Chapter 6
Without being covered in fudge, I was able to make out the dark hair that was swept away from face. His features were sharp with a pointing nose and thin lips. The pale color of his skin was unnaturally pink, leading me to wonder if that was from his vampirism or some other reason.
Irritation almost overrode my fear completely at the sight of the vampire I’d saved in the Candy Forest a few days ago. One of the major reasons I’d gotten caught by Rumple and ended up in the bin for so long.
My bleeding heart had done it again. This was why I shouldn’t help strangers. Every time I went out of my way to help someone else, I ended up being the one who paid for it. Usually with time in the bin, but this time was much much worse.
“Why did you take me?” I choked out the words through my frustrations, tears burning my eyes. “I save you, and this is how you repay me?”
His lips twisted to the side, head still canted like a cat trying to assess me. “You saved me, so I returned the favor. Are you not happy?”
The deep cultured tone of his voice soothed something inside me. I shook off the feeling of peace and shoved a finger at his chest.
“That doesn’t give you the right to just go around kidnapping people. Take me back now.” I almost crowed with relief when my voice didn’t crack or waver. My fear of the creature before me came back at a startling pace the longer he stared at me.
“You are shaking.” He took my hand in his. “You must fear your home greatly.”
I shook my head, resisting the urge to jerk my hand from his cool ones. “It’s not my home. It’s just where I work.”
“Then why go back?” He lifted my hand up and up until I was almost on my tip toes. Turning my hand over, he brought my wrist to his nose. “You could be happy here. I’ll take care of you. Fran likes you very much.”
My heart raced at how close my wrist was to his mouth. Would he bite me? Was that why he wanted to keep me here? To make me his living snack?
I wouldn’t do it. I had people to protect and a contract to fulfil. I made a deal, and I was not one to go back on my word, no matter how tempting the vampire before me made it.
Licking my dry lips, I gently pulled my hand away. Thankfully, he released it with a small smile. “Fran has been very kind to me. I thank you for your hospitality and the new dress, but I really do need to be getting back now, Mister...?” I trailed off, realizing I didn’t know his name.
“Blackthorn. You may call me Blackthorn.” He gave me an elaborate bow. “And what is the name of my savior?”
My face flushed with embarrassment. I wasn’t anyone’s savior. I only did what anyone else would have done in that situation. “Mara,” I muttered against my better judgement.
“Mara, beautiful.” He grabbed my hand in his once more. “You have done me a great service. I had been stuck in that damnable swamp for days. I was only so lucky that the forest blocked out most of the sun, or I would have dead for sure long before you came across me.”
“How did you get stuck in there, anyway?” I asked, unable to help myself. “It’s not something most people would just willingly walk into.”
His head fell back and a raucous laughter filled the room.
“No, I do not believe they would.” Chuckling a few more times, he adjusted the cufflinks of his long-sleeved shirt, the crimson color only barely made out in the fireplace light.
“I was running from a pack of shifters. It’s mating season, and they do get rather rambunctious at this time of year. ”
My mouth formed a silent oh. That must have been why there was a beast so close to town earlier. A part of me wondered what had happened to the creature or if the townspeople had killed it.
Pushing the thought away, I focused on the task at hand. “I am happy you were able to get home safely, but you don’t understand. I’m under contract for Rumpelstiltskin. I have to go back.”
“No.” Blackthorn’s eyes narrowed.
I blinked. Then blinked again. Did I hear him right?
“What do you mean no?” I gasped, my heart rate picking up with panic. “You understand you kidnapped me, right? You took me in the middle of the night and now won’t let me leave. That’s not rescuing me.”
Blackthorn sniffed and brushed past me, stalking across the room. “I saw the factory you work in. That is no place for you. I will not allow you to go back to such a hell hole.”
I chased after him, my voice going up a notch. “And what am I supposed to do when Rumpelstiltskin comes looking for me? He’s not just some human you can push around. He’s a sorcerer. I have a magical contract with him. I belong to him, magically and legally.”
Blackthorn stopped all of a sudden in the doorway, and I barely kept myself from falling face first into his back. With a whip of his cloak, Blackthorn sneered.
“You do not belong to him. I will not allow it. From now on, you will remain here under my care. Fran!” he called out suddenly, making me jump.
Fran rushed down the hallway as if she were waiting for his call. She stopped before us with a low curtsey, her head bowed. “Yes, master?”
“Please take Mara back to her room.” Without another word, Blackthorn turned and walked away.
“So I’m to be your prisoner now?” I called after his retreating back. “How is that different from Rumple?”
He simply waved a hand but didn’t respond, leaving me in my maid’s hands.
Huffing in frustration, I turned to Fran. She still had her head bowed, her shoulders bunched up to her ears. “I’m sorry, I know this isn’t your fault. Your master has some crazy notion that he’s saving me, but it’s only going to cause me more problems.”
Fran slowly lifted her head. “Mistress should stay here. Master said that you were being mistreated where you lived before.”
I wanted to dispute what she said but, unfortunately, she wasn’t wrong.
My life at the factory was a hard one. Early mornings, late nights.
Barely enough food to keep me alive during working hours.
Definitely not enough energy to ever rise up against Rumple, even if any of us had the magic or know how to do so.
How many nights had I dreamed of running away from Rumple?
How many days were spent in a half-daze from hunger and despair?
If things were different, I might have just accepted Blackthorn’s help wholeheartedly.
Except that tugging in my stomach had started again urging me to go after Blackthorn or to find another way out of the castle.
So far it had only been an incessant buzzing, but who knew how long that would last? Rumple’s magic could turn deadly at any moment. I didn’t know if just trying to leave would keep the magic happy or if it would eventually decide that I wasn’t trying hard enough to return and do something deadly.
Returning my attention to Fran, I decided to play it safe. “I understand that Blackthorn thinks he’s keeping me safe, but I have others relying on me. I can’t just stay here forever.”
Fran surveyed me for a moment, seeming to think about what I said. Finally, she brushed her hands off on her skirt and offered me an understanding smile. “Well, that will have to be something you take up with master. I cannot open the castle door for you.”
“But I—”
Fran cut me off with a broad grin. “Why don’t we find you something to eat? I’m sure you are starving after all the excitement during your arrival.”
My stomach gnawed with hunger in response, mixing with the magic’s need for me to return to the factory.
“Wonderful.” Clapping her hands together with delight, Fran spun on her heels. “Follow me. Everyone is so excited to meet you.”
I glanced forlornly towards the castle entrance. Well, I suppose I couldn’t leave on an empty stomach. It might take me days to get through the Candy Forest to get back to the factory. I should eat at least. Maybe find a pack or something to take some with me for the trip.
If I was lucky, one of the others Fran spoke of could help me find a way out of the castle. Or at least a way to get it through their stubborn master’s head that he had to let me go.