Deviant Fate

51 - Partaking in Delusion

-Gwen-

"Lessons?" I questioned with annoyance.

He stood from the sofa and walked to gaze out the balcony windows as he spoke.

"To be at my side you have to be obedient, but also eloquent with manners." He eyed me with a look I couldn't decipher. "You are eloquent when you want to be, but you will learn to control your tongue."

I rolled my eyes. Blah blah blah. I can't be myself, I have to be a submissive robot. Can't go offending egotistical assholes anymore now, can we.

"Listen when you're being spoken to." He emphasized, noticing I wasn't listening to him anymore.

I mocked him silently in my daze and hadn't realized he had a clear view of me.

"Ow!" I yelped as my neck burned from my necklace, but only for a second.

"Why must you make me use this?" He sighed, adjusting the bracelet around his wrist.

Rubbing my neck, I huffed out and ignored him. Another gasp or rather shriek, left my lips as my neck burned once more. He left it on longer this time.

"You will acknowledge when I speak to you." He stated, as he slid the notch of his bracelet back, giving me relief.

My body relaxed, but the sting of my neck remained. I wanted to stand up and threaten him, but my legs were too weak. I knew I could end him without even moving, but I couldn't. I couldn't without it affecting the others.

I felt stuck in my own body. Having all this energy, but not being able to use it. I was physically capable, but my heart stopped me from doing anything.

"I won't have to hurt you if you just listen." He gritted in annoyance as he approached me and caressed my cheek.

I pulled my face from him and glared. He sighed, but continued with his blabbering from before.

"Listen when I speak to you. Acknowledge, and respond when asked. Simple." He said as if I was being unreasonable. "Just— try, Gwen." His tone was almost begging.

I didn't want to. I could take the pain, but Fran couldn't. She was a strong, but I could tell she was delicate; a kind soul. The others were strong as well and probably could take the pain just as I could, but that doesn't mean I would want them to. They don't deserve any more pain. They've been through enough.

All of my obedience would be for them. I wouldn't try for my sake or to please Arowin. I would try for them. To protect them.

I nodded to Arowin and he smiled as he touched my face again. I forced myself to let him this time.

"Respond verbally. You need to show respect." He said in a deep tone, tucking my hair behind my ear.

I sighed and stared into his eyes. "Ok." I said in a clipped tone, devoid of emotions.

"You know," he said in thought as he stared at me "all the time we've spent together has been filled with fighting."

"I wonder why..." I murmured.

He shot me a look and I raised my hands in surrender.

"I mean, you didn't exactly give a good first impression to begin with." I said.

"How so?" He asked with genuine curiosity.

"You were rude. You knocked me over and blamed it on me. Then you stomped into my house uninvited and threatened me. You see?" I said listing off our first encounters.