Reasons for Silence

"Honey"

Chapter Eight ~ Serefina

            Another week went by and Kobe started to change. He became… more aggressive, less patient. He insisted that we were getting married and that I was being foolish for not jumping at his offer, which was true, I suppose. I had a sinking feeling that I should wait for something, though I had no idea for what.

            I worked on a number of sewing projects in the middle of one night, the moon was high in the sky like it often was when I did most of my work. I had brought a chair up next to one of the taller windows in the slave’s wing, along with three candles to work by. Even then it was not an overwhelming amount of light with which to sew. At present I was finishing a new shirt, it was a light shade of purple – it was an arrogant color – and because of this I knew that the piece was going to end up on Kobe’s shoulders.

            “What is it about these chores that fascinates you so?” my whole body jumped when I heard Kobe’s voice, the needle fell from my hand and made the faintest sound as it met the floor. I took in a deep breath and my hand came up to my neck of its own accord.

            “Shouldn’t you be sleeping?” I asked him while leaning over in my chair to retrieve the needle.

            “Shouldn’t you?” he countered and placed himself behind my back, he gathered my hair and brushed it over my shoulder. He rested his chin on my shoulder and lightly kissed my neck, my body stiffened with the contact but I tried my best to ignore it and continue with my sewing.

            “Come up to my room with me,” he whispered into my ear, his breath tickling my skin.

            I laughed and shook my head.

            “Darling,” Kobe said in a warning voice but then continued, “who’s is that?” His question was directed at the shirt.  

             I held the garment up by the shoulders, “yours, I think,” I said, fibbing a little.

            “Come up to bed with me,” he said sliding his hands down my arms. I closed my eyes to steady my mind but as soon as I closed my eyes I felt lightheaded.

            “Honey,” I said making a face, “aren’t you the one who keeps insisting that you’re going to marry me?”

            “Yes, which is why you should come up to bed with me.”

            “I think that you’re missing a step in there somewhere,” I said and a yawn pushed it’s way out of my mouth.

            “Kimana, put down the sewing and come with me.”

            I rubbed the sleep from my eyes.

            “No, I really should finish this,” I said.

            Kobe caught hold of my hands and opened them, making me release the cloth in the process.

            “Do it later in the day,” he whispered. He took hold of my chin and turned my head to face his – we were less than an inch apart.

            Before I knew it Kobe had picked me up and was carrying me bridal style.

            “Kobe!” I protested as soon as I had my wits about me again, “put me down!”

            He rolled his eyes.

            “Careful, you’ll wake your friends,”

            “That’s a laugh,” I sighed.

            “What is that supposed to mean?”

            I gave Kobe a look.

            “You’re joking, right?”

            He gave me warning eyes. I looked away and took a deep breath.

            “You do realize that no one here likes me,” I said softly.

            “What do you need them for? You’ve got me, besides, your better than they are anyways,” he said as we reached the bottom of the staircase. I shook my head and closed my eyes.

            “No, I’m not, I’m exactly like them, and I don’t understand why you don’t how you don’t get that,” I said.

            “You’re wrong,” he said.

            “With all due respect, Sir, you are,”

            He paused near the top of the staircase.

            “Stop calling me that,” he said, his voice low. I swallowed, then I thought about how ridiculous he was being and I found some whiplash.

            “Why?” this time my tone was not respectful.

            “Because that’s not my name,”

            “It is as far as I’m concerned,”

            “As far as you’re concerned I’m ‘husband’ not ‘Sir’,” he said bringing his face down to mine.

            “Listen to yourself,” I said, giving him a rough push, it didn’t make him drop me though.

            “Think about what you’re saying,” I continued, “you’re talking about marrying some girl that you don’t know, a girl who doesn’t have any status or prospects.”

            Kobe started walking again and didn’t speaking until we had entered his bedroom.

            “You are the one who needs to think about what you’re saying,” he said sitting me down on his bed, affixing his hands on either side of my hips.

            “Should a girl who has no one, no money, no prospects, no status, really reject a wealthy and influential nobleman? Wait – you can’t because I own you,”

            I bit my tongue and nodded my head.

            “So, I have absolutely no say in the matter?”

            “You never did, Kimana,” Kobe said, pushing off the mattress. He walked over to the lamp that gave off a dim glow to the room.

            “You realize that after we’re married, then I’ll be free,” I said trying not to concern myself with my racing heart.

            “Yes,” he said.

            “Which means that I could just leave you,” I said, keeping my eyes fixed on the floor.

            “Not if you know what’s good for you,” he said as snuffed the lamp, filling the room with a pitch blackness, “you’ll sleep here tonight.”

        Author's Note: Once again, this has not been edited, so bear with me please. Hope you've been enjoying it so far. Let me know if you have any questions or feedback. Thanks.