The Old Manor

Rain held her breath as those long fingers took off her shoes and pulled on her stockings.

She was awed at the frustration of his hands as he attempted to take them off her legs.

His palms went to and fro her legs rashly, caressing the skin underneath and leaving behind traces of warmth.

Distressed by the touch, Rain looked away and bit harder on her lips.

Finally, he ripped the stockings apart and threw them to the floor with unconcealed satisfaction.

Rain wasn't sure to cry or laugh as she stared at the ragged silk stripped across the floor. Nevertheless, she kept to her thoughts and dared not complain.

The yearning wave of warmth didn't cease to disturb her composure. His hands moved along the length of her legs and she didn't know how long she could endure before she plead for him to take them away. Perhaps she was too sensitive, but it bothered her that his touch tingled.

Derek scowled at the sight of her injury. He pinched gently on the flare on her ankle and poked at the cuts across her legs.

Rain winced silently and bit on her lip to hum the pain, solely relieved the tingles were gone.

It itched when his fingers felt her cuts and it ached terribly when he pinched.

"This will hurt," he casually mentioned.

Rain gasped. "What will… ah!"

The knock of her joints reached her hearing and the pull was so excruciating she instantly sweated. Her skin flushed and her breath was laborious.

But she held in a cry and whimpered silently, else she become a greater annoyance.

She heard a thud and looked up to see the door closing. The prince had left. Just like that.

Rain looked down at her exposed legs. It didn't hurt much anymore and she flexed her right feet to feel her ankle. Her joints had been fixed back in place and it felt comfortable to move her leg.

The prince was an odd character she perceived. It would be ridiculous to think he was been considerate of her. He'd called her worrisome and a burden. He'd treated her in such crude manner merely because he didn't wish for her to be a burden.

If only she hadn't been caught fleeing. If only she wasn't an ignoble gift. How was a lady like her to appease a prince. She'd only managed to displease him on first meeting.

Heaven knew what penalty awaited her for such abominable act.

Rain looked around the dusky room in despair. The air emitted an eerie stench as though grotesques floated about.

She suddenly felt cold and when the door creaked open after a knocks, she jolted.