Bite Me Forever

Chapter 1: Arrival at Volkov Manor

My life felt like a bad dream, and I wished someone would wake me up. I raised the lantern and peered through the carriage window, taking note of the dark woods along the quiet road.

The sharp calls of birds from afar and the ambience's quietness told me no human inhabited the environment. I wasn't quite taken aback because Viktor Volkov was the weirdest man I'd seen in my entire life. Just when I thought I would remain the oldest single lady in England -after James jettisoned me on the altar- my father had to compel me to marry a mysterious man I only met twice. A foreigner with a Russian accent and beautiful eyes who seemed completely uninterested in me.

It was simple. My father was in debt and had to marry me off to a man who was fairly flushed in the pocket. That way, he'd pay all the people he owed and also marry me off to avoid ruining the family's reputation. I couldn't blame my father since I wasn't sexy and pretty enough to keep James; at least, I could help him by consenting to the marriage just to save the Goldmans from the scorn and disdain they got since James eloped with his bewitching maid on our wedding day.

The truth was, I was more abashed by myself than my father was. Even though I detested this Viktor and at times pondered on how to abscond-here I was, travelling several miles away from England to his manor in Scotland. I presumed my past was behind me, and now, I couldn't stop wondering what the future had in store for Viktor and me.

My thoughts halted as soon the carriage stopped moving. When I gawked through the window again, it was twilight. Curiously, I gathered my dress's hem and stepped out of the carriage, gazing at the dark orange manor before me. It had tall, thin windows with a small pane of glass, and huge oak trees stood by the sides. As I walked near the door, a strong earthy smell wafted into my nostrils, making me feel like someone lost in the forest.

Silence lingered in the air like a tomb, except for the starling's blaring chorus. Just behind the manor was a mountain cliff that made the environment sightly, but I couldn't stop wondering why he chose to reside in isolation. Under the dark blue sky, I saw some magpies dancing from the garden to the footpath as if delighted with my presence.

It was so strange! What sort of man resided in the forest where birds and other creatures were predominant? My eyes darted to where the coachman was, but he had disappeared; he must have left after offloading my luggage next to the wall. Intense fright gripped me when I realised I was alone in the garden. Quickly, I knocked at the door, anticipating my handsome but odd husband's presence.

I had only seen him twice. Once, when he visited my father late at night to discuss a few details about the wedding. I had to spy on them to see the kind of man my father was marrying me to. He was undoubtedly attractive -pale skin and dark hair, tall, strong and impeccably dressed. The second time I saw him was the day of our wedding. The ceremony was held almost in secret, with none of his family attending. After the vows were spoken and the deal was sealed, he left in a rush. He didn't even bother to say goodbye. Would his behaviour towards me be different this time?

I was shrouded in a fitted white dress, with a poofy upper sleeve, over an elbow-length pair of matching gloves. To maintain an acceptable beauty standard, I pulled my blonde hair into a simple bun, and my face was framed with a series of small curls. Despite my glittery hair embellishments, fitted dress, smooth pale complexion, and red-tinted lips, deep down, I didn't feel beautiful enough. If I were appealing, James wouldn't have abandoned me on our wedding day, and Viktor would have at least lustily gawked at me. However, it seemed I wasn't good enough for any man.

Standing in front of his door reminded me that I was nothing but the product of a successful business transaction. My heart leapt when the door flung open. I thought Viktor would show up to welcome me, at least, as a sign of respect, but a pretty lady with corn-coloured hair stood before me. She wore a neat and simple attire, and her hair was packed into a ponytail.