Chapter 4

"How did you end up in the river? Most people don't know of it and those that do are familiar with its strong currents." he starts off by asking.

"It's a long story." I reply with a small sigh.

"I have time." he retorts simply.

I take a deep breath before explaining everything starting from the moment Madam Diana had told me to go. Leaving out the part about killing the man and the voice in my head.

"I'm sorry that happened to you." he says with a frown, and I give him a small smile.

"It's not your fault. How did you find me?" I ask, hoping I'm not over stepping.

"I just happened to be going for a stroll through the woods and I happened to hear your scream." he explains, and I nod my head surprised.

"How were you able to get me out?" I ask and he chuckles.

"A vampire's strength is much stronger than those currents, little fawn." he chuckles softly, and I blush at the nickname.

"Of course." I reply slightly embarrassed.

"I must say, it is not often a vampire lets a slave have a baby let alone keep it and raise it. In fact, I have never heard of it before in all the years I have lived and even from studying my kinds history." he tells me and I bite my lip.

"Sorry." I apologize, not sure of what else to say.

"Don't apologize I think it is quite beautifully unique. By the sounds of things though, it sounds like you have lived a very sheltered life and you have nowhere to go, and no idea what your about to face, with no one to help you or take care of you. For these reasons, I would like to ask you if you would like to stay with me? I can help you and teach you, and I can promise to keep you safe for as long as you're with me." he tells me, and my eyes widen in surprise.

"How do I know I can trust you? How do I know all you men aren't all the same? Because so far every man I have met is the same and I couldn't handle it if you did that to." I say, whispering the last part.

"What do you mean? What did these men do?" he asks me with a deepened tone as his eyes began to brighten.

I simply shake my head, not wanting to respond.

"Listen, Autumn. You can trust me and the only way I can help you believe that is if I understand what these men have done to you." he says softly, but I can hear the faint hint of the anger he is hiding in his voice.

I take a deep breath before beginning to tell him.

"As I mentioned, I lived with Diana, my mother was her slave. After my mother died from a sickness Diana began taking care of me. Herself and my mother were the only ones I had known up until then. A few days after her death, Diana moved us into a new house with her boyfriend whose name was Bruce. I was 10 years old when I met him. At first things were fine. I got along with him and he was the only male figure I had ever had in my life. We had a pretty good relationship.  Then my 15th birthday came. My body had matured, and Sir Bruce began to see me differently and he went from being super fun and my friend to touching me in places I did not want. It got all the way to the point that he took my virginity. I hadn't known it at the time, but after Diana caught him in the act one day, she killed him, and explained everything that had happened and explained how wrong it had been of him to do it. For the past three years, I have done my best to move on from that time and as soon as I leave Diana's that man tries to do the same thing and now here, I am with you. Except you seem different because I actually feel safe with you, and I haven't felt like this in 8 years." I tell him truthfully.

I look up to see his eyes glowing brightly.

"Ar-Are you okay?" I stutter nervously.

It was never good when their eyes brightened like that.

I watch as he takes in some deep breaths, clenching and unclenching his fists before looking back at me.

"Yes, I'm sorry, it was just hard to hear." he explains, and I nod my head softly.

"What those men did to you, was not what a real man does. That is what a disgusting pervert/ rapist does. Those men, they go straight to hell and suffer for all eternity. I swear on my life that will never happen to you so long as you are with me." he says with eyes that showed how honest his words truly were.

"Okay. I will stay then. I... I believe you; I trust you." I reply softly after contemplating for a few minutes.

"Thank you." he says with a relieved smile, and I giggle.

"I'm pretty sure I'm the one that is supposed to be thanking you." I say and he grins.

"Maybe, but I'm really happy you made that choice." he says, and I blush.

"Is it possible, that I could have a bath?" I ask and he nods his head.

"Of course, finish up and I will go start one for you." he replies, and I smile.

"Thank you." I reply happily.