hiccups and I feel a sense of dread start to curdle in my gut. “You’ve been summoned by your– by your Master.” Mara keeps talking but I can’t hear her. Master Asher summoned me. s**t. This can’t be good. Numb, I let Mara pull me up and walk me down the corridors of the palace until we come to stand in the sight of the pair of oak doors that fill me with dread.

“I.. I–” I struggle to find the words to explain what he did to me. She shoots me a sympathetic glance and grips my hand tight. “He.. he– I…” Tears bubble up and I let them fall as Mara pulls me in for a hug.

She puts her arms around me and lets me rest my head on her shoulder. “Shh, I know what happened. Or at least I know enough.” I cry harder and mentally shake my head. Oh, Mar, you don’t know the half of it. No one does and no one will. I heave a sigh as the last of my tears dry and pull away from Mara. She nods and gives my hand one last squeeze before she vanishes. Taking a deep breath, I knock twice on the door, my heart thudding. Silently, they swing open to reveal the space is lit and my Master stands waiting for me.

“Master,” I call my tone as dead as the silence filling the room. He turns away from the fire and fixes me with a remorseless gaze. “I’m here.”

“Who healed you?” He snaps and I feel my heart stutter with fear. Swallowing loudly, I see his gaze darken. “I asked you a question, slave. Who. Healed. You?” He takes a step forward and I recoil in fear. Backing away, he suddenly stops and stares at me. Hard.

Unimaginable pain flares up inside me. Like the memory of the fire from one of my many nightmares, I can almost feel the deceptively seductive fingers of flame curl around me with a scorching embrace. Keeping as calm as possible, I looked down to see that my body was blessedly free from the fire. I could still feel raging inside me. Inside my mind. My subconscious corrects me and I frown in concentration. Master doesn’t seem to approve of my defiance, as the pain level increases so it rips through me with the force of a high-speed locomotive. Up and up. The pain continues without me until it breaks down my walls of detachment and I drop to my knees, screaming.

“Who healed you?” Master’s voice cuts through the fog in my brain and I scowl in his direction. He notes my defiance and sighs before I feel the pain increase fractionally. “I think it’s time for you to learn the rules. Slave.” He spits the last word with venom and I feel my rage boil at the dismissive word, yet I bite my tongue and hold my breath. “Rule one, do not look at me or any others of higher status than you. Rule two, you also are not permitted to walk next to me or anyone else like me. Behind. Always. Rule three, if you are to eat or drink, it is not at a table but sitting on the floor. Likewise with a bed. Rule four: You sleep on the floor. Or else.” He sneers at me and I feel my heart drop. His cold gaze never leaves my face. “You don’t deserve comfort in this life you have been sold into.”

I was silent for a moment, too overwhelmed to put into words the anger I was feeling. He smirks arrogantly for a moment, clearly taking my silence as submission until he continues laying out the rules of my new hellish existence. “Rule five, not talking back, or at all unless given direct permission to speak. Rule six, if you misbehave in any way, I am allowed to punish you. Any way I choose.” He glares at me and I scowl back.

“f**k you. Asshole.” I seethe moments before I feel him slap me hard enough to knock my head against the floor.

“Rule seven, you do as you're told when you're told to do it. Rule eight: no taking what doesn't belong to you and no asking for help. See angel, if you do, I’ll know and then I’ll punish you and whoever helped you.” I glare at him again and he smiles cruelly.

“Any more rules?” I snap, knowing I'll be punished. He laughs, a cold empty laugh that makes my insides curdle with fear.

“Rule nine is perhaps the most important rule to remember.” He takes a step towards me and I move back in fear until I hit a wall. He smirks in my direction and I shiver once. Trying to evade his grip, he growls softly and pins my arms above my head so I’m trapped in his gaze. Squirming with fear, I feel his mouth move over my ear and his whispered words chill me to the bone. “You. Are. Mine. You belong to me and will do until you die.” I curl away from his harsh glare and wrap my arms around myself when he lets go of me.

“Leave me alone,” I mutter darkly, turning my head so he can’t see the anger in my eyes. He laughs coldly and I focus on calming my racing heart. After a few minutes, it seems to work as my heart rate returns to normal. Never let them see fear. Don't let them break you, my precious girl. Still turned away from Master Asher, an unfamiliar voice echoed through my mind. Who was it? I could only guess, since I didn't know my parents and had no one else to look after me. Unless.. was that the voice of one of my parents reaching out to help me after all the years of being alone? I think over this when the first voice fades from my mind and is replaced by another. Remember they feed off of your fear and pain. Don’t give in. Don’t let them see you afraid. A third voice weaves in with the second. You’re strong, you can do this. Help is coming. The second voice seems more familiar to me than the first but I can’t place my finger on where I’ve heard it. The words sound like a melody to my ears and I can’t help but feel safe– Wait.

I scan my memory hurriedly to attempt to locate where I may have heard these mystery voices before. Finding nothing, my mind rebels against me and wanders back to where I woke up earlier today and the voices I heard outside…. As I think it over, I groan and mentally face-palm myself. That’s where I heard them, the voices. They were the voices that were talking about me when I woke up. But who are they? I muse to myself as I feel Master’s cold hands grip my shoulders and pull my head up. “What?” I rip my arm from his grasp and pull away again. He shakes his head and mutters something that sounds a lot like ‘stupid b***h’ before he leans on the wall and regards me with a cold glare that has my instincts recoiling in fear. Anger wins out though and I face him with an equally frosty glare. I scowl in his direction until he laughs to himself and disappears from the room.

Once I’m alone, I let a few silent tears fall as the horror of reality hits me. What have I done? Where’s he gone? A more worrying thought rises up inside me and I feel my heart stutter with fear.

What’s he going to do to me? The thought crosses my mind as I pass out into darkness.