Anna left me alone in the shower and I scrubbed my lips repeatedly to remove all traces of Andre and his kiss, which only succeeded in making them redder and even more tender.
I put on my own undergarments in the privacy of the bathroom. I quickly pulled on my panties as Anna began pounding on the door most frantically.
“Miss, we have less than fifteen minutes to have you ready.”
“I’m coming.” There was no need to fuss over her seeing me in my underwear and bra, because I had no choice and she was only doing her job. Besides I didn’t want to be late, I’d already felt the good doctor’s brutality and I had a feeling Dark’s would be much worse and could affect Vincent and Julian.
As I stood there in my underwear, I remembered when Julian and I had slow danced in the cave. My sweet Julian, I wondered if he and Vincent were still all right. At least I knew they had gotten a decent meal when I’d been in that horrible dungeon. I didn’t think I’d ever forget the brutal conditions some of those poor creatures and humans were experiencing. How could they even survive such brutality? I’d never forget the screams and horrifying wales of pain that had echoed through the halls in that awful place.
“Excuse me, madam, I need you to lift your arms,” she said it as if she was repeating herself. I probably hadn’t heard her I was so lost in my own painful thoughts.
I did as asked and the peacock blue creation was slipped over my head and drifted over my body. Creation was the only thing that came to mind when I looked in the full-length mirror that was brought into the room while I was in the shower. The dress was fit for a queen with its simple styling and magnificent material.
It was the most beautiful dress I’d ever seen, but not something I would have normally worn. Its strapless, plain style fit closely to my body through the torso and hips. Then it fishtailed out in a flare to the floor and hugged my curves in a way that left little to the imagination. It was made of a Mikado and silk material in the most unusual shade of blue that I’d ever seen, much like the clear turquoise of the Caribbean.
It fit a bit snug through the bodice and pushed me upwards, which I didn’t like. Anna assured me the fit was perfect, “It’s sexy for such a young one, but I will fix you up. Sit down now. We don’t have much time.”
When I looked again into the mirror again, Anna had changed my looks. I still looked too sexy, but now I looked as if I belonged in the dress I looked much older with my hair in a simple knot at the back of my neck and my face made up with much more makeup than I’d ever worn before. There was no need for expensive jewelry with the shimmer of the material as I moved. A quick spritz of a too-strong perfume finished my dinner outfit.
With Anna’s help, I did look beautiful in a sensual kind of way that wasn’t at all me. All I could think of was that I wished my guys would be the ones to see me in the gorgeous gown, for them I wanted to be sexy. Victor wouldn’t have been able to keep his hands off me. Miles would have been wild-eyed to kiss me. I would have cast a spell on Sebastian and the others. All I had to look forward to was getting ogled from Dark, a man old enough to be my father and Andre, whose sexual intensity at times was most inappropriate.
I didn’t have long to wait, as there was a knock at the door. Andre walked into the room.
I could feel the sexual tension coming off Andre in waves as he looked at me. “You’ve outdone yourself, Anna. You may go. I will escort the young lady to dinner, although she looks much more like an experienced woman than an innocent youngster tonight.” I thought he was going to lick his lips, he wanted me so badly as his eyes drank in every detail the gown didn’t hide.
He finally took my arm in his tuxedoed one. I guess dinner must be a gala affair here at the fortress as we walked towards the elevators.
We arrived at Dark’s private dining room a few moments later, which was almost directly above my rooms.
He was seated and enjoying a goblet of wine when we entered. As I expected he was again dressed all in black. He wore a designer tuxedo of the latest fashion that hugged his lithe muscles. He immediately left the table to greet us. Actually, he seemed more interested in greeting me as he formally took my hand and gave me a chaste kiss on both my hand and cheek.
“You look as brilliant as my most valuable diamond. You’re wearing no jewelry, my dear.”
“I don’t have any.”
“Perhaps we can remedy that later. Let’s have dinner first. I have something special planned for your first dinner with us.”
I made sure my walls were in place as my thoughts drifted to my predicament. I didn’t want anything special from either of them. I was a pretty new toy they wanted to decorate. I was just a bird in a gilded cage with little chance of escape now that I knew he held two of my shields in his prison.
I hadn’t even kissed my shields much, and one of them was already gone and two more were imprisoned in this horrible place.
“You look deep in thought, my dear. Try this, it will help you to relax. It’s an imported wine from France. I’m told it’s the most expensive wine in the world at over one-hundred and fifty thousand dollars for this bottle. It’s Chateau Lafite 1787. I’ve been saving this bottle, as it was a gift to me. Tonight is a special evening and we shall celebrate in style.”
I didn’t know what he was celebrating, but I had nothing to rejoice about at the time. I was alive, but I didn’t know how long my loved ones would last since Dark now had the upper hand.
He downed his glass and rang for a servant. A gentleman dressed in old fashion formal attire came into the room. He bowed and immediately opened the bottle of wine. He poured three glasses and handed one to each of us.
I really didn’t want to drink any alcohol, as I needed a clear head in case I heard anything that might prove useful later. I couldn’t give up hope of escape or freeing the others or I’d burst into tears, which would no doubt anger the two men that stood on either side of me scrutinizing my body in the too revealing gown.
They were making me nervous and I damn near dropped my crystal goblet, which was no doubt valuable.
“There, there, my dear, there is nothing to be nervous about. No one will harm you. You may find that before the evening is over you have reason to celebrate.”
“Here, honey, have another glass of wine. You look a little pale, although you do look amazing otherwise. It’s hard for me to remember I’m your doctor.”
I said nothing to that comment, what was I supposed to say?
“Shall we sit? I believe the young lady should take care of her ankle. The sooner it is healed, the sooner we’ll have much more to celebrate, right Andre.”
“Yes, sir.”
I felt the heat of Andre’s hand on my bare shoulder as he led me to my seat. When I got seated, he squeezed my shoulder and ran his finger down my bare back before taking the seat directly across from mine. I’d have to look at him all through what would likely be a long dinner. Dark sat at the head of the table. The rest of the long table remained empty with just the three seats taken on the end.
While the men privately conversed, I looked around the room. It, too, was elegantly decorated with priceless-looking antiques and original paintings. The table where we sat would have seated at least fifty people comfortably. There was also a backboard and an enormous wine rack at the far end of the room. This room, too, had a fireplace. I wondered if Dark was as cold as his heart, but didn’t want to think about him.
I wanted to try and enjoy the meal. If I could learn to enjoy the food perhaps I could tolerate being in their presence each night. Andre was proving to be worse than Dark. Every time I glanced towards him, he was watching me as if I were to be his next meal, which was creepy. I was starting to dislike him as much as I did our host.
Dinner was tolerable, because as long as I kept my mouth full I didn’t have to make small talk with either of my dinner companions. In spite of the company, the food was the finest I’d ever eaten and consisted of seven courses. We adjourned to the library for after-dinner cordi
als, which I would’ve refused. However, I was given little choice when Dark insisted. He had a special toast that he wanted to make with us.
Chapter Twenty-Five
When we got seated, he handed us the small crystal glasses. Before he poured the liquor out of the decanter in front of him, he spoke, “I apologize for making you nervous at dinner. I know I was staring at you, Emma. You remind me so much of your mother with your heart-shaped face and mannerisms. Your eyes under the contact lenses must not be the same color as hers were, otherwise you would never cover them with colored contacts. They were magnificent, just like she was. I loved her very much. She was the only woman I’ve ever loved.”
I damn near choked from his comment, then he continued, “Priscilla worked for me at one time. It was when I was just starting to form Dark Hearts. She didn’t approve.” I thought, Hurray for Mom. “I even asked her to marry me, but she wouldn’t have me, but now I have you. Isn’t it funny how life works out.”
“Oh, my dear girl, don’t look at me like that. I’m old enough to be your father. I’m not interested in you for myself. Andre shall clear that up shortly. I’ll be right back. When I come back, I trust we’ll have much to toast, son.”
I damn near screamed when I heard the word son leave Dark’s mouth. I had no time to think about it for Andre had come over to where I was sitting and went down on one knee holding a black velvet ring box, directly in front of me. He grabbed my left hand off my lap and began what I knew would seal my doom, “The first time I saw you, Emma, I knew we were meant to be together. I know you feel the same way and will do me the honor of becoming my wife.”
He started to put the biggest diamond ring on my finger that I’d ever seen. It had to be at least ten carats of teardrop shaped brilliance edged by quarter carat or so black diamonds. It must have been worth a fortune, but I didn’t want it. I tried to pull my hand away only to find him holding it tight as he pushed the ring on my reluctant, wiggling finger.
“I don’t want to get married.”
“I don’t think either of us has a choice, honey. What father wants he gets, besides it might not be so bad. Admit it, you’re not immune to me. I could tell by the way you kissed me earlier today.”
“Your father made me kiss you as you know. Why didn’t you tell me he was your father, Andre?”
“It never came up.”
“Really, you know how I feel about him.”
“You don’t know anything about him.”
“I know all I need to know, Andre. He is evil. He hates his own species.”
“Don’t believe everything you hear. My father was once a brilliant scientist just like your father, but society wouldn’t take him seriously. Human beings are fools who are destroying their own planet with their blatant disregard for the environment. My father tried to warn them that they were destroying the planet with their pollution. They wouldn’t listen. An iceberg the size of Delaware has now broken off the ice shelf in the Antarctica peninsula. It was just as he predicted. What are they doing about it? They are doing absolutely nothing, that’s what. He’s trying to save the planet, Emma, before it’s too late.”
He continued in a voice full of righteous conviction, “Hell, he’s trying to save the whole universe and countless civilizations. If the humans succeed in destroying this planet, it will throw off the alignment of the others, destroying other planets besides their own. Father has no choice, since the world leaders refuse to listen to reason.”
“Do you believe that killing most of the human beings and enslaving the rest, sounds like a reasonable plan to you?”
“If you can think of some other way to stop the destruction of this planet and several other civilizations, I’m sure he’d listen to his soon to be daughter-in-law.”
“You’re both crazy,” I said, not concerning myself with the consequences.
“I will ignore that remark, but after we’re married you will be an obedient wife, both in and out of the bedroom, honey, or I’ll be visiting your friends and you won’t like the consequences.”
I decided to try reason, which of course didn’t work. “Andre, why do you even want me when you could have almost any woman you wanted? I’m just a teenager that hasn’t even graduated high school. Why would you want an inexperienced girl that doesn’t want you, when you could have any woman you wanted?”
“Oh, I believe you want me. It’s just that those damn seven friends of your fill your thoughts. Well, six now that Victor is out of the picture. Those fuckers aren’t even human. At least I’m a human being. Father wants me to marry you. He’s anxious for the offspring from your mother’s bloodline, which means this will not be a marriage in name only. Anyway, I believe I will enjoy teaching you what is expected of a woman in her marriage bed. ”
“You’re sick, Andre. I thought to reason with you. There are other women out there that would be more than happy to marry you and give you a dozen children.”
“I want you and I shall have you, one way or another. Now come here and kiss your new fiancé.”
I hesitated and he threatened, making my feet move towards him. I lifted my lips towards his and closed my eyes. At least I could try to pretend that he was someone I at least liked. I felt his excitement as he deepened the kiss, dipping me to where my breasts were almost escaping the bodice of my gown. When he finally let me go, I stumbled backwards from the intensity of his kiss.
I was trembling all over, “If I can’t talk you out of this…”
“You can’t.”
“When are we supposed to be wed?”
“We will be wed on Imbolc, since we missed the Winter Solstice. If I had my way, it would be sooner. I can’t wait to begin your bedroom instruction with you naked beneath me. I don’t think you realize how perfect your body is, I do.”
I blushed profusely at his stare and his caress down my cheek.
“Can we please talk about something else?”
“Of course, I forgot that you’re not used to the conversation between a real man and a woman. I can’t believe one of those beasts you hang with didn’t take your virginity by now. Their loss will be my gain. I’ve never had a virgin before, and you’ll be all mine.”
I wanted to gag at the thought of his hands on my body and worse. He’d take my innocence with none of the tenderness my shields would have shown me.
“What date is Imbolc?”
“It’s on February first. It will be a very large wedding, honey. We shall be celebrating the promise of spring and the promise of our new life together…”
I think he would have said more, but at that moment William came into the room looking like the cat that got the cream, or in this case, me. I tried to pull away from Andre, but his arm snaked around me and held me next to him so our sides were melded together. I was grateful that he was wearing a jacket for the lust that was in his eyes most surely would be evident other places.
William Dark pulled me out of his son’s arms and enclosed me in a hug as he spoke, “Welcome to the family, my dear. I will ask nothing of you except that you give me many grandsons. Someone will need to run this empire when I am gone and Andre is too old to do so. I knew when I saw your wide hips that you would be able to bear me many fine grandsons.”
I couldn’t believe he’d just said that to me. I never believed I could hate anyone, but I knew, then, without doubt that I hated him for what he’d done to my guys and for stealing any chance of happiness I might have had with them.
He released me as we sat back down. I now had to bear Andre sitting as close as possible to me on the overstuffed couch with his arm draped across my shoulders running his fingers across my collar bone and dipping lower almost touching my flesh peeking out the top of my gown.
“How do you like your ring?”
“She thought to take it off at first, Father. I don’t believe she thought I was serious when I proposed.”
“I hope you like it for I expect it to remain on your finger at all times. If I should see you withou
t it on your finger, I will consider you don’t wish to marry my son and any promises I’ve made about the safety of your friends will be negated. My wedding gift to you, Emma, will be the promise of the survival of the two wendigoes in my dungeon. This is provided you keep my son happy and are a dutiful, obedient wife. I trust we understand each other.”
“Yes, but how will I know they are not being beaten and starved?”
“You will be permitted to visit the dungeon, so you may look upon their health, with your husband, of course. They won’t be able to see you, but that should ease your mind that I have kept my word. How often you visit will be at the discretion of your husband.”
“How often will that be, Andre?”
“As long as you perform your nightly duties, I don’t think once a week is out of the question. As with everything, the choice is always yours. Keep me happy and I will be a very accommodating husband. If not, well, we’ll hope not to go there.”
“Now, enough wedding talk, have I told you how lovely you look in that shade of blue? I believe my son has chosen well, you will have smart as well as handsome sons. My dear you don’t look like a happy bride to be. How about giving your soon to be father-in-law a smile and your fiancé another kiss, like you did earlier.”
Torture, it was torture to have to do all these little damn things to please two men that I couldn’t stand, but I did both things for Vincent and Julian. I could do this as long as I remembered I was doing it for them. At least I could close my eyes when I kissed him…which I did. I didn’t miss the feel of his fingers as they slid down my bodice in front of his father. He pulled me onto his lap to deepen the kiss and extend his fingers downward to graze my nipple...
Epilogue
It was only two weeks before I’d be marrying Andre Dark. Darness was just a name he’d used around me to conceal his identity, I learned. I’d soon be Mrs. Dark and there was nothing I could do to stop it.
I’d already endured a couple weeks of engagement celebrations with a huge masquerade ball in our honor. At midnight, Andre was to announce our engagement and then remove my mask, revealing to the world the identity of the woman that had stolen his heart. I was sure I would look like a woman, since I’d been wearing much more womanly attire and makeup since the announcement of our engagement to the household.
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