Chapter 25
BRIANNA’S POV
Gently, I placed two mugs of hot chocolate and two small plates of crisp crackers on a tray and made my way to Catherine and her guest. As I approached, I noticed they were still sneering and glaring daggers at me. But I focused my gaze on the refreshments I was carrying.
I almost made it to the table when my steps suddenly faltered as the hem of my long gown tangled beneath my feet, causing me to stumble forward. The tray tilted precariously and a gasp filled the air as the piping hot chocolate drinks cascaded from their cup, splattering onto the lady’s dress. All these were followed by the clattering sound of the mugs and plates as they scattered all over the table and floor.
Oh no! Not again. What have I done?
“Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness…Oh my goodness,” she gasped a cry and stood reflexively. “You ruined my gown! Catherine, it’s hot…it’s hot…it’s burning me,” screeching her seat away from the table, she rose and ran upstairs like a wounded wild animal.
“Just wait for me. You’re so dead,” Catherine snarled at me before chasing after her.
I stood there. Glued to the spot. Too shocked to react or even think. How could I have been so clumsy? Who knew what Catherine will do to me now? If I hadn’t changed to this ankle-length gown, then this would have never happened. Oh goodness. All because of long gowns, the same happened with Hermes’s sister.
*****
After I was discharged from the castle hospital, I was taken back to my chamber and locked up as usual. I occupied my mind with a way to escape. This had become something I couldn’t bear any more. If I stayed any longer in this hellhole, Hermes will surely send me to my early grave.
One fateful morning as I watched the sunrise from the horizon while trying to come up with my escape plan, a click on the door caught me unawares and I jumped a little in fear and shock. The two guards who always dragged me to Hermes’s chamber and stood watch in front of my door marched in.
“The Alpha king demands your presence,” one said, stone-faced.
Not again. I muttered as I squeezed my eyes shut so tight they almost went numb. It was rather too early. The sun was still rising.
Hermes had made it clear to me that I was his sex slave. His property. And that I was to perform my duties of satisfying his sexual fantasies and demands with utmost devotion. But I didn’t want any of that. I did not want to be anybody’s property or sex toy. But whenever I remembered he’ll punish me if I didn’t comply, a sheer dark fright crept into me, crippling my whole being. I was still recovering from the whiplashes he gave me and the shocking impact they carried. I wasn’t sure if my body could withstand another punishment.
The only way out of this torture. This hellhole. The only way I could make it out alive from the clutches of the monster in human flesh was to escape at a time he’ll least expect. It might take long. But I was hopeful.
I willingly gave myself up to the guards and they took me to Hermes’s chamber. It’ll be useless if I struggled or resisted. They always had the upper hand. And it'll only lead to more punishments.
Arriving at Hermes’s chamber, I was a bit surprised to see his sister there. Till now, she’d never told me her name. And I didn’t care to know. Not after she locked me up in that basement. She was equally crazy and devilish as her brother.
The moment Hermes saw me, his face lit up with that devilish smirk. His cold dark eyes were on me. I could feel them travelling through my body, attempting to undress me.
“You sent for me, my…love,” I stuttered, nervous and scared as I lowered my gaze to avoid his penetrative stare and his sister’s condescending sneer.
Hearing myself call him ‘my love’ made my stomach churn uncomfortably. It was the most disgusting and sickening thing to do. But I had to get used to calling him that otherwise there will be consequences as he said.
Oh moon goddess, help me.
“Yes,” Hermes answered before throwing his sister a sinister glance and breaking into a burst of unconscious laughter.
I looked up at them, confused. I didn’t get it. Why were they laughing? Was it because of me? Did I have something on my face? Or was it my long flowy gown? I ran my fingers along and across my face to check if I had anything on it before lowering to scrutinize my gown. My face was fine and my gown looked okay to me. So what could be the cause of the laughter?
“Kneel,” Hermes said, the laughter on his face quickly replaced with a serious look.
My eyes fluttered in confusion, not sure if I heard him correctly.
“I won’t repeat myself.”
As though it was a reflex action, I dropped to my knees at once. Throwing momentary glances at them, I swallowed hard. I was finding it hard to understand the situation. What was happening? Was he about to punish me for something? But I knew for sure I had been dutiful and obedient since I was discharged from the castle hospital a week ago.
His sister stood and walked to the small centre table where a tray laden with two tall glasses of creamy milk and two plates of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies was. She carried it and walked over to me.
“Take it,” she handed it to me, her expression so cold it added to my paranoia.
I tried to steady my trembling fingers as I reluctantly collected the loaded tray. It was heavy and with me on my knees and my hands trembling, seemed heavier.
“Good,” she smirked a sly before heading back to the bed and sitting beside Hermes. “Now walk on your knees to me and hand me back the tray without it falling.”
My lips parted in utter disbelief and shock as I stared at them both, looking like the most confused Omega in the world. What is this? A game? Some kind of prank?
“Think of it as a game, princess,” Hermes cooed at me as though I was his child, that devilish smirk still on his face. “Now, try to get to mummy and daddy. Be careful not to fall and spill the food. Or else you’ll be punished. And I don’t want you punished because I’ll be needing you fresh for the night.”
My head was reeling and my heart beating fast. Too fast. This was ridiculous. Stupid. Not only has he made me his sex slave, but he has also successfully turned me into his and his sister’s puppet. A Pawn. An element of caricature. The earlier I devised a means to get the hell out of this place, the better for me.
My whole body quaked violently as I began to step forward. I was like a baby learning to walk. Except I walked with my knees instead of my legs. Each step I took was pain and torture to my kneecap. But driven by the dire need not to be punished, I tried not to focus on the pain.
I almost made it to his sister when my right knee suddenly caught in my gown, causing me to stumble forward. The contents of the tray flew off and landed on his sister, creating a chaotic mess on her hair, face, beautiful silk dress and on the bedsheet.
Hermes’s eyes widened in shock and rage. His sister's screams bounced across the walls of the room. And me. I was still on my knees. Calm as a deserted beach. Staring at the mess I had created. Waiting like a student about to be punished as I thought of how I’ll be punished. If I hadn’t worn this long, flowy gown, perhaps this wouldn’t have happened.
“How dare you? You bitch!” She rose and grabbed me by the hair. Before I could plead for mercy, two hot powerful slaps landed on the side of my face. My cheek burned and screamed in pain. And uncontrollable tears accumulated, causing my eyelids to tremble equally.
She had wanted to call the guards to carry me to an unknown room in the castle, strip me, suspend me on a hook and whip me till I cried out blood. But because Hermes needed my body fresh to warm his bed for the night, she had to mitigate the punishment. She resorted to denying me food for two days.
*****
I had managed to mop the chocolate-stained floor and cleaned the dining table before Catherine and her friend descended from the stairs.
She had changed to a cute bell-sleeve white top and ripped skinny jeans. But both their faces were still red and swollen with anger as they caught sight of me.
"Would you like for me to bring another refreshment?" I squeaked, not sure if that was the right thing to ask.
Without expecting it, Catherine walked up to me and in a lightning flash, struck me hard across the face.
“Refreshment my foot! You’re so stupid and incompetent you can never get anything done without adding your silly mistake,” she cursed and I cradled my cheek, trying not to let my gaze linger in her blazing eyes.
Her friend stood in a corner, a satisfying smile suddenly overtaking her angry features. She was happy now I was being punished. And at that moment, I didn’t feel guilt anymore for what I did to her even though it wasn’t intended. She deserved it and more.
“You’d better find where you’ll sleep tonight cos this castle won’t be big enough for the two of us,” Catherine concluded before walking out to the door. Her friend rolled her eyes at me as she walked past me, following her to the door.