“No!… don’t apologize, it’s OK. I can’t protect you in there if you’re so weak, even though I’m dragging you there. You’ve always been so easy going and free, but those attributes are what gets you killed. You are a Luthel, so never apologize for what you mean.” Judy replied calmly.
If she doesn’t make a plan fast, she might lose another daughter. This was negligence on her part and she has to fix it before Livy gets swallowed whole by those serpents.
Winfrey’s Mansion
Waltz playing in the background and people in pairs dancing to the slow music. Others were either smiling, exchanging pleasantries or chatting. Almost like the engagement, there are no press or media present- curtsey of Markian, but the number of guests tripled.
Livy’s brain was either fried or frozen solid, because she wasn’t able to fully comprehend what was going on. Her head felt weightless and her throat was very dry.
Her cheeks were burning, her palms were sweating, and for some reason she can’t stop her heart racing beyond control.
Her face was just inches away from Markian’s chest as they slow danced to the music.
One of his arms is on her back, and he lets it fall below her back from time to time when she needed to be spun around, causing an unconscious caressing motion that sent her senses on autodrive.
He was way taller than her, so she could not see his face unless she looks upward. But, she had no courage to do that yet, especially not with the shivers he sends down her spine each time his hands fall from her back to her waist-and slightly brushes her butt cheek.
Her face must be completely red now from shyness, mixed with the sweet scent of Frederic Malle’s dawn and that oakmoss, so warm and serene.
She could stand here with this man all night and not move a muscle, just to be this close to him and take in his scent which tingles her senses all at once.
She still can’t believe she is married to this hunk of a man oozing with complete manliness. How would she survive this torture? Her mom was wrong, she wouldn’t even survive the night with Markian.
“Are you that excited?” Markian asked.
This is the first time he had spoken to her since she got here. So, she looked up at him wondering what he meant by excited. He didn’t smile, so her eyes followed his eyes to her hand which was meant to be on his shoulders but were now on his chest.
She didn’t realize how far her hand had dropped, so she quickly put them back on his shoulders. In her defense, this man is really tall and her arm was beginning to go numb. Maybe she should stop dancing, that’s enough show already.
But as she tried to free herself from him, she felt his arms tightened on her waist and on her other hand pulling her closer to himself.
He then crouched making his face just an inch away from hers as his breathe covered her face.
“Now, where do you think you are going? The song isn’t over yet,” he asked.
Right on cue, the music ended answering Livy’s unconscious prayer.
“Well… it’s over… Now, will you let… me go?… Please?” she stuttered while trying to set herself free, but her efforts were futile since she was very petite.
“I can’t do that, do you know why? Because, you are now my wife. Mine. Which means you can’t tell me what to do or not to do. If I fu’king wish to dance with you all night, you will obey and respect my wish- eventhough they are not to your best interest, do you understand?” he asked between gritted teeth.
“Does this mean that you too have no right to tell me what I can or can’t do? Just as I’m yours, does it mean you’re mine too? Or is this going to be a one sided thing?” Livy questioned boldly, while looking away from Markian.
He is so tempting, and she might just do something out of character right now whether he wants it or not.
“You’re smart, but not so smart. When I said all you’d get out of this marriage is my name, I wasn’t bluffing” he spoke, bringing her face forcefully back to meet his with his hand.
His other hand on her waist released its pressure, but slide down to her butt. He felt her stiffen at the feel of his hand on her buttocks, but she suddenly pushed against his chest hard and broke free from his torturous bondage.
Her face was burning and her heart wouldn’t stop trying to escape her chest. She could only imagine how red her face must be as she saw a smirk appear on Markian face.
His breathe smelled of alcohol- though sexy, but it made her upset that he had to get drunk before coming here.
Full of rage, she closed the gap between them as she said, “you don’t own me if I don’t own you, so just as I’m your wife, you are my husband. Your name gave me that right, so I won’t let you just do as you please. I’m not a toy… and you won’t treat me as one”.
The warmth she once felt from him suddenly evaporated and his eyes turned icy blue. His jaws clinched and his demeanor became dark.
In a swift moment, he grabbed her arm and dragged her away from the room, disregarding people’s comments and inquisitions.
He took her upstairs to his room which has been beautifully decorated with flower petals and candle lights. Pulling her into the room with force, she lost her balance and landed on the bed.
He closed the door loudly with a bang and shut it, so there was no escape for either of them. Yes, he drank a few glasses of red wine at the green house, but he was fully aware of what he was doing right now.
He immediately turned towards her and glared at her so hard she felt she was in the devil’s presence.
Now she regrets saying what she had told him back there. She was just upset he drank before coming to her, she just dislikes alcohol and people that consume such.
She got up from the bed and looked around for a place to hide, but it was a large room she had not been in before and her head is starting to pound so hard.
A knock came from the door, then a voice spoke, “Markian, is everything OK? Please, open the door let’s talk about this. Everyone is worried downstairs and they want to know what is going on? Markian? Livy, is everything OK?” Heather asked, worried.
“Heather, go back downstairs and entertain the guests. We’ve had a long day and just want to go to bed early. Tell them to have a good time and leave when they are done.” Markian answered with a growl without opening the door.
He was in rage and Heather knew exactly who he becomes when he gets angry.
“Markian, she is your wife and everyone downstairs knows that. Don’t do anything stupid you would regret later. I’m leaving” Heather said for the last time and left.
‘Only God can save Livy now,’ she thought as she left to go back downstairs.
‘Oh God, What is he going to do to me? Why didn’t I just keep quiet? I knew I was saying all that and I really wanted to stop. He doesn’t need hear all that from me even though I’m not ok just being your wife on paper. Please Lord, save me from this man today and I promise never to talk back at him ever again’ Livy thought as Markian made his way towards her.
She involuntarily took steps back at each step he took towards her until she met with the wall, and there was nowhere left to go. Like an animal trapping its prey, she was trapped by Markian and feared the worse.