Numen (Draft 3)

Chapter 4

We entered the grocery store, and my pupils must've gone huge, because this was my first time ever being in a store with so much food everywhere. Even when I was younger and still a Royal, we were never allowed shopping because it was 'beneath us'. I watched Connor pull a trolley over and he yanked out the list from his pocket.

"Alright, do you want to get the bakery items? I'll grab the veggies over here."

Two thoughts immediately swarmed my head. He wanted me to go alone?! He trusted me that much!? But I also had no idea where this 'bakery section' would even be. He tore his list in half and handed me the side with the bakery items.

"Off you go."

He pointed to the left-hand corner of the shop, and hesitantly, I made my way in that direction. I was half expecting a zap for being this far away from him, but nothing came, and I kept glancing behind to see him focusing on vegetables. As I walked, I couldn't help but think about how risky Connor was being. It would be so easy to lose me... He would get in so much trouble. I also realised he'd given me this freedom, to walk around without restraints on and dress in actual clothing. Escaping him wouldn't bring any good. If he could trust me, then it was only fair that I trust him back. I reached the bakery section and didn't realise it wouldn't just be bread. I stared around at the cakes, pastries, cookies, tarts, donuts, and waffles. My mouth watered, but I wasn't allowed any of this stuff. This wasn't my diet... I walked around, trying to ignore my complaining stomach, as I fulfilled Connor's shopping list. When my arms were full of all things yummy, I returned to Connor who'd already moved onto the meat.

"Oh good, you found everything."

I nodded silently and placed them all carefully into the trolley.

"Is there anything you want?"

I glanced around at the food that all screamed 'YES' at me, but I shook my head.

"I'll be content with my slave slops, thank you though."

His eyes hardened on me.

"You won't be eating any slop in my house... So, if you want to bring home some food you know you like, then I'm not going to stop you."

I didn't want him spending money on me... And those slops were what kept my body lean. If I looked different by the time I went back to Loki, I already knew the punishment would be painful, probably starvation...

"Connor, slave slops are free, and it's all I'm allowed to eat. Already I wasn't supposed to eat that cracker with cheese."

Connor exhaled as he placed some fresh pasta in.

"You're with me now..."

"Until Loki wants me back!"

"Do I really have to tie you down and force proper food down your throat because you're not going to eat it?"

That thought scared me and I shivered.

"But- you decided to buy me of all people... I'm a sex slave, I'm supposed to keep myself looking like this..."

Connor crossed his arms.

"I definitely think Angels will prefer a sex buddy with soft, warm skin, not a bony, pointy, freezing body! You were in my lap for about an hour, and I could feel every one of your bones prodding into me... Besides, I'm going to get you out of this... Please, for the time you're with me, eat some proper food... You're wasting away like this... I'll have to put you back on your IV at this rate."

I stared down at my feet and fought the voice inside me that sounded like Loki telling me no. I looked back at Connor and maybe my eyes revealed the conflict in my head, because he sighed and rubbed my arms.