Twenty Four

A few months must have passed. She couldn't tell, but her bangs had grown out rather well, no longer covering half of her face.

After that day his behavior only escalated. At first he only fed her but now he was doing everything. The first few weeks the maids had helped dress, bathe her, and dry her hair, all sorts of tasks but slowly he was taking them over. She feared soon he would start making her do things a regular couple would do. Such as greet him properly with a kiss and intimidate gestures. She may even have to start sleeping next to him.

It came to a boiling point when he made her call him 'husband' and kiss his cheek each time they greeted each other. The next few days she started planning and preparing. She had to find something to use against him.

She combed through her bathroom  for something, anything, to use as a weapon. She hoped to find something sharp, but she had no such luck. Phanes obviously thought of everything. The best she could find was a used fork that she had taken and hidden during one of their meals together.

But what good will that do for her in a struggle with him during another inevitable punishment. Or when he got impatient and tried to further the relationship he was forcing on her? She slid the fork back in the drawer and heaved a sigh. Testing the door is the next logical step.

She was grateful that the old fashioned doors to the room didn't have a locking mechanism or keypad like the others, it made leaving easier.

The knob turns but clicks at a stop and the door doesn't open. It was locked tight and she took a seat on the floor, as far as the chain on her ankle would let her. She burrows her face between her knees in frustration and lets out a long sigh.

Silla's mental breakdown is

cut short when she gets the

idea of trying the lock. She made her way over to the locked double doors and pulls hard. The cold wood doesn't even budge.

The only way to get out was

to pick the lock.. which she don't know how to do... She rubbed her neck in frustration and felt a tiny sting. The injections Phanes had been giving her with the syringe had been copious lately. Of course! A needle could work! She guessed a used needle would be in the trash.

She goes back to the bathroom and pulls the bin from under the sink. She dumps its contents onto the floor and spreads everything out. There's a few wrappers... A couple of used towels... Gross.... She heaved a sigh and began shoveling everything back into the trash bin one by one. Tissues, boxes and finally the used- ouch!

She stuck her finger on

something wrapped in a

wet paper towel. Whatever it is, it just might work on the lock. She tosses the bin back under the sink and goes back to the locked doors. Her fingers rip the towel open like a Christmas present and remove a used needle. Gross, but she hoped that it would work on the lock.

She put the end of the needle into the lock and wiggled it around.

Nothing.

The wiggling grows more frantic as she gets frustrated. Her tool slips right out of the hole and rips into her thumb, hard enough to draw a little blood, causing a jagged line right on the edge of her thumbnail.

After a tiny shriek and sucking on her stinging wound, Silla returns to her work.

After what felt like hundreds of careful twists and jabs in the hole, the lock at last clicks open. Her breaths are shaky as she removes the lock and slides the heavy chains off the doors. She bit her lip in anticipation for what waits

outside.

It takes a few tries but she manages to heave the bed up enough to where one of the bed posts lifts off of the floor, letting the golden chain that was tied to it slide down. She wouldn't be able to remove the ankle cuff but she could carry the chain with her.

As she pushed the doors open, the bright light of a diamond chandelier nearly blinds her. The only light she had gotten was from the sun on her balcony and occasionally the television if she behaved. The sparkly artificial lighting was blinding and so were all the new colors that met her eyes. She had grown accustomed to the soft feminine colors of her room that she forgot how dark the rest of the palace was.

How long had she been locked in this room? She thought she had kept a good track of the time but maybe it was longer than she thought? Then it occurs to her that she doesn't care. she walks herself out of her prison and feels the soft carpet beneath her bare feet. She was in only a nightgown with undeniable bed head but she could care less.

Walking towards a window in the hallway she looked outside. For months all she had seen was the garden view from her rooms balcony. Now she saw nothing but a myriad of trees. Great. She remembered that the palace was located in the middle of a forest, a wall circumventing the entire estate. She saw it briefly when she was first brought here.

Silla opened the window and took a deep breath. The smell of the trees and fresh air instead of her stuffy room made her feel at peace. She had never seen so many trees before, much less such green vibrant ones.

If she ran, She'd probably get caught before getting anywhere. Not that she'd be able to get past the various security to even go outside. Her chances of escape were impossible. So she'd settle to finding something that could benefit her or at least something to use against him.

The soft breeze from the window felt so nice. The sun beaming down at her only makes her wish she had that back home. She had to be smart about this. She won't get far before Phanes catches her and brings her back. She didn't even know which way to go. Which hall to roam, they all went in so many directions. She didn't even know the way to leave the estate and to get back to.. To.... To what exactly?

Her family is terrible and doesn't care for her. Her friends have probably already mourned her death. Her rent is way past due and all her things have probably been thrown out. There's nothing to go back to. Except, maybe Raizel. But if she involves him he'd be in danger. His life would be so much more smooth sailing without her.

Walking down numerous hallways she finally realized that they all seemed to merge together. The foyer she found led to what she assumed to be Phanes' own bedroom, given by how ornate the black woodwork was, it was no doubt in the nicest part of the estate. Next to it was two other rooms, another large door which she assumed was his office and the door next to it which she could only guess as to what was behind it.

First she tried the door to his office and it was of course locked, she had no interest in his bedroom so she'd go through the third mystery door. Turning the knob she was glad to find that it wasn't locked. Silla went inside quickly out of fear she'd run into a maid or two and get in trouble so she carefully shut the door behind her and switched on a light.

And the sight she turned to made her tremble.

The room held a soft theme despite its colors being black and red like the rest of the estate. Toys and large stuffed animals littered the entire room. Some of it looking old and new as if it had just been added. But in the center of the room was a dark mahogany cradle and bassinet, one that was empty, with a few frilly blankets and throw pillows inside. She traced her hands over the carving on the wood. It was obviously completely new and had never been used.

But it was when she tore open the wardrobe in the back that she felt her heart drop from the ominous feelings arising within her. Silla wanted to leave but was so compelled and horrified from what she saw that she just couldn't stop. Lines and lines of soft long dresses lined each shelf. Innocent enough at first glance. But if you looked closer towards the midsection you would notice the maternity cuts in the dresses.

She already knew he was an absolute psycho that was obsessed with her for whatever reason but this...

She crept out of the room and waited around another corner as a maid came out of his study and left. She had to be quick and get inside the massive study door before it shut and locked.

The inside could only be described as elegant. A large wooden engraved with gold accents desk and an empty black leather chair behind it. A chandelier giving the whole room light. There was of course a little sitting area with black couches and loveseats. A collage of books behind his desk and chair. The room was regal but seemed dark and threatening.

She dug around various filling cabinets and folders but nothing really caught her eye. Going through his desk drawers she did however stumble upon an old looking leather bound book. A diary perhaps? She flips through random pages of the book only going through ones that catch her eye.

_______________________

Imperial Calendar, year 5016, January 11th

Mother deteriorates day by day. The disease has ravaged her already weak body. Father refuses to get her care as we rot away in the abandoned south wing. My half siblings only coming to disturb her last moments. Their mother, the main wife is still plotting to have me out of the inheritance, by making sure me and mother breathe our last breaths. She's sent a multitude of assassins and poisons but is yet to be successful. Though her long punishments haven't ceased. My skin still stings and bleeds.

_____________________

Imperial Calendar, year 5017, May 19

I barely escaped with my life. Mothers death has affected me greatly. Before her death mother told me of a secret tunnel, one that connected the upper and lower ring that slaves used to escape. My stepmother has hunted me throughout the upper ring leaving nothing and no one behind in her search. She has spared no expense in trying to get rid of me. I have no choice but to leave and quickly.

I know that if I don't leave the upper ring now she will have my head by the end of the day.

_____________________

Imperial Calendar, year 5020, March 29

Eat.

Kill.

Consume.

After years of living in the alleyways of the lower ring I had become feral. My instincts had taken over and civilized life was beyond me. I only left time to time to scavenge for food, avoiding every human I came across. Eventually I came to an understanding with one of the lords here and in return for food I spied upon his enemies.

Day by day my thoughts become more scrambled. My thoughts do not make sense. When I write the words become blurred and sloppy. My entries are becoming less and less.

The only thing that keeps me grounded is my collection, in the ancient tunnels of the underground, I've managed to find many lost treasures from the old world. Books. I've learned things that have helped me survive.

_____________________

Imperial Calendar, year 5021, January 1.

She looked like mother, that was what first interested me. But her aura was pure not surrounded by filth like the others. At first I wanted her very existence to be smited off this world.

But now.

Now she has consumed me. Every thought in my head pertains to her.

_____________________

Imperial Calendar, year 5023.

She is gone. It's my fault that she is gone. I may never see her again. I cannot bare the ache and pain in my heart.

I have nothing left.

_____________________

Imperial Calendar, year 5028.

I returned to the upper ring. All of the inheritance is mine as the sole heir. Father and my siblings are no longer. I left my stepmother for last. Watching her head roll across my marble floor was more than satify-

_____________________

Silla slammed the diary closed. She couldn't read anymore. Tears slide down her cheeks and she wipes them away with the heal of her hand. When she first opened it her eyes wrinkled as she flipped page after page. Each one worst than the last. His background and past made her feel sympathy but when it took an expected turn she couldn't hold back the look of horror on her face.

Although the city was debauched and familial murder was common, to her it was unthinkable.

When he started writing about some woman from his past. Silla's head throbbed from such familiar circumstances. She saw how much he cared for her and seemed almost obsessed with her. For some reason she felt her heart clench. Then she saw the inscription and hand drawn picture below one of the entries. It had her name and a little drawn portrait of a young girl, a girl that had all the same features as her but younger. A girl that was her.

It was undeniable now. He knew her. And she somehow knew him.

The leather bound diary fell to the floor with a thud.

The amount of earth shattering information was too much to bear. While she certainly got the information she wanted, she couldn't really use any of it. Silla had no idea how much

time had passed while she read through what she could only describe as his diary. But hearing rattling of the doors, her head bolts up and she realizes some else is coming in the room.

Assuming the worst, she leapt

back down under the desk.

She wondered who it was? Did the maid return? Or worse was it the owner of this office. She needed to move immediately but there was nowhere to run or hide. Ducking under the large desk she hoped, her bad hiding place wasn't discovered as the door clicked open. She peeked out of a small hole in the desk, made for what she could only assume used to be a hook for a jacket or bag. In stepped in her worst nightmare, her fears confirmed.

Today he was wearing slim slick black pants, his usual white button up and suspenders. Silla clasped her hands over her mouth staying impossibly still. With his keen sense of hearing she had to block the sounds of her breath. Heart nearly bursting out of her chest her eyes remained on his long black leather shoes that fell on the carpet with each step.

"Chauncey."

"Yes your excellency?" His servant squirmed under his gaze.

"Pull out z'e documents z'at have been signed and placed in lord Baymoths hands. Have him come visit me tomorrow." Phanes removed the coat he wore and placed it on a couch.

"Yes, your excellency," obliged Chauncey, and then he said, "There's something else I found in the kitchen today."

Phanes raised one of his eyebrows in question, and he saw Chauncey pull out a small bottle from his pocket that had a white powdered substance inside it. Taking it in his hand, Phanes brought it close to his nose to smell it.

"Poison," said Phanes.

"I have imprisoned the servant who was carrying it," Chauncey notified.

"Ha... It's been quite awhile since someone tried to poison me. I'm sure by now the other aristocrats are well aware of my little bride." He eyed the smaller man the same way a cat would a bird. He had no doubt they would have a massive amount of curiosity and  interest in her. After all, when they found out about his sudden want for marriage with an unknown woman it definitely stirred the social pools.

"Y-You know that this wouldn't be a problem if you just kept slaves instead of servants-" Chauncey corrected.

"I've only ever bought one slave."

"The girl?" Chauncey paused when he was shot with a glare. "The madam I meant."

"I bought her twice actually." Hearing this she only became more confused. There was so much she still didn't know and he was the only one with the answers. She wanted to ask but then he'd become suspicious.

Starting to leave Chauncey turned to his master one last time, "what shall I do with the servant?"

"Have him beheaded tomorrow morning."

Letting out a long sigh, he ran his hand through his wild hair, which he made no attempt to fix. Phanes stood in one of the far corners of his office. On the wall in front of him was a large curtain, it covered a large rectangular shape. Whatever it was hiding seemed to be either a window or a picture of some sort. Long thin fingers pulled at the string holding the red curtains together and she watched as they fell open revealing a portrait.

Thankfully her hand was over her mouth otherwise he would've heard all the air leave her lungs. Looking through the hole it was obviously a painting of her.

"Silla." His fingertips brushed over her painted face longingly as he called out her name as if pained. Her eyes flitting over his contemplative, brooding expression.

Phanes turned, his eyes still not leaving her portrait as he took his suspenders off his broad shoulders. She watched as he elegantly stepped across the room, his walk cat like as usual. He unbuttoning his white dress shirt as he dropped it on the floor and plopped down on the couch. She knew he was buff but still didn't expect such a sight. His back muscles were tight and defined. All he had to do was move and they flexed on their own. His abdomen rippled with strength and led down in a strong v-line all the way to his low wasted pants. His muscular arms seemed thicker and larger than her own thighs. Phanes angelic face certainly didn't match his beastly body. She felt a guilty blush grow on her face as she saw his entire bare chest, it was so large and defined.

It looked as if he was getting ready to wash up.

His long fingers touched between

his thighs, and she noticed how

his nose flared, his long lashes

casting a shadow over his high

cheekbones. He suddenly gasped and she didn't dare move.

What's was happening?

And then she saw it.

His raging thick and long

erection tenting his black pants. It was her turn to gasp. She saw and heard the unbuckling of his belt as he pulled it off his hips. Phanes' strong powerful thighs flexed and lifted, moving to slowly pull his pants down just to his knees, palming himself through his underwear. He growls and begins to palm his bulge, stroking the length of his cock through the fabric. Rolling his hips into his own touch.

He quickly pulled down his boxers and his hot throbbing length sprung free. It was exceedingly large and the tip an angry pink. It already oozed out precum that  flow down the veins that popped around the surface of his shaft. His glowing half lidded eyes flickered as he breathed heavily, feeling his pounding heart skip a beat. Above his long thick veiny cock was a tumble of blond hair which created a happy trail from his lower stomach.

Silla blushed furiously and looked away quietly, swallowing the lump in her throat. She hoped to just forget about whatever the hell she just peeped in on. Until he grunted out her name. Making her blood chill before feeling her stomach sink.

Oh god he's thinking about her?! That's-that's-!

She wasn't really sure. Part of her was disgusted and the other felt her thighs clench. No matter, she tried to look away and cover her ears, attempting to muffle the sounds.

"Silla," he let out in a breathy voice, his face holding an intoxicated look. He gave his shaft a long stroke before giving it a few pumps, all the while he had her captivated in his beautiful, shimmering eyes.

"Hmm."

"Ha."

"Silla." he says gritting his teeth, stroking and pumping his cock as it twitches and pulses. Precum coating his hand and dripping onto his thighs. She nearly fainted hearing the filth come out of his mouth.

She cupped her hands over her ears and closed her eyes hoping to block out the sounds of his breathy moans.

"Silla, Silla, Silla, S-Silla, Sil-la." He began to chant her name as he rutted and bucked against his hand.

"Yes... Mmm. Ha. Ahh." Balls slapping against his hand in rapid movement , the sound of wet flesh and clapping as his heavy full aching balls slapped his thigh repeatedly. His green eyes were glazed over, his fist curling around his shaft as he did his best to keep up with his own erratic, desperate motions. Letting out more deep throaty moans and gasps.

Suddenly his hips buck up wildly as his cock spurts out ropes of cum, cock and balls twitching and spasming. Thick white splatters all over his abs, and a bit even lands on the pile of clothes he dumped on the floor earlier. Eventually he stood up in all his nakedness and left through a side door to what she assumed was a bathhouse. She even got a glance at his tight muscular buns and backside.

She waited a few minutes to make sure he wouldn't come back and she slowly crawls out from under the desk. Her head bolts up and she realizes this is her chance.

Bare footed and red faced she bounded down the hallway right to her room. She pulls the doors shut, shutting out her precious glimpse of freedom. The chain she had been carrying attached to her ankle is heavy and loud as she wraps it around the bedpost like she found it.

When she finally loops the lock

around the respective links, the door to her room starts to open. Laying on the bed she grabs the first book in reach. Her fingers flip to a random page and she glimpses Phanes feet at the foot of her doorway. That's when she actually decided to skim the pages of the book to seem casual. Casual... Well, as casual as she can be.

Noticing blood seeping from her thumb, onto the page her eyes widened. No! The scratch from the needle reopened and is still bleeding very badly, she hides it by curling up her hand.

"I'm back," he announces

loudly. She's so concentrated

on hiding her thumb that she doesn't see Phanes wrapping his hand around her side and planting an overly perky kiss on her hair. She flinches away without looking at him and he frowns. He drops a plastic bag next to her. "I had the chef make you some chocolates." Silla doesn't look up from the pages of her book.

"How about a thank you, or maybe a kiss?" She gently pulls her stinging thumb from between her teeth and mumbles a 'thank you.' Phanes grins and plops down next to her, draping an arm around her shoulder. She turns the page of her book and scans the print without reading.

He rests his chin on her

shoulder, his wet hair brushing her cheek. She assumes he's reading over her shoulder, because the thought of him looking somewhere else is very unsettling to her.

"Is z'at blood?"

"Huh?" She forgot to stick her

thumb back in her mouth.

"Just a hangnail gone bad," she lied.

Phanes grabs her hand and

examines the bright red line with strong intensity. He grabs a handkerchief and wipes the wound, holding pressure.

"Not like any hangnail I've ever

seen.

He rises from the bed and

pulls her up with him. She drops her book on the pillow and lets him lead her. "Sit down," he orders, nudging her onto the bathroom counter. She hears him going through several drawers and removing a few things. When he turns around all she can see is a first aid kit. He kneels down beside her and takes her hand to disinfect the gash. It stings, but she doesn't mind the feeling.

After wrapping a bandaid around her thumb, she mumbles another 'thank you,' and starts to get up only to be pushed back down, causing her blood to freeze in her

veins.

"Don't thank me yet, Silla." He gently holds her hand.

"Now, are we going to build

this relationship on lies?" What relationship? When she doesn't answer he rephrases his question.

"Are you going to tell me the truth? What did you do today?" She glances over his shoulder at the heavy doors and he follows her eyes. He licks his lips and goes to examine her escape route. His fingers curl around the lock and with a slight twist of the wrist, the latch turns without a key to unlock it.

He turns back to her, his

eyes narrow. "How?"

"Her knuckles turn white as she

grips her nightgown. She swallows

her guilt and looks him dead in the eye as he walks back to her, arms crossed. Why did she feel so guilty? She was only doing what any normal person would do.

"I used an old needle," She

confesses. There's no point in lying to him. He obviously knows something's up.

"Look at me." She looks up at

him. "I think you know what we're gonna have to do now." She could only guess what sort of punishment he would dole out this time.

"B-But I didn't do anything wrong!" That's the first thing that comes to her mind. Phanes grip on her arm relaxes just a bit and he looks at her, eyebrows raised expectantly.

"Yes, I found a way out, but I-I

didn't run." Phanes lets go of her entirely and rests his hands on his hips. "I just wanted to leave the room and explore," she lies.

"V'hy didn't you just ask?"She felt hot tears boiling up behind her eyes and blinking them back, shaking her head at Phanes. Somehow he always managed to stir up the emotional side of her. She tries to keep her voice as steady as possible when she answers.

"What would that have cost me?"

Phanes sighs and crouches

down so that she doesn't have to

crane her neck to look him in the eye.

"Silla," his hands gently rest on her

knees, "if you v'ere to ask me if you could go outside, I v'ould have been fine with it." Going against her mental objections, a tear slides down her cheek and Phanes wipes it away with his thumb.

"Maybe if you're good for a v'eek, v'e can go for a v'alk in the gardens or something." He brushes a strand of hair out of her eyes, causing the corners of her mouth to turn up slightly. She can't believe it. He's not angry. He's not going to punish her.

"I'm so proud of you," Phanes purrs and traces the line of her jaw. The tension leaves her body, and in her relief she can't help but allow herself to smile. He smiles too.

"But you still need to be punished for going behind my back. I' ll See you tomorrow." He stood up and left, locking the door.

___________________

To be continued...