Within their dreams (Reverse Harem)

Chapter 28

Ivy's POV

The car ride is short, but the tension makes it seem as if it lasted far longer. From the car window, I can see the large black building shrouded in shadows. Vines covered the dark brick, almost engulfing it completely. The driveway was covered in a myriad of flowers and wildlife, trees lining the gravel to provide even more privacy. The flowers cascade from the entrance across the entire garden in every colour like a blanket with no crevice left uncovered.

Even though the sun had set, I could imagine sun rays hitting the glossy leaves, making the house glow in a soft hue. Despite its beauty, the image before me chilled my bones. I tried to imagine what my life might have been like if I had grown up here, but everything about it made me want to turn back and run as far away as I could.

As the car pulls to a stop, my arm reaches out to grasp the handle, but it doesn't budge. Simon gets out of the car, walking to my side to open it for me. I glare at him but he ignores me, gripping my upper arm to pull me from the car.

I stumble over the hem of my dress, my heels uneven on the gravel. Simon doesn't wait for me to steady myself, dragging me over to the front steps.

Four people stand in a row by the entrance wearing solemn expressions, six or seven others stand behind them, heads bowed.

"Ivy, these are the fellow elders of the coven. They require your utmost respect. Think you can do that?"

I nod, no longer having the energy to fight back. As I stare into their blank gazes, I steel my spine. Without Leo and Owen here protecting me, I have to pick my battles. One wrong move and they can get rid of me with a click of their fingers. While I refuse to be treated as less than, thanks to Scarlette's quick lesson, I understand how dangerous Simon is. I don't doubt for a minute that I am safe here, despite Simon's half-hearted promise that I'll be protected.

The line of elders parts, allowing Simon to drag me up the steps and into the coven. As I step over the foothold, a shiver crawls its way up my spine. Simon doesn't bother to pause and let me take in my surroundings, his fingers digging into the flesh of my arm.

I turn my head as I let him drag me through the quiet halls, the dark decor contrasted with hanging baskets of flowers floating down from the ceiling. Small tendrils of vines litter the edges of the hallway and up the walls. In another life, I would have thought this place beautiful.

Simon walks towards a grand staircase, spiralling so high I can't see where it ends. The bannister is intertwined with flowers I've never seen before, my hand reaching out to graze the petals.

As I lay my hand on the handrail to steady myself, a sting of pain makes me rear my hand back with a gasp. I open my palm to find three small bubbles of blood. As I look closer at the flowers, I see the area I just touched is now full of thorns. They slowly sink back into the leaves at the loss of contact, but I notice as I make my way up, more thorns rise in warning.

Even the house doesn't want me here.

I strain to keep up with Simon's quick pace but don't bother to complain. If I did, he would probably force me to walk even faster. Simon doesn't stop until we reach the very top, where only two doors reside.

He walks up to one and brings a key from his waistcoat pocket, the lock clanging as it opens.

He pushes me into the room roughly but I manage to catch myself before I fall.

"You will sleep here," he states, inclining his head at the room. "Myself or another elder will collect you when you are to be trained. Your meals will be brought up to you. Get some rest."

Without bothering to wait for a reply, he spins, walking to the door and closing it with a loud bang.

I tense when I hear the familiar clang of the lock, waiting to hear the retreat of his footsteps before running to the door and testing the handle. Locked.

I huff, turning to inspect my hopefully temporary prison. The room is dark, but trickles of moonlight filter in between the cracks of the curtains. I kick my heels off and run to the window, throwing open the curtains and yanking on the handle but it doesn't budge. I run my finger over the frame, feeling the grooves of nails hammered in to keep it shut. I close my eyes and rest my forehead against the cool glass, swallowing the lump that has formed once more in my throat. I feel the tingle of tears behind my eyelids but refuse to let them shed. Even in this room alone, I can't allow myself to fall apart.

"This isn't forever," I whisper to myself, taking a deep breath. I open my eyes to look at the room now bathed in moonlight.

The room is small, with a slanted roof so low I'm barley able to stand fully. In the corner is a single bed, a small duffle bag laid on top. I walk over to it and go through it, seeing my belongings haphazardly thrown inside. I rifle through and pull out a large t-shirt, the familiar scent of Owen washing over me. There is a nightstand with a small candle sat on top to provide me with some light but I don't bother to light it. A dresser sits on the wall next to the window, under the slanted roof with two drawers.

I notice a door to my right and walk over to test the handle. This one opens, but only to a dingy bathroom, so small I can touch both walls with my arms spread. There's enough room for a toilet, sink and bath, but the room is cold and has no light. The sink faucet is leaking, the drips echoing in the small space.

I look into the mirror that sits above the sink. I look out of place, in my gold gown, my hair and makeup slightly smudged and tangled. I can already spot bruises beginning to form from Simon's grip on my arm earlier.

I use the lukewarm water to rub off my makeup as best I can, praying they remembered to pack me a brush and toiletries. The threadbare towel hanging by the sink scrapes against my cheek, making my skin redden as I scrub my skin clean.

Once I get as much of the makeup off as possible, I make my way back into the room, pulling at the zipper of my dress. It pools at my feet, and I step out, wincing at the grass stains and dust covering the bottom of the skirt. I fold it as neatly as I can, tucking it away in one of the dresser drawers and throw on Owen's shirt, breathing in his calming scent.

I remove the diamond necklace, tucking it in the drawer with the dress. I don't bother unpacking the rest of my things, but I rummage in the bag until I find a hairbrush. Taking out my hair takes longer than I anticipate, but eventually, I shake it out and manage to run a brush through the tangles, letting it fall to my waist.

I'm not sure what time it is, but it's at least midnight, the moon glittering. Yet, I know I won't be able to sleep.

I walk over to the window, sitting on the large ledge and tuck my legs into my chest. I look outside the window at an endless forest, wondering how Leo and Owen are feeling. I close my eyes and focus on the bond, tugging on it to see if I get a response. After a few seconds, I feel Owen's relief flood into me, along with concern and anxiety. I try to ease some of it until his emotions settle down. I try to find Leo, but I'm blocked. He's put up a wall, just like how he showed me on my first day here. I don't bother trying to fight it, knowing that whatever he's feeling he'd rather go through alone.

I stare out of the window until the suns begin to rise, creating orange and pink hues in the sky. I'm not sure how long I stay awake, but I must close my eyes because I jolt awake at the sound of banging on the door before it's opened and a tray of breakfast is pushed into the room. I don't even get a chance to look at whoever brought me it before the door is slammed closed and locked once more. 

Hi guys! I know I didn't update last week, but I've written two chapters to make up for it this week. 

I had a really busy few days and found it hard to make time to write. But I'm back, and inspired so let me know what you think of this week's chapters!