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“There’s nothing worth smiling about when you’re around.”
His eyes flash at my words, spat at him in disgust over his suggestion that I smile more. As if he and his family aren’t the reason that I find it harder and harder to do so.
I watch as his knuckles whiten on Cyprian’s shoulder, wondering what punishment for me he’s coming up with in his mind.
“Mother was right about you,” Amadeus sneers. “You really are nothing but an ungrateful bitch. Someone really should teach you a lesson about your place in this world.”
“If that’s the case, then I’d prefer to be taught that by someone who doesn’t think higher of themselves than they are.”
In a blink, Amadeus has pushed past Cyprian, the force of his sudden movement causing him to stumble drunkenly backward to the ground. I straighten, refusing to give in to fear as I lift my eyes to meet his furious gaze.
He shoves me back against the fence, grinning as it hits the small of my back, causing me to let out an involuntary grunt of pain.
“Careful, girl,” he warns, stepping closer. “Your father isn’t here to save you. Perhaps it’s time I finally show you the only thing you’re really good for.”
Amadeus reaches for me, his fingers dipping below my neckline as he presses his body to mine. I go still as he yanks open the lacing at my bust, his other hand shifting to my skirts as he jams his knee up between my legs. My mind is racing, but my body remains in shock.
He’s going to get what he wants, and I’m too scared to stop him.
Then, just as suddenly as it all started, it stops as a large hand yanks Amadeus back from me.
“Come now, Deus,” Cyprian says, his words far more slurred than they were just a few minutes ago. “Where’s breakfast? I need food, and perhaps some wine. No,definitelymore wine.”
Amadeus glares at him for a moment, before glancing back at me as he shifts uncomfortably on his feet, and I only just now realize he’s holding his cock in his hand … or at least, what little of it I can see.
“Have you not had enough already,brother?” he hisses.
Cyprian snorts at this.
“I wasn’t aware there was such a thing as enough wine,” he answers. “Besides, isn’t it her job to make sure we’re fed? The longer we stay out there, the longer until we get a good meal.”
For a breath, I don’t think Amadeus is going to give me up so easily, but then he relents. As if on cue, his features change as he dons a mask of boredom. With a snort of his own, he shoves himself back into his pants, and I’m careful not to sigh in relief or do anything to draw his unwanted attention back to me.
Running his hand though his long blonde hair, he straightens out his clothes before turning his back to me. Slinging an arm around Cyprian’s shoulders, he starts off toward the house, dragging his brother along with him without a final word or glance my way.
Only Cyprian does look back, his eyes meeting mine for a split second. He gives me a strange look, his eyes softening toward me in a way I’m far from used to.
I can’t help but worry that he’s only just realized I’m a woman, something his brother wasted no time acknowledging since the first time we met. Did he save me from his brother because he actually cares about me, or was it simply because he couldn’t stand by and watch?
Pushing away from the fence as soon as the two of them are out of sight, I hiss in pain as I stare down at my palm.
A single splinter of wood sticks out from it, a small droplet of blood already beading on the surface. Shuddering, I pull it from my hand before rubbing my sore lower back.
Cyprian was right about one thing, unfortunately. I had better hurry back to finish preparing breakfast before I’m left with any more bruises. Still, I pause for just a moment to glance back over my shoulder.
Father is long gone, but I still find myself hoping for some sign that he will be fine ... That he will return in time.
Instead, I’m left with an empty road. Letting out a single sigh, I move away from the fence.
I should know better by now than to hope the gods hear my pleas.
3
Hazel
The days drag by as I wait for Father to return, the bruises on my back from the caning I got the first night after he left still healing.
She’s always been good at making sure the marks of my punishments were never visible to the naked eye.
