Apparently, Brennan is happy with his work, Only when I stop jumping does he allow a flash of anger on his face.
“Now, keep your mouth shut,” Brennan warns, “or I’ll gag you again. I told you there’d be consequences to your actions. Now, get changed.”
I put my hands on my hips.
“Get changed into what? Those dresses you bought me are fucking ridiculous!”
I regret the words even more as they leave my mouth. I barely see Brennan move – he’s huge, but he’s so fast it’s incredible. The thugs who ambushed us must never have stood a chance.
One second, Brennan’s ten feet away – yet the second, he’s towering over me. It’s like he crossed the room in the blink of my eyes.
“One more word out of you tonight,” the towering Aurelian hisses, “and I’m gagging you until tomorrow morning, you understand?”
I gulp, shivering at his intensity.
“I’m going easy on you because you were hurt, Natali – but tomorrow is going to be a very different story.”
I shudder. There’s still blood on his light armor – left there by the men he killed. I’ve never seen a more intimidating sight. I nod silently, knowing if I even vocalize my assent, it will be the last thing I say until he pulls the ball gag from my mouth tomorrow morning.
“Good girl.”
I bite my lip. His tone is gentler now, but the towering brute is talking to me like I’m his pet.
My shoulders slump. I walk to the other duffel bag – the one containing the dresses and supplies for me. It’s right where I left it, by the window. I stare down at the bag – my makeshift stepladder – and sigh in defeat.
Kneeling down, I reach inside the bag and rummage for the least flattering or revealing item of clothing in there. I’m not presented with much of a choice. All the dresses the Aurelians picked out for me are shear and pink – designed to instantly capture the gaze of men, rather than provide any form of comfort or practicality to the wearer.
Even worse, they’re all also a little too big for me. These Aurelians managed to scout out my father’s estate, figure out how to deactivate his Sentinels, and did enough research to sneak in quietly and overpower Gerard – a soldier with decades of experience…
…and yet they failed to find out my dress size?
With a growl, I grab the biggest and smallest dresses, and bring them with me to the tent housing the Aurelian’s toilet and shower.
Inside, I pull off my thoroughly ruined pajama slip and get into the shower. It turns on automatically, cold water splashing me.
I gasp. As ridiculously opulent as this Aurelian military equipment appears, It’s still not made for comfort – apparently, there’s no mechanism for heating the water that deluges me.
I endure the cold spray nevertheless – lasting about a minute. Just as I really start shivering, the water cuts off abruptly – and then cold air blasts me from an automatic dryer. I hold back another gasp, feeling my nipples harden and goosebumps ripple across my bare skin.
When I’m finally dry, I step out of the frigid shower cubicle and survey what I’m working with.
Laying on the floor of the tent is the material from two dresses. These Aurelians might want to dress me up like a pleasure slave – but I’m not letting them decide.
I pull the smaller dress over me first. It’s still a size too big for me.
Then, I rip a long strip from the other oversized dress and wrap it around me like a scarf – covering as much of my chest and cleavage as possible.
There’s no mirror in this Aurelian portable bathroom – but I don’t need one to know I look ridiculous.
Ridiculous – but covered up.
Satisfied with my work, I unzip the flap to the bathroom – and nearly bump straight into Brennan.
He’s waiting outside, with a stern look on his face.
“Get into bed – now. Leave your left hand out. I’m handcuffing you to me tonight.”
I open my mouth to protest, but Brennan cuts me off.
“No argument! Not after that stunt you pulled earlier.” The towering Aurelian leans forward and warns: “Don’t you dare say a word, either. I’m going to go easy on you tonight – but any more lip and I’ll rethink that decision.”
I shudder, then soundlessly make my way to the sleeping bag. I pull myself in, leaving my left hand out.
It’s humiliating to obey this towering warrior without question – but I know if I don’t choose to follow his orders, he and his battle-brothers are more than large enough to force me to.
I lay in bed and try to rest – but it eludes me.
Closing my eyes doesn’t help. The truth is: There’s no way I can sleep – not knowing what I have to look forward to tomorrow.
Brennan’s going to make good on his word.
He’s going to punish me.
I already experienced being thrown over his shoulder and spanked, and that was merely the punishment for insolence. I don’t even dare imagine what he’s going to do to me for trying to escape. The thought terrifies me.
Brennan leaves the flap of the tent open as he steps inside and takes care of his business. I hear the running of the frigid shower – and can only imagine him slathering that marble-colored, muscular body of his beneath the deluge of cold water.
Perhaps earlier, I’d have thought of using this as an opportunity to escape – but I’ve already learned my lesson. Brennan moves inhumanly fast – and even naked, and dripping wet, I know he’d be able to catch up with me before I even reach the stairs if I tried to make a break for it.
Not that I’m planning to. After all, Otho and Brennan just brutally executed those scavenging humans; and they’re probably not the only ones lurking outside.
I’d rather remain the prisoner of these Aurelians than risk whatever awaits me out there, in the abandoned rubble
