Page 32 of Shadows of Fate

Her answer was quick. “Always.”

“Well, honestly, Silvana, you’ll have to venture through the door and figure it out yourself.” I knew teasing her may not be the wisest thing I could do, but I couldn’t seem to care.

Her eyes widened slightly as if she wasn’t expecting me to be so brazen with her.

“I have no desire whatsoever to venture past that door, Raiden. You’d do well to remember that, lest my daggers find a new home in your throat.” She shrugged.

“Mmm, you can try, my little ice queen, but you’ll find I’m quite fast.” I almost didn’t recognize the octave my voice took. Her nonchalance drove me slightly insane with lust the more she talked.

She glanced down below my hips, then back up toward my eyes. “I’m sure you’re quite fast, My Lord.” She smirked. “Was there anything else you needed this morning? I’d like to get unpacked before I rest.”

I gritted my teeth at the implication, trying not to allow my mind to wander too much further down that road. I stood from the chair and took a few steps closer to her. “I can promise you, there is nothing fast about that experience. Except maybe how quickly you’d be screaming ‘My Lord’.” I smirked down at her as she frowned slightly. “However, no. I don’t need anything else at this moment. I’ll have someone come to collect you a few hours prior to sunset so we can eat and get started on sharing what we know before the sun sets. Feel free to venture wherever you wish inside of the manor, all of the windows are protected by my magic once the sun rises. They’ll blackout on their own. Have a nice rest, Silvana.” I bowed my head slightly toward her and turned to leave.

“Can you still see the sun through the windows?” she asked quickly.

I turned back to look at her. She looked hopeful. “You can’t see it, no. But you can feel the warmth if you hold your hand up to the window or stand near it.”

She nodded her head. “Thank you, Raiden. I’ll see you later.”

With that, I turned and headed back to my chambers. All the while, wishing she’d open that door to see where it led.

Chapter17

Wild Blood-Red Roses

Silvana

“Ohhh, Silvie darling. It’s time.” The voice echoed through the halls. I could just hear him from where I was hiding. I’d been there a hundred times before, hiding in my own home. Hiding from him—from what was expected of me. I couldn’t follow through. I knew I was supposed to. I should have just grinned and dealt with the hand the Fates had handed me, but I couldn’t.

Cora told me I needed to be stronger. That Father would expect it of me, but she was so young still. She didn’t truly grasp what she was asking of me. I swallowed the bile trying to work its way up my throat. I knew he’d find me soon, but if I moved from here, he’d find me even quicker.

I tried to move backward—farther away from the light. I was hidden deep in a storage closet beneath a stairwell. The light didn’t reach the back and there was no fire nearby, which I thought kept him from being able to sense me so easily.

Shivers started to rack my body as I pulled my knees to my chest and leaned my head against them.

It would be okay. I was okay. I would get through this. For Cora. For Mama and Papa. For the people who were depending on me. I could do this.

Suddenly the door to the closet swung open and I heard him walking back toward me. I tried to push myself farther back into the corner, but it was no use. The smirk on his face devastated me because I knew what was coming.

“Hello, little dove. Come out here and let’s play.” He gripped my arm tightly and dragged me out of the closet. His second-in-command was there staring at me with disgust clear on his face. When we were back into the light, Master twisted my arm behind my back, and I swear I felt his hand start to heat. “Now, don’t make this complicated, Silvie. Walk toward your chambers like you’re supposed to as my gift, and let’s play. If not, I’m sure Cora is still awake.”

I swallowed again and nodded my head. He hated it when I spoke. He just wanted acknowledgment. He started muttering praise from beside me. Words about how much he loved me. I kept my head down and I focused on walking back to my chambers, trying to ignore the heat on my arm that was burning through my sleeve to my skin. It was nothing compared to what I knew was coming.

* * *

Sitting straight up in bed, I took a deep breath and pushed the memories back into the recesses of my mind. I didn’t have time to dwell in that head space today.

It took me a moment to realize where exactly I was. Looking around the room, I could feel that the sun was still a while from dipping below the horizon. Which meant I’d need to meet Raiden soon.

I realized I was covered in a fine layer of sweat and grime, so I got out of bed and headed for the shower. I had taken a quick look at the bathroom earlier when I’d arrived. It was easily one of the nicest rooms I’d ever been in, and I just knew there was hot water. The entrance brought you into the middle of the bathroom, with a midnight-colored stone soaking tub big enough for five of me and deep enough to sink completely in. It might as well be a personal pool. There was also a stand-up shower in the opposite corner, along with a sink and toilet. All in matching stone. The floor was a black marble and the walls were a dark gray wood, with accents along it all in silver to match the bedroom.

I glanced at the door opposite mine and bit my bottom lip.“Honestly, Silvana, you’ll have to venture through the door and figure it out yourself.”His words flew back through my mind and my core tightened. That male would be the end of me, I just knew it.

I let out a deep breath and turned the shower on. I was right, thank the Fates, hot water.

Stepping inside, my mind went blank to get me through the mindless task of getting ready for the evening without mentally checking out at the same time.

I’d been having these dreams of my past life for decades now. I always woke up not remembering anything but bits and pieces, words and blurry shapes, but never faces. I knew my parents were gone, I knew I had a sister, and I knew the male who’d taken us hadn’t been… kind. I knew I was lucky to survive. But, I also knew I’d never be that person again. The person who just walked with him and accepted that as my life—as my fate.

---