Chapter 40 | Her
The leather is hard. It hurts my neck in places where it already feels sore, and I don’t feel like looking in the mirror. It’s not about the places where the collar has rubbed me raw but also the marks of regular abuse that makes me look away every time I try. Although the sting is not the only one on my body.
It’s been just over a week since I was ‘gifted’ the piece with metallic chains attached to it so I know my place and never try plotting against my new Master ever again.
“I would’ve cut your tongue for planning anything against me, Rosa. But then your pretty mouth wouldn’t be as useful.” He had said, after kicking Marija’s lifeless body like she was some goddamn animal.
I watched her bleed to death. I watched her soul leave her body while my soul left mine. All the bruises on me were deliberately... brutally reopened by them, in the name of punishment.
The names ring in my ears, maybe because they forced me to moan for them, all while King and his business partner kept discussing business, unmindful of the brutality going on just outside.
They did exactly what they must’ve planned... spitting, kicking, calling me names all the while mockingly at my misfortune. And my Master had no objection whatsoever. He knew who he was leaving me behind with when he left to discuss business.
Wolves. It was then that I realized that Marija was right all along.
It was then I realized – given the right circumstances, anyone can become a fucking animal.
“Do you want to know what I would do if it were anyone else, Rosa? An eye for an eye... Exactly the number of my men you got killed.” He had said it in the scariest way possible and even though it was just a whisper to my ear, I remember shaking for two consecutive nights thinking about whether it was worth risking my family.
The answer was plain and simple. No.
That’s exactly what I’ll tell him tonight. I tell myself before filling my lips perfectly with the ruby lipstick.
Vuk arrives on time. His monotony kills me even when I really am already dead.
“How do count it to the very seconds, Vuk. Are you a robot?”
“Perhaps, if I could show you my gun, you would believe that I’m indeed human.” Mockery before going back to the usual cold self. “I’ve told you about a hundred times now... he hates people who cannot adhere to simple punctuality.” Speaking while walking me through the doors to King’s suite.
“You’re here.” King greets me as I enter. My master looks happy for unknown reasons. And that’s the most dreadful of all his expressions. “What? Don’t you want to know the occasion...why am I...what do I say, happy?”
I bite my lip in response. “Umm, w-why are you...h-happy?”
He laughs heartily before approaching me with intent eyes, “I did it. He has been looking for me. Anand has been trying to reach me out. So, I contacted him back. Turns out all this pain paid well... Naksh wants to come meet me. My son, my heir has agreed to join me.”
He laughs again before controlling it with just a wicked smile, “I broke him, again... And you are to thank for it. But you know what, I am thinking of something better than that. A reward maybe... what do you say?”
The hate that’s been rooting inside for weeks step aside and a brand-new ache fills my chest. ‘I broke him’ The words burn holes through me for a good ten seconds, as I bite the inside of my lip hard again, making red flow onto my tongue.
Why is it difficult for me to hear about it? I don’t have any feelings other than hatred left for his son. But something in me is breaking having the knowledge that the latter has agreed to join him. He could never do that. That’s what he’s been working against his whole life.
Lost in thoughts, I forget the presence in front of me. King’s knuckles brush my cheeks before cupping them, “Look at me when I talk to you.” My eyes forced to meet his. “He’ll be here in two days. And you’re going to make him see that you have no business left with him. Do you get it, Rosa?”
“But...but I don’t want to meet with him. In fact, I d-don’t want to see –” I gulp hard, “I don’t want to see him.”
His eyes narrow at my response, “You do realize this is my son you’re talking about.”
For two seconds I start preparing myself for another round of punishments, before I sense a change in his eyes. He looks content.
“Regardless, I would have considered it. But given the fact that he might still have certain beliefs for you... I want you to break it to him how you feel about him now. Free him, Rosa. Let him know you have nothing left for him in that broken heart of yours
His other hand grazes my arm slowly reaching up before pulling down the sleeve of my dress. “Make him realize you’re nothing but a slave now. My slave!”
I nod when he lowers his lips to the exposed shoulder.
“You have a beautiful family, Rosa... And such an ambitious sibling. Although I doubt, she might be able to set that hospital without a proper sponsorship. You know I was always into sponsorships for such good causes. Would you want me to help her out? I wouldn’t mind.”
His eyes narrow at every word, while I shiver beneath his touch, shaking my head desperately, “No. P-please leave my family out of it. I’ll do what you want.”
“Good girl... I always knew you had it in you to be my Czarina!” He tugs on my chain and we walk over to the most luxurious grave I would have ever rested in. “You’ll say what I’ll tell you to say, and you’ll do exactly as I tell you to.”
He guides me to kneel on the royal Russian carpet, the fight in me dying as I get seated between his legs, before lowering his lips to my ear, “I’m not done with you, Rosa. And I’ve hardly begun with him. Don’t make me regret this time... Okay?”
I nod.
And just like that... I become the most despicable being on the planet. His favorite slave as he tells me.
Even though a corner of my mind craves self-ownership, I’ll do what’s best for all of us. I’ll endure every moment of this torture and oblige with every duty that I’m put to.
The pain of losing oneself is something that only I am going to go down with. I’ll make sure none of my loved ones feel even the slightest of heat while I burn down to ashes.
I’ll forget everything about him...love...hate...everything!