Page 9 of Crowned In Blood
Ibarely slept that night and was catatonic during my dress fitting.
The room, the people… they all faded away. I lifted my hands when told and turned when instructed, just like a perfect little doll.
My mind was chaotic, broken. My soul crushed to pieces, and yet my body forced me to survive. I breathed, ate when given food, drank when given water, and functioned as though I were on autopilot.
By the next day, the entryways and backyard had been transformed with beautiful arrays of flowers, marble sculptures, fountains, and candles. Chandeliers and draping plants decorated the house in a theme of white, green, and gold. Everything was detailed to perfection.
Any bride would have been overjoyed to get married there if they had been given a choice.
But to me, the sculptures were nightmarish, the rush of the water from the fountains too loud. The plants were thorny vines keeping me in my cage. Each decoration squeezed the walls of my prison around me tighter, suffocating me.
I had two roles—the obedient daughter and the joyful bride—and I was so numb that I went along with both.
But something in me snapped when I heard my father's voice as he walked through the hallway, rattling off commands and tasks to a wedding planner.
What am I doing?
This wasn't me, and it wouldneverbe me. I couldn't just give up. Irefusedto.
Yes, Fernando's wealth and connections made escaping a monumental challenge. But if others had escaped the mafia, so could I.
I won't be an easy captive.I won’t allow them to break my spirit.
When I returned to my room I combed through the file again, looking for anything that might help me. But it only emphasized that Fernando's power was absolute.
But as I read over the page of commands, I smirked.
My marriage to Fernando was inevitable, but if he thought I’d obey all of his terms, he had another thing coming.
I saton the edge of my bed, the clock ticking loudly, reminding me of the precious time I was losing.
My wedding was tomorrow. The preparations were all in place, exactly as Fernando and my father had wanted. But I wouldn’t be.
Fernando wanted a virgin bride, and when I walked down the aisle tomorrow, I wouldn’t be.
My plan was dangerous and could go wrong, just like all my others seemed to. But I didn't care anymore. It was all I had, all I could do. And that small semblance of control was worth fighting for.
The guard who arrived with my dinner was young and arrogant. A man who believed he could have anything he wanted without question, making him exactly who I needed.
"Come in." I held the door open and he placed the plate on the table, but as he turned to leave, I closed the door behind me, blocking him.
The guard opened his mouth, but I bunched the fabric of my dress in my clammy hands and pulled it off.
His eyes widened, taking in my naked form while I swallowed the churning disgust rising within me.
It's okay. This has to happen. It'll be better this way. Just endure it for a little while.
I'd never thought I was beautiful. My father had always said I looked too Hispanic. My skin was too tan, my eyes too dark, my hair easily frizzy and difficult to maintain. But the one benefit I had was my body.
My breasts were perky, my ass round and tight. I had no fat on my body due to the frequent starvation I'd been subjugated to. My waist was narrow, my hips wide, and I had more legs than torso.
Based on the erection in the guard's pants, he found me attractive enough.
"Do you have a condom?" I whispered, my heartbeat pounding in my ears.
"Yeah." His voice was gruff. Slowly, he approached me, like I was his fantasy come to life.
He pulled me into his arms, then angled his head toward mine, but I pushed him back.
