At Stenwulf House

Chapter 4: Diamonds of Death

Chapter 4: Diamonds of Death

Her arms were raised above her head. However much she tried to move them, she could not, for her wrists were tied securely to the bedpost. Fear continued to grow when the man looming over her put a gag around her mouth. She had been so frozen with the intensity of her emotions that nothing could have prepared her for it. An evil, lustful grin was stretched across his face, and before she knew it, he had entered her. Fayre cried out in pain, hoping someone outside would hear her, but what came out was muffled by the piece of cloth. This had never happened before. Never. Men would have loved to spend their time on her breasts, on putting their fingers in her, making sure she was ready before entering her, but not this man. Fayre couldn't help but think she was in trouble, and there was no way she was going to get out of it.

The man groaned as he spilled his seed within her.

"Please, stop. It hurts," pleaded Fayre, but again, her voice was muffled.

He groaned again when he pulled himself out, then cursed when he saw that she had bled. He entered her again, choking her, shouting at her, threatening her. She could barely breathe. Panicking, she moved her legs, trying to defend herself, and she succeeded in landing a kick in his stomach. Angry, he disappeared from her sight, only to return with a horse whip in his hand. Fayre shook her head frantically and whimpered, but to no avail.

He turned her over, the ropes digging deeper into her wrists, and entered her again, a hand on her hip. The faster he thrust, the harder he whipped her back. Fayre sobbed and cried, but no one could hear her. At last, she found herself screaming at the top of her voice when the whip broke her skin...

- - -

Calden was passing by her room, on the way to his chambers, when he heard her scream. Without caring for propriety, he burst into her room, and found her kicking and waving her hands, fighting against thin air.

"Miss Everild!" shouted Calden in horror.

He rushed towards her, taking her into his arms, and shook her hard, trying to wake her.

"Miss Everild!"

"No! Please stop. Please. It hurts!" cried she.

And Calden understood. A sudden rush of anger ran through his veins. To hell with this. He was going to ask her the name of the culprit when she woke up.

He held both sides of her face, wet with tears, and shook her again, more gently this time. "Miss Everild, wake up. You're having a nightmare. It's just a nightmare. He's not here. Wake up. Open your eyes. It's me, Calden."

Her eyelids flung open. The haunted look in those very blue eyes sent shivers through him. Her breathing was ragged as she searched his face. Calden forced a small smile, hoping to reassure her.

"You had a nightmare. You're here at Stenwulf House. You're safe. No one's going to hurt you." When she made no indication that she had heard him, he repeated for good measure, "You're safe."

Finally, she gave a single nod. "Mr. Stenwulf."

He sighed in relief. "Yes." Slowly, he let go of her face. He watched silently as she closed her eyes, and continued to when they opened again and showed no sign that they had held the haunted look from before.

Miss Everild braced her hands on both sides of her, then sat up, grimacing as she did so. Worried, Calden quickly assessed the back of her nightgown, only letting go of the breath he held when he saw no blood stains. He was sure Martha had made certain she slept on her belly. She must have turned herself during her sleep.