12 Punishment {1}

Eastern Wing

At night, the weather instantly darkens, it gets cloudy and bits of lightning are in the dark skies, looking like it wants to rain. Once again after the bathhouse, I was dressed in my nightwear, heading for our chambers, I figured this is how it will be now.

My heart slammed loudly in my chest as I and Olivia walked the lobby, I was nervous, extremely nervous I would have to face Cedric tonight.

I stood in front of the door and turned to Olivia. She smiled.

"Good night my Lady, see you tomorrow," she said bowing as she left. I wanted to call her back but I shut my mouth, facing the door back. I stepped in, the door shutting behind me.

My eyes drifted to where Cedric was, he was busy at the bookshelves near the chair set. His jacket off, I gulped hard as I took a deep breath and walked towards him, he didn't acknowledge my presence and I didn't care. The most important thing I had to do right now was to apologize.

"I'm sorry about last night," I began.

He opened a book and started reading, one hand in his pocket, his back facing me, I sighed.

"I'm sorry for kissing you and-".

"And almost having your own way with me" he cut me off, I gulped.

My mind drifted to the sensual kiss I gave when I was tipsy, I blushed. He turned to face me and shut the book, earning a loud noise, I jumped slightly at the sound.

His expression was blank.

"A-A-And for the v-vase," I said trying to explain while moving my hands and I saw it wasn't helping, I just paused.

He smiled a ghost smile that didn't reach his eyes, I shivered at it because it was ghoulish and dark. He stepped close but I moved back instinctively. But then it was like an invisible wall blocked me behind, I gasped as it pushed me towards him, my back against the shelves, he leaned to me, our face inches apart, his green eyes held anger. I could tell it was because of the vase. I shouldn't have done that, I didn't know what I was dealing with, or more who I was dealing with.

"Yes, the vase" he finally said, his voice cold and distant.

I found myself trembling, and then I knew one thing then...

"And you will have to be punished for attacking your husband" he adds darkly.

...I was afraid of this man.

My heart slammed a loud beat at his words. Punished? My eyes were shaky as I stared into his cold eyes. He said he was going to punish me, had I known I wouldn't have thrown that vase at him, that was what got him angry, I was such a fool to think of something like that, you have really outdone yourself this time SYLVIA.

"W-what are you going to do to me?" I asked shakily.

I knew the worst would happen, he had the upper hand, he could do all sorts of things to me, whip me or at worst report me to Mother and then I will have to face her wrath for breaking the rules and attempting to hurt the man of the house.

Dear Lord! Unable to stare more at his icy eyes I looked away as I took harsh breaths. Papa, please help me. That was my thought, I waited for his next action but rather he just pulled away from me, moving back slightly, I turned at his action, my eyes landing on him.

He smirked as he flicked his fingers. I blinked at his action but then something levitated towards me, it was stationed right in front of me. It was a small box with amazing carvings.

"Take it," he ordered.

I shakily took it staring at him. He had a stern look now.

"Open it," he said again.

I did as I was told, I opened it and I gasped at what was inside, it was a medium-size yellow gem.

"A gem," I said, amazed at it. I have never seen one before, this could set you for life in my hometown.

I gasped as it levitated off my hand towards Cedric, it spun slowly above his palm without him touching it, I was amazed by his magic once again, he was the most powerful warlock after all, back in my hometown, I heard rumors that simple magics took deep concentration, not to talk more of harder magic, his I have seen so far came easier to conjure.

"Silver-haired are special, that doesn't mean they are meant to only marry and bore next-generation warlocks' ' he stated.

"Are you saying I can do magic too?" I said as my face lit up at the thought of it.

"No it's forbidden for women to do magic, it's impossible" he stated clearly.

I froze.

"Your punishment" he began as he sent the gem to me, I took it.

"Is to reshape that gem to what you desire," he said firmly.

I blinked confused.

"That doesn't sound like a punishment," I said amused.

"And besides that's doing magic, and as you said, women can't do magic" I raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, it's impossible, I'm counting on that," he said darkly.

I just shrugged cause I didn't get his point, not knowing what I was getting myself into, I took a seat on the chair, dropped the box, and held the gem with my two hands.

He watches my actions. I sighed as I concentrated on the gem but it didn't budge, I figured it didn't work, it was a waste of time.

Suddenly I shivered as I weakened a bit.

"I feel so cold," I said puzzled, my eyes drifting to Cedric in confusion.

"I cast a spell on it, there's always a price anytime you fail," he said.

"But I will always fail because I can't do magic so-" but then I froze in realization. He very well knew I couldn't and yet he gave me the gem, which means he was deliberately doing this.

"In exchange for your failure, a single fragment of ice will pass through your skin" he adds.

I froze at his words.