I shook my head, taking a step back. "No, I..."
"The servants despise you." He clasped his hands behind his back and approached me, leaning forward with a slightly menacing tone in his voice. "So do the pets. I cannot guarantee that you will remain unscathed even with the other Lords. Considering all this, do you really want to stay?"
Pain shot through my shoulder at his closeness. I shuddered before shaking my head to release a breathy whisper, "No."
"Splendid!" He straightened and clapped once, chuckling as he walked away. My legs wobbled but Matadre's palm gently supported my back.
"You have to follow him," she said.
"Goodbye," I whispered without looking at her face.
A chilling emptiness consumed me the moment her hand left my back.
My last semblance of support had just left me.
I trailed behind Lord Fashire as we made our way through the hallways. My heart ached. He could have easily whisked me away in a matter of seconds, but he was taking this prolonged stroll to humiliate me.
Even with my head lowered, I could feel the servants and pets watching.
Stepping onto the moonlit castle grounds, a cold gust of wind greeted my face. It flapped the folds of my dress and irritated my already dry eyes. I stopped short to look upon the imposing black carriage stationed by the main entrance.
Two monstrous horses were harnessed to it, their eyes glowing a sinister bloody red beneath the night sky. The dark sheen of their coats rippled over powerful muscles. These were Hoards, the special steeds of vampire Lords, possessing strength and abilities far beyond those of ordinary horses.
I dragged my feet along the rough cobble-stoned ground, dreading giving the castle one last look. The servants would undoubtedly be watching from the top balustrades and balconies. So would the pets.
Lord Fashire's fingers grazed my chin, and I stiffened as his hold became firm. He turned my face towards the castle. My heart plummeted.
"Why don't you bid your friends farewell?"
"Wait—please..." I whispered, but my plea fell on deaf ears. I was forced to look back at the looming structure.
My eyes watered, blurring my vision as my spirit felt crushed. Lord Fashire released me and stalked past.
He dramatically flung the carriage door open.
A mocking tone laced his words. "Ladies first."
He beckoned me closer and like the obedient slave I was, I followed. My feet grew heavier with each step, and when I was close enough, he seized my wrist in an iron grip and deftly tossed me into the carriage.
I stumbled onto one of the seats and pressed myself into the far corner.
Lord Fashire entered and took the seat opposite mine. The hoards outside snorted and impatiently pawed at the ground with their powerful hooves before propelling us forward into the night.
The carriage jolted at the sudden movement, causing me to clutch the cushioned seat.
I stole a glance through the window. In an instant, we were no longer within the castle grounds but outside the iron gates. As the carriage swept through the dense foliage, I imagined the distance between myself and the castle growing wider. A solitary tear rolled down my cheek and I wiped at it with my sleeve.
I sat rigidly, enveloped by a suffocating silence that pressed against my nerves. I felt sleepy, but I couldn't afford to drift off with him here.
"How old are you?"
I jerked upright to find Lord Fashire sizing me up.
"Twenty-six, my Lord," I managed to utter in a hoarse whisper, suddenly aware of the dryness in my throat and how thirsty I was.
A raised brow, and a look of surprise danced across Lord Fashire's face. "Really? You look like a malnourished child."
A rush of embarrassment flooded over me, mingled with shame. Even if I hardly possessed the curves that defined femininity, I had still managed to eat well in the castle.
I wasn't malnourished.
I simply mumbled, "Yes."
He scoffed, then chuckled, then burst into laughter.
As time dragged on, I fought the growing drowsiness, and before long, the vibrations of the carriage lulled me to sleep.
"Are you planning on making my carriage a second home of yours?"