Down the Garden Path

DARINA

I watched him from the window on his horse. The way he held that powerful animal between his legs. He rode him bareback. Strange how that thought alone sent my mind spinning in the wrong direction. Bareback. The way he would ride me.

“Holy shit, Darina!” I berated myself, my mind was in the gutter, all because of him. I looked at my butt in the mirror. Three perfectly spaced red lines lay over my milky white skin. It still burned. I couldn’t even sit to brush my hair. Damn him.

I jumped with fright when a knock at my door pulled me out of my thoughts. I pulled my dress down.

“Who’s there?” I squeaked out.

“It’s me, Sal. Brought your breakfast. Are you decent?”

“Come in.” I said, breathing a sigh of relief. Nico wouldn’t have knocked anyway.

He stood in the doorway with the tray. I went and took it from him. He turned to go, but I stopped him.

“Sal, is Katherina okay?” I was still worried Nico might have done something to her.

He frowned at me. “You don’t have to worry about he