The Dark Rose 🌹 {18+}

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'You are free to make whatever choice you want, but you are not free from the consequences of your choice.' - Anonymous

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I can't do this.

I can barely breath, not having slept a wink as I stare at the dark circles underneath my eyes. I haven't left the bathroom in over an hour, Richard having assigned Cora to get me ready for tonight but I don't think I can bring myself to face her.

My eyes trail away from the dark circles until they lock onto the mark on my neck- Richard's mark.

I wonder if Aldéric is aware that I no longer bear his mark. Is this painful for him as much as it is for me?

I jump when someone knocks on the door, drawing my gaze away from the mirror. "Rose?" It's Cora, her voice a lot more timid than when I first met her. I can't imagine how it's been for her, taking the place as Richard's mistress once again in my absence.

I made her worst nightmare come to life but karma has a strange sense of humour because now I'm living my worst nightmare.

I open the door and Cora takes a small step back, her brown eyes searching my face as I assess her in response, my eyes widening at what I'm met with. Cora is dressed in a skimpy, black dress, her arms and legs visible allowing me to see the different coloured bruises that mar her skin. Her bottom lip is cut and swollen and she has a bruise on her cheek.

I rush towards her, taking her off guard as I demand, "What did he do to you?"

She trembles, not expecting me to be so demanding, "I-it's w-what h-happens when he doesn't get his way."

I know that all too well.

"And he didn't heal you with his blood?" I would have assumed he'd give Cora the same luxury he offered me unless she refused to drink it for the same reason I was hesitant to drink.

She shakes her head, "I'd rather be covered in bruises than drink from him." I understand where she's coming from, "Besides," She adds, "Feeling pain is much better than feeling nothing at all."

I know what it's like to be numb, to wish you could feel anything even if it means feeling pain and the darkest emotions.

I just wish it didn't have to be like that.

"Come on," Cora motions towards the bed, her box of makeup on the bedside table, "We have to get you ready for tonight." I follow her over to the bed, taking a seat as she stands in front of me, assessing my hair first as she takes a few strands into her hands, "Richard has made a request to have your hair up for tonight."

My face drops, knowing he'd only request that so his mark on my neck is visible for all to see. His way of throwing it in Aldéric's face during the meeting. My heart continues to break as I think of Aldéric and I'm frightened of what he's going to do when he finds out what Richard's done. I can only pray he doesn't do anything stupid but knowing Ric, my prayers won't be answered.

"Up it is then," I comment blankly, Cora's features empathetic as she begins to style my hair into a bun, leaving a few curls to frame my face. Her eyes fall on the mark and I know she's dying to say something to make me feel better. I speak before she can utter a word, "Don't, Cora. I don't need to hear how sorry you are for me."