Seventeen

An oddly familiar, fresh masculine scent slowly filled her senses, relaxing Silla's body and mind. In an early morning lucid dream, she tried to wiggle out of the large bed but was somehow held back. Her eyes weren't completely open yet, but she could feel the warmth of another person close to her. How close she didn't quite realize...

Out of her sleepy daze, she slowly opened her eyelids and froze as she felt something move around her waist. Looking down she saw a snow blonde head laid on her lower stomach. Two arms wrapped tightly around her torso as Phanes snuggled into her body. She knew he was awaken when she caught his two bright green orbs shining back into her own. He seemed relieved that she was awake.

"How long have I been asleep?" She remembered only a bit after she collapsed and coughed up blood. Though the man next to her seemed much more docile now for some reason- Like he was anxious.

"Four days," he murmured against her skin. She was shocked and even more so when she tried to move her sore body; the green eyed man still clinging to her waist, his head resting on her lap.

"Wait- where are my pants?!" She shouted confused looking down as she was only in her underwear.

"Z'e healer v'as checking your purity." He said, and she took a deep breath. Glad she wasn't awake for that. Analyzing the rest of her body, she realized she was covered in bandages. Silla's former clothes were gone and now she wore soft clean linen. Various wounds on her skin had been delicately tended to and her body washed. Some of the salve used still stuck to her skin.

"I'm happy to know z'at you remain pure for me." He whispered gently rubbing right above her lower stomach. Although he could already smell it, he was overly pleased to know that she was untouched.

Lovingly looking into her eyes once again he continued, "You know... Z'ese last few days have been rough on me as v'ell." He said vaguely.

"Your health has deteriorated and before v'e travel any further- v'e need to heal you a bit. I've brought some food to give your body z'e nutrition it needs." He reached out for a small tray next to the bed. On it was a wide porcelain bowl filled with soy bean broth and a few mushrooms. Next to it was a large glass of water and a few crackers. It was a meal that was relatively soft on the stomach but also medically enhanced with nutrients meant to make a person rapidly gain weight. 

His long pale fingers slowly picked up a spoon and filled it with warm steaming broth. His hand brought it to her lips, but they stayed shut causing his brows to furrow. What if it was poisoned or drugged? He set the silver ware down with a clink.

"Eat."

She didn't move staring back at him with just as much defiance. His green eyes shrunk and she watched as they slowly moved across her form. His hypnotic green eyes starting to glow.

It was a silent threat.

"I v'ill not repeat myself. Eat."

She felt her lip twitch. Asshole. This whole situation felt so insane. But it was clear who had the power in all of this, and what would happen if one chose to disobey.

So she ate.

It was as simple as that. She wasn't stupid. People who chose to rise up against powers like this were already in their graves.

As wise as a serpent, as innocent as a dove.

Although she was sick of being scared, she still had to obey the laws of this city. His laws.

He picked up the spoon once again and filled it with the warm flavorful broth. His hand was much larger than the small piece of silver and completely engulfed it. Yet despite being so large he was able to gently bring it to her lips. The broth was warm but not too hot as he blew on it and the delicious taste instantly greeted her taste buds. The process was agonizingly slow but each time he softly fed her the bowl became more and more empty. Silla's head was rested on his shoulder as she didn't have the physical strength to sit up by herself quite yet. She was frustrated though strangely grateful. She wondered why this man handled her with such care. Slowly nursing her back to health.

She was beginning to wonder if the man was simply fooled by whatever his infatuation with her was. He was much more softer and lenient towards her and perhaps she could get away with more. For she saw how brutal he was towards other compared to her treatment. Part of her hoped he was because Gods bless it, she'd befriend him and behave in a heartbeat and use his naivety to get her ass out of there. She felt like a terrible person to think such thoughts, but she was certain no one would hold it against her if it worked and she was able to save herself. However the other part of her knew that there was an intelligent, calculating mind behind those green eyes. He'd definitely catch on to any of her plans of playing sweet and trying to trick him.

Languidly she sat in bed as days upon days passed. She was mind numbingly bored. Her skin still had bruises, but she finally started to accumulate some body fat. Though it was to be expected. Every day she slept and was spoon fed by Phanes and taken care of. Her lifestyle only consisted of eat, sleep, and repeat. It was much better compared to when all she had were occasional instant meals and working herself to the bone everyday.

"When can I finally start moving around again? Leave the bed? Or eat something other than soup?" To this the man smiled.

As of now he moved closer to her neck, fanning it with the hot air that came out each time he exhaled. "Z'ere are rooms on the top floors; the rest of it is private casinos and exclusive restaurants," he whispered huskily in her ear. At this new information Silla's mind spun. Was he serious? It was going to be even harder to escape in this maze. Maybe that was intentional on his part; making it near impossible to find her way out.

Apparently he found her expression amusing. He chuckled, leaning down to whisper in her ear, his hot breaths sending shivers down her spine. "Oh and did I mention a pool~? Fully decked, spa, sauna, and everything. All v'ith the view of the city," he held her from behind resting his head on her shoulder.

"I v'ill present you v'ith only z'e best luxury, as promised."

"I v'ill provide for you, and protect you. You v'ill always have a place by my side. You v'ill never be alone again, my Silla."

She didn't move, she sat there with a huge man wrapped around her and she didn't even mind at this point. Tiredly resting her cheek on his shoulder, she noticed how smooth it was. She felt it warm up beneath her. It was strange, and she felt something bloom inside her but she couldn't really understand it but it felt nice and warm and safe and all things that made her feel like smiling softly and snuggling up; but she didn't. His grip tightened and he buried his head deeper into her neck. She guessed he felt the same.

It was odd. He was so familiar- her body already trusted him as if it knew him but her mind didn't.

"Let me out."

He regarded her then, running his longer slender fingers through the tangled dark curls that went down her back. "You v'ill run away."

A fact. Like this fact would ever answer her question.

"So?"

He narrowed his eyes at her then, "You should have realized by now z'at you v'ill never leave me."

Deep down his words struck a chord but she wasn't one to give up easily. Groaning she leaned against the headboard. Now they were sitting up opposite of each other on the bed, watching the movements of each other silently. "So... That means I can't even leave this room to explore?"

His eyes flickered with surprise like little green fireworks going off in his eyes. "You don't mean leave as in go back to your family?"

Silla laughed then, "Any biological family I ever cared about is dead. I resent any and all living blood relatives. Me being away from them- I welcome it." He weaved his hands through her hair.

He didn't speak as he pushed himself off the bed and walked away giving her a light gentle smile, "Tomorrow." Was all he said.

Those big eyes.

They held a world of their own within themselves. A world far from corruption, depravity, and wickedness. Their depth can beat the hollowest places in his soul. Those damn blue eyes. He was haunted by them, every second every minute. They were just so...beautiful. They are blue but hold so many colors. Color of innocence, compassion, happiness, curiosity and so much more.

He wondered how would they look when they are filled with only him.

Over the days she was asleep he had stuck by her side and immersed himself in his work, yelling at his servants, and killing the healer who had failed to awaken her in the amount of given time. The work indeed helped him keep his thoughts and destructive nature at bay, but the moment he finished, his thoughts wandered back to her. Many things about her fascinated him. The first being her purity. How can someone remain so pure in this tainted world? He found her inimitable innocence intriguing and her beautiful smile admirable. She was pure yet not naive and understood how the world worked. She was innocent yet not, there wasn't quite a way to describe it.

Secondly, her selfless nature. Phanes was good at reading people and Silla was an open book to him despite how she tried to hide her emotions from him. So easy to read. She tried to act like none of it mattered and that she was just like everyone else, as mean and uncaring as everyone else, but she wasn't. She couldn't, no matter how hard she tried to be callous.

He had noticed how she always stayed ready to help others without expecting anything in return. Her soft womanly gentleness, he yearned for it. When he was young, he never thought he would ever appreciate this quality in someone but oddly enough this is what attracted him the most towards her. Her selfless nature, her caring attitude.

He bid his time, the days she laid unconscious.

He also remembered everything he did while she was still asleep.

He remembered how with slow measured strides, he reached over to her bed. His eyes never leaving her face that had a few bruises. The rest of her body covered by the duvet. He stood next to her bed, gaping at her without blinking, memorizing her face, burning every detail into his brain. His face betrayed no emotion but on the inside, a volcano was building inside him. Something he hadn't experienced in a long time. He gently grabbed the duvet and pulled it down her body to see the extent of the injury she had sustained. He dragged in a long breath when he saw both her legs, arms, and neck covered in bruises. The sight unsettled him deeply.

It caused a tightness around his chest before a wave of fury washed over him. He fisted the duvet tightly, staring hard at all her injuries. Whoever has hurt

her is a dead. Her eyes were closed and her soft plump lips were slightly parted as she panted, her fever making her hot.

She resembled a sleeping angel. Warmth spread inside him and his features softened. He wrapped the blanket back around her, making sure she was covered from all sides. He sat by the edge of the bed next to her.

He raised his hand and brought it to her forehead. His fingers on their own accord started caressing her forehead. Something he wasn't used to doing and would never do

for anyone but it didn't feel

awkward with her. It felt natural.

"Beautiful. So beautiful," he

murmured to himself as he gently brushed strands of raven hair off her face. She was definitely the most beautiful girl he had ever laid eyes on. His lips tilted up into a genuine smile.

His gaze swept down the entire length of her petite frame before they found their way back to her beautiful face and latching onto her soft lips. A jolting current of desire rushed through his body as he stared intently at her mouth. Enchanted. he leaned down and lightly pressed his lips onto her cold ones. Her lips, although dry, felt warm and soft against his own. Exquisite. He reluctantly withdrew an inch before pressing his lips back against hers. This time his lips on her's lingered longer than before, drinking on them fervently. The pleasure that washed over him at their intimate touch was deep-felt.

After several moments, he leaned away and let his thumb skim over her lower lip as he stared intently at it. The only thing that mattered now was her and her only. He wasn't able to tamp down on his urges anymore. Even while sleeping, she was tempting him to take a bite of her.

He bent down and planted a gentle kiss on the corner of her lips. Not a second later, his lips found their way back to her's. He wanted to stop but he just couldn't help it. She tasted wonderfully sweet. "Mine. My sweet Silla," he whispered possessively against her lips before deepening the kiss by drawing her lower lip between his own, and sucking on it with a strong need.

Her lips were just as soft as he remembered.

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to be continued...