Tonight, finally, I give in and curve my fingers over the knob on her door. When I open it, I find her sitting in the chair by the fireplace, curled up into herself as she flips through the pages of a book. Upon hearing me enter, she glances up, her eyebrows pinching together when she sees me on the threshold. She’s pale, dark shadows cast beneath the fringe of her lower lashes. In place of her normally smooth hair, there is an unruliness that screams of her desperation. She is already unraveling in her captivity.

It feels as though it has been an eternity since our eyes last met. Does she feel it too?

She studies me, folding the book into her lap and waiting for me to announce my purpose.

"Starting tomorrow, you have my permission to access The Manor. Everywhere except the staff quarters, my office, and my bedroom."

She sits up slightly, the strap of her black nightgown falling down over the curve of her shoulder. "And what about the pool?"

"The pool is off-limits until your tattoo is healed. Two weeks at least."

She frowns at this but nods anyway.

"You'll need to get settled in here. Soon, we will be required to attend events together. Mercedes will be here to teach you what is expected of you. She will go over your schedule with you and show you around The Manor.”

Her eyes narrow. "And if I say no?"

"You know what happens if you say no." My fingers itch to reach out and grab her, and my cock is already hardening at the mere suggestion of her defiance.

She seems to consider my words carefully before shaking her head in frustration. "And what about school?"

"That part of your life is in the past. You're my wife now. You’ll spend your time doing something productive for The Society."

"Such as?"

"Such as bearing my children. Offering your assistance where it's required. And most importantly, pleasing me."

An expression of horror flashes across her face as she echoes those words. "Children?"

"Don't tell me you haven't even considered it," I mock her.

"But you said you wanted me dead."

Those words sound bitter repeated back to me. "Well, there is time for both."

She falls quiet, and I don't like it. I need her words, her thoughts.

"When can I see my sister?" she asks. "My father? When will I be able to visit my family?"

"If you behave this week, then you will be granted those privileges accordingly."

She stiffens as my unspoken threat settles over her, but after some consideration, she seems to come to a silent conclusion as determination steels her eyes.

"Fine. I'll do what you ask as long as I can see my father and Evangeline this week."

Her insistence on seeing that scum grates at me. But a deal is a deal. If she wants it, she will have to earn it.

"Come here."