Marked • Tom Riddle

His Wishes

  Mother had promised me a regular day, one without any wedding preparations or any new surprises. So, when I woke up to the sunlight of a promised day of relaxation, a day where I could just lock myself up in my room and play with some potions, I didn't expect Betsy to barge into my room with some horrific news. 

   "The Dark Lord will be attending dinner this evening," she said. I stared at her in disbelief for a moment before covering my face with a feathered pillow and screaming out in pure agony.

   So much for a day of relaxation.

   ~~~

   We stood in the foyer, waiting for the Dark Lord to arrive. Mother was fixing her hair in the mirror and Father was continuously checking his pocket watch. The Dark Lord was late, and Father hated when people were late. 

   "Relax, darling, he'll be here soon," Mother said. 

   "Doesn't he have better things to do than come here for dinner?" I said, rolling my eyes. I didn't want to be cranky, but after losing my one day of relaxation to the Dark Lord and being forced into an evening dress that was way too tight in certain areas, I wasn't exactly in a good mood.

   "Hush up, you shouldn't speak that way about him," Mother snapped. 

   "Maybe I shouldn't speak at all then."

   "That's probably for the best."

   "That's enough, both of you," Father said. "This is an important visit for everyone in this family, and I will not have your bickering ruining it."

   "She started it," I said, but the look on Father's face prevented me from continuing, which was for the best because a knock came from the door only a moment after.

   "He's here," Mother whispered in excitement and rushed passed me to stand by Father has he opened the door. Although I wasn't looking forward to this visit, I still found myself fixing my dress to make myself appear more presentable for our expected guest.

   "Welcome, my Lord," Father said, standing tall as the Dark Lord graced our home with his presence. He was wearing a full suit, something he seemed to wear often, and his hair was much neater than it had been that day at the party. Something told me he'd put in some extra effort to look this way before coming here. 

   "We're so glad you could make it, my Lord," Mother said, she managed to keep her smile respectful, but there was clear excitement in her eyes. The Dark Lord nodded at them before looking at me. His eyes looked tired. They resembled how Father's eyes darkened after hours upon hours of work, and I suddenly felt bad about my previous comment. Maybe he did have something better to do, but took time off to come here. Mother gave me a sharp look when I didn't welcome him right away.

   "Welcome," I said. I still didn't feel comfortable calling him by his name, so I just didn't refer to him as anything, which seemed to be the wrong thing to do according to my parents, because they hurriedly jumped to my defense. 

   "Forgive her, my Lord. She's a bit flustered this evening," Mother said. 

   "No need," the Dark Lord replied as he continued to look at me. This arse of a hole already got me in trouble. How was I supposed to obey his command and refer to him by his name without upsetting my parents? More importantly, how was I supposed to refer to him as the Dark Lord without upsetting him? I was stuck in a lose-lose situation. 

   "Karina, please take the Dark Lord into the dining room while your Father and I go check on dinner," Mother said. 

   "Me?" I said in disbelief. Then, it occurred to me. My parents weren't capable of cooking food. This was a ploy to get the Dark Lord and I alone for a bit to spice things up. I shot Mother a dirty look.

   "Yes. You," Mother seethed. I looked at Father who looked rather ashamed with himself, so I assumed it was my Mother's idea. 

   "This way, please," I said to the Dark Lord, who looked amused at the whole situation. 

   We walked down the hallway, towards the dining hall, his icy hand accidentally grazing my arm from time to time. "You got me in trouble," I said.

   "You could have used my name." 

   "I'm sure that would have gotten me in more trouble."

   "Perhaps, but the question is who you'd rather face punishment from?... Your parents? Or me?"

   I blushed madly at the few sinful thoughts that ran through my whore of a mind. Surely he didn't mean it like that, but I couldn't help but have these thoughts. Maybe Mother was rubbing off on me. Truthfully, I wouldn't have been surprised if she slipped a drop or two of amortentia into my food. Merlin knows that woman would do anything if it ensured my marriage to the Dark Lord. 

   "You're blocking me out," the Dark Lord smirked. "What are you thinking about?"

   I blushed again and mentally thanked myself for being decent at occlumency. Otherwise, Mother and Father would have found my corpse here on the floor. Cause of death: embarrassment. 

   "Oh look, we're here," I said, stepping into the dining room that was set up to accompany four people. I wasn't too sure how the seating was going to work as Father always sat at the very end of the table, looking out at anyone who was accompanying him that evening. It was his house, so naturally, he had the power seat. However, today was different. The Dark Lord was accompanying us this evening, and something told me that the Dark Lord didn't give up power so easily. Not even as a sign of respect. 

   "Karina," he said, turning towards me. I looked up to meet his eyes and found myself being walked backward. The Dark Lord was stepping towards me, so naturally, I stepped back. After that night in Father's office of being trapped between his arms and Father's desk, I found myself more wary of my space around him. However, it didn't matter, because soon my back hit the dining table and he towered over me once again. His face was cold and calm at the same time. It was only when he closed in on me I could see a bit of amusement behind his eyes. He was toying with me and he liked it. 

   His icy fingers gently grazed up my arm, starting from my wrist and slowly making their way up to my forearm where he suddenly roughly grabbed my waist. His fingers dug into my skin, not enough for it too hurt, but enough for the feeling to be unpleasant. I didn't dare move. I didn't dare look away from his eyes, even when they looked away from mine and descended down my lips. He had me trapped again, he had me just where he wanted me, I just didn't know why. 

   "When I ask you a question, I expect you to answer," he said. "Understand?" His voice was hard, but the faint glimmer of amusement behind his eyes was still there. It was becoming more and more evident he liked demonstrating a certain power over people. 

   "I understand," my voice coming out quieter than I had hoped. Around Mother and Father, I never bothered to pick and choose the tone of voice I spoke them with. But around the Dark Lord, I felt like a child, a small and helpless child. I wondered if the feeling would ever go away. 

   "I'll ask you again now that you understand. What were you thinking about?" 

   Reluctantly and hesitantly, I unblocked my mind and let him have his way. I watched in embarrassment as he closed his eyes and found the thoughts he so badly wanted to know. However, when he'd finished, he showed no reaction. His face remained calm and cold and his eyes returned to mine. I couldn't meet them now, not after he knew. 

   "Never block me out again," he said, his hand releasing its hold on my body before he stepped away and moved towards the power seat. 

   "I understand," I repeated, forcing down the embarrassment. Something told me he just wanted to hear my response, hear me submit to his wishes, visibly see me in the weaker position even though he already knew I was beneath him. 

   "You'll be beneath me soon enough," he held back a smirk as he took his seat at the end of the table, leaving me mortified.