Chapter 14 #2
All vaguely positive things I was starting to feel about him vanish with that one comment.
He considers me as a possession, something he can play with at a whim.
Anger flares up within me as I glare at his retreating form.
I may have sold my soul to him, but does that mean I have given up all autonomous rights to myself?
In the grand scheme of things, at least Kit is acting in the way that is expected.
The king has no real claim over me, yet thinks he owns me.
What is it with males in this world? They seem to believe it is their gods given right to rule over everyone around them, especially females. No, that’s not fair. Not all males are like that, and it is certainly not just this world, as Kit has proven.
“You are an asshole, you know that?”
Careful, a little part of me whispers cautiously. I need to remember what he is, a demon, not a regular male trying to bate me.
The grin he sends me is feral and makes me shudder. “Why, thank you.” He’s practically purring with pleasure at the insult. Shaking it off, he turns to fully face me from the other side of the room. “Anyway, there is a reason I am here.”
Ice creeps through my veins and the temperature in the room seems to drop drastically.
I knew there was a reason beyond simply ‘checking in’ on me.
What is he going to ask of me? No, he doesn’t have to ask, as he just reminded me, he owns me.
Anticipation is usually worse than the actuality of what is about to happen, and knowing this should prepare me, yet dread still sets my mind spinning.
Horrendous scenarios play out in my thoughts, and as he pins that predatorial gaze on me, my body breaks out into goosebumps that has nothing to do with the sudden change in temperature.
Slowly, and with fierce intensity, he crosses the room toward me once more.
He’s different now, his attitude once again shifting.
There is a strange, pulling sensation, mixed with the scent of his magic.
When did that scent work its way into my subconscious so deeply that I would know it from one breath?
Kit’s shadow seems to flicker and grow behind him, which should be impossible…
He's drawing his magic, that’s the sensation I can feel and why I can smell the now familiar scent of his magic. Not only is he walking toward me with an intent expression, but he’s pulling magic.
None of this is a positive sign, and I should be afraid. Glancing over my shoulder, I confirm that there’s nowhere for me to escape, the bed behind me pushed up against the wall.
“Demons like to mark their deals in ink and flesh,” he explains, his voice as cold as the frigid air in the room. “This will mark you as mine.”
“Wait, what are you saying?” I ask nervously as he stalks closer. ‘This’? What does he mean? It looks as though I am about to find out.
Reaching out, he places one hand on my right shoulder and the other on my left hip.
Sharp tingling sears across my back, making me arch and cry out in shock.
My back feels like it’s been burnt, a path between his hands singed into my skin.
Gasping, I pull away from him roughly. I’m not running from him, oh no, that would be pointless.
He’s done something to me, I can feel it.
Running over to the mirror, I lift my tunic and twist around, examining myself.
There’s something on my skin. From shoulder to hip, wrapping across my back, is a large, black dragon design.
With each ragged breath and thump of my heart, I swear the dragon moves, filled with a magic of its own, giving it life.
There is a beauty to it, but I’m so horrified that I struggle to take in anything else.
This is not just a physical mark, but it has changed something within me.
An invisible tether ties me to Kit, and although there was a connection between us before, that was nothing compared to this.
I can feel him inside me. Violated, that is how I feel, and I doubt he would ever understand how this makes me feel.
I was wrong before when I first felt the searing pain across my back; it’s not a burn, but a brand.
Dropping my tunic, I twist and glare at him.
He’s watching me seriously, no hint of his usual humour which should tell me something.
I am too furious to unpick his changing emotions.
“I am not cattle.” I hiss, fury making me forget my fear.
Baring my teeth, I jab an accusing finger in his direction.
“You cannot just put your symbol all over me without my permission.”
There has been very little in my life that I have had control over, but what I do with my body is one of those that I have always held closely to me.
People take this for granted, making decisions about themselves on a daily basis without thinking what they would do if you had no options.
Kit has taken that away from me by imposing this tattoo on me.
However, my wrath snaps something within him and that serious expression melts away and replaced with scorn.
“I can do whatever I want. You sold your soul to me, do you know what that means?” He sneers, knowing that I don’t understand the ramifications of the deal we made.
“Anything you do, I can control. If I decide that I want you to throw yourself off the side of the palace? You would do it, you would have no choice.”
I think I have made a mistake in goading him as his anger is something on a completely different level to what I’ve seen from him before. Why can’t I control myself around him?
My body is suddenly gripped by his magic and I’m completely frozen.
What in the underworld is he doing to me?
I want to demand he let me down, but my mouth is sealed shut.
A thought comes to me, and the compulsion to walk up to the top of the palace fills my mind.
It’s a vague idea, and feels like a good plan.
I should do it, as soon as I’m finished with Kit here, I’ll take a walk up to the top of the palace.
Slowly, the compulsion gets stronger, and I no longer want to wait; I’m going now.
I try to shift my weight but I can’t, still gripped in Kit’s magical hold.
I need to get free, so I thrash against the invisible restraints so I can fulfill my new obsession with the palace roof.
My desire to go to the roof is now a need, pain pounding in my temples with each moment that I am held back.
Kit clicks his fingers and although I’m still frozen, I am able to open my mouth. “Let me go!” I scream with frustration and pain. With some control back, there is a tiny part of me that is starting to realise what’s happening here.
“I release you, and you will jump from the palace. You will die.” He breaks up this last part, putting emphasis on the final three words.
His total certainty of this is terrifying.
“Even then, I will still own you,” he continues, closing the gap between us.
“You’re body will die, but your soul will live on, and it will be mine. ”
Horror grows in me as I keep fighting to get free, unable to stop despite knowing this is not my thoughts or desires I am following.
This is almost worse than being completely without control.
At least then I was oblivious to what was happening to me.
Now, I know exactly what is going to happen and can do nothing to stop it.
“Do you understand now?” He is so close that his breath brushes against my cheeks. Quiet anger ripples from his words. “You are mine.”
The compulsion finally stops and he releases me.
Dropping to the hard floor, I press my palms to the tiles, steadying myself.
I’m breathing so fast I might hyperventilate.
He might be a demon and do horrible things, but this was out of line.
He took away my choice, and he made me think that was what I wanted.
Knowing that he can control me that way is scarier than anything I’ve seen so far.
My fear and anger merge into quiet determination.
I know that I will probably regret speaking to him this way at a later date, but right now I don’t care.
Reaching into the pouch that is still attached to my clothes, I withdraw a handful of crystals.
I’m not sure which ones I have, but their song calls out to me. They give me strength.
“Get out.” I order, voice flat.
He opens his mouth to say something but I’m not having it. Forcing all of my animosity and anger toward him, I narrow my eyes. “Get out!”
I shout so loudly that I’m surprised no one comes running to see what’s happening. However, I’m locked on Kit. His eyes are wide, a look of pure surprise on his face.
A slight pop sound makes me frown, but a heartbeat later Kit disappears.
He’s gone.
That should please me, so why do I feel so despondent? Too much. All of this is too much and the numbness threatens to drag me under once again. Crawling back onto the bed, I wrap myself in the covers and pray that I can fall asleep and have some rest bite from the crazy circus my life has become.