A Wager Of The Heart

66. No one's victim

:::Charity:::

The sting of this new cut was more sharply painful than the constant pressure on my neck. The blood boiled to the surface much as my temper did as I watched the silent battle of wills playing out before me. I shook with a convergence of pure, infinite fury. I have spent my entire life at the mercy of Ursula or one of her offspring. Violet was mild compared to her siblings and mother but I've been victimized since before I could even understand what that meant. 

Violet treated me as a vile servant and devalued me to my sister. Tallys followed his brother's example and physically dominated me at every change. And Kesler, I shuddered, there were no words to describe the many injustices I suffered because of him. 

I am tired of being a victim. I am tired of letting other people dictate my life. I didn't want to be rescued and defended any longer. I want to be my own hero. 

I didn't want Kent to get hurt saving me because I couldn't protect myself. He was defending me in a way no one ever had before. Why hadn't they? Was it easier to just let it happen, to pretend it was okay? No, that isn't true or fair. It was mostly my fault for not being honest when I had the chance. I held my own around Ursula and they thought this the only danger I faced. They believed me, even when I lied so it was just as much my fault as it was theirs. 

I wanted them to stand up to Ursula for me, not because I asked it of them but because they needed to shield me of their own accord. I looked back at Kent, his body was tense with anger and worry, his expression calm as he calculated. He safeguarded me even when I begged him not to, he risked my anger just to keep my safe. He'd even stopped the verbal abuse when we were at his house. 

I don't want to be a part of this perpetual cycle any longer. I will take control of my life and be who I want without feeling guilty or requiring someone's permission. I looked at this wonderful devil of a man and decided he would not fall prey to this game any longer. I would protect him like he did for me. 

My head cracked to the side as Kesler hit me again. He bounced on the balls of his feet in his excitement. "Pay attention!" He demanded gleefully.

Kent let off a stream of curses and general damnation, making outrageous threats and turning red in anger. I smiled at him, "I knew there was a devil in you." I said softly. It was amazing the things you cease to care about when you place someone else's life above your own. 

Both men watched me closely. Kent smiled in return, the gesture joyless but full of dark humor. I looked away and at Kesler, who looked pleased as I smiled at him. Kesler stepped closer and brought his face to my level. His eyes burned in lust. "I knew you wanted this as much as I did, I knew you would enjoy it in the end." He whispered close to my face, he leaned forward with his eyes closed and brought his lips close to mine. 

I felt panic take hold again and I kicked his legs as hard as I could. Kesler stumbled backward in shock but recovered quickly and landed another blow to my face. I smiled around the pain, which lessened with each strike. "Hitting me will never..."

I stopped talking as the knife at my throat cut into my skin again. "Another step forward and it's over." Tallys said looking passed his angry brother and stalling Kent midstride. 

Kesler whipped around and pointed his dagger at Kent's chest. "Clearly this is getting us nowhere. I cannot finish my work with you here. I obviously have the advantage so I will give you a choice. You may turn and walk away and I will have my fun and return her to you in the morning and you can do as you wish with a woman who will know how to please you. Or you can continue your misguided heroics and I will kill her. I am of a mind that if I can't have her then no man shall enjoy her." Kesler finished his ultimatum with a calm but determined demeanor. 

"Not going to happen." Kent growled. 

I was tired of this situation, I am done being a puppet. I didn't know what Tallys would do but I pushed against his retaining arm and the knife at my neck. The edge cut deeply into my skin as Tallys panicked and dropped the blade. It figured he would back out without following his word. 

The dagger clattered to the ground and the sound of the metal on cobblestone shocked the twins. I tore myself free of Tallys' grip. I ran towards Kent just as he stepped closer to me, his hand outstretched. I reached him as Kesler launched himself forward. Kent took my arm and propelled me behind him, knocking Kesler off balance. 

Kent stepped forward and hit Kesler so hard in the face I heard bone cracking as he fell to the ground. I saw Tallys eye his fallen brother and his fallen weapon before making his first smart decision and running through the opening in the hedge. 

Kesler stood to his feet and laughed as he spat blood from his mouth. He grabbed his weapon from the ground and began to spin it leisurely in his hand as he watched me. I stood behind Kent so I felt out of his reach but I was still strung tight with fear. Kesler watched me as if Kent did not exist, he watched me as if we were the only two people in the world. I was still his prey and he would continue to hunt me. 

I licked my lips and tasted blood as I realized I'd received a cut from one of his many abuses. Kent lashed forward and dodged Kesler's jab and landed a punch on Kesler's ribs. Kesler ignored the blow and came after me. My devil growled and kicked Kesler's legs out from under him. Kent stepped between us again and watched his enemy but he didn't move. 

Kent's hair fell in his face as he breathed heavily from exertion or anger. His clothes were rumpled, his shirt untucked from his pants, his jacket hung loosely on his muscular shoulders. He was a complete mess but I felt love, true and deep, bloom in my heart and I knew as messed up as he appeared I would never forget this moment. 

And I would never recover my heart.