Marienne's life was completely undone when her village went up in flames. Badly burned and her eyesight lost, she awakes in a strange place, with no knowledge of how she arrived there. Her savior was the enigmatic and alluring Victor, the Lord of Az...
Author's Note: Chapter Ten is officially here, and it's a pretty big one! I can't wait to hear what everyone thinks about this one. This chapter represents a major turning point in the story, and man, am I excited for what's to come. I hope you all are too. I'm mainly here today to reiterate my content warning. There is both mention of blood in this chapter and some intimate romantic interactions. If you are uncomfortable with either, consider yourself fairly warned!
P.S.: Victor speaks a short Italian phrase as well in this chapter, which translates to "You are the moon over Venice."
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My heart fluttered around my ribcage on our way up the stairs. I ran my hand along the bannister, fearful of tripping and toppling us down the stairs. I left the pearls behind, then wondered if I should have brought them after all.
"You know, we could turn back now, and pretend you didn't come up here, if you're uncomfortable." Amelia seemed to sense my growing anxiety, and the whispered hush of her voice carried an edge of its own. With the silence in the hall around us, even her hushed voice seemed to carry. I thought for a moment to take her up on the offer, to go downstairs to the Great Hall, and sit with her and eat breakfast, maybe get something to drink to soothe my dry and scratchy throat. However, I knew if I turned back now, there was no guarantee that I would find the courage I needed to walk up the stairs again.
"No, Amelia. There will be no need for that. Now, please, take me to Victor." I swallowed down my misgivings and walked beside her, my strides big, quick, and eager. This was only going to take a few moments, just a few words of thanks, and then I could be on my way. Even though I knew what accepting this gift would mean. The promise of a courtship loomed large in my mind, and I still couldn't quite let go that my suitor was a man of myth and legend.
We stopped before a door, and Amelia knocked timidly. "M'lord? Would it trouble you so greatly as to grant Marienne an audience with you? We can come back later if need be." Her hand settled gently over mine, radiating reassurance.
There was a muffled reply on the other side of the door, one Amelia must have heard more clearly than I. She pushed the door open, revealing a dark chamber illuminated only by a single candle positioned on a low table. A nearby window was shrouded with thick curtains, blue daylight sneaking in through their divide.
