Captured

Five

With the sound of the door slamming, I flinched. A part of me was saying that I shouldn't be in his room, while another was arguing against it, that it was right to be here. With a huff, I managed to get to my feet. My leg burned when I put weight on it, but I sucked it up.

In his closet, I rummaged through several drawers before I found a pair of sweatpants that looked a bit too small for Casper himself. Hopefully, it'd fit me. I found a ratty shirt that looked worn, and slipped it on after I stripped out of my dress. I managed to get the sweatpants on with little delay. Once I was dressed and feeling more comfortable I figured that he wouldn't miss it. Standing in the threshold of the closet, looking at the larger master bedroom uncertainly.

There was a knock on the door before it opened. Amber peeked her head through and sighed in relief when she saw me. "Oh, thank God. He didn't hurt you, did he?" she asked, worriedly as she rushed up to me with a tray of food in her hands. I shook my head no. Surprisingly, he hadn't. "Oh, that is a relief.. He's raging through the castle, yelling at people and demanding to know where Lucian is. I couldn't help but think he took some of it out on you beforehand."

"N-no.." I mumbled, shifting awkwardly. She finally took in my appearance and rose a brow, questioningly. "Should I ask?" A blush tinted my normally pale cheeks and I shook my head. "Okay.. well I brought you some food. You are probably starving and you seem to be Casper's new pet, so he won't mind."

There was a growl from inside me. I wasn't a pet! I was a human being with rights. I wasn't some toy, the voice growled. I pushed the voice to the back of my head as I looked down at the food she had brought me. On the silver tray was a large bowl of soup and noodles, with a large chunk of bread. There was steam rising out of the bowl so I knew it was fresh. My mouth was watering and Amber grinned. "Here, take it. If he wants you to stay here, I wouldn't disobey him; this is the safest place in the castle for you right now," she added before turning and slipping out of the room, leaving me with a large tray in my hands.

Reluctantly, I settled myself on the loveseat, ripping off a chunk of bread to dip into the soup. The taste was sweet and there were pangs of hunger in my belly as I quickly devoured my meal. Each bite was savored and the fire that Casper started in his fire place was crackling. I almost felt at home; safe even. I set the tray aside and settled myself by the fire in a large chair. Tucking my knees to my chest, I curled up with a thin blanket, my eyes watching the flames dance behind the warmed glass that blocked it from spreading.

My eyes were lidded, and the warmth brought from the flames was soon lulling me to sleep.

~

A while later, I regain consciousness when I heard the door open. I don't move though, too tired to do so. My body ached and the thought if moving wasn't very appealing. The beatings I received yesterday I was finally starting to feel.

Soft footsteps approached the chair, and there was a soft sigh. When I felt his arms scoop me up from my resting place my eyes opened groggily. "Go back to sleep." His voice was gruff, and I nodded before resting my head on his chest. My eyes slipped closed and I sank into a blissful rest.

The next time I awoke, I was in my bed. I was still dressed in his clothes and the blanket I had fallen asleep with was still draped over me. The clock across the room read 10:30 A.M. and I began to panic. I sat up, but stopped, my head spinning from the sudden movement. There was a note on the side desk with lazy script. Tenderly I picked up the small index card and read it over.

'I've excused you from work for the next three days. By then your leg should almost be fully healed, as well as your other wounds. Feel free to explore as you wish. - C'