Her mouth opened to speak but was interrupted when the door opened.
My eyes turned to the tall figure walking in holding a small blue bowl. With messy blonde hair, his large tattoo crawling down his hand from under the black t-shirt, an emerald tears drop earring on his right ear... Ilay looked like a modern Greek god walking into my room to offer me salvation from this damned world.
I openly ogled him, memories of the previous night invading my head. I remember his groans and grunts. Remembered how he thrust inside me like a raging bull as he took me. He sounded and looked super hot, sweating for me.
Our eyes collided and he...didn't smile or show any warmth.
I looked away, cursing myself for expecting something that sweet from an asshole like himself.
"Can you walk?" He asked, setting the bowl down on the night table before his gaze moved to Aya, who was already on her feet.
A sly smile surfaced on his lips as he sat. "I see you've been...catching up. Must be nice to see your family again, eh?" He was taunting me and wasn't even trying to hide the pride in those eyes of his.
"So, will she be my maid, or why did you bring her here?" I asked glaring unsatisfied at Ilay.
He didn't answer right away; he just presented me with the bowl. "What is this?"
"Just drink. No questions asked," he stated, pushing the bowl in my hands and then watching me as I analyzed the weird dark brown concoction in it. It smelled horrible, and I was certain it tasted even more horrible. I'd throw up after drinking it, that was for sure. "Do you want me to feed you?" Ilay asked, his tone flat.
I brought the bowl to my lips and held my breath. 'I hope I'm buried with my body intact if I die,' I prayed and closed my eyes before chugging the liquid like alcohol.
As it brushed my taste buds, it left behind some bitterness which was quickly overshadowed by the sweetness of maybe...honey? I couldn't tell because its scent had been suppressed by the stronger horrible one.
My face twisted as the concoction reached my stomach, stirring my sensitivity. I was about to gag when a large, warm hand cupped my jaw, and a pair of lips devoured mine. It wasn't just a kiss, Ilay was pushing some candy in my mouth.
My muscles relaxed as the familiar sweetness calmed my buds fully and Ilay's kiss soothed the bitterness in my mouth.
"Good girl," he complimented pulling back, his thumb stroking my cheek. "Now, let's go wash you again."
"Wha..." The bowl was snatched from my hands and tossed over to Aya whose presence I had already forgotten because of Ilay.
He then opened the duvet off of me before picking up my naked body as if I weighed nothing compared to his strength.
"Wait," I requested as he was about to walk into the bathroom.
"What is it?"
Without answering him, I peeked from above his shoulder and back at the frowning woman who was scowling at us. "Change the bedding, please. And choose for me something to wear. That shouldn't be a problem, sister."
I caught her jaw clenching as she stood there with me bossing her. Yes, I was determined to exert my anger on her and the rest of them if I found them.
"What are you supposed to say?" Ilay suddenly asked cocking his head to the side, his voice like a roar that would make every animal submit.
The anger that had been visible on Aya's face disappeared, replaced by fear as she bowed. "Yes, Madam."
I looked at Ilay, wondering what his endgame was bringing Aya into the house. Did he still harbor feelings for her? Well, that would be interesting to see how things would okay out. As long as he didn't let her walk over me, I didn't care about his business just as he wasn't supposed to care about mine. But damn! I was his contracted wife and had to abide by the rules we set. One was to absolutely obey him as long as he didn't harm me.
****************************
Elena seemed more hostile today than the previous night. Did she know what her dear husband did? And what about Milan? He had been drunk when it all happened. Would he remember it?
I hoped not because I didn't want him to feel entitled. It had been all for fun. The only person I didn't want to forget was Ilay. He had, after all, saved me for himself.
I didn't bother joining them for breakfast, instead, I took the dogs for a walk. They had already gotten used to me because of the many walks.
They were indeed better companions compared to humans. This was what Ilay felt and believed. He had been hurt from a young age by his family in the name of Drakon traditions.
I chose a different location than the last time and delved a distance away from the mansion to explore the forest, feeling safe with the huskies by my side. Or as I had learned, they were crossbreeds.
"How large is this place!" I wondered looking around at the towering trees which seemed to occupy even the distant land.
As we continued walking, suddenly, the dogs grew agitated and then began barking towards the east. "Whoa! What's wrong boys?"
Not like they could speak.
Their barks intensified, and then, without any notice, they started running in that direction, yanking me forward. I tripped and fell over, clinging on to their leashes. Which was a stupid and reckless decision, for I was dragged on the rough ground for half a minute before I did let go.
I groaned, rolling to face the sky, pain nibbling my left cheek, which had momentarily come in contact with the ground. I was lucky that my hands were gloved and my arms were protected by the thick jacket. If not, I'd have suffered more than just my cheek.
"What the actual fuck! Where have they run off to?"
After a minute of calming my fast breaths, I forced myself to get up, cursing the world as usual.
"Shit! Do I go after them? He'll be so mad if he realizes that I've abandoned his dogs. Argh! Fuck this!"
And putting on my brave girl pants, I started running in the direction the dogs' barks were coming from.
Ilay would kill me if they got hurt out here.
***************************
After five minutes of running and stumbling through the forest, I reached a clearing.
My eyes wandered off to the strange building that was on the other side of the glade. Covered by what looked like ivy, it blended seamlessly with the forest.
I could no longer hear their barks but was certain that they must have come this way.
All I had to do was check the building and confirm whether the dogs were around. If not, then I'd be royally screwed by the devil.
My feet were a little hesitant as I approached the haunted building which was at least two storeys high. Something about it made me feel uneasy. Making the sirens in my sixth sense go off.
I picked up a small stone from the ground and reminded myself that I had received some self-defense training. I lied to myself that I could even take down an armed opponent like they had demonstrated at the academy.
So naive.
Some voices came from the other side of the building which I assumed was the entrance, and quickly, I dashed and planted my back close to the wall. I didn't dare let my clothes touch the ivy leaves, and quietly with my breaths regulated, I peeped, ready to smash someone's face(with a small stone).
But I was left dumbfounded when I laid eyes on a naked male, over six feet tall, with blonde hair and his body half covered in blood, crouched in front of the dogs, puffing out smoke from the cigar between his fingers.
"Ilay!" I gasped, slapping my mouth to stop my voice, but it was a little too late.