Bloody Shackles

Chapter 12: Chains and Scars

OMG!!  I have finally updated this to a full chapter!  I hope you all enjoy.  A million apologies for the extremely long wait.

Marcus’s POV

            I didn’t notice nor care about the blonde maid that had opened the door, because I was already looking at who I had come here for. But I hadn’t anticipated what my presence would mean to her. My servant girl. Her eyes were wide, and I could see the depth of fear that she held for me within them. Her form was shaking, and she instinctively covered herself more with her blanket. This was not what I had anticipated.  

            I had come here assured, almost impossibly so, that I would simply apologize and leave. But it was not that simple. Seeing her like this, so afraid of me that she cannot move, it shook something within me. I had to be cautious. I had to be careful. I couldn’t frighten her more that I already had, but was that even possible? Maybe I should just leave, I thought, running a hand through my hair. But I knew I couldn’t.

            I had a purpose to fulfill, I had a wrong to right, and I had to stay and finish it. Despite what may come of it, I had to stay. I licked my lips, and dropped my gaze, suddenly, and uncharacteristically nervous. I glanced at my little one through my lashes to see that her form had stilled. Now, I thought, I must ask her now.

            “May I come in?” I questioned softly, forcing my voice not to be loud or demanding. The blonde beside me huffed and stuck her hip out.

            “I didn’t know you had to follow the tradition of asking permission before coming in someone’s room,” she remarked in a snarky tone.

            “I don’t have to,” I replied sharply, flicking my eyes to her in warning. She flinched. Just because I came here to do something I wouldn’t normally do, doesn’t mean I’ve lost my power, I thought confidently.

            “but I am,” I finished, flicking my gaze back to my servant girl, gaging her reaction. She offered the smallest incline of the head, nodding in reply.

            I stepped inside. 

           The blonde closed the door with a soft click, and quickly shuffled away to stand in the corner.  I smiled inwardly to know that her attitude had changed so abruptly due to my words.  Due to my power.  But she didn’t matter.  My little one is the only one that matters.

        She sat there, no longer clinging to the blankets quite as fiercely as before and yet her body trembled violently.  Her gaze was locked on mine, and I assumed she offered silence as an indication that I could speak.

        “Do you know why I have come to you?” I questioned, though not trying to demand, but simply to inquire.  But it was difficult.  I had to completely disregard my personality, my core being, in order to coax answers from her.

        How frightened she was.  How utterly terrified.  Her eyes widened in response to my questions, causing them to be whiter and her pupils to shrink.  Like when someone sees what they fear the most.  Like their fear is walking towards them.  Cornering them.  And they’re trapped.  And there is no escape.

        She whimpered.

       She shook her head from side to side.  She didn’t know.  Didn’t know why I’d come to her.  And that fact scared her more than anything.  It scared her that I might dislike her answer.  It scared her. 

        Guilt coursed through me.

       Had I wounded her so harshly that she was frightened by a mere question?  I had hurt her.  I had violated her.  And I had relished every moment of it.