Chapter twenty-six: Return to the Manor
Trigger warning: The following chapter contains depictions of Domestic Violence. Reader discretion is advised.
The ride toward the mansion felt like I was being carted toward my death – which to be fair wasn’t wrong. Being forced to return was signing my death warrant. I tried to tell myself I would find another way out, but I had a feeling it wouldn’t be as easy as it had been previously. One thought swirled through my mind on the entire ride back: How did they find me?
I knew I hadn’t been the most sneaky when leaving the city, but I hadn’t plastered a neon sign on my back telling them where to go. Either someone had been following me – which seemed impossible – or they found me through magic somehow. At first, I assumed the stranger had tipped them off, but when I saw him briefly as we rode through the streets, he looked as surprised to see me as I was him.
Then who…No…What if it was the plot. I groaned, squeezing my hands together. If it was the plot – it would make sense. As stupid as that was. If the plot is dragging me back by the ankles, how the hell am I going to escape?
The carriage stopped suddenly, jolting me out of my thoughts. I looked out the window, feeling my stomach knot up. I had only been gone a handful of days, but seeing the building made it feel as though I had been gone for months. Whatever awaited me inside was going to be a nightmare.
A click sounded and the carriage door swung open. Jake reached inside, grabbed me tightly around the wrist, and pulled me out without saying a word. He marched toward the front door – tugging me gruffly behind him. Each step felt as though I was walking through molasses.
Two of the other knights, Paul and Trevor – names I found out when they were drunk last night – opened the door. The Knight commander appeared beside us and we walked inside.
The foyer sparkling clean enough that you could see your reflection on the floor. Art, from statues to paintings, filled the space – making it look more like a museum than a home. A large chandelier hung from the ceiling – imposing and as sparkly as the floor.
The commander walked toward the carpeted stairs, clearly not as awestruck as I was. I guess the knights are permitted to use the front door – unlike me. Jake tugged me forward and we ascended.
Where are they taking me? Wasn’t the Duke’s study on the first floor? I didn’t dare ask them, I knew I would find out soon enough.
When we reached the landing, we turned to the right and marched down the hall. A few maids stopped cleaning and openly stared at me before whispering loudly.
“Looks like the dog got caught.” One snickered.
“She should have just jumped into the ocean if she wanted to escape so badly.”
“Be silent.” The Commander said – voice never raising above a conversational tone. I couldn’t explain why, but each command he gave felt threatening.
The maids clamped their mouths shut, grabbed the bucket they had been cleaning with, and ran off – water sloshing behind them.
We continued moving until we reached the last door on the left. The commander raised his hand and knocked politely. “Your Grace, we have returned with Lady Kyla.”
“Bring her in.” The Duke’s cold voice ground out.
The Commander opened the door, stepping inside. Jake pulled me after him, muttering something under his breath. The Duke sat behind his desk, eyes flashing.
“You have done well.” He said, motioning for Jake to bring me forward. “You both may leave.”
“Yes, your Grace.” The Commander and Jake bowed, turned and left the room – closing the door behind them.
For a long stretch of time, the Duke didn’t speak. He stared at me – which was effective enough. Sweat broke out across my body and my heart began to pound erratically. My mouth went dry and my ears began to ring. Damn it. This is annoying.
The Duke pushed off the desk – body stiff – and stopped inches away from me.
“You stupid bastard.” He snarled, raising his hand.
I opened my mouth to say something – what I didn’t know. His hand swung through the air – slamming me hard against the face. I winced in pain, tasting the metallic flavor of blood in my mouth.
Did he have to hit me so hard?
“What utter stupidity ran through your mind?” He asked, striking me across the other cheek. “Do you think your life is your own?” He hit me again – this time hard enough to knock me to the ground.
I landed on my knees, hair in my face, lip split open. The ringing in my ears increased in intensity and my head began to throb. I expected something like this, but what a prick.
“No longer will you be recognized as a member of this family.” The Duke walked over, glaring down at me. “That freedom you felt will be the last you ever feel again.”
Says you. I thought – feeling my lips twitch. You think I’m going to roll over and accept my fate?
“This is amusing to you?” The Duke bent down – lifting me by the front of my shirt.
“Y-yeah.” I wrinkled my nose as the scent of cigars floated from his half-open lips. “Y-you t-think…I’m going to l-let you control me?” The words came out weaker and broken than I wanted – thanks to Kyla’s fear – but I wasn’t willing to take his abuse without saying my piece.
“Such insolence.” The Duke raised his hand – smacking me again. “You useless woman.”
“W-what d-oes m-me being a w-woman have…anything to do with it?” I stuttered out. Narrowing my eyes. “Y-You’re the problem.”
The Duke’s eyes darkened in rage and he struck me again and again. Each blow felt stronger than the last. Is he planning on actually killing me? The chances of that were slim. He wanted to sell me off. Money was the only thing that would ensure I was alive – that and the plot of course.
On the third hit, I spit the blood in his face – grinning like I had lost my mind. Maybe I have.
“Ignorant welp.” He balled his hands into a fist and sucker punched me in the stomach.
The air whooshed quickly from my lungs, adding yet another instance of pain. He threw me to the ground, insulting me and swearing. Luckily for me, the sheer amount of pain I was feeling – made it impossible to hear the words he was screaming at me.
Did he always react this violently? I wondered as the world started to tilt. Or did I really piss him off that badly?
I glanced up at him to see his face so red it almost looked purple. He barked out a command and the door opened. I couldn’t tell who walked in – but they had to be guards. I felt hands wrap around me and haul me up.
The Duke stepped closer – breath fanning my face and said something that had spit flying. I blinked a few times and smiled again.
More words flew out of his mouth that I didn’t hear – then the guards dragged me from the room.
Well, I thought, closing my eyes. That was a small victory.