Page 25 of Sweet Misery

“I have no clothes,” I whispered.

“Ah, well, that’s a reward to work toward,” he answered, giving me a playful smile.

I said nothing, opting to look down at the white plate in front of me.

“Do you like chicken? I thought you looked like a chicken sort of girl,” he continued. “This is Tuscan chicken. Would you like to try it?”

I nodded, my stomach rumbling again.

If he heard it, he made no mention of it. Instead, he slid a piece of savory chicken onto my plate. He added roasted potatoes next along with tender noodles. I was shaking from being so hungry.

He slid a piece of bread at me as well before pouring me a glass of ice cold water.

I didn’t move an inch though despite my desire to scarf it all down in a single gulp. Being stupid wasn’t who I was. I learned fast. Being beaten daily growing up taught me a great deal of things. Waiting for permission was one of them.

“You are so well-behaved,” he mused. “And so starving. I can tell by how you tremble. Tell me, snowflake, what does it feel like to have the gnawing ache of want deep inside your guts? To operate such restraint against it when you know relief is just a movement away?”

“It hurts,” I answered in a soft voice.

“Pain does something to us, doesn’t it? Changes us. Weaves us into something else entirely. Here’s what I want you to do.” He reached across the table and cut all my food into small pieces for me before handing me the fork. “You will eat one tiny piece ata time. Chew it. Swallow it. Wait for me to allow you more. If you do not please me, you will be punished. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” I whispered.

“Perfect. Take a piece and eat it. Any piece you’d like.”

I took a tiny piece of the chicken and ate it, chewing it quickly and swallowing. The taste was amazing I nearly moaned. I wanted more. I wanted to eat until I had my fill. My body trembled with hunger and thirst.

“Good,” he praised. “Another.”

I did it again.

We continued on until the hole in my belly was finally becoming filled. He allowed me a sip of water here and there until I’d down an entire glass. He was kind enough to refill a second one and allow me to continue the sips at his command.

I cleaned my plate, feeling a little energy pop back into my soul, my stomach filled with the delicious meal and cool water.

“Wine?” he asked, pouring some into an empty goblet.

“I don’t drink,” I managed to say, making sure I kept my eyes focused on the table and not on him.

“You do not tell me no, little snowflake. Are you telling me no?”

“I-I’m not.” I reached out and lifted the glass to my lips, drinking as he instructed.

“Here is something to remember.” He studied me for a moment. “We are not our fathers.”

I licked my lips at his words. If he hated his father as much as Sever did, as much as I hated mine, we might have common ground. I didn’t respond to his comment.

“You are much better than the last toy we had,” he mused. “She was a pain in the ass and never wanted to heel for us. Fought every step of the way.”

“What happened to her?” I asked, placing the empty goblet on the table and making sure to look down at my plate.

“You do not ask questions. That’s another rule you’ll need to learn. Since we didn’t really go over that one, I’ll let it slide.” He pushed his plate away from him. He’d eaten with me, going just as slow.

I clamped my lips together tightly, giving the side eye to the balcony doors. Judging by the view I’d glimpsed, we were at least on a third floor.

That was too high to jump from, but maybe there was a way I could climb down…

“She’s dead. The old toy,” he said, his voice breaking into my thoughts. “Sold her body to the black market. I’m sure she made a really tasty treat for some sick bastard.”

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