6

It was already midnight when the first choirs started shouting for me and Kaanadan to retire to the room.

The men were almost all drunk, and shouted things like "take her to bed" or "you're married now it's time for the best part". Well, I wanted to die listening to that. I looked at Kaanadan with a shred of hope that he was like his uncle, drunk to the point where he couldn't even keep his eyes open. But no, he was even better than me, who drank less than him.

Kaanadan rose from her chair and I did the same, as much as I wanted to grab her. I saw Celina get up at the end of the other table, but Ginny pulled her back. I nodded calmly at her, hissing an "okay". But all in all, there was nothing.

Kaanadan grabbed my hand and led me behind him as a crowd, now even women, followed behind us.

I'm desperate. My heart beats so fast I feel it pounding against my skin. I take a deep breath and it doesn't take long until we are in front of the double wooden door on the second floor, where it has been arranged since morning for that moment.

Screams echoed behind us and we entered the room. My head was racing, but everything went white when Kaanadan closed the door behind us. We were alone...

The riot ended outside. Well, except for a few drunken friends from Kaanadan who made obscene suggestions for what to do. But he was soon silenced by the same.

Silence reigned.

I ran my eyes around the light brown room, in contrast to the darker brown of the doors and windows. My eyes focused on the white bed in the center of the room and it freaked me out. I wrapped my arms protectively, trying to stifle my panic.

"You will act like a good wife. You will do it for the honor and power of an organization. But also for your family..."

Dad's words from years ago screamed in my head and my heart started to race again. I would have to please Kaanadan, but nothing helped when my mind just ran through the clear rules of women: "Keep your back and let him do the rest," "Don't ask him to stop," "Don't debate, or it could be worse." , "Then you get used to it...". It was killing me.

Kaanadan turned me towards him, looking at me like a wolf looks at its prey minutes before the attack. My legs were shaking and I felt suffocated, dizzy, and maybe I wanted to pass out. Erasing would be good, it would take away the pain, and if he still touched me, I wouldn't remember. Kaanadan laid his jacket on the chair and I saw his muscles tense with his movements. I saw how muscular and strong he is. Kaanadan at that moment was the figure of power, while I was more like glass close to shattering.

His eyes roamed over my body, this time not rushing back to my face. She focused on my legs visible through the tango dress, and went up slowly. My hips... My breasts... My face...

— When your father proposed his daughters to me, I didn't want to see them, you know? - He approached slowly. "But he swore to me that I would marry the fairest." I knew about her fame... But I didn't believe him. — Kaanadan grabbed me by the waist and I held his chest in shape to have some space. We looked eye to eye. “But he was right.

I swallowed and my heart was pounding as I tried to keep my breath steady. I wonder why Kaanadan has to be so tall, otherwise I could try to get out of his arms, but they were pretty tight around my waist, and mine didn't have much room to move. I was afraid to move in any way that would stir up the beast I didn't want to wake up.

He leaned down, until his mouth was inches from my neck, making me feel even his breath on my skin.

"And I am very grateful to know that you are Mine...

As if I were an object of exchange. Worse than I went.

Kaanadan touched my skin with his warm lips, kisses down my shoulder, up the curve of my neck. His arms tightened around my waist and I wonder if he senses my desperation… Does he not care?

I try to give in but my eyes fail, blurring with tears. I am unable. I don't let the tears fall and force my voice out.

“Kanadan…” He continues to kiss me. "Can I change?" That dress itches.

He turns and looks at me. I pray I don't look like I'm crying.

“I can help you with that. She whispered close to my face. He touches the zipper of my dress and turns me around. Deep breath. I agree, already creating one more path to the final destination.

Kaanadan unzips and kisses the top of my head, then behind my ear and I hold the fabric to my bust. I feel the icy zipper at the bottom of my back and at that moment I pull away.

"I'll go change." - Before he says anything, I look him in the eyes. - Wait for me.

It surprises you. I don't hesitate to follow the path to the bathroom.

I close the door and exhale a relieved air. I lock it just in case and go to the clothes hanging on the wall. I mentally thank Celina for being able to bring him. I grip the light blue thin fabric nightgown and feel the metal. I smile relieved.

I lift the pieces and grab the belt of daggers I've hidden in the pieces, quickly taking off the white dress. I grab the belt and clasp it around my ankle, but testing the withdrawal, I move to my thigh. I play it several times in a relief review. So I just take the light blue robe and cover myself, tying the rope tightly. I let go completely and toss my hair back as I take a deep breath and face the door. I unlock it and turn the handle, opening it to find Kaanadan looking at me.

May everything go well...

An obscene look from the same stares at my whole body and I see his eyes shine. I approach and see him do the same.

"No kidding, Celeste... I'm still your father."

My father's words come back in my mind and I freeze. What could he do? Worse, what could Kaanadan do?

- You are even more beautiful... - The tall one says and puts his fingers in my hair. I tense up and discreetly touch the largest dagger, a point of relief.

- Thank you... - I say scared.

Kaanadan pulls me to him with his free arm and I'm distressed to feel his hand come down. I walk away. - Best not.

- Best not? Kaanadan looks at me confused.

— I can't… I can't. ’ I swallow hard.

“You can't skip this part.

“Of course you do.

The same looks at the bed and I remember the damn tradition. He looks back at me and I no. “You won't touch me.

“I'm your husband.

"And you should respect me for such a title."

Kaanadan turns serious and I feel my breath hitch. He approaches and I step back. Two of your steps forward; two steps back. We continued like this until my back hit the wall. Kaanadan corners me and holds me tight.

“Kanadan, you better let me go. I almost feel my voice crack with fear.

"Do you think I won't get what I'm entitled to?" - He said looking me in the eyes.

"My body is mine!" You have no right to anything if I don't want it. "I spit the words in your face." - Leave me!

I push to leave, but Kaanadan grabs my wrist. In a pull that takes me back, my mind goes blank. I pull away a piece of the robe and pull out the dagger, I don't think much and when I'm glued to you and Kaanadan's arms tighten around me, I stick it in his thigh and twist.

I feel Kaanadan's arms loosen around me and I run away, turning towards him. Kaanadan is panting, looking at the dagger in his leg. His gaze comes to me and he snorts, coldly and clearly nervous.

“What do you think you did? Her voice changes and I panic.

"I told you to leave me!" — I change at the same level, even though it is the effect of fear and not of courage.

The same rises and removes the dagger from his leg at once. Blood spurts out brutally and he raises the knife marked with my initials. Kaanadan comes towards me and I feel my breath catch, I pull another dagger from my belt and threaten to attack him again.

“Don't come near.

"Do you think I'm afraid of a dagger?" “His gaze is somber. Scary. "Do you think I'm going to back down because you're threatening me with a dagger?"

I continue with the dagger pointed at you. “I will not surrender to you. You are a monster. You were going to touch me without my permission! Who do you Think You Are?

"The only person who can touch you."

"And the only one who will never do such an act!"

Kaanadan quickly comes towards me and with a close move he corners me in his arms. One arm of mine is behind me, the other where the hand holding the dagger is struggling to keep it forward. I fight hard enough, I struggle, but Kaanadan forces my hand and soon the dagger is facing me.

His face presses against the side of my head and I force myself away, but he's strong enough to hold me still.

— Your biggest mistake is trying to do what many have tried and failed, Celeste

I took a deep breath, feeling the dagger turned towards me. His tone was serious, and my strength nearly yielded as well.

“And your biggest mistake is thinking I won't make it just because a bunch of idiots failed, Kaanadan. I managed to say through gritted teeth.

A silence hung and our breathing was the only one to be heard. The tip of the dagger touched between my breasts and I stopped breathing. My mind went back to the day Kaanadan killed that man in front of me. He didn't call at all.

My eyes start to water.

Kaanadan approached my ear, making me feel his breath. “I won't touch you, but understand that your body is mine, Celeste. You understand that if one day a man looks at you, I'll tear his eyes out, if he touches you, I'll tear your fingers off, if you even dare to take advantage... you'll lose your life.

I try to pull the dagger away, but he holds me tighter. And then it continues. "... You might want me to get away from you, but I'm sure one day you'll wish I was inside you...

"Never... You can be sure..." I snarled.

- You are mine...

Silence.

I touched his hand that held the dagger and soon the brute strength was gone. Kaanadan lowered his arms and pocketed the daggers I exposed. He quickly turned me around and lifted my face, analyzing every detail. A lone tear failed to fall and slide down my face. His blue eyes narrowed darkly and he pulled away nervously.

I pulled away enough, seeing him look back at me.

“Shit, girl!

I cringed.

***

Some time later Kaanadan came out of the bathroom, with a small transparent pot in his hands. He was stirring a clear red liquid and I looked at him confused.

- What is that?

Kaanadan was only in a towel, he had bathed of course, and he sat on the bed, motioning me to get up. So I did and he started to spread the liquid on the fabric.

"What we'll talk about is yours." Kaanadan says seriously. Then he looks at me. "You're going to have to lie really well."

His disgust was clear.

"Did you cut yourself?" — I asked when I understood that there was blood there.

He arched an eyebrow, mockingly and frustrated. “You cut me.