Floyda jolted awake, her body screaming in pain. Her head throbbed, and every movement sent searing shocks through her torso. She tried to sit up, but it felt like her bones were broken, her muscles torn apart. Gasping, she spat out blood, her entire body trembling. But even in her agony, she had to move. She couldn't stay here.
"I attacked him…" she whispered, the horror of her actions sinking in. "I attacked him…" Her voice cracked, filled with disbelief. Voldrak—her master, the one person who could decide if she lived or died. The consequences of what she had done were almost unimaginable.
Ignoring her pain, Floyda staggered to her feet and limped out of the room. She barely noticed her surroundings, her mind locked on one thing as she made her way down familiar roads. If she was to die, then she might as well see her family one last time.
The journey felt endless, her body begging her to stop. The distant screams of others filled the night, but she pushed forward, driven by a fear far more potent than her pain. By the time she reached the compound, she was barely standing. She noticed the gates were unguarded—an odd sight—but she pressed on, not caring why. She knocked weakly on the door.
There was a beat of silence before it swung open to reveal a young boy, barely fourteen, who stared at her in shock before rushing into her arms.
"Flonda!" he cried, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist. She winced at the name, ignoring the painful pressure around her waist as she returned the hug just as fiercely, a faint smile flickering across her face despite the pain. Her name—it used to mean something. But now…
"It's slave now," she muttered, feeling the weight of the word settle over her. Her name wasn't hers anymore. It belonged to Voldrak, her master.
The boy, Moir, pulled away, his face a mixture of joy and worry. "Where have you been? You're hurt! You're not leaving again, are you?" His voice trembled, his youthful face already frowning as he noticed her injuries.
Before she could reassure him, a sharp, angry voice cut through the air. "Moir! Who are you talking to?"
A woman appeared in the doorway, her eyes blazing with fury as they landed on Floyda. The look of disgust on her mother's face hit harder than any physical pain.
"You!" her mother spat, as if the very sight of Floyda repulsed her. "What are you doing here? Get out!"
Moir stepped in, trying to defend her. "Mother! It's my sister, Flonda! Don't you recognize—"
"SHUT UP!" The words snapped through the air like a whip. Her mother grabbed Moir by the arm, dragging him inside despite his protests. Her furious gaze turned back to Floyda. "You shame us by even showing your face here. You're dead to me. Get out before I have you beaten and sent back to your master."
Floyda's breath caught in her throat. She wanted to explain, to say goodbye, but the door slammed shut before she could utter another word. She stood there, frozen, the rejection cutting deeper than any wound. Tears burned at the edges of her eyes.
Heartbroken, she limped away from the door, her steps unsteady. She needed to find Voldrak. Maybe if she returned to him, she could make things right. But as she walked, her strength gave out. With a cry, she collapsed to the ground, dirt filling her mouth as pain overwhelmed her. Every muscle screamed, and the world spun around her before she finally lost consciousness.
When Floyda woke again, the voices of Voldrak and a healer filtered into her ears.
"So you're saying that because her connection with me was severed, she can't be healed by anyone else?" Voldrak's deep voice was calm but edged with irritation.
"Yes, my lord," the healer replied nervously. "Without your energy to restore the bond, no healing can take place."
"How is the connection to be realigned?" Voldrak's voice was cold, calculating.
"She must take a bit of your energy, my lord. That will heal her and restore the bond between you," the healer explained, his voice trembling slightly.
Voldrak paused, his tone turning more curious. "And if I sever the connection completely?"
The healer hesitated. "If you do that, my lord… she will die. Her life is tied to yours now."
Silence followed. Floyda's heart raced. She knew Voldrak was capable of mercy, but he was also ruthless. Her fate hung in the balance.
"Can Adrani—" Voldrak referred to the former clan leader who once controlled her—"regain control of her?"
"No, my lord. I feel no trace of Adrani's power left. Floyda is yours, completely."
Voldrak nodded, dismissing the healer with a wave of his hand. "You may leave."
The healer hurried out, leaving Voldrak alone with Floyda. His eyes fell on her, unreadable. He approached her bed slowly, his footsteps heavy, the tension in the air thick.
"You heard everything," he said, his tone emotionless. "So, I have one question. Why should I keep you alive?" She knew his weakness, it was the one reason he wanted to keep her alive and it also why he would rather rather kill her.
Floyda's body trembled. She didn't have the strength to stand, but she forced herself off the bed, collapsing to her knees in front of him. Pain wracked her body, but she didn't care. Desperation drove her actions now.
"Master…" Her voice cracked, barely above a whisper. "I am yours. Do with me as you wish, but… please. I will serve you however you desire."
Voldrak watched her, his face betraying no emotion. For a long moment, the room was silent, the weight of her words hanging between them. Then, slowly, Voldrak crouched down, tilting her chin up so she was forced to meet his gaze.
"I could kill you," he said softly, his dark eyes boring into hers trying to make her understand the information he was trying to convey, "But I won't, instead I swear that I, Voldrak Black would never try to kill you as long as you obey me and only me!" he swore, in a way that made the air around them flicker with something unnatural that showed that the words have be been heard.
Before Floyda could process what was happening, Voldrak pressed his hand against her chest, and she gasped as dark energy surged into her body. The pain that had ravaged her moments ago was suddenly replaced by something else—something raw and powerful. His energy filled her, healing her wounds, but it wasn't without a price.
Her body convulsed with pleasure as the energy surged through her, mingling with her own. It was overwhelming, consuming her completely. She gasped, her breath coming in ragged bursts as Voldrak's energy merged with hers. She knew this was more than just healing—he was binding her to him, body and soul.
Their connection was unlike anything she had felt before. It was intimate, powerful, and terrifying. She was his, completely, and there was no escaping that.
Voldrak leaned down, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, "You are mine now, Floyda. And I'll never let you forget it."
With that, their bond was sealed, and Floyda not once did she see a reason to refuse it. 'Where else could I possibly belong?'