“Straighten your back. You have a terrible posture! Draw your breath and hold your stomach.” The old lady's judgment rained over me, and I held my breath, and my nails dug into the back of the chair as she tried to squeeze my organs out with that dreadful corset. I’ve decided to play nice by the rules here, but this old hag is making it hard! “Nobody likes a woman not capable of taking care of herself! Remember, you must show yourself to be delicate, graceful, and beautiful. That’s all you have to do is suck it up! Even for a human, you are poorly maintained!” She whispered the last part, and I gritted my teeth as the corset dug into my ribs. “Be polite, interested, and smile. For goodness’ sake, smile! Not pout like a spoiled little brat!” I gasped for air just as she managed to tie shut the corsage as tight as she wanted it. That inhuman thing made it hard to breathe! It didn’t even do me any favors! I looked like a stuffed sausage! “Why? Why is all this so important? Why shoul
I buried my face in a pillow and cried. No, I screamed as loud as I could while the tears stained the pillowcase. I’ve never felt so humiliated or so on display like tonight. I was a dressed-up mare at the market! The old lady who dressed me was in the room all night, keeping an eye on me with two other servants. They stood against the wall like they were just decorations while we were eating, drinking, and discussing what could be changed with me and how much effort it would cost them. My skin was touched and smelled. I was turned around and studied from all angles. What I ate, how much, and how I ate it. How I held my glass wrong, the sips I took too big. My hair is too dry, my skin is too pale, and my eyes dull. I seemed uneducated, thin, and had a temper. My ass to flat, I’m a little too short, and my breasts could be bigger. Anger, hatred, and self-loathing swirled in my stomach. Like I was going to be sick. I never cared about others thought of me, but this was awful. They brok
Toke`s POV The old man took charge after that. The alpha in him never subdued, even if he stepped down. He sent my father to reach out to the Fae king. He was to talk to him, figure out what happened and where she was. Not under any circumstances was he to tell Eir was or could be my mate. With a wicked grin and wink, he also reminded him that he no longer had the authority to make any deals, wage war, or anything. Of course, it also has a strict message not to reveal anything about the title switch. Meanwhile, I followed behind him like an obedient little dog over to the old Volva`s tent. Yes, I said tent. I had no idea how old this woman was, but she had always been here and never wanted to switch her little tent for a house or cottage. I remember when we were young puppies, we used to bet on who dared to go closest. The hides that made her tent were dark and aged but still thick and solid. There was always smoke coming out of the top of the tipi-shaped tent, a sweet smell, and we
She had left without another word last night. I'm not sure if she finally understood. I meant every single word without even feeling bad about it or what. I peeled off the makeup layers, the dress, and that goddamned corset. It had red and sore marks on my skin next to the red stripes after the cane. I wanted to crawl under the covers and hide from the world, but I decided to regain myself. I made myself a steaming hot bath and burned away all the nasty looks. The hurtful words and shame I felt. It all followed the water down as I unclogged the bathtub. I felt better, more like myself. I was nobody’s doll, and no one, fay or not, would ever treat me as one again! I managed to calm myself with that thought, that determination. That tomorrow will be different. I’m not here to play dress-up doll; didn’t they say they needed to win my favor? Then, we need to change things a little. I slept badly. Dreams of two black wolves, one drowning in blue flames and smirking fay, flooded my head. I
Fuck, fuck! I’m an idiot! I quickly changed direction as I ran. Small branches broke over my head, and something swished through the leaves, so I stepped aside and changed directions once again. With both hands, I held up the heavy, long dress, which was already dirty and drenched in mud! Someone spilled red wine on my blouse and pants just before I went hunting. I didn't think much of it before now! My feet slid along the mud covered ground as I did my best to avoid a massive bush but ended up stumping right through it. Some small thorns ripped my skin and dress’s skirt. I pulled on it, swore, and continued. "Come out, come out wherever you are! Not so, though, now are we? " His voice rang out through the threes, followed by both of them laughing. I had looked so forward to this hunt; the sun was shining, and the birds were singing in the lush green threes as I stepped out into the thick forest. My date was waiting there, and for once, there was a genuine smile that tugged on my
"Be quiet.." Someone whispered behind me, but I couldn’t determine who it was. My ears were ringing; my whole head was throbbing and aching. I tried opening my eyes, but they were too swollen. The memories flashed back into my mind, and I started to wiggle and struggle. "Shush! Don't make a sound; I’m getting you out of here! " I felt like I should remember the voice, but I didn't manage to place a face or name on it. All I wanted was to sleep, sleep, or cry. It didn't matter; I'd had enough, and right now, right now, everything hurt. "It’s Astor. I’ve placed a glamor shield before you; it will buy us some time! But don't make a noise!" He whispered in my ear as he struggled to loosen my hands. "The sound waves will disturb the shield, possibly break it. There! Follow me!" He took my hand, and I held it so tight my finger hurt. Don’t leave me here! It was a silent plea. My feet were shaking, and I still didn't see a thing! My eyes were as good as glued shut. My face felt like it
Toke`s POV. Fury ran as a black lightning bolt between the threes. He heard her scream. That silent sound traveled with the air through the dense forest, but his sensitive ears snapped it up. Rage exploded in his chest, and I gave him all control. He didn't even care that the others fell behind us as he bolted. The closer we came, the more evident her smell became. Her sweet voice sounded so different. That usually so feisty and sassy mouth sounded scared. And I didn't like it one bit! The panic and fear I've been feeling the last couple of days manifested deep inside my chest. She was hurt. What had they done to her? The desperation to see her again had been eating me up alive! His eyes zoomed in, and there she was! My heart skipped a beat, but the rage darkened my vision, too. Her nose was bloody, blue, and yellow. Her eyes were swollen and blue. She had a long dress on that probably was white at one point. Now, it was stained with mud and dirt. Torn up, blood stains on her slee
Elisabeth/Eir´s POV It was terrible, awful. It played over and over again in my head like a bad dream. I watched as they kicked Astor in the stomach, face, and back. Over and over again, I heard bones break, how he choked on his own blood. Nothing I did helped. I screamed, tried to jump their backs, hit, and kicked. They threw me away like a dirty rag doll before that final punch in the face made my vision blur. I remember he wanted to throw me down the river fall. I remember fighting, clawing at the ground, kicking, and screaming. But still, I was dragged closer and closer to that roaring waterfall. Suddenly, everything turned black. A surging pain hit me right in the face, but after, there was only numbness. Caught in a dark slumber, I heard the sound of my own heart, my ragged breaths, and I heard how my lunges squeaked with each breath. The air around me smelled sweet and metallic, and I could hear the screams and shouts far away. Like I was a captive in my sound wall, protected