Nadine packed up her room. This was the last time she would be in the Ravenglass manor. Tomorrow she would live at Boren's estate in Northern Reavador. Although he had a few estates across seas that he had mentioned. Today was the last two steps of their wedding vows and then she would be his.
Her new maid, from Boren's estate, was helping her. The woman was younger than Nadine was, but only by a couple of years. She was a skiddish little thing, and in a rush.
"This is years of my life being packed in a morning. Try and be a little more patient with me."
She joked after the third time the woman had asked 'Is that everything then?'
The maid looked at her now nervously.
"I'm sorry Miss Nadine. It's just Master Boren requested I make things go quickly this morning and I'm afraid that if we don't hurry.." she stopped and looked at Nadine eyes wide.
"Well nevermind Miss. Im sure Master Boren will understand."
She looked at her feet and Nadine realized in that moment that she was not the only one who Boren toyed with.
She looked at the box of her mother's things she had been going through and put the lid back on the box.
She walked to her closet and pushed it onto the highest shelf. It didn't belong on Boren's estate anyway, she thought sadly.
She picked up her overcoat and stood up.
"Let's not keep him waiting any longer."
She put a hand on the girl's shoulder and smiled genuinely.
The girl gave a little smile back and they headed down to the carriage that would take them to the dress maker's shop. She had a different gown for tonight.
It was a knee high lace dress with an open back and a deep v-neck front. She had the dress maker add a thin sparkling mesh to the back that matched her skin tone.
Costumarily a bride would wear red and black to her ravaging. She decided to wear only black as if heading to her own death day ceremony.
She smiled at the thought. At least in her own way she was sticking it to Boren. Even if the only one that realized it was herself.
She had hired a new dress maker. A younger woman who kept quiet and minded her business. Her name was Nessia and she lived closer to Boren's estate. She would be easier to access in the future.
The carriage stopped and the maid climbed out to retrieve her dress. She climbed back in a few minutes later with a long bag and a medium box with shoes in it. The jeweler next door had put glass and diamond on the black heel. It was exspensive, but Boren had more than enough money to pay for it.
At this point she was glad to spend his money. Resentment had a way of steepening the bill wherever she went.
Fortunately, Boren had explained to her that he would be taking mistress's to his bed and that their living quarters would be seperate rooms. Her pride had flared at the idea of being a well known unwanted wife, but the feeling had tapered into her usual dull nothingness. Eventually, relief at not having to sleep next to him won over.
She would however have a door that adjoined their rooms with a shared bathroom, and he had stated happily that he would be able to 'visit' her whenever he chose. Which would apparently be frequently, as he wanted an heir to his estate immediately.
'Goodbye peaceful bathing' she thought as the cart rattled to a stop in front of Boren's estate and the maid opened the door for her. The carriage driver hopped off to collect her things and she thanked him before following the maid into the manor.
The manor was one of the most beautiful places she had seen. Still images of her running away flitted through her mind again and again. She smirked as she inspected her room. At least the windows were big.
She had an open arch to her closet in the left and to the right was the shared bathroom which was all mirror and a tub centered in the middle. Her vanity sat in her room. She tried Boren's door out of curiosity. It had a lock. She noticed on the way out that hers did not.
She did her best to appear pleased as the girl awaited her at the door and she tried even harder to smile throughout the rest of the tour. It was long. By mid afternoon she was in the main room all the guests minus the couple's parents were in attendance for their ravaging day. The stage was dim and Boren stood in a robe as did she. It was customary for them each to remove the robe of one another and kiss. He would pick her up and carry her off.
She had at least five glasses of champagne and was working on a sixth when the music began to play.
She made her way up to the stage and they were each given a dagger. She slipped hers into her pocket as the Oath Binder read the ceremonies taking place.
"Blood binding is a powerful binding of two souls through blood. Once two people have blood bonded to eachother they may never lie, steal, or betray the other. To do so will result in excruciating pain until the truth is spoken, an item returned, or a betrayal made right. Boren will now cut his left hand and then so will Nadine."
The Oath Binder fell silent as Boren cut into his palm.
"Boren's blood spills true for the love of his love."
Nadine raised the dagger to her hand and held it there. She took a deep breath and was about to draw the blade across her hand when the Oath Binder spoke.
"Nadine's blood spills true for the love of her love."
She looked at Boren who's eyes glimmered at her hand excitedly. She lowered the blade. Her hand uncut. They joined hands and his blood ran down her arm. They stepped away and two Oathsmen came forward to wrap their hands. She smiled briefly knowing it was Scar who'd sent the woman. Too bad she would never see him again.
Her words rang in her head.
"Don't come back." The finality of it burned as the Oath Binder talked about the importance of blood and oathsmakers.
"Now the Magic Oath ceremony is beginning." He stated seriously.
"After the couple's have been joined, around midnight the Magic Oaths will take effect, rendering this couple unable to utter words of love for other's. Leaving them unable to speak of leaving their marriage. We will play music as they whisper their additional and concrete oaths lovingly to one another."
The strings in the back played quietly while the guests took this moment to make their comments to one another.
"My oath is never touch you while you are pregnant and never to touch the child you bare in an aggressive manor."
His breath was hot in her ear and he pulled away with a bitter disgust in his eyes as she leaned to his other side to whisper her own oaths. He gripped her wrist painfully tight.
"My oath is to obey your wishes to the best of my ability."
They danced briefly to the music and the Oath Binder left the stage. She shed Boren's robe first as was custom. Leaving him standing in black pants, his chest was bare. His eyes bore into hers and she held her head high as he too shed her robe. He grabbed her cheeks and kissed her in her small lacy dress before picking her up bridal style and carrying her to his room.
"For tonight only, you will share MY bed." He growled in the hall.
A masked servant was there to open his door and depart. He kicked the door shut behind them and set her on the bed somewhat gently.
Panic swelled in her chest and she wished she had more to drink. He stalked up to her and she relized she was his now.
Horror threatened to close her throat.
"Give me a minute." She said trying to smile and get up.
"I've waited plenty long enough." He growled grabbing at her roughly and throwing her back onto the bed. Her face hit the sideboard and her stomach was pressed into the bed.
"Boren please!"
She made to turn over but he pressed her into the bed and began to tear her dress up the back.
She closed her eyes as tears streamed down her face. Who would have thought she would lose her virginity like this?
She wanted to laugh bitterly into the pillow but her tears would choke her as she gripped the sheets and he ripped her panties from her body. She heard him fumbling with his belt and neither of them heard the door.
"Boren. Having a hard time there?"
Her head whipped to the side so fast she thought her neck might snap. Boren turned with a red face.
"What hell are you doing in..."
Scar's eyes met her tear soaked gaze and something in them changed and hardened. She never seen that look in them before.
His face looked better. Under his eyes still looked a little hollow especially in the dark.
Wait. His scar was gone.
She rolled off the bed and held her tattered dress to her. Boren swung at Scar and his fist connected with the wall as Scar ducked and twisted until he was behind him. He stomped him in the backside. She watched as his lean body became a lethal force.
Boren went sprawling against the wall and when he turned angrily Scar danced with him until his back was to the door again. Then quick as a snake he punched him in the face snapping his neck back. Boren stepped back until his calves brushed the bed and Scar snapped a capsule beneath his nose.
Nadine watched in fascination as yellow and blue fireworks erupted and formed into a cloud before following like sparkles over Boren's body. It seeped into his body, glowing for a second before vanishing.
She looked up to find Scar's eyes on her his eyes burning like blue flame. Her cheeks burned in shame, and her mouth refused to voice her questions.
'Why was he here?' 'Where was the Scar on his face?' 'What had he done to Boren?' Part of her hopes he was dead, but the steady rise and fall of his chest said otherwise.
All she can say is his name.
"Scar." It comes out in a small whisper not at all like how she's feeling. She wants to scream at what he almost did. She knows it'll be worse when he wakes up.
"I came to get my dagger back."
Her eyes opened widely, and she stood. He crossed the room to her and she trembled as he inspected her.
"Boren is under the influence of a capsule known as DayDream. He will not remember me being here. He will envision a fantasy of how these moments played out as if they were real life. They're quite popular in the whore houses. I'm sure this isn't his first time with that drug. They tend to use it on the violent ones most."
He look disgusted as Boren's body fell into the bed.
"Thank you."
He raised a brow.
He would not say your welcome. He couldn't be here saving her every moment of every day. Inevitably Boren would win out. He wanted to kill Boren. He just met her stare blankly. He stepped closer to her. His hands ached to wipe away her tears. To cup her face, kiss her cheeks, her mouth. He grabbed her dress and reached in the pocket. Sheathing his dagger so quickly her eyes could not follow. He kept hold of the fabric unwillingly to let go. Unwilling to cut his ties with her, and yet. She had worked out a deal with the devil behind him. He couldn't stand to be around her any longer. His eyes narrowed at her. He turned and began to walk away.
"Wait."
She didn't know why'd she'd said it, but he froze with his back to her. His muscles tensed beneath his shirt. Her mouth suddenly had a mind of it's own; uncontent to obey her at all tonight.
"When I was laying there... I couldn't help but think that I was giving him my..."
His body tensed further and she felt her heartbeat quicken as she prepared to lay herself bare to him.
"He shouldn't be the one to take my innocence. You should."
She said the last part boldly. Holding her breath as he turned and walked over to her.
He looked like he might say somthing but instead he pulled her roughly to him his eyes devouring her.
Without a word his mouth met her's hard and hungry. A moan fell off her lips and she felt him harden against her. Her tongue tasted his lips and he moaned too. She shuddered. She forgot how wonderful it was to kiss him. He pulled back and wiped away her tears with his calloused hands even as more fell and he did what he had desired to. He kissed her cheeks. Sensually licking away her tears as she started shaking and sobbing. He held her until she quieted hating Boren with every fiber of his being, but right here and right now she was his.
She hadn't realized what she held within her until it was released. He was patient. Playing with her hair and teasing her neck with his lips softly until she quieted.
He looked at her shining bright violet eyes and kissed her softly on the mouth.
Her lips were just they he remembered them. Soft and alluring.
"Are you sure about this?"
His voice was a husky whisper against her bare shoulder and it made goosebumps rise down her back.
He thought perhaps he should have declined her offer outright. Holding her just to lose her was torture.
"I have my own room through those doors." She pointed.
If she wanted him the way he wanted her she would leave with him this time. He had dreamed of her leaving with him.
He picked her up. Claiming her mouth deliciously as he walked and turned the knob. He broke away to kiss her neck as he glanced around the room and found the next door. He released her in front of her bed. Slowly he began to roam her body with his hands. She let her dress drop in a heap at her ankles. The moonlight streamed from the window bathing her skin in its pale light.
He growled softly as he took in the sight of her and removed his leather vest. He shrugged it and it fell to the floor, the heavy metal hitting the floorboards as he lifted his sweater. The tight black fabric slowly revealed his muscled stomach and she flushed at the sight. He was beautiful.
He was back to kissing her. She felt heat scorch through her body and he picked her up settling her across the bed so gently. He pleasured every part of her with his mouth and hands. His face ended up between her thighs, his hands spreading them firmly apart and she thrashed beneath him as he tortured her. She was on the verge of exploding when he stopped and removed his pants and everything beneath them. His body was georgeous.
She sat up and touched and felt everything from his rock hard abs down to this silky smoothness. She relished the moans that left his body as he became just as turned on as she was. He paused before he took her and she whined beneath his lips as he hesitated.
"Are you sure?"
"Please."
She said breathlessly soft and he took her slowly. His gaze held her as she trembled and he filled her.
It was not quite as painful as some women said but he was huge, and for a second it was quite uncomfortable.
She bit his shoulder and he waited for her to move against him first. Slowly, he moved within her until they were both rough and frantic in their movements.
She broke across him again and again. Until he spilled inside her and they laid on the bed breathless and hot.
He laid on his back her naked body curled around his. Her hand rested over his muscled chest and he trailed his fingers over her side.
There was such a deep and lovely silence to the room until he spoke.
"I love you. I've loved you from the moment I saw you in that barn, braiding your hair. Perhaps before that. Perhaps I loved you the moment I heard your voice floating into the gardens."
Her hand froze over his chest and anguish and warmth filled her in equal parts as he gently tilted her chin to him.
"I've never been in love before you, and now that I am I can't just leave you here with a monster." His voice turned hopeful as he pleaded with her.
"I can buy a manor in a nice part of town. I have the money for it. I can establish a wealthy name for us. It's your wedding night. We could kill Boren and wait a few weeks, months, or years until your ready to announce that were together."
She met his gaze quietly drinking in his dark messy hair, the soft lovely look on his face, the strong hard line of his mouth. His gently tilted lips. She could see the vulnerability in his lovely blue eyes.
She wanted to say she loved him back, but she saw those eyes become hardened by pain as she pulled a dagger from his body. She wondered how long it would be before his father came for him. She sat up and turned away from him. He loved her. She could see that he meant every word. She opened her mouth to selfishly say the words back. No sound came out. A tear fell silent down her face. The magic oath. It must be midnight.
It was for the best she thought.
"I'm glad you took what has always been yours. Now I can think of you fondly in the days to come, but I think you need to leave now."
She felt his body freeze beside her and her heart ached.
"Nadine..."
She held up her hand to stop him.
"Please don't make this harder. Tonight doesn't change anything about our future or lack thereof."
She made her voice cold.
His hand gripped her chin angrily and he pulled her face up to look at him. His eyes were blazing. She could hardly bare to look at him, but she made her face calm, devoid of emotion.
"You can't offer me what Boren can. As much as I hate him he is my future. I need him more than I need you."
She saw the hurt flicker in his eyes and she wished she would die right then rather than let him leave without her.
"You will never be enough for me."
He released her face and got dressed wordlessly. She stared at the place on the bed where he had laid next to her.
He left without a word. His hands shaking with anger as he snuck out of the manor. Once outside he pulled on his cloak he'd left tucked in a bush. A singular tear fell down his face as he pulled up the damp hood.
He had never cried over a woman, not even his own mother.
He hoped whatever Boren was offering her was worth it. This would be the last time he let a woman cloud his judgment he swore it to himself firmly. He walked off into the night spinning a button over in his fingers.
Nadine cried until her head felt light and threw away her dress. She pulled a long dark robe on and climbed into bed. Tomorrow she had an early morning for the forth step of their marriage. The public announcement that they had finally been joined as a pair.
Her small hand landed harshly on her pillow as she screamed into it. At least he was safe and her father's debts were paid. Everyone could move on with their lives as intended now. It didn't matter. She doubted she would live to see this very next year. Being with Boren would be the death of her.