|[ THE FAERI'S KEEPER ]|

Chapter 12: Chivalry is Gone

My back was against the door as his other hand moved against my waist, holding me in place. I felt fear like I never had before. I didn’t fear for my life, no it wasn’t as trivial as that. I feared for something more… for something so deep and primal and important… I feared for me. I felt the door-knob press painfully into my back as I tried to move. Linfor slipped closer, the length of his body against mine. I could feel his soft breath on my neck, sweet yet bitter at the same time. Sweat was beading along my skin and I could feel my hands shaking. He nuzzled my neck and I looked up, trying to ignore him and the feeling of dread and anxiety stirring in my stomach. I felt him press his lips against my collar bone and sigh against my skin.

“You smell so fresh,” he whispered, “So beautiful.” He kissed a trail up my neck to my mouth and smiled, “You are new to this?” he asked, looking into my eyes. I could see excitement and lust burning in his green irises.

“I don’t want this…” I said sharply, hearing it in my own ears as my voice shook, “Please.” Linfor smiled and kissed me again, opening his mouth against mine. I shuddered in disgust and turned my face away. I could feel a kind of tingling sickness in my stomach, swirling around inside me with disgust and loathing. He pulled away, a dark glint in his eyes.

“You really do not wish to do this?” he asked softly. I shook my head and he sighed, “Do not worry. It will be over soon.” I felt anger grow inside me. Had he not heard me? My brain seemed to be waking up. I would not stand for this.

“I said I didn’t want to do it.” I said, slightly firmer as his finger began trailing down my neck and along my collar bones. I grabbed the finger tightly, stopping it in its track. He grinned. I snarled back and bent it sideways, snapping the joint. He swore, moving to hit me. I didn’t let him, quickly jerking my knee up into Linfor’s groin. He fell to the ground, crying out in pain. I felt savage satisfaction as I shoved him to the side and slipped past him, evading his grasping hands.

“You will pay for that, you little bitch!” he snapped. I backed away from him as he began to climb to his feet. He was clutching himself, still in obvious pain, but I could see he was recovering. Even his broken finger wasn’t hindering him as he stumbled towards me. I sprinted to the bathroom and slammed the door shut behind me. I could see my armour sitting, dirty and grimy on the floor.

“Open up, my pretty Irene,” Linfor called, almost gently, “Let me in.”

“Leave me alone!” I yelled, locking the door. Linfor growled from behind it and started pounding on the door again. I knew it wouldn’t hold forever, but maybe long enough. I moved to the armour and began searching through it, pulling it up and checking underneath it. Surely my knife had to be there! I had kept it in my boots, where… had the guards taken it from me? The thought sent fear through me… no… no it had to be in my boots… but they were… they were out in the room, weren’t they? Out by the closet. Out with Linfor… I would only have a slim chance. There was another huge pound on the door and I knew the lock was about to give.

“Leave me the fuck alone!” I screamed at him, knowing that if I didn’t move fast enough, or in the right way, he would get me… and it would be all over. There was a smash and the lock broke through the wall. Linfor stood there, eyes wild with desire and rage.

“Now, my pretty, you’ve been a very bad girl.” He snarled, storming into the room as if to grab me. I bared my teeth in a snarl, picked up a plate of armour and charged at him, smashing him over the head with it. As he shouted in pain and confusion I ran past him, lunging for the muddy boots I could now see sitting quietly by the closet. Only a few feet away now… I could see the handle of the knife sticking out of them… yes… almost there…