A chill went down her spine. What had made Darling do that after all these years of tolerating Arturo’s reign? Something inside him had snapped, but what?

“It was so brutal,” Gera whispered. “After that, his lordship went on a bloody killing spree against his enemies and anyone else who crossed his path. At least a hundred, probably more, have lost their lives to his bloodlust.”

Zarya was flabbergasted by the number. “Darling?”

“Yes, Mistress. Did you not see the pile of bodies at the front gate? His lordship threatened the life of anyone who dared remove them.”

Was that the real reason Maris had brought her in through the back?

“No. I didn’t see it.” A shiver ran down her spine at the very thought. Why hadn’t Maris mentioned that?

“It’s dreadful, Mistress. I’ve never seen anyone do something so horrible,” Gera whispered as if she was terrified of being overheard. “So my advice to you is to make his lordship happy and to not upset him in any way. There’s no telling what he might do to you.” Her eyes troubled, she leaned forward and patted Zarya on the side of her arms. “Now if you’re ready, Mistress, I’ll have you carried back into the boudoir.”

Zarya cringed at the thought of another stranger touching her. She was really over it. Especially given the way Gera had forced her to dress. “May I please walk? I really don’t want anyone I’m not well acquainted with to see me in this…” She searched for a word that wouldn’t offend the older woman. “Outfit.”

Glancing around nervously as if she expected someone to be watching them, Gera hesitated. “I don’t know, Mistress. I could get into a lot of trouble for not following his lordship’s exact orders, and he was insistent that you rest and not hurt your ankle again. The last thing I want to do is be added to the mass grave outside.”

Zarya was definitely going to have to find out more about that. Like Gera, she didn’t want to be its next acquisition.

“I promise Lord Darling won’t be angry at you if he catches me. He knows exactly how stubborn I am, and I’ll be glad to tell him it was me who did it.”

The friendly light returned to Gera’s eyes. However, there was still a bit of doubt behind it. “Very well, but at least let me help you.”

Zarya stood up slowly and leaned against Gera as she limped her way back to the bedroom. She did her best not to see herself in the mirrors. While she had no problem with her makeup, the rest of her was…

Scary.

Gera had dressed her in a white lace gown that revealed more of her body than it covered, especially since her nipples had been darkened by the flavored rouge. The gown was tied together with only one ribbon between her breasts and while standing, it was closed, but whenever she sat, it would open to reveal her entire lower body that was as naked as the day she’d come into the world.