Destiny 5

The minutes seemed like hours, the hours seemed centuries. She lost track of time in that place. She knew that it had been dark a while ago because the place had gone dark with only the slight reflection of the moon on the water in the tub.

She settled down leaning on a wooden column and moving her aching buttocks to the side. At least the pain in his knees had lessened, but not the bruises that formed. She put her hand to her forehead. Her fever had risen, the slight cold sweat lowered the woman's tunic that had been worn for her and the slight dizziness not only from the disease, they were the confirmation of that. She hugged herself trying to find some warmth that did not reach her.

She was exhausted from everything. This was one of those moments that told her to let go of everything and close her eyes and forget that the world existed. In the end she had no regrets. She was not a vindictive person and knowing how weak she was, she could not hope to kill the man who had annihilated his family. It would only be taking risks in vain. Thinking about it coldly, she realized that she had nothing to bind her to this world. If she could die and no one would care. Clinging to life as she did sometimes only brought misfortune.

She let her heavy lids hide all the light from her eyes and plunged into darkness, but his rest was negligible when the door was flung open and the light of a lamp illuminated the entire place.

-Wake up, the master wishes to see you- the same servant who had thrown her there before was now coming to look for her and as if reading the environment, Jade's entire body began to tremble. Something told him she shouldn't go.

She tried to back away but the servant pulled out a knife and waved it with his free hand in front of his face with a smile.

-My lord told me that if you gave problems I could have fun with you, believe me, I have several ways to do it- Jade could tell that the boy's face was pleasant if it were not for his frown most of the time and that sinister look he gave him.

The images of when her body was marked passed quickly and the memory of the pain was present. Swallowing hard, feeling her throat ache, she staggered to her feet, leaning back against her spine. He hadn't realized how weak she was until that moment. Everything around her was spinning and she felt cold, very cold.

-Come on- the servant ordered in a demanding voice and Jade only had to order her body to listen to him and move.

She did it slowly until she was able to walk in a not very straight line. Behind her, she was grateful that this Izen did not push her, but she would fall without much elegance and from there she would not be able to get up.

They went through three corridors, two of them leading to the central garden of the house, one exquisitely decorated with white stone ornaments, and a small stream with lotus flowers. Unlike where they were, many of the rooms in that place that seemed larger than from the outside were illuminated.

They stopped in front of a door and Izen knocked with his knuckles.

-My lord, it's already here-

They received no response but the servant opened the door and ordered him to enter. Jade hesitated until she saw the knife peek over the edge of the man's sash. She stepped into the room and when she felt the door close behind her, she had to use all her strength not to crumble.

The room where she was, unlike the others, was lit more dimly. The red stained walls lightened with white curtains gave both an intriguing and exotic feel. The windows were slightly open allowing the slight breeze to cool the place causing her skin to crawl even more, because despite knowing that her skin was hot, it was cold inside.

-Come closer- the same deep voice she had heard that time echoed in the room and Jade reflexively stuck to the door behind her body for support. She swallowed hard and blinked to focus his gaze.

At the end of that place there was an immense bed with exuberant curtains and sheets scattered everywhere accompanying that man who now more closely gave him a totally different feeling from that time. 

His ill-fitting tunic dropped to one of his shoulders, exposing his broad chest, too defined to the height of his marked abdomen. In the position that was one of his shapely legs was also in the air and did nothing to hide it, a body that seemed to have been working for a long time.

His long hair that seemed lighter, to the point of appearing brown, moved and hugged his body like snakes wanting to wrap themselves in it. And his face made the woman lose her breath. Lips in a fine line that denoted self-confidence, a slim nose and those eyes, a color that could be lost between amber and gold framed in thick lashes. Even Jade had to admit that this man would be the one for a perfect night, but it was not her case.

She wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. This man must be Vladek, and his life was now in his hands.

-Come closer- she heard him say again after releasing a puff of smoke leaving the cigarette holder aside.

The girl had no choice but to listen to him and advanced until she was in front of him separated by at least two meters. She saw him tilt his face and blink as if in analysis.

-It has been years, but I can still remember those eyes-

Jade was surprised by those words, at least she didn't remember it, didn't even know it existed. He was simply aware that his name came from the color of his eyes

-I'm Jade, my father…- She bowed when she was interrupted.

-I already know that part of the story, I didn't think he would have the nerve to ask me for something like that-

The girl pursed her lips.

-Take off your veil- he ordered.

Jade took a step back, pressing the veil against her face.

-I'm sorry, I shouldn't, my face is disfigured, I'm afraid it will alarm you- he lied in a certain way. 

She could not reveal the secret that she was the one who had the mark that defined her as the map, she had to keep that part hidden as well as possible or that man, whom she did not trust, could deliver it or use it.

He didn't like the look he got. The color of Vladek's eyes had deepened and before Jade could react he was lying between the covers with the man's body on him.