Demon's Path

Chapter 5 "It's" Arrival

"My lady it's time to wake up." I heard Anthony say and the curtains were drawn open I flinched and saw Aviana sleeping next to me. "How are your wounds my lady?" Anthony sounded worried, he then got a cast for my arm and put it on me.

"F-fine, how is Jenaveve fairing? How are you fairing?" I looked at him as he undressed me and saw my bandages.

"We're fine." He smiled lightly, then looked at my bandages again, "Who bandaged you?"

"No one, I managed myself." I said and he got another dress.

"So your wounds won't reopen I'll be gentle, and leave out the corset."

"I can handle it, if we have guests Father will be displeased." To be honest I didn't care for his opinion, but I was too tired to survive another beating. I leaned against the bedpost and he got the corset ready. I sighed relaxing my muscles and Anthony pulled gently, but strong, then I held back shrieks of pain I had.

He paused, "Shall I stop my lady?" The worry in his voice was etching into his voice.

I tried to breathe, "N-n-no..." The corset tightening the bandages I felt fire lick my back. Though healed, my wounds ached as much as when I received them, but I must endure it. "Just a bit tighter A-Anthony..." I gasped.

"Very well." He gave one light tug and tied the corset, "That is good enough my lady." He then helped me into a dress that was to my ankles, it was purple with black laces. The sleeves were long, just past the wrist, puffed and the tightness on my back made me cry out a little with certain movements I made. "My lady for breakfast there will be poached salmon, earl grey, and a scone. This afternoon Marquis Hunter Richardson will be visiting, before you will have a dance lesson with Mr. Williams." Anthony informed me as he led me to the dining table, but Father was nowhere to be found.

"Father will not come?" I asked slightly relieved.

"He will be late, he is informing a new servant." Anthony said and pulled the chair out for me to sit.

"A new servant?"

"Yes, the new butler by the name of Elijah Pond." Anthony pushed the chair gently, "Now I'll retrieve your breakfast my lady." He bowed deeply, then left, I sighed.

"Elijah...Elijah...that name...was that-" I gasped, my eyes widened and I was frozen. "Th-the demon..." Once I realized it, it hurt, like when my father hits me, then footsteps came to sound.

"Here's your breakfast my lady." I jumped and nearly screamed as Anthony's voice interrupted the silence setting down my meal. "I didn't mean to startle you my lady, are you alright?" He apologized, I nodded, then put a finger to my lips to signal silence, Father's footsteps grew louder, but someone followed him.

"Elijah..." I whispered and slowly turned to face the doors.

"Pardon my lady?" Anthony spoke again, not understanding me. I opened my mouth to tell him to stay quiet but the door slammed open. "Hello my l-lord." Anthony said nervously, visibly uneasy.

I turned to see my father walking to his seat, "Zera, this is the new butler, Elijah Pond." He sat down looking at Anthony impatiently, "Anthony, my meal?"

"R-right away my lord." Anthony bowed and left.

"You will be escorted to Mr. Williams by Elijah, understood?" Father glared at me, I merely nodded. "Good, if you are bothersome to either, I will know." I looked down at my food. "Eat, or you'll be too thin for your fiancé." I looked up at his final word, he said it with ease, casual.

"Fiance?" I asked, barely taking a bite of my food.

"Yes. You and Earl Michaelis are now betrothed." He said as if it were old news, but I nearly choked, I didn't realize Elijah was by my side until he put a hand on my shoulder.

"Are you alright my lady?" He asked and I nodded.

I sighed and continued to eat as Anthony brought Father his food. "Anything else?"

"That'll be all Anthony." Father said and he left. "After your dance lesson you will come back and spend the rest of the afternoon with your fiancé." He took a bite of the salmon.

"A-alright Father." I stood up, "I'm done with my meal."

"Good, go to Mr. Williams." Father ordered, I nodded and Elijah bowed, we left the room.

"You're really here." I whispered, he grinned.

"I told you I'd be outside, and I ment outside the room my lady." He said.

"N-no, as in you are real." I said in disbelief. The demon from last night, was standing right next to me, tall and proud.

"Of course my lady." His grin deepend.

"Are you going to kill me?" Fear grew and formed knots in my stomach.

"No my lady." His grin dropped, his face grew empty and serious.

"Then what do you you want from me?" I saw we reached the carriage , he helped me in.

"I'm afraid you are still too young, once you are the appropriate age, you will know." He closed the door with a devilish smile, The road was noisy, bumpy, but Elijah's words echoed in my head.

I sat back against the carriage, but flinched when my back hit it roughly. I let out a cry and I sighed, looking at my arm. Though it hurt, I didn't feel the pain, I let the rattle of the carriage be my lullaby. With Elijah outside, I stayed on guard in my sleep, not truly sleeping.

"My lady? My lady we will be late for your dance lesson." I heard Elijah's voice and I jumped at his touch. "My lady are you alright?"

"Y-yes...I'm fine." I sat up as he held out his hand. "Elijah?"

"Yes my lady?" Elijah stared at me and I debated my words.

"When you are done with me, are you going to hurt me?" I waited for his answer, the moment of truth, the final say, though I was afraid.

"Depending on the events." Elijah said quietly. "Well, come along we will be late." He smiled wickedly and helped me out. "I swear I will protect you until the end my lady." I sighed as we went inside, the answer I was not pleased with. I continued my lesson in fear of Elijah and his watching eyes.