Chapter 10
Grace
My lungs fill with the savory smell of cheeses and meats, along with the sweet scent of fruits.
I lick my lips, sit on my knees, and then get up on all fours, my eyes steady on the tray. This is new. I’ve eaten everything he’s brought me since the peach, but never has he made a tray like this.
“Come out, princess,” Gio says from the entrance of the cage.
My eyes dart to his, and my heart beats faster.
Ever since our fingers touched, there’s been a heat in his eyes that I thought I was imagining.
But it’s there, staring back at me. I know what it means, but I can’t admit it to myself. Not yet.
“I want to feed you.”
I look past him at the room that used to be barren. He’s brought so many things into the room over the past few days. So many tempting items to touch. Textures I haven’t felt in days… I think it’s been days. No, it has to be longer. I try to remember how much time has passed, but I can’t.
There’s a pitcher of water on a small wooden table.
I imagine it’s plastic, but I’m not sure because I haven’t moved.
I wonder if there’s anything I can break and use against him, but then I look back at his intense gaze and feel a shiver down my spine.
I’m terrified that the second I creep out of here, he’s going to come in and take me.
Never letting me go. Never giving me a chance to run back here, into the cage.
I can’t live here forever though, and I want to come out and see everything he’s brought for me.
“Gio?” I ask, my voice surprisingly level.
The corner of his lips pull up. “Yes?”
“If I come out and you feed me,” my eyes rise to his, “will you let me come back in once I’ve finished eating?”
His eyes narrow at me and he tilts his head, considering my words.
“Do you think I’d take your cage from you?” His voice is low, as if daring me to tell him that.
“Yes,” I say, trying to keep my voice calm and level. “I’m afraid if I come out, you’ll never let me back in.”
His chest rises as he sucks in a breath of air and slowly releases it, never breaking my gaze. “If you come out, I’ll bring you to the table, feed you, and bring you back.”
My body begs me to allow it. I need his touch. I haven’t felt anything other than this scratchy blanket and the cold fucking bars against my skin.
And I’ve thought of what the rough pad of his thumb would feel like against my skin.
“Will you touch me?” I ask him.
“You mean, will I fuck you?” A small smile curls at the edges of his lips.
“Yes,” I admit.
“No, princess. I won’t fuck you until you beg me.” My eyes widen at his confession.
I can’t live in this fucking cage forever.
I crawl out, my heart beating faster and faster as I get to the opening.
It’s been days since I’ve left the cage for anything other than rushed trips to the bathroom.
My muscles ache from the movement. I stop at the very edge.
He’s so close to me. I can feel the heat of his body.
“Gio,” I whisper so softly, I can’t hear my own voice over the sound of the blood rushing in my ears.
“Yes, princess?”
“Please don’t hurt me.” I’m ashamed of how weak I sound. I want to be stronger, but it’s been so long, and I can feel myself starting to break. But something in me is telling me that if I ask him not to, he won’t.
He reaches his hand out to my face, but doesn’t bring it beyond the invisible boundary. I move forward, letting him cup my cheek and pushing myself deeper into his touch. My heart swells with the gentle touch.
I need more, but I’m rooted in the cage and I don’t trust him. At the realization of what I’ve done, I snap out of the haze that clouded my judgment. My lips part, almost as if to argue with myself, but somehow I find the strength to pull away.
I almost went to him. My heart thuds with disbelief.
I sit at the very edge of the cage, avoiding his stare. I can feel his eyes, but I don’t look back at him.
My chest feels hollow and my stomach hurts.
I can’t live in this cage forever, but I don’t want to cave to him.
I feel like I’ve only just gotten my sanity back from the stupidity of starving myself.
I have to resist him, even if I don’t want to anymore.
I won’t let myself be weak like I was with my father.
“Sit with me, princess. I want to feed you.”
I can’t answer him. I can’t talk to him. He confuses me and makes me question myself. I pick up the blanket and cover myself.
“Grace.” His use of my name makes me look at him. There’s admonishment in his tone. “You were doing so well.”
The tenderness in his praise makes me question my resolve.
“I brought this in so I can feed it to you. That was the only reason.”
My heart sinks. He’s going to take it away.
I swallow the lump growing in my throat and shake my head.
He’ll feed me something else. I know he will.
I ignore him and sit against the cage, used to the pain from the bars. He rises, leaving the tray at the entrance to the cage and stands there, staring at me, and I can’t help but to look at it.
I expect him to take it, but he doesn’t. Instead he says beneath his breath, “Just so you can see what you’re missing, princess.”
As he walks away, my fingers rise to my cheek. His warmth and touch felt… complete. I need it. I need more.
I don’t want him to leave. I know this is a punishment of sorts. I refused him, so he’s leaving me alone. And I hate that I want him. I want his companionship. I want him to talk to me, even though I refuse to talk back.
But I can’t give in. I don’t know what I’m doing; I need a plan. For now, my only defense is this cage. It's my safety but it’s also a curse. I’m too scared to look beyond it. I need to though. I can’t stay here forever.
I tried eating last night, and I couldn’t even hold it down.
I’d only taken a few bites before everything came up.
I made it to the toilet, but just barely in time.
I shouldn’t have starved myself. I can feel my ribs, and every little movement hurts, even breathing.
I need to get well. I look back at the plate of food Gio left. I need to eat.
I hear the door click open and peek up at Gio as he leaves me, the hard lines on my face softening as he turns to look at me. I watch him leave and say nothing.