Chapter 59

VALKYRIE

I let out a groan as I feel something trailing down my neck. Dimitri? I think, smiling. I lift my arm to push him away.

“Quit it,” I mumble, still half-asleep. I feel his lips trace a path down my neck, stopping at my chest. I giggle. It tickles. I open my eyes slowly, looking down.

~Dimitri?~ I think, my smile fading. I sit up quickly, gasping as I scoot away. Who is this?

A man with emerald-green eyes and long, curly brown hair streaked with red smirks at me.

“I was having fun,” he says, licking his lips. I glance around, realizing I’m somewhere unfamiliar. What’s going on?

I close my eyes tightly, trying to remember how I ended up here, but nothing comes to mind.

“Don’t strain yourself,” the man says, chuckling. I open my eyes to see him kissing a strand of my hair. “You’re quite a looker.”

“W-who are you?” I stammer, kicking at him with my feet. He catches my ankle, halting my movements. A frown mars his handsome face.

“I’m your new mate,” he says, grinning. He’s looking at me like I’m a meal. I try to back away, but my back hits the bedpost. “Easy,” he says, grabbing my arm. “Come here.”

“LET ME GO!” I shout, scrambling off the massive bed. I look around in a panic. Where am I?

The man kneels on the bed, his eyes narrowing as he scoffs.

“I’d be careful if I were you,” he mutters.

“Who are you? And where am I?” I ask, my confusion growing. I pinch my nose as dizziness washes over me.

As I sway, I feel an arm wrap around me. I try to push him away, but I’m too weak.

“My name,” he whispers, “is Eros, and you are my new mate. Welcome home,” he says, just before my eyes flutter shut.

***

When I open my eyes again, I sit up quickly. I’m disoriented. Where am I?

My body aches, and I groan. What did he do to me?

“You’re finally awake,” the man says.

“Who are you?” I ask again.

“I’m Prince Eros,” he says, gripping my chin. “We need to talk.”

I slap his hand away and study him.

“You don’t remember anything, do you?” Eros asks, settling into a chair. “Don’t worry; I’ll fill you in. Let’s just say my men brought you here. It’s been… what, four days now?”

“What did you just say?” I whisper. I feel sick as I start to grasp my situation.

“I had you kidnapped. I brought you here,” Eros says, taking a sip of his wine. “I was eager to meet the dragon king’s mate.”

I breathe nervously, my hand instinctively moving to my belly. I can’t let him know I’m pregnant.

“And now, you will be my queen,” Eros says, standing up. He lifts his goblet, smiling as he takes a sip. “I must say, you’re quite a beauty.”

He strokes my face, still smiling. I push his hand away. His touch repulses me.

“Why did you bring me here?” I ask, trying to stay calm. I need to keep my cool to protect my babies.

“Why?” Eros says, standing tall. “I told you, to be my queen. In other words, you’re going to marry me!”

“You’re insane!” I shout, standing up. As I move toward him, I feel something pull at my leg. Looking down, I see a chain around my ankle.

“Do you like your new accessory?” Eros says, laughing. “I can’t risk you running away.”

“Let me go, Eros!” I snap back.

“No,” Eros says, standing in front of me. “Whether you like it or not, you’re going to marry me. Now, how about we have some fun?”

He reaches for my neck, leaning in. I push him away, but he grabs my arms. He pulls me toward the bed and throws me down. I scream as he looms over me.

I stare at him, my eyes wide. There’s a darkness in his face. “If you keep fighting, you’ll only excite me,” Eros says, his face close to mine.

“I enjoy it when women resist.” He licks my cheek, smiling. I lift my hand and slap him. I can’t stand his touch.

Eros grabs his face. He groans, then hits me back. I cry out as my cheek stings. He grabs my hair, lifting my head.

“Fine, if you want me to use force, I will,” Eros says, licking his lips. He tears my nightgown, grabbing my hands and pinning them above my head.

I struggle against him, but he’s too heavy. He pulls a rope from under the pillow and ties my hands. Panic sets in as I realize what’s about to happen. Is he going to hurt me?

“Please don’t!” I plead, tears streaming down my face. Eros squeezes my cheeks.

“I’m going to enjoy this,” Eros says, smiling. “But don’t worry, I won’t fuck you yet.”

He covers my mouth with his hand. I struggle against him, crying as he starts to explore my body with his mouth. His breath tickles my skin as he moves lower, to my breasts.

I feel his lips on my nipple, and then he bites. I arch my back in pain. I try to move my leg, but the chain stops me. Why is this happening?

I call out Dimitri’s name, crying louder.

Eros is all over me, his mouth exploring my body. I feel a wave of nausea. He needs to stop. As I reach for my nightgown, Eros slips his hand beneath it. I kick out, trying to fend him off. But Eros is too strong.

I feel his smile against my stomach and panic sets in. He’s not going to do what I think he is, is he?

I squirm, desperate to escape. Anything to make him stop. Suddenly, there’s a knock at the door. Eros groans in frustration and halts.

“Who’s there?” Eros grumbles, clearly annoyed.

“It’s me,” a man’s voice replies. I silently thank him.

“Come in,” Eros says, sounding resigned. The doors swing open and a man who bears a striking resemblance to Eros, save for his gray eyes, strides in. He leans against the bedpost, a smirk on his face.

“Looks like you’re having fun,” he comments.

“Want to join?” Eros asks, causing my eyes to widen in shock.

“No, I have other plans for her,” the man replies. Eros lifts his head to look at him, silent for a moment. “You really want to do that?” Eros asks, sighing. “Why can’t you be more like me?”

“No,” the man says firmly.

“Alright, but let me have my fun with her first, then you can do whatever you want,” Eros says, standing up. He adjusts his erection, looking uncomfortable.

“No, I want her first. Then you can do whatever you want,” the man insists. Eros glances at him.

“You want to spoil it?” Eros asks, sounding irritated.

“She’s a slave, isn’t she?” the man asks. “What’s left to spoil? And why is she wearing gloves?”

I clench my fists, realizing that I am indeed wearing gloves. I started wearing them to bed in case of emergencies.

I didn’t want to hurt anyone, so I started sleeping with them on. These ones are thinner than the ones I use during the day.

“You’re right,” Eros says, moving closer to me. I struggle. I don’t know if my powers will work on him if he touches me, but I’m scared of what might happen to my babies if they do.

“No,” the man suddenly says. “Leave her alone. She’s probably terrified.” Eros stops. He looks at the man and shrugs.

“Fine, take her,” Eros says, pulling me to my feet. My nightgown falls to the floor, leaving me in my underwear. “Are you sure you don’t want to join me before you do your thing?”

The man looks me up and down. He swallows hard. “No,” he whispers. “I have my own methods.”

“You sick fuck,” Eros says, punching him. “Alright, brother, she’s all yours. Just make sure to heal her when you’re done,” Eros murmurs, glancing at me. Then he leaves the room. I’m left feeling bewildered.

“My brother seems to have taken a liking to you,” the man says, moving closer. He unlocks my chains and I try to move away, but he grabs my arm. “Let’s go.”

He drags me, naked, out of the room. At first, it seems like he’s taking me outside, but then he stops and pushes a book on a shelf. The concrete wall makes a noise, and a hidden passage opens.

“W-what is this?” I ask, staring at the dark tunnel.

“Somewhere you’ll enjoy,” the man says, pulling me against him. Then he looks down and frowns. Did he see my mark?

He frowns deeper, then looks away and starts dragging me again. We walk for about ten minutes before we reach a room. I look around, terrified. Is he planning to lock me up?

My eyes dart from side to side. I see cages, weapons on the walls, a fireplace, chairs, a table with ropes, and chains hanging from the ceiling.

Suddenly, I understand what he’s planning to do. I drop to my knees. “Please don’t,” I beg. The man releases me, looking at me with a strange expression. He grabs a chain and starts pulling me. “No, please!” I cry out.

He grabs my neck and says, “Don’t make me angry!”

“Please don’t!” I whisper.

The man scoffs and starts dragging me again. He grabs my bound hands and chains them. He cuts the rope, and my arms hang from the ceiling.

My body shakes as I wait. I need to get out of here. I close my eyes and say a silent prayer.

He’s going to hurt the babies.

I hear a rustling sound and look over my shoulder. The man is shirtless; he’s only wearing his trousers. He walks toward me, raising his hand.

A long metal whip scrapes against the floor. I start crying as he smiles and lifts the whip, bringing it down.

The pain is immediate and intense. I scream.

Slash.

Slash.

Slash.

Each lash makes me scream louder. My back is on fire as the metal whip cuts my skin. I bite my lip, trying to suppress my cries. I can’t let this break me. I have to stay strong for the babies.

After five more lashes, he stops. I’m panting, trying to stay conscious.

My body is trembling, covered in blood.

I feel him behind me, his hand gripping my face. He leans in and says, “How about we try a different one?”

I shake my head, tears streaming down my face.

“Shh, don’t worry,” he smirks. “It won’t take long.”

He releases my face and moves to the wall. I cry, begging him to stop. Then I hear something fall to the ground and I turn my head.

“NO, PLEASE!” I scream as he picks up a whip with spikes. He just laughs as he lifts it.

“Let’s see how strong you really are,” the man says, bringing the whip down. I scream, calling out for Dimitri. The man continues to whip my back until my vision starts to blur.

I call out for Dimitri one last time before everything goes black.

***

“Prince Seth, the king wants to see you,” a voice echoes from a distance. My head lolls from side to side, and I struggle to draw breath as blood trickles down my forehead. Prince Seth responds. I let my eyes close.

Suddenly, I feel something and let out a cry. The man is unfastening the chains. I collapse into his arms, sobbing. Every touch sends a jolt of pain through my body.

He lifts me up and carries me back to my chambers. Silent tears stream down my face as my body stiffens. I’m paralyzed.

He gently lays me down and I can’t help but curse. My back is throbbing.

“Get the witch. Tell her to treat and watch over her,” the man instructs. I keep my eyes shut as the doors close behind him.

“D-Dimitri…,” I mumble, my hand instinctively moving to my belly. A sharp pain radiates across my lower abdomen.

Tears streaming down my face, I whisper, “I’m sorry.”