Forever and Ares ✔

Nightmare

“Excuse me?” Markos’ incredulous voice was deceptively soft, warning Helen of the dangerous  ground she was treading with her request.

“I... I just need a little more time.” Fear lacing the edges of her voice as she trembled slightly at the sight of the imposing figure, looming over her.

She did not want to anger him, she still had a bruise on her left cheek from the day she had arrived. Her seemingly simple request to see her sister had resulted in Markos’ flat hand hitting her cheek with so much force that she had fallen to the ground in shock. Never in her life had anyone ever raised their hand for her. Her shock at his actions had far outweighed her immediate pain.

It was only the day after when she had looked in the mirror again for the first time that she had realised that he had marked her. She had been quiet and obedient the rest of the week, fearing that he would repeat the action if she did not do as he pleased. She had yet to see her sister, hence asking for a postponement of the wedding. Call it a sixth sense, but she felt certain that they had already killed her sister and would only tell her so after she was married.

Since learning about Ares, she could not get the god’s handsome features out of her mind, fantasies of her with him, haunted her dreams and sometimes she woke up crying as she realised it was only a dream. Today was her birthday, but so far, she had no instant memory flash of her previous lives. She did not know if they would help her or not, but she impatient. She wanted to remember her life and her time, however brief, spend with Ares.

“Are you even listening to me?” Markos’ voice thundered through the room and she flinched. She bit her lip as she realised that she had not heard a single word that he had said. Should she lie and risk getting caught? She shook her head slightly. No, punishment for lying would probably be more severe than punishment for not paying attention. She lowered her gaze to the floor and prepared herself for the inevitable.

“I’m sorry Markos.”  He gripped her chin firmly and raised her head so that she could look him in the eye.

“You know, I saw you last night.” Helen frowned in confusion. “With him.” He spat the word and Helen tried to pull away from him, but he tightened his grip, most probably leaving fresh bruises.

“Since you arrived, you’ve had this depressed look on your face. Never smiling, never laughing, speaking only when spoken to. Then last night Paul and Henry shows up for negotiations and you’re suddenly the life of the party.” He released her chin roughly and she stumbled back slightly.

“Dancing and flirting with him, when I am the one you will be married to in a week’s time. And you haven’t even so much as kissed me yet.”

Helen gulped in fear, she saw the glint in his eye and knew that he would take her by force if he wanted to. She had to divert his attention from that specific topic.

“I didn’t flirt with him. He’s just easy to talk to, he’s the same age as me and – “

“Am I now too old for you as well?” His voice sounded calm enough, but Helen was not fooled.

“No... you... I mean... I...” She stumbled over her words not sure what to say that would lessen his anger. “Paul is just, he’s just...” She took a deep breath, knowing her next words will not go down good, but he would not let the matter go and she might end up saying something even worse.

“He’s what?” Markos’ eyes were narrowed and Helen swallowed, keeping her eyes on his tightly clenched fists.

“He’s nice.” She had no time to move, hell she didn’t even have time to think before his fist hit her on the side of her face. She fell to the ground and the sound of her head hitting the cold, hard floor echoed throughout the room.

“Why don’t you think about that the next time he is so nice to you.” He strode towards the door, but looked over his shoulder as he pulled it open. “You will be excused from dinner and as punishment, you won’t get breakfast either.” The slamming of the door made the mirror on the wall vibrate at the force of it.

Helen was lying in a heap on the ground. Her head was swimming and black spots were starting to cloud her vision. Who cared about dinner and breakfast, when your life was complete misery?

Maybe she should have stayed in Greece, perhaps then Ariel could have protected her like she had promised. Perhaps, she thought as blackness started to completely take over, she could have seen Ares again.

Okay okay, I know it's dark and depressing but it can only get better from here right?

XxX