by Nancy Glynn
“Please...I don’t like it. Please go!”
“I just want to kiss you. No more, I promise.”
Tears slid down her face, his lips kissing each one falling. He nuzzled his face with her braid and over his wet lips. “I’ve done this since you were a baby. How could you deny me, my dear girl?”
She turned her head to the side to avoid his mouth, but he always pulled her back and kissed her, long and hard.
“You’ll be mine one day, Daisy. You will be my queen and rule my empire. And finally you will give birth to my son. I wish I could do more with you now, but I want your virginity intact on September Fifth, Twenty-Fifteen,” he panted against her lips. “Promise no sex until then,” he ordered.
Her eyes popped open, sitting up in her current prison. She realized Jack sat watching her on her bed, waiting for her to awaken. She also now understood why Jack seemed so familiar to her at the hayride when she first met him.
She’s always known him.
“Those were the good ‘ol days,” he smiled. “It’s a shame Dane had to change my plans and take you before I ever could.”
“Why have me remember now?”
“I wanted to show you how you’ve always known me. I was your first love, not Christian,” he sneered.
She shook her head. “All you were was a dirty old man touching a little girl inappropriately.”
He laughed at that. “You enjoyed it as you got older. I sniffed out your first menstrual cycle. It was delicious,” he grinned. “You’d finally succumbed when I came to you one night and allowed me to please you in ways that would keep that hymen intact. By the next morning, all memory would be erased until right before midnight,” his laugh echoed off the walls.
“My God,” she whispered.
“No, God wasn’t there for any of that. You’ve always belonged to me, my sweet. No matter who your father is, who your grandmother is, you are mine.”
“What about my mother?”
“My dear Rose. I enjoyed her as well. Richard would turn a blind eye so I could go to bed with her. He loved making partner in his firm, thanks to me. He had all the money a man could want.
“But then she started sneaking off to the church to cleanse her soul, and then meeting with that priest. I put wicked thoughts in their heads, but love had to get involved, something I detest. I just wanted them to have sex and make a daughter for me.
“I wanted you born out of lust, but instead they made you with pure love and you turned into something I didn’t exactly want. Damn them and their love for each other!" His eyes turned yellow.
She nodded with a knowing smile. “That’s right, they loved each other and still do even with my mother gone. That lives in me, Jack. That’s the part you can’t control in me and you hate that!”
He shook his long finger at her. “You were still born of an affair with a man of the cloth! In your so-called God’s eyes, that’s a sin!”
“I don’t believe in sin, at least not the man-made control you out of fear kind. God is a loving being that loves and forgives all, something you’ll never understand.”
A low guttural growl formed in his throat, and she knew this time would take longer to heal.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Christian knocked on Charlotte’s door, noticing the door still closed at ten in the morning. He slowly opened it and peered in to find it empty. “Charlotte?”
Her bed was still made like she hadn’t been there all night. Something caught his attention on her dresser, what looked to be fingernails and red hair. A note lay there at the corner with her frilly writing. She informed him she couldn’t take it anymore and left Golden Hills in search of a better life.
“What?" He glanced around in amazement. She actually left? That didn’t sound like her at all.
His father stepped inside the room. “She’s gone, huh? I guess it works out for you and Daisy as Jack has planned,” William said.
“I just don’t get it. Why would Charlotte just leave like that? Leave the money, me, the money, the lifestyle,” Christian added.
William shrugged. “Who knows, son. Women are confusing. Maybe she realized she deserved what Daisy has...real love from a good man, not some fantasy in her head. Even I couldn’t satisfy her needs...kind of a blow,” he smiled. “What’re your plans for the day?”
“Getting fitted for my tux.”
“Twenty-one in three days. It’s finally here,” William said with pride. “The day we’ve all been waiting for.”
Thunder rumbled and clapped outside in tune with the lightening that flashed seconds before.
“Yes. I just want to see Daisy, even if she’s on the arm of that...man,” he sneered.
“You’re not getting any ideas in that head of yours, are you, son?”
He brought his attention back to his father. “Nope. I just want to see that she’s safe and well. If Jack does hand her over to me, then all this will be worth it.”
“Look, Chris, I know you’re not thrilled with taking the town on, but you were born for this. Everyone respects and admires you already. I do hope Daisy will be by your side as well, but part of me wants you to feel pride for all that is yours.”
Christian looked into his father’s blue eyes unlike his own and nodded. “I get it, Dad. I’ll make you proud.”
William clapped him on the back and softly laughed. “Let’s get you to your fitting, shall we?”
***
Jack stood at her bed with a flicker of sadness in his eyes. “Daisy, my love, you need to eat. I’m sorry for being so rough on you the last time, but that was two days ago. You need to eat to build your strength. Come...sit up,” he said, putting his hand behind her head and pulling her up.
Her wounds have finally healed, but her soul was slipping away. She could feel it. She allowed Jack to bring a spoon of soup to her parched lips, sipping the hot broth.
“That’s a good girl. You do bring the tenderness out in me. I’ll be gentle next time...I promise. No more challenging me. Eat some more,” he fed her until the bowl was empty.
She lay back against the pillows and stared at him.
“Your dress is here for your fitting. Elizabeth will help you with that. Will you please say something?”
No words came to her lips. Only images played over in her mind. He really is a beast. She couldn’t trust herself to say anything for fear of angering him once again.
He sighed. “Very well, have it your way. I’m not used to groveling at anyone’s feet, particularly a woman’s. I need you to find it in your heart to forgive me. I like my women submissive, so this cold, standoffish attitude is not doing it for me. Elizabeth will be in shortly,” he said and left.
Elizabeth walked in, whistling and smiling, pushing the mannequin in wearing the dress. “Isn’t it magnificent, Miss Daisy? Look at the emeralds sprayed all over it. With your red hair against this green, you will be dazzling. I almost wish I could be there just to see everyone’s shock!” she giggled.
Daisy gave a small smile to her only friend at the moment. She didn’t care what she wore, only to be in Christian’s arms again. And only if Jack permitted that.
She allowed Elizabeth to help her up and undress her. The dress was spectacular even for the circumstances. It would be the dress she would either be happy in or die in, the dress of all dresses.
Elizabeth slid it down her body, feeling the silky sensation against her skin, molding her figure in all the right places.
“You look like a mermaid, Miss Daisy!” the maiden said, standing back and admiring her. “I only need to drop it in length a little for your high heels, but it’s perfect, otherwise!” she clapped. “Don’t you love it?” she asked, concerned.
Daisy nodded. She wanted to give the girl what she wanted. “I do very much. Again, thank you." She swept her hair up. “That would look nice. Would you agree?”
Elizabeth nodded. “Oh, yes! Some tendrils hanging to your bare shoulders. All eyes will be on your exquisite beauty.”<
br />
Daisy smiled. She never thought of herself as an exquisite beauty. Pretty, maybe. In this dress, a horse would look lovely.
“No, you’re a true beauty,” Elizabeth answered to her thoughts. “Inside and out.”
“Should have known,” Daisy said, smiling.
Elizabeth stood closer and whispered. “Have no fear for Mr. Jack. Believe it or not, I think he actually cares for you, Miss Daisy. I’ve never seen him so enamored with any woman, and I’ve seen him with quite a few in my time,” she winked.
“He’s not human, Elizabeth.”
“Please, call me Lizzy. He may not be human in the way we know humanity to be, but he has taken on some qualities,” she answered, blushing.
“You’re in love with him, aren’t you, Lizzy.”
“I wouldn’t say love, exactly. I am quite fond of him. He’s always been kind to me. Oh, I know who he is, but he’s never hurt me, has actually taken good care of me.”
“He’s never...you know,” Daisy asked, raising her brow.
Lizzy shook her head. “Never, not once. Always been a gentleman.”
“Do you like being immortal?” Daisy asked.
“It has its benefits. I’ve been the same age for a couple of centuries, been proposed to over hundred times, been courted by so many men. I don’t always wear this horrible maiden’s outfit. I wear normal clothes that fit the era. I’m even getting married for the fiftieth time to a wonderful lad who will eventually grow too old and die,” she said with sadness.
“How is that a wonderful way to live, Lizzy? When he told me I was immortal, I–”
She shook her head and put her finger to her lips to quiet Daisy. “You’re not. You need to give your consent for that to happen. He’s hoping you do that at the ceremony. He’ll use Christian as a way to get you to want to, a way to be with Christian forever,” she whispered.
Daisy’s eyes widened and then she smiled. “Oh, thank you for telling me that, Lizzy. You are the dearest friend a girl could ever have. I hope you don’t pay for that.”
“I hope so, too. I’ve always been loyal to Mr. Jack, but this time he might not be so forgiving. You let me worry about that,” she winked. “Now let me take this dress out for you.”
Daisy smiled to herself knowing there might be some hope after all. Why would Jack make her think that? Excitement flowed through her. The only thing that worried her was she didn’t have her cross. How would she get it and use it on Jack? She didn’t want to lose faith with how far she’s come. Maybe just her kiss at the right moment would save her. She had to think about what she would do.
She knew if she didn’t come up with something, she would have to go through with Jack’s full plans of impregnating her in front of his congregation – in front of Christian. And then he would become immortal when the clock struck 10:12.
***
In a frilly, pink room fit for a princess, little Emily walked to her white, ruffled bed covered in stuffed animals of different sizes and colors. She studied them all before choosing the pink and white unicorn, named Magic. She gazed at it with an intense love and sadness after kissing it.
She skipped to the white dresser and turned on her CD player to play her favorite song. She held out her beloved unicorn and began to dance, spinning around in her room. She spiraled down to the floor and sat Indian style, crossing her legs. Tears streamed down her face, as she hugged her unicorn to her heart, knowing her fate.
After standing again, she walked back to her bed and kissed all of her stuffed babies, one by one. They each held a daisy between their paws.
Emily then turned back to a picture of her family, her mom and dad and her, all gazing happily at the camera. The unicorn sat on her lap as always. She caressed the picture and wiped her tears away. Determination overcame her, and she stood straight and tall, taking a deep breath.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Daisy’s eyes snapped open. This was it. September Fifth. The day she’d been waiting for all her life.
The day her mother died twenty-two years ago.
The day Christian was born.
The day her life would change forever.
Green emeralds shone from the corner of her dungeon, mocking her, drawing her in.
Jack had left her alone since that brutal last time five days ago. She appreciated that with all her soul.
She sat up and gazed at the prison that had become her home, or home that had become her prison, not sure which. A tray of breakfast goodies sat by her bedside with fresh daisies in a slim green vase. A carafe filled with hot coffee, Splenda and Hazelnut cream, all her favorites.
She threw her legs over the side and spread cream cheese on a bagel after fixing her coffee. Was he trying to seduce her into thinking this could be her life with him?
After finishing her meal, she went to the bathroom and started her morning routine, taking a little extra time for this particular occasion.
Jack appeared in her door while she brushed her teeth, looking handsome as ever. “Nervous, my sweet?”
She continued brushing and spit after rinsing. He watched, captivated by her every move. After wiping her mouth, she turned to him, playing along again. “A little, but you’ll be by my side, right?” she smiled.
He nodded, licking his lips. “Yes,” he breathed. “I want to forever be by your side, Daisy, if you’ll have me.”
She had to be careful not to give an informal consent of her mortality. He played dirty.
“But how will I also become Christian’s high priestess while carrying your child?" The words sounded crazy to her own ears.
He cleared his throat. “Well, after he officially turns twenty-one, you both become immortal, forfeiting your souls to me for good, thereby inheriting a fortune. My child will grow in you at a speed of a breath, possibly six weeks at most." He glanced off as if envisioning it all in his head. “Your home is being built right this moment not too far from me, a splendid estate I’m sure you’ll both be impressed with. My son will live there but under much tutoring, and his own nanny that will teach him who he really is,” he returned her smile.
“What shall his name be?”
“Ash.”
“Ash Red?”
“Yes. You like your son’s name?”
A ball formed in her stomach. “What does it mean?”
He cleared his throat, proud to inform her. “The last remains of anything living.”
Her heart beat hard and slow at first, becoming more rapid. “Oh, I see.”
That familiar guttural sound vibrated from his throat. His pupils were dilated, fixated on her.
“Shouldn’t I rest for tonight? I need my energy, Jack,” she pleaded softly.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Very well. But tonight you are mine right after Christian turns twenty-one. Then I will hand you over to him, which drives me insane with jealousy. I might just keep you for the night and let him have you tomorrow. It’s not the usual tradition, but you are not the usual girl.”
Her eyes widened and forced her mind to be blank of what she really wanted to think. “Will you be in your natural form,” she asked, giving into the idea she had already lost.
“Yes. Does that scare you? I mean, you’ve seen partials of me already.”
“It does scare me,” she admitted.
“So if I were to be in my human form, you’d be more compliant?”
“Of course,” she said, hope springing inside.
“But then I’d be letting my followers down. They look so forward to this day, to see their master in all his glory. They’ll all gather in the movie theater of Stone Manor. I’m sorry, I just can’t do that, not even for you. You’ll just have to adjust. I’ll be extra gentle with you,” he purred.
She gave a submissive nod.
“That’s my girl. You’ve done well with me so far, so I really don’t see this as a problem. You’ll see. You might even enjoy it,” he laughed softly. “Now get some beauty sleep. A lunch tray will be
brought down to you, possibly a light dinner to hold you over until the birthday feast, which will be served at seven o’clock. I want you there promptly at six-thirty.”
“Wait, won’t you be escorting me? How will I get there?”
“Elizabeth will bring you since you’ve developed such a close bond with her,” he arched his brow.
She stared at him and wondered if he knew. Her mind remained blank so he couldn’t read it. “I see.”
“She’ll drive with you but you go in alone. I want all eyes on you. It’ll be the best Black Twenty-One in all the history of birthdays.”
“Why do you call it that?”
He clapped his hands together. “For all the souls I collect when they turn that age. I own many in this town and plan to own them all. Christian’s will turn the blackest because of his father being the original follower.”
“And mine?”
“Yours will be the darkest because of who you are and what you’re turning away from. I will have the ultimate power of possessing your soul. I can taste it now,” he said, smacking his lips and grinning. “I’m sure your soul is shivering.”
She ran to the toilet and let it all go, all her breakfast, every morsel.
“Daisy, I’m hurt by your reaction. I thought you’d be pleased with that idea. Oh well…until later, my love.”
He left, leaving her to finish vomiting.
***
Christian stood admiring his tuxedo in the full-length mirror. All he cared about was Daisy’s reaction. He wanted her to be pleased at seeing him.
It still boggled his mind about Charlotte and just felt off about her disappearance. He decided he would search for her tomorrow for his own peace of mind. Maybe she would show up at the ball.
He didn’t stare too long at his reflection as his pupils dilated, becoming darker than normal. The thought of turning twenty-one tonight terrified him. His father had told him multiple times it wouldn’t be so bad, that he still felt fine. There’s just certain thoughts that would go away, leaving who he truly is intact – one of Jack’s boys.
