Myra
My mind was reeling even after he pulled away, the kiss was not what one would say 'chaste' and neither was it passionate. It was rather cold and detached like my husband.
Husband.
Who would have thought?...
My eyes had shut on their own accord, I slowly opened them when I no longer felt the cold lips. I opened my eyes to the face that I would have to look at, every day, from this moment on. His eyes twinkled with amusement even though his lips did not reveal as much.
Hr turned towards to face the others, I mimicked his action. He looked at my father and said, "Your debt has been paid. You and your elder daughter shall live the rest of your life comfortably. Bastian will show you your rooms for the night. Your meals will be served there". His tone held finality so much so that my father who always had the final say, did not even utter a sound.
My eyes landed on Harmony who was dabbing the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief. My heart broke, it was she who was supposed to be in my place. Damian was supposed to make her his wife, not that it would give me any happiness. But this ...subjecting my sister to watch a wedding whose bride should have been her, felt wrong.
I got down from the dais and went to her. I heard a gasp from somewhere but I did not care, all I could see now was my sister, whose usually gleaming orbs were filled with unshed tears. I engulfed her in an embrace, resting my chin atop her shoulder. She sniffed, "Congratulation", her voice quivered. "Mony", I whispered, my throat clogging up with emotion.
"I reckon we all should retire for the day now", I heard Damian say from behind in his timbre voice. His tone did not betray anything. Harmony pulled away before Bastian, a tall lean man led them away to their rooms and I watched their retreating backs. Father did not even say a word to me, even though I was used to him being cold and indifferent towards me, it hurt.
Soon the others also dispersed. I remained standing on the same spot. What now? my heartbeat quickened.
"Let us retire as well my lady", I heard him murmur, I was startled, when did he come so close? his breath fanned my ear. I swallowed, without turning to look at him I nodded. He let out a throaty chuckle sending shivers down my spine.
He offered me his hand as he led me to his- our room.
The corridors were well-lit, candles burning in every candle holder. A thick carpet was laid throughout the length of the corridor. His room was large but sparsely decorated. There was a huge bed, a dresser, a cupboard and a recliner.
"Welcome to my humble abode", his tone held mirth. I turned to face him. At last, I could demand an answer, an explanation for his sudden change of mind.
"Why did you not wed my sister?" I asked without further ado. He raises his eyebrows, "Are you not happy that I married you in her stead?" He is goading you, my mind said warningly but his indifference, his whimsical nature irked me, "No! I am not! You hurt her feelings, you ruined her for any other protective proposal", did this person not realise? Harmony would become a good wife and mother no doubt. But after his lordship refused to marry her who would think of asking her hand for marriage again? They would always find a flaw in her, they always did.
"My apologies but from now on that should not be your concern", he replied flippantly as he crossed the room and opened the cupboard, taking off his cravat.
My jaw clenched, how could he be so harsh?
"Yes, it is", I went up to him.
He sighed, "My lady you will tire yourself if you become so riled up". This riled me up even more. But before I could open my mouth to protest, his cold fingers touched my cheek. All protests died on my lips as his gaze transfixed on my face, his onyx orbs seemed even more prominent against his pale complexion. The moonlight filtered inside the room. I could see a gentle smile on his lips, his eyes softened as he murmured in a honeyed voice, "How old are you, my dear?"
His fingers caressed my cheek before cupping it. "Eighteen summers", I whispered, my heart pounding. I was not ignorant about what transpired between a man and his newlywed wife on their wedding night. But still, my heart pounded at the mere thought of...
I was jolted out of my spiralling thoughts by a low chuckle, I glanced at Damian, he seemed amused. Rubbing his thumb against my cheek he said, "Relax my lady, I am not going to debauch you tonight. Not yet at least", and grinned roguishly. I shuddered. He will not ...take me to bed. I felt relieved.
"Are you...will you?" I tried to ask the next question that was swirling in my mind form the time he made me drink blood!
"Drink your blood?" he completed and then shook his head, the grin ever-present on his pale lips, "No. Not yet". My brows furrowed in confusion. His hand dropped from, I instantly felt the loss which made me annoyed with myself.
"Don't worry that pretty head of yours darling", his endearment did something to me. I averted my gaze. Myra, remember, he married you because your father could not pay his debts, you are a replacement of your sister. Don't feel anything for him, my mind warned.
"Where shall I sleep then?" I mumbled.
"Why, on that bed", he replied promptly.
Before I could ask where he shall sleep, he beat me to it. While taking off his overcoat which was a beautiful one I must say, he said, "I shall spend tonight in the library. I do not need sleep as much as you do", he turned to me and smiled.
His smile was so gentle, yet people called him cold and unfeeling? Maybe he wasn't or was he? And this smile was just a pretence. "Someone will attend to you soon", he informed. I merely nodded to his offer.
Only after I heard the door shut did I release a breath I did not know I was holding.
The vast room suddenly seemed more vast, more silent. I sighed and began to take off the pins attached to my veil.
After a few moments, I heard a knock. I asked them to enter. An elderly lady entered the room with a tray filled with what appeared to be food. I realized I was had not eaten since the evening.
She placed it on the dresser and started helping me in taking off my wedding attire. She opened the cupboard and took out a nightgown. The fabric was soft like a feather. After changing and eating, she left. I did not even get to know her name.
As I settled into the bed, the bedsheet and blankets seemed foreign to my skin. Sleep evaded me. I stared blankly at the ceiling, witnessing the play of light and shadow.
Damian never gave me an answer. I will find out. I surely will.
MyraI was awoken by a soft knock on the door. Even though I had slept fitfully for the better part of the night, I might have dozed off at dawn. It was the same lady who had attended to me last night. She entered the room after giving me a cursory greeting before busying herself with tidying the room, opening the curtains and making up the bed.I scrambled out of the room, my cheeks turning hot as I was not at all used to these services. Back at home, it was me or Harmony who did the house chore."Uhm...Miss...there is no need-", I began too embarrassed by such a thing but she interrupted me, "I am the housekeeper of this manor m'lady. My name is Beth Jones, I am responsible for cleaning the Master's chamber", her monotonous voice had an edge to it and her eyes did not even attempt to conceal the disapproval.I lowered my gaze and mumbled, "Pleased to meet you, Miss. Jones". I let her be as she barely acknowledged
MyraI wiped away my tears hurriedly even though I knew he had seen everything. I straightened and looked at him square in the eyes, my jaw set. "Welcome back my Lord", I greeted with a short bow. He did not move from his position, he was observing me. I clenched my fists. The weight of his stare was too much for me to bear at the moment. I turned away and stomped to the cupboard. I sifted through the clothes idly because there was absolutely nothing else for me to do in the room to avoid his gaze."Why were you crying?" his voice was nearer, he had definitely entered further into the room. He gave him a cold shoulder. It was almost noon and my dear husband just wishes to saunter into the room and ask me why I was crying. Ridiculous."That is none of your concern, my Lord", I answered through clenched teeth as my hold on an evening dress tightened."Loosen your hold, my lady", he murmured right beside my ears and I stood dumbfounded a
Myra"So...is everyone in this mansion, like Lord Damian?" I asked Alice, reluctantly. She was helping me get ready for Damian's guests that were supposed to be arriving today. The thought had not occurred until recently. The comb stilled. I looked at her through the mirror. Her eyes had widened, "Why would you say that?" her voice was almost a whisper."Uh...I apologize", I chuckled nervously. She resumed combing my hair, her lips turned downwards, "No...no my lady I beg your pardon for going beyond my station", I could feel the rhythm of the combing faltering."Ah...don't be", I mustered a smile, my ears heating up. I subconsciously caressed the silver ring, the metal felt cold against my warm skin. She mumbled, "To answer your question, most of us are humans. His Lordship is really kind to us poor people. I am an orphan and my dignity was at stake. Had it not been for him...rescuing me on time...I would have..." she trailed
MyraMy ears were ringing. Alexandra's lips were titled up into a sardonic smile, no doubt relishing my speechlessness. She regarded her red varnished nails as she conversationally asked, "Wish to hear more?"I balled my fists, "I don't believe you. There is no way my sister will do such a heartless thing and my father? He might be an irresponsible man but he will never stoop so low either". I glared at her unperturbed reaction. She clucked her tongue, "So naïve". Her gaze locked with mine, "Tell me then Myra, why did your sister and father leave without meeting you? Or why did your sister tell you that you were to marry lord Damian on the wedding day itself? Did you not question this?"I opened and closed my mouth, unable to say anything. My heart was pounding in my chest. My heart was denying the very possibility of father and... Harmony doing such merciless work. My sister's guileless smiles, her caring nature, her protective
MyraMy ears were ringing as I stared at him, open-mouthed. His gaze was unflinching. He was spewing lies, I whispered, still denying the fact, "No. You- you cannot. They...how? Harmony?" My voice quivered, the question barely making any sense. Damian's gaze turned gentle. He averted his eyes, "My lady-" I held up my hand, sniffling, I felt faint. Even though he would tell me the whole truth at some point, but at the moment, I had no intention of hearing it.I lowered my gaze, my vision had blurred with unshed tears, my mind was reeling with this unforeseen revelation. My hands trembled as I kept the book aside. Silence ensued and I don't know for how long it prevailed before I heard Damian sigh."Your father was indebted to me, Myra, but he had no other choice than to-""-marry me off to you to pay your debt?" I glared at him. He huffed out a laugh, shaking his head, "Oh, if it only were the way you say it". He locked his gaz
MyraFor a while, the only sound in the otherwise silent room was my sobs. My whole world was crumbling. I felt nauseous, so this was Damian. The sob turned into gasps and black spots marred my vision. Am I dying? Well. death will certainly not be unwelcomed. Death felt enticing, a better option than living a life as a maid despite being married to the master of the mansion, being humiliated in the process and not knowing the end of this ordeal. Yes, death would be significantly better. After all, no one needed me anymore, neither my family nor whom I considered as my family or my estranged and superficial husband. My body tilted sideways, I felt light-headed and succumbed to the darkness.~~~~It might have been a sharp yank, or maybe a harsh shake that awakened me. I blinked my eyes open, wincing at the bright sunlight streaming into the room through flimsy white curtains. A groan left my lips, I realised I was not sleeping in the proper
DamianThe stretch of my lips felt so plastic that it felt more like a grimace, and even Greyson could detect it as his grin widened. The word 'pet' grated my skin like a jagged stone. Greyson and I were turned on the same moonlit night. High Queen was the one who took it upon herself to execute the Change. Since then, centuries have passed, seasons have come and gone, and I have managed to remain in the High Council's good graces, steadily rising in rank and maintaining my position as one of the esteemed Royals of the court. With fame comes envy, and I wasn't ignorant about it. A few vampire leaders did not back down from leering at me and taunting me in open while many spoke about me behind my back. Unfortunately, my blood brother surpassed them all. Being given the position of an Elite instead of a Royal irked him to no end."Won't you give me permission to at least bid farewell to my better-half?" I implored, the pretentious genial grin plaster
MyraThat infuriating man. My fists clenched. How could he be so arrogant and...lewd? My cheeks heated up as the image of his face close to mine flashed in my mind. I looked around at the huge library. I will definitely not be able to clean it in a day. Why on earth did I even agree to this? Not that I had much of a choice. I huffed. I should probably go and meet him downstairs. He just walked away without a second glance. Where was he going anyway?I spared another glance at the pile and the unsorted bookshelves before leaving the library. Cleaning could wait. Right now, I needed answers. Surely he did not leave so soon. I stomped downstairs only to cry out in horror. There on the carpet lay one of the maids. Her lifeless body had turned grey. Her eyes wide and her mouth hung open. I stumbled back, trembling with the ghastly sight in front of me. My gaze landed on her shoulder, smeared with dried blood. Did Damian...? the thought made me shudder