We gathered around the table. I stood beside Lucian. Isabella stood beside her husband. Her cold, ice blue eyes were on me. The words she had told me yesterday were still ringing in my head. 'Only three more days until the wedding. And if you refuse, we'll kill everyone in your family. Even if Lucian refuses, we'll kill everyone.'
I sat on the bed, my eyes filled with tears as memories swam through my vision. Lucian walked in and over to me. "What's wrong with you? He asked harshly. A handprint on the side of his face.
"What did they do to you?" I asked as I crawled over to the edge of the bed.
"None of your damn business." He plopped down beside me, keeping a distance away.
I moved closer and reached to touch his face. He caught my wrist and pinned me on the bed. His body hovered inches above mine, but his heat enveloped me.
"What the hell did I say?" He growled.
"I-I'm sorry. I-I just wanted to know." I said. My hands shook uncontrollably. He tightened his grip slightly, then loosened it, but never let go.
"Next time I say no, it's no." He gently cupped my face. "And stop trembling. I won't hurt you, I promise."
I nodded but never trusted him.
"And stop looking at me like that."
"Like what."
"Like you think I'll kill you."
"Maybe you will."
His grip on my cheek moved to my chin as he forced me to look into his eyes. "I just fucken said I won't hurt you." He said roughly. But his thumb brushed softly over my bottom lip. He leaned in, our noses pressed together as our lips-
There was a bang on the door and we both froze in place. His body was still hovering over mine. Somewhere deep down I wished that it was on me, instead. But everyone else knew that it was better that it wasn't. He looked at the door, then back at me. His eyes trailed down to my mouth.
"Lucian! Rosa! Open this damn door!" Alric yelled from the other side.
Lucian finally got up and walked over to the door, and I was instantly cold without him. Alric walked in. "Get ready. Wedding rehearsals are in fifteen minutes." He growled before turning to his son. "Make sure she studies, or else. If she messes up tomorrow, the punishment will be on you."
But that doesn't make sense. Why would they punish him for something that I do during rehearsals and kill my family if both of us refuse on a real wedding day? We'll both be-... oh…
We returned home after the rehearsals, and Lucian dragged me to the bedroom, instantly. "Sit down and say your vowels."
"Lucian-" I started, but he cut me off when he jerked his belt off and hit the bed beside me.
"Say them!" He snapped.
I tried, but every time I stuttered, he would hit the bed harder. I finally made a mistake and he hit me. I screamed in pain as the leather made contact with my skin, leaving behind an angry red mark. He quickly dropped the belt and fell to his knees. He reached to take my hand but I jerked away. He promised! He promised he wouldn't hurt me! I should have never trusted him!
"Flower… I promise, I never meant to. Please. Don't pull away." He said, his voice was shaky.
Don't pull away!? You promise!? You promised you would never hurt me and you just did! I'll never trust you again! "No, Lucian. Your promises mean nothing to me now." I stand up and storm out, leaving him alone in the bedroom.
I was dragged back into the bedroom, Lucian's parents held me tightly. "You'll stay here! And if you don't, you can kiss your little sister's future goodbye."
They threw me into the room, but before I could hit the floor, Lucian caught me. The door slammed shut behind me, and the lock clicked. He helped me to my feet and pulled me into a tight hug. "I'm so sorry." He said, sniffing. I pulled back and looked up at his tear-streaked face. "I was just mad and scared and I let it control me. I'm so, so sorry."
He led me to the bed and helped me lay down. He moved behind me and pulled me into his chest. He put his chin on the top of my head. "I never meant to hit you." He muttered. It was the last thing I heard before I fell asleep.