The Vale

Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

The touch of his lips still burned on my cheek and no matter how many times I scrubbed I could still feel him there. I shivered in revulsion and scrubbed once more. Looking into the mirror my blood shot eyes blistered face and bruised neck stared back at me, mocking me. This is your fault! If you'd just gone the proper way home instead of taking that short cut then all of this never would of happened! That voice inside my head was right but at this moment in time I didn't want to think about all the things I did wrong, I just wanted to go home. Home.... That thought instantly brought tears to my eyes. How long have I been gone? Two days? Three? What do my parents think happened to me? Do they think im dead? Are they out looking for me?

I sank to the bathroom floor with my head in my hands, sobbing. I knew my babysitter outside could hear but I didn't care. Id give anything right now to be at home, lounging on the sofa watching cheesy rom coms with mum while dad attempted to cook his famous chicken enchilada's. The memory of him nearly burning down the kitchen once and us having to order last minuet Chinese brought a smile to my face but it soon vanished when a hard knock sounded from the door.

I leapt from the floor, instantly going into the furthest corner of the room, My heart pounding in my chest. " Your highness, its almost time for dinner, the king will expect you to be there on time if not early. It would be wise if you left the bathroom"

I shrank back further into the wall, fresh tears slid down my cheeks. " No, no, no, no ,no!" I shouted back. I refused to sit with that monster and eat dinner with him. I heard a sigh through the door " Im afraid you don't have a choice, if you don't appear tonight, it will make him very angry and he will do much worse things to you that wont just leave a few bruises. " I closed my eyes. He's right, I don't have a choice. My hand went to my throat and traced the outline of his hand print. What could be worse than nearly choking me to death? I shivered once more, I didn't want to find out.

" You can do this! " I muttered to my self " Just don't say anything, eat dinner and then retreat back to your bedroom where you can plan you escape!" giving my self a little pep talk seemed to calm me somewhat, enough to leave the confines of the bathroom at least. With trembling hands I unlocked the door and slowly opened it. Two pairs of eyes were staring back at me as I entered the bedroom. Carlisle and Valerie were stood in the middle of the room, un-readable looks on their faces. " We don't have long your highness..." my head snapped up to Carlisle " Don't! Don't call me that!! My name is Sam!! " My voice held so much anger as I spoke and for a second he looked shocked but quickly regained his composure. " As you wish...Sam" the sound of my name coming from his lips sounded different but I liked it, maybe a little to much?

" My lady, you need to get ready, the king will expect you down for dinner at any moment.." The quiet timed voice of Valerie brought my attention back to the room and my eyes zeroed in on a red satin dress that laid across the four poster bed that took up most of the space in the room. Not wanting to argue I simple nodded and proceeded to the bathroom, Valerie behind me.

Moments later I re-entered the room. The dress was very snug and just like the other one, it showed of every curve of my body and left nothing to the imagination. I tried to pull the top up higher but it wouldn't budge. Once again my birthmark was on display like a trophy. Carlilse gave me a nod of approval but something else flashed in his eyes, lust? I shook away that thought as soon as it appeared in my head. Of course it wasn't lust! Hes the one that brought you here! " I could do nothing about the marks around her neck." Valerie's soft voice spoke up behind me. " The king will not mind his marks being on display. Come it is time"

Without another word Carlisle turned and started walking towards the door, leaving me standing there shocked and motionless. What kind of world was this?! A tiny shove from behind brought me back to reality. I suppose it was now or never, so I took a deep breath and started walking to catch up with him. He was waiting for me outside, arms folded across his chest eyes un-readable. He gestured with his hand for me to walk ahead of him and for a moment I stalled. Looking the opposite way I wondered how far I would get if I ran but then Titus's warning replayed in my head and I shook away that thought. For now.

" The king is waiting." Carlisle's deep voice filled the quiet space. I nodded trying to keep my face passive, not wanting to give away my emotions but deep down I was scared.

The sound of my heels clicking along the marble floor was the only thing you could hear, that and the thumping of my heart. Carlisle walked a few feet behind me occasionally giving me directions. Turning a corner we came to the top of a grand staircase that twisted around. What would await for me at the bottom? I guess I was going to find out. One by one my feet glided down the steps until finally I reached the bottom.

My eyes widened in awe as I took in the beauty of everything. Elegant paintings hung on the white walls and all the fixtures where gold that glistened in the sunlight that streamed in through the huge open bay windows. I imagine I could spend hours exploring each and every beautiful thing here. Carlisle let me look around for a few seconds longer before he commanded that we move on. I sighed and followed him down another hallway that eventually lead to a set of two huge brown double doors. Carlisle rested his hand on the gold handle and paused, he let out a breath and look towards me " My king can be fair, but he does not do well when people disobey him. he will not shy away from hurting you so for your own safety speak as little as possible and be respectful. " I nodded in response, not trusting my own voice. I already knew all of this but him confirming that his king is a monster made my nerves even worse. I could feel my legs start to shake and was worried I wouldn't be able to walk any further. Carliles eyes lingered on me for a few seconds longer and then looked away, I could tell he wanted to say something more.

He pushed down on the handle and opened the door, light piano music flowed from the room. I breathed in and inhaled the mouth-watering aromas. I guess it was now or never and without really thinking my feet started to move.

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