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Chapter Two

I feel his smirk against my hair, unfazed by my nasty words. "You adore me just as much as I do you, you cannot lie to me. So, tell me. What is it that is bothering you?"

I drop my leg and shrug a shoulder, gazing into the darkness. "Nothing. I was just remembering how I got here." Remembering my sister. NOt like this monster would allow me to see her again. That would mean crossing into Seelie territory, and he would be slaughtered on the spot, along with me, probably.

"Ah, such a boring tale," Ascian professes, running his long fingers through my ruffled hair. He is nothing if not honest, perhaps a bit blunt. He continues, tucking a lock of copper hair behind my ear. "But I do love it. You were so wild that not one Seelie Fae would bid on you. The moment that I laid eyes on you, however, I knew that I had to have you-" There's a moment of silence where I can feel the shadows swirl around him and his tone becomes more akin to a growl. "And so did everyone else."

"You always say things like that," I sigh, though I am not surprised by his lack of empathy for my trauma or his possessive tendencies. I act unfazed by the sudden heaviness of the air, almost too thick to suck into my lungs. I know not to panic though, because it will only make it worse. I just have to calm him down and it will disperse.

Unseelie Fae are incapable of feeling emotions like sympathy or patience, or so I think. From what I've experienced, their most frequently felt emotions are rage, hunger, and possessiveness of their belongings or status, which is why they love me, I suppose. I have just as much hatred as them and they find it fascinating. Normally humans are too afraid of the Faeries to retaliate out of concern for their lives. I've always held more rage towards them than fear.

For Alice's sake, I hope that the Seelie are humane and treat her more kindly than Ascian cares for me.

"As you know, I cannot lie. I am simply stating what is true, Ya Amar." Ascian purrs, stroking my back over the thin nightgown that I wear. The garment seems to put him in a better mood as the surrounding air becomes lighter and easier to breathe in. It has always been strange to me that hands that I've witnessed tear another Fae's heart from their chest can be so gentle. "If that is all that was bothering you, then I would like you to get more sleep. You will need it for tomorrow evening."

"Fine," I grumble, annoyed that he called me across the room just to tell me that and send me back to bed. I begin to stand up, but Ascian's hands are like iron around my waist, pinning me to him. Being able to touch and controll me seems to bring him enough peace that the air begins to clear around me, making it easier to breathe.

"You can sleep here," Ascian offers, making it sound as though I have a say in the matter. His breath is cool and scentless against my cheek, and as gooseflesh rises on my skin, I am reminded of why he makes me wear such sheer garments to sleep. Pervert.

Heat flairs in my chest at the embarrassment, though I know that the rights to my own body have long ago been invalidated. I bite down on my lip to try and control my hatred for him as my stomach flips with contempt. "You aren't comfortable to sit on," I argue. "I won't be able to fall asleep on you."

"Oh, but you are quite comfortable for me," He says, pleasure evident in his voice. His hands keep me pressed against his solid chest, sealing his command. "It is my bed that you sleep in, remember? You will sleep where I tell you to."

I clench my jaw so tightly that it aches from wanting to retaliate so badly. I'd love nothing more than to kick him in the kneecap with everything that's in me, but I know it would be futile. "Fine. At least let me get more relaxed so I can sleep. I'm too cold to sleep outside of a blanket since you dress me like a whore."

Ascian moves a hand from my thigh up to my jaw, and he turns my head to look him in the eye. They flash silver like a feline in the moonlight as he searches my expression, his breath tickling my lashes as he exhales. His voice is a husky rumble that I feel reverberating through his chest with each syllable. "Do you have a problem with my opinion on fashion? I dress you how I like. You are my Pet, after all."

I roll my eyes with a sigh, masking the fact that my pulse quickens from his tone. "I'd say something audacious but I'm too exhausted to discuss this with you." Honestly, I never want to argue with him about anything since he will win one way or another. I can't help expressing my opinions enough to be considered brazen, though. He loves my courage, though, I know.

Ascian chuckles, releasing my face from his surprisingly gentle grip. Perhaps he doesn't want to bruise my jaw for the social gathering at his brother's tomorrow. "You always say that," he mimicks what I told him moments ago, an amused smile creeping across his face. I can see him better now that my eyes have adjusted to the darkness, so I hold his gaze for a few silent beats.

My grandmother would tell us stories about the Fair Folk before the abduction, and one of the many warnings that she gave us was to never look them directly in the eye. It could be because I'm already his and have nothing to lose, but for some reason, I've never had a bad experience when it comes to gazing at Ascian. In fact, he seems to enjoy it.

He reaches for my face again, but this time he caresses my cheek with such gentle hands that I can't help but lean into his touch. He makes a sound similar to a purr at my reaction, seemingly pleased by it. "I will bargain with you, Kitten. You may sleep in the bed, but you mustn't say any more ill things about the clothes I give you. It hurts my feelings."

I want to retort about his so called "feelings", but I nod my head instead. I would rather hold my tongue than have him change his mind and make me sleep in his lap and freeze.

"Okay." I begin to pull away, but he stops my retreat with a hand encircling my wrist.

"Ah, ah," He keeps my gaze locked with his as he teases me. "You must say my name before I let you flee."

I fight the urge to roll my eyes again, cursing him and his strange fetishes. I swallow, lowering my gaze to his chin in embarrassment, unable to look at him. I always feel embarrassed when he makes me call him by name, though I suppose there are worse things he could ask of me.

"Ascian." My voice comes out small and docile. I try to convince myself it's because I'm tired and nothing more.

"There, that is a good girl," he loosens his grip and allows me to stand. He follows my movement and places his hand on the small of my back, guiding me to the bed through the darkness.

I crawl beneath the blankets and don't bother looking back at Ascian, thinking that he is going to go back to his chair to watch me sleep again. Instead, I feel a slight gust of air as he removes his shirt and tosses it aside. Surprised, I prop up on my elbow to look at him.

I can't see his smirk from the absent moonlight now, but I can hear it in his voice. "Are you curious, Bela Bear?" His feet make no sound as he makes his way to the other side of the bed and lays on top of the bedding.

For as long as I've known him, Ascian has never slept beneath a covering of any kind, and sleep rarely comes for him. I know it must be because he never seems to get cold, no matter the temperature, though it could also be because he can spring easily to his feet if need be. It wouldn't be the first time that someone attempted to kidnap me from beneath his nose, which can be proven by the multiple bloodstains that are soaked into the wooden floors beside me.

Once Ascian settles in, I feel him wrap his arms around me, pulling me close to his chest. He presses his nose to my ear and breathes my scent before finishing his sentence, his voice much more gentle now, almost human-like. "I will sleep with you to keep the bad dreams at bay."

He will not likely fall asleep, but knowing that he is so close to me now is comforting. I burrow my head against his firm chest and close my eyes, inhaling deeply. I wonder if human men smell as good as this? Unlikely.

As I begin to drift back to sleep, I imagine that I am dancing through an apple orchard beside a babbling stream of water holding my sister's hand.

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