The carriage finally pulled up at the big gates of the Denares estate.
It was already night. Torches flickered on the walls, making shadows dance like ghosts. Teressa's legs felt weak when the door opened. Rough hands grabbed her arms, pulling her out into the cold air outside. It was Alaric who yanked her like that.
She stumbled a little from the sudden yank, wind whipping her cloak. They moved towards the big mansion in front of them.
The house loomed huge and dark, stone walls cold as ice, windows black like empty eyes staring down at them.
Darius jumped out right after them. He grabbed her upper arm tight, fingers digging in deep enough to bruise. His face was red from all the wine he drank on the ride, eyes shining with that sick hunger from before.
"Welcome home, pretty," he said, breath hot against her ear. "This is your new home now, whether you like it or not. I trust it will suit your needs...and mine."
Teressa tried to pull away, but he held on harder, laughing low. Alaric got out last, talking quickly to his men about posting more guards. He didn't even glance at her for once, like she was just another bag they brought back.
Darius dragged her through the gates, up the stone steps, into the main hall. The place smelled like old wood and smoke. Big paintings on the walls showed dead Denares lords, all with hard faces like Alaric's. Servants scurried out of the way, heads down, not daring to look. One young girl, recognizing her, dropped a tray when she saw Teressa's face, but no one stopped.
Up the wide stairs, wood creaked under their feet. It was a long hall with red carpets. Darius stopped at a heavy door, carved with wolves. He kicked it open and shoved her inside.
The room was big, too big. Red curtains hung heavy, blocking any light from outside. A huge bed took up the middle, black sheets rumpled like someone just left it. Fire crackled low in the fireplace, casting orange glow on everything. Smelled like sweat and wine. Darius slammed the door shut behind them. The lock clicked loud, echoing in her ears.
Teressa backed up fast until her legs hit the bed. She fell sitting, her heart was racing so hard it hurt her chest. Darius stood there, watching her, slow smile spreading on his face. He took off his belt first, letting it drop with a thud. Then his shirt, pulling it over his head. His body was thick, muscles from fighting, covered in old scars. He flexed a little, like showing off.
"Been dreaming of this moment for years," he said with a rough voice . "You, all alone with me. No husband. No guards. Just us."
He stepped closer. Teressa's breath came short. She shook her head. "Don't come near me."
Darius snickered at her that. "Oh, I'm coming a lot closer."
He reached for her dress collar. Fingers hooked in, and he yanked hard. Fabric ripped loud, shoulder tearing open. Cold air hit her skin, making goosebumps rise. She slapped his hand away, hard as she could.
"Stop!" she yelled loud.
But he grabbed her wrists, pushed her flat on the bed. His weight came down heavy, pinning her. She kicked her legs, twisted her body, trying to get free. Her nails scratched his arm, drawing thick blood.
Darius groaned, not in pain, like he liked it. "Fight me, yes. Make this better."
He held her arms above her head with one big hand. The other went back to her dress, ripping more. Buttons popped off, rolling on the floor. Her chest was almost bare now, only thin undercloth left. He stared down, his eyes were wide and dark.
"Fuck, these tits," he muttered. "Perfect. Been wanting to squeeze them since the first time I saw you."
His hand cupped one breast rough, thumb rubbing over the nipple through the cloth. Teressa gasped, body arching against her will. Shame burned her face. She bit her lip hard, tasting blood, so she wouldn't make another sound.
Darius leaned down, mouth on her neck, sucking hard. Teeth grazed her skin, biting just enough to hurt. His free hand slid lower, pushing up her skirt, fingers rough on her thigh. Higher. Higher.
"No… please…" her voice broke, small and scared.
He didn't stop. His breath came faster, body pressing hard against hers. She felt him, hard and hot through his pants, rubbing on her leg. He let go of her wrists to open his belt. She pushed at his chest, but he was too strong. He grabbed her throat gentle but firm, holding her still.
"Stay put, pretty. This is gonna feel good real soon."
He pulled his pants down. His cock sprang free, thick and red, veins bulging. He stroked it once, slow, eyes locked on hers. "See this? It's all for you. Gonna stretch you wide."
Teressa panicked, kicked harder. Her knee hit his thigh, but he just laughed. He pushed her legs apart with his knee. Positioned himself between them. The tip pressed against her, hot and insistent. She squeezed her eyes shut, mind screaming 'no no no'.
Darius pushed forward slow, wanting to savor it. "Yeah… take it…"
Right then, BANG BANG BANG on the door.
Darius froze, tip just starting to enter. His face twisted ugly. "What the fuck?"
"My lord!" a voice outside yelled. "Urgent! Please Open up!"
Darius cursed loud, but he pulled back. He stood up fast, his cock was still hard, bobbing. "This better be good or I'll kill you for this!"
He yanked his pants up, unlocked the door. Alaric and some servants stood there, their face had panic written all over it. In Alaric's hand was a small paper, wrinkled. Behind him a soldier held a pigeon cage, bird inside cooing soft.
"What?" Darius snapped.
Alaric shoved the paper at him. "Read it. Now." his tone demanding.
Darius grabbed it, eyes scanning fast. His face went from angry to shocked. Hands shook.
"Elora… kidnapped? Elves? Count's crest?"
Alaric nodded grim. "They demand Teressa back unhurt. Or our sister dies."
Darius crumpled the paper, his face had become red as blood. He turned slow, eyes burning holes through Teressa.
She sat up, holding her torn dress closed, breath ragged. She watched him, confused at first.
Darius stormed back in, grabbed her by the hair, yanked hard. Her head snapped back.
"You bitch!" he roared. "Is this your doing? Elves from your house taking my sister hostage? Who planned this? Tell me now!" he roared at her loudly, rage filled his eyes.
Pain shot through Teressa's scalp, but after understanding what was happening, she smiled. Small at first, then wider. Blood on her lips from biting earlier.
'Elora, Marquess Alaric's only sister was kidnapped. And it was done by Elves. Count's crest? Hmff. who else could it be, none other than Eon!' Teressa had a victory smile on her face, mocking darius as if she was not in their mercy now, they were in her.
Darius saw the smile and exploded in anger at that. He let go of her hair and kicked her hard in the belly.
Air whooshed out of her. She fell back, curling up, pain spread like fire inside. Blood came up her throat, spilled from her mouth. She coughed, gasping, world spinning.
Darius paced, fists clenched. "You think this is funny? Elora is my little sister, goddamit! Who did it? That elf slave? The one who killed your husband? Tell me!" he was shouting at her for answers.
Teressa wiped blood from her mouth, still smiling through the pain. Hope bloomed warm in her chest. 'Eon was coming'.
Somehow. He would save her for sure.
Seeing the mocking smile on her face, the already angered darius was now furious as a bull now. He grabbed her neck, trying to chock her to death.
Alaric stepped in. "Darius, stop. We need her alive. For now."
Darius kicked the bedpost instead, wood cracking. "Fuck! Send men back. Burn that house down. Find those elves!"
Alaric nodded. "Already did. But careful. Royal family are always watching us. We can't make a mess."
Hearing the royal families name for the second time on this day, darius was enraged."fucking royals. They just have to get in my way at everything, don't they."
Teressa just lay there, holding her neck, pain still throbbing. Even though she was in this much pain, she still never stopped smiling. As if they could never break her spirit as long as Eon has their sister.
'I just have to hold on.' that was on her mind.
Darius turned back to her, face twisted. "This not over. When we get Elora back, I'll make you pay double. Tie you up, fuck you until you break."
But his voice shook a little now. Scared.
Teressa just closed her eyes, smiled faintly. She was exhausted from all of this.
Even though her clothes were torned and her neck had a visible bruise from the earlier chocking, she had found a new hope. It was Eon. Although she didn't know when and how he became this strong and different, but she clearly understood he was not the old Eon who only knew how to hide behind others and just a kind hearted little timid boy, letting others easily bully him.
This eon was much much stronger and calm. He fights for his people and doesn't let anyone harm his kins. How can she dislike a person like that.
Even though he was the killer of her husband, that bastard undeniably deserved it. If not Eon, she would have do it herself. But the debt and her son is the only reason she holded herself back from going against the count.
'What's done is done. Now I am really curious, how Eon is going to solve this. It is clear he needs a noble's support. But is he really planning to negotiate with Denares brothers, who is famous for their cunning battle strategy, just so he can save me from them. No, this really could be his plan. If i am correct. then he must want a noble's support for living inside a human kingdom without getting bothered by others. If this is true then I must not let him fight Denares brothers. Cause nobody can live inside human kingdom after angering them. Not even our count families' title can save them, if he is being targeted by them. Does he even understand what he is doing?!' after thinking this through the little hope she had in her heart was getting thin by the second, as she was realising how deep in shit they already were.
Author note: My dear readers. Please leave a rating after reading the chapter. It helps my novel reach others and motivates me to write faster.