s's

he small of my back, sending shivers down my spine. I couldn't believe he made me strip in front of

ng the bag of clothes in his other hand. I didn't look up at his men again,

before I began thinking of how to escape, to run far away from this

tion when I put it on and left the store; I was too embarrassed by what he made me do

hadn't gotten me shoes? Does he know that? Oh well,

nce morning. Would he feed me? Would I be treated like a

trapped in this luxurious prison? Would I be allowed to

roke the silenc

ill looking

Iris," he said, his

and I glanced out the wi

or a while, the tensi

rite color?" Damo

before answe

fell sil

be able to escape, or would I be forever bound to

ape outside blurred together. I los

on asked, his voice i

surprised

soon," he

omach growled louder,

lled only by the hum of the e

ad? Only tim

on'

r. I couldn't help but smile, knowing she'd soon learn that every part of

s still staring, his eyes fixed on Iris. I glared at him,

oked away, his eyes darting to me. Fear flickere

en way to curiosity. She fidgeted with the dress as if d

I leaned in, whispering in her ear, "Enjoy the

hose striking blue eyes widened. I

er. She was so responsive,

Her hands trembled slightly as she fiddled with the dre

reminded m

eyes never leaving Iris'

. She peeked at me, her blue eyes sparkling with questions and p

e'd soon see the tru

cast long, ominous shadows. The mansion loomed ahead, its tur

s we approached. "Thi

castle, my priso

orned with iron hinges and a lion's head knocker. T

Manor," I said,

sending a jolt through me. I led her inside

ere adorned with tapestries depicting twisted, medieval scenes. A c

" Iris w

u'll grow accu

attention. "Welcome, sir.

replied. "See that I

ed to Iris before

is's unease grew. I reveled in it, t

ome, Iris. Like a delica

her hand tre

e a lavish feast awaited. Candle

ucted, pulling

cked on mine, a hint of

I suggested, pou

re taking a sip. H

r?" I aske

, her voice laced with

an eyebro

rowed, but she

on between us grew thi

aning back in my chair. "Wh

bove a whisper, "I

d, that's good. "Th

and I whispered, "You're m

er gaze didn't drop. "An

of cha

y voice low. "You d

hed, but she bit

ching her look embarrassed as her

one monst

ungry..." she said, was that a

nt so ba

ice as I watched her face lighten up. Soon, the

olden-brown bread filled the table. The a

't you?" I teas

ushed as she rea

whispered. "You'll need

ok a bite. I leaned back, wa

?" I asked

curtly, her

, my voice low. "So despe

t mine, a spar

s this...raven

deeper, but she

, my voice whisp

you, even that voice of yours, so wh

ut I saw it. "Yes.." her

oo

her, to test her

pure rose wou

ple