Ferocious

Zoe

I keep my eyes fixed on the window looking outside as we leave the city and drive in silence for what feels like hours. My heart starts pounding when we turn into a dusty road that leads into the woods. We drive through the forest for over three hours while my head imagines every case scenario, none good. This man can kill me here and no one will ever find my body. My phone continuously searches for network. It was two hours ago when I had a single bar. Just great. Even if I manage to escape wherever we are going, I would not be able to call for help.

It feels like forever when we reach a mansion, right in the middle of the woods. I don’t think our government knows a place like this exists. There are over ten heavily armed guards at the gate. They bow when Leonard opens the window, and the driver drives past them and stops right in front of the mansion.

The hefty man opens our doors, but I remain on my seat until Sir Leonard signals with his head for me to come out. I get out and scan the place. The four-storey building is nothing I have ever seen. It would qualify to be a castle, except it is very modern. The meticulous gardens spread out for hectors. Butterflies and birds flap their beautiful delicate wings. There is a beautiful water feature in the middle of the garden with what looks like a statue of a man riding a horse. The man must be a king or prince judging by the crown on his head. The place is serene and breathtaking.

I am still looking around when a woman probably in her late twenties, comes out of the mansion and runs to Sir Leonard’s arms. Smooth caramel skin, round face, a button nose and full lips. Pear-like body shape and probably about five-two tall. She would be beautiful if she did not have so much makeup and the multiple piercings on her ears, nostrils and tongue. The pink hair is also a bit too much.

I am trying to figure out if she is his girlfriend or his sister. I get my answer when she kisses his lips. I guess the boggy man has a girlfriend. He is still detached and cold as ice. He does not hug her back, nor does he kiss her back, but he does not have the disgusted scowl when he looks at her. I don’t know if this is a good or bad thing for me.

“Leo, you are back!” she exclaims before cupping his face and inspecting him from head to toe.

“Are you OK? Did you wipe those scoundrels out?” she asks tenderly, and he nods. Some women are brave, I must say.

“Good,” she beams before approaching me and her expression completely changes.

“Is this the gullible damsel you went to save?” she asks while inspecting me from head to toe, and he nods his head.

“I am not gullible, nor am I a damsel!” I grit my teeth with my fists clenched. I can feel my anger rising, his threat to cut my tongue completely forgotten. I see shock flashes in her eyes before she takes a few steps away from me. Did she think I would take her crap?

“Careful with her, she is quite ferocious,” he warns her with a voice laced with amusement and I glare at him. That’s when he grabs my arm and pulls me to him. I don’t dare look up. I don’t want to meet those cold murderous eyes.

“Careful now, Kitten. You don’t want to get on my nerves on our honeymoon. You do want me to be gentle.”

I swallow my saliva, my heart jumping to my throat.

“I thought not,” he says when I don’t respond and lets me go.

I glance at the woman next to him and see her nostrils flaring and her whole face red. I am yet to meet a woman who is fine with her man messing around with other women. I hope her jealousy is enough to save me from this man.

“The marriage vows are null and void if you have your girlfriend here,” I mutter, and he snarls.

“You were my wife for four years already. That did not stop you from galivanting with your dead fiancé,” he accuses with the same disgusted look he has when he looks at me.

“I did not know, but you did, which brings back the question…”

“Shut the fuck up before I do it for you.”

I can tell by his dark expression and tensed body that he means it. He has an even shorter fuse than me.

I take deep breaths to calm myself. I need to control my temper to survive this man.

“Welcome back, Sir. Welcome, Ma’am.”

A grey-haired old man probable in his sixties greets. I did not even notice him approach us.

“Show Lady Maloy to her chambers,” Sir Leonard instructs without greeting the old man back.

“Certainly, Sir. This way, Lady Maloy.”

I take off my shoes, lift the tail of my dress and follow behind the old man, who leads me to the third floor.

“Welcome to Dune Woods castle, Ma’am. I am Lord Duke, the stuart, always at your service.”

I did think the place looked like a castle, but its not listed anywhere in the country’s heritage sites. I guess that’s the reason the country’s most feared and wanted man stays in it.

“Nice to meet you, Lord Duke. Call me Zoe, please.”

He flashes me a smile. I was starting to think that is forbidden.

“I will stick to Lady Maloy. I am sure you understand.”

“Because of him?” I enquire.

“Because it is who you are, Ma’am.”

“Zoe. That is who I am.”

He smiles again before opening the door at the at the end of the corridor.

“This is your suite, Lady Maloy. Let me know if you need anything,” he says and leaves me pacing around the massive suite.

I need a way of getting out of here and I can’t think of any right now.