Page 81 of Viripotent

“Did someone hurt you?”

Looking up, I ask for something I won’t be given.

“Why?”

A part of me thinks his actions can be rationalized and wants to beg for an excuse. There isn’t one I can think of for what he’s done, but I know the devil is capable of stringing together the most beautiful lies.

Combing his fingers through my hair until it’s straight and over my shoulder, he leans down, filling my senses with nothing other than him.

“Why what?”

Fear wraps itself around every syllable as I give myself away and beg, “Why did you hurt her?”

I don’t know which her I’m referring to. The unnamed girl his neighbor told me about or Galya.

Shock and understanding have him letting out a long breath. He doesn’t push me away and begins the circular massaging motion against my scalp as he answers.

“It’s a long story. Not one I will ever tell you, there are some sins even the devil looks down on.”

I hate the cryptic fucking answer and I hate that it makes me relax. Vlad isn’t unfair, he’s too fair and always gives his opponents an advantage. It’s fucked up and egotistical, but he’s the most open he’s ever been.

He holds my nape and strokes my cheek with his thumb as he gets the closest to vulnerability he’s capable of.

“I won’t explain myself or change who I am because of you. I’d prefer you not to be fearful, but if that’s your choice then there’s nothing I can do.”

I hold his wrist and remind myself he is human. Under the brutality and violence he’s a person, not a creature or a monster. My voice is barely audible under the weight of my emotions.

“Will you hurt me like that? Or worse?”

I can compartmentalize his abuse if it never touches me.

I’m a selfish asshole not defending Galya, but only trying to save myself. Lifting his thumb off my cheek, his jaw tics and disgust has his lip curling.

“I won’t fucking rape you,” he spits out.

He’s said the same thing before I’d seen how easily he brutalized a defenseless woman.

“Why?”

Stroking my cheek again, I hold his wrist tighter like I need something, so I don’t fall into his icy stare.

He leans into me, letting me see every violent thought as he darkly says, “When I kill someone, I don’t want to see them walking around the next day.”

I accept what I want to hear and translate it as I’m safe. I take the opportunity to ask for more when there’s no order.

“Promise me you’ve never hurt anyone who doesn’t deserve it, that they were worse than you.”

There are very few people I would classify as worse than the biggest monster of all and I’ve never met any of them. But Vlad has, it’s there under his skin when he finally reappears after locking himself in his private office all night.

Stroking his knuckles across my cheek, he hesitates as I hold my breath. There’s a war in his eyes. He doesn’t want to lie for once and I feel like the world’s biggest fucking fool as hope wraps itself around me despite it. Pressing his lips into my forehead, he lingers and my eyes close as my tears escape. It turns into a choked sob when he alters what I asked for.

“I promise I’ve never hurt anyone innocent.”

Letting myself believe the lie, I hug him closer, knowing I won’t be getting out of this marriage. I’m stuck with him because the alternative is worse. The alternative is having a child with him, an innocent life that will be tainted and destroyed. Even if Vlad hasn’t touched me since that one night that I clearly wouldn’t get pregnant from, it’s only a matter of time before he gets impatient and wants an heir.I like being around him, which shows he’s able to manipulate my mind and I harden my resolve on that one topic, I won’t give him a child and I’ll trap myself with him.

As thoughthe heard my midnight thoughts, the devil is sat in the kitchen when I come downstairs. Heat blazes down my body from his gaze alone and I force my feet to move. It’s immature and pathetic, but I pull open the fridge door to hide behind it. I flinch at his voice without meaning to.

“What are you doing today?”

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