The Outside World

[Pandora’s POV]

I stare at Lucian, considering what he has said while I find myself hesitant due to his secrecy, but in the end couldn’t he simply just force me to go along with him? Wouldn’t it just be better for me to go along?

No. Of course it wasn’t better because he could be taking me anywhere. Hell, for all I knew, he could be taking me straight to his father and brother, who were certainly waiting for me to fulfill the promise that my family wouldn’t keep.

“Can’t I,” I begin, but stop as he gives me a look that almost screams, Don’t ask. “Alright. I got it.” I sigh, swiping some stray hair away from my face that fell. “Just let me get dressed.”

Nodding, Lucian watches me for a moment before turning and heading out of the room while I head back to the closet and take in the dresses once more. Which one would be the loosest so that if need be, I could try to escape if things went south?

With this thought in mind, I begin to look through the dresses, pushing aside the ones that I’m certain will be tight until I find a flowing black dress that looks simple enough.

“I guess you’ll have to do.”

After throwing on some underwear and the dress, I slowly head into the hall where I find Lucian waiting with a man with a buzzed head and black downturned eyes. When he sees me, his lips twitch into a smile, dimpling his cheeks as he lifts a hand.

“Hello!” He calls, taking me in. “You’re looking better today.”

“Yeah,” I say slowly, examining the man while wondering when we met until I remember the events of the night before. “I guess I am better.”

“That’s great.” He smiles happily. “You know, I thought that this one was going to… Ouch!”

He doesn’t get to finish his words before Lucian’s hand is connecting with the back of his head, hitting it hard enough to make it snap forward and him to stumble.

“Don’t mind him.” He says now, shoving the guy and heading my way. “He talks too much.”

Nodding, I peek past Lucian at the man who is straightening himself out while looking amused. Strange guy to be that happy after a hit, but maybe that was the type of thing he was into?

“Are you ready?” Lucian asks before I can think too hard on it. “If so, please come with me.”

He doesn’t give me the chance to respond before he is wrapping an arm around my waist like it is the most natural of things and then leading me down the hall and then down a flight of stairs toward the exit of the building that we are in.

When we step outside, the daylight immediately blinds me, causing me to stumble a bit as I try to blink away the spots that are now dancing in front of my eyes.

How long has it been since I’ve seen the light of day? Since entering the auctions, I believe. Since the dungeon was beneath the auction house, there were no windows allowing us to see the outside world, but now here I stood staring at a beautiful blue sky with soft white clouds lazily drifting across it as the bright sun warms the green earth and trees that sway in the breeze.

It was amazing how when I was still free, I took this sight for granted, and now I was finding myself drowning in it as I stare straight ahead.

“Something wrong?”

Lucian’s voice breaks through my daze, reminding me that I didn’t have the luxury to be stopping and enjoying the view.

“No,” I say quickly. “Sorry, lead the way.”

Growing quiet, I wait for him to begin to move, but when he doesn’t, I can’t help but wonder if what I did pissed him off. But before I can ask, he gives me a gentle tug and leads me toward a waiting carriage.

“Watch your step.” He says as I take the stairs and climb inside.

“I’m not a child.” I huff in annoyance, but with this damned dress and uncomfortable shoes, I couldn’t deny that there was a chance I would fall. However, with luck, I manage to make it to my seat, and once I’m in position, I immediately turn my gaze out the window while hoping that the ride won’t be long.

As I stare at the trees and the flowers, Lucian climbs in behind me, taking a seat directly beside me even though there is plenty of room around us for him to sit.

“Is there a problem?” He chuckles when I turn to look at him. “Something you’d like to say?”

Remaining silent, I narrow my gaze and pointedly look to the bench across from me, hoping that he would get the hint, but if he does, he doesn’t bother showing it.

“I don’t understand glaring.” He chuckles, clearly enjoying this. “You’re going to have to use your words.”

Annoyance growing, I find myself thinking of all the unsavory things I would like to say to him, but keeping those at bay, I force a smile.

“I’m a bit claustrophobic.” I say. “Could you maybe…”

“Nope,” he responds before I can even finish. “I’m too worried that the kitten beside me may attempt to escape if I were to give her too much freedom, so I’m going to have to stay right here.”

As he speaks, the carriage around us jerks to life, making sure that his ridiculous assumption couldn’t happen, but even then he doesn’t move.

“Do you have that little faith in me?” I ask, trying to keep my voice even. “Do you think I have a death wish?”

“You won’t die jumping out of this.” He points out.

“No,” I agree. “But I’m certain you or your men will kill me if I attempt to escape.”

I instantly know that what I’ve said is the wrong thing by the way Lucian’s joking demeanor turns to one of anger.

“Do you truly believe that I could kill you?” He asks, hurt coloring his words, and for some reason it makes my chest itchy.

“I have no reason to think you wouldn’t.” I point out. “I’m nothing more than a thing that you bought, and that means you can do whatever you did with me.”

Including fucking. I think silently, remembering the horror of the night before. Why didn’t he fuck me then even when I was begging? It didn’t make sense.

Frowning, I take in the man sitting beside me while so many questions rush through my head, but in the end I don’t ask any of them because I didn’t have the right, and honestly I knew I wouldn’t believe the answers he gave me anyway.

“Since we’re here now, could you tell me where we are going?” I ask instead, trying to change the subject. “The suspense is killing me.”

“To meet a man who has something that is rightfully yours.” Is all he says before getting up and taking a seat on the bench across from me and ending any and all conversation.