She winked at me ironically.
- You're not dying, are you?
That sarcastic tone pissed me off.
- I thought I made it clear that you wouldn't address me at any time. - I answered between my teeth. - I want to make it clear that I will not tolerate such laughter or sarcastic words. I must warn you once again to remain silent or to withdraw.
Rose widened her eyes staring at me incredulously. It was clear that she didn't like me and I didn't care.
- Are we clear?
- Yes, ma'am! - she answered in a low, countered voice.
- Oh, great! - he said, guiding me to where she had left things. - Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd rather clean up myself. Tell your master I'm not hungry and I'll be here the rest of the day.
- But, uh...
- Am I clear or do you need me to repeat it?
Rose shot me with his gaze and then turned to get out.
- No, ma'am! - she whispered before slamming the door hard.
Taking a deep breath, I aimed my reflection in the mirror. My eyes were red and swollen, as were my lips that were more crimson than usual. The hair was disheveled and there was a lot of sadness in my gaze. I did not know when I would be able to get rid of that feeling and I preferred not to think too much at that moment. Going to the trunk that had been left in my room, two nights before, I picked up a light blue dress and stretched it over the bed. Returning to the front of the mirror, I held my hair high on my head and began to untie the bodice on the sweater. I closed my eyes when the first shoulder scar became visible. I slipped the fabric slowly until I caught it around my waist. As usual, I covered my breasts with my arms and turned my back to the mirror. I opened my eyes to look over my shoulder in the hope that everything was just a dream and that those horrendous scars were not there, but once again I saw them covering the entire extension to my waist. Tears came in my eyes as I remembered the occasion when I won them. There wouldn't be enough magic to remove those marks. Even the ancient witches couldn't make it go away.
- I ordered you to come down! - Alistair said furiously as he entered the room without knocking. - When I command something, I demand that it be fulfilled. How dare you disobey me?
I stopped staring at Alistair with wide eyes. It wasn't because of his words or the tone of his voice, but because my back was naked. He frowned and walked slowly to where I was.
- Turn around! - he ordered it.
I had already pissed him off too much, there was no reason for him to get angry any more. Alistair would see those marks sooner or later. Taking a deep breath, I turned my back on him and lowered my gaze.
- Who did this to you? - he whispered while still looking at my back. - And for what reason?
I had no intention of telling the story of what caused it, but I could not omit the name of my executioner.
- Ravenna! - I whispered with my eyes closed. - That's proof of how cruel my mother can be when countered. Especially when things don't turn out the way she wants them to.
Alistair stood behind me, contemplating the scars. There was a mixture of relief and anger in his eyes. He passed his fingers through each of the scars, which were numerous, slowly and smoothly. I felt a chill go through my skin every time he touched it. I held my breath when I felt my body burn like the other night. My heart was racing as if I had run for miles on and on.
- Ravenna has no limits. - he whispered.
- None! - I whispered back biting my lower lip.
- What have you done to deserve such punishment? - he suddenly asked. - Was it because of him?
I lifted my eyes and looked at him through the mirror. Alistair had his eyes closed, but I could feel the tension through his hands. I wanted to tell him everything, because I was being misjudged, but instead I heard myself answer.
- In a way, yes, it was because of him.
I wasn't supposed to go out like that, like I was mocking Alistair or ironizing his feelings. I meant to be diplomatic in my answers, but I was sarcastic instead. Alistair growled before I turned to face him and grabbed my shoulders.
- I'll make you forget it belonged to another man. - he grunted. - And when you kiss me, I want you to know it's my mouth and not his. I'll make him remember at dawn that it belongs to me and not him.
I didn't have time to react, because Alistair kissed me furiously holding my arms so I wouldn't run away. I panicked because I was half-naked in the arms of a man I barely knew. I was afraid of what he might do to me, for Alistair was in a great fury. Little by little his kiss became urgent and I caught myself giving back. He finished tearing off his sweater and holding me in his arms walked with me to the bed, softly depositing me. He then interrupted the kiss and contemplated my body with hungry eyes. I closed
