[M] The Darkness Down Below

[Violet]

The property was not as big as she had expected, not nearly as big as Ramses’ by half. Compared to her former digs, this was downright modest. A few large, flowery trees flanked the sides of the estate, lit by soft red rays of the setting sun. Off to one side, a row of smaller buildings, presumably barracks of some sort, sat nestled in a bed of bushes. Campfires dotted along their courtyard as figures milled about. Plumes of smoke swirled lazily towards the darkening sky.
 
It didn’t look threatening at all; in fact, it seemed a little too domestic, almost like a small village or plantation. If her nerves weren’t so wrecked, she would even say it was pleasant. It reminded her of home.
 
“We’ll be there in just a few minutes. You might want to put those clothes on now, Violet.” Nathaniel motioned towards the pile of clothing her in lap.
 
Glowering, Violet replied, “And if I don’t want to?”
 
“You’re going to want to,” he retorted. If he took offense to her tone, he didn’t show it. He was respectful, which was something she hadn’t expected from him. “My people aren’t prudes, but they aren’t afraid of taking advantage of a situation if it arises.”
 
“‘Situation’?” She hoped it wasn’t what she thought it was.
 
“They’ll take your freely flaunted nudity as an invitation.”
 
“Meaning?” Was she just being thickheaded?
 
“They’ll try to fuck you,” he said bluntly. 
 
Her eyes widened a little, and she looked down at the bundle in her lap. Maybe she could relinquish her pride just a little bit. “Well, that sounds…welcoming.”
 
“You won’t want their ‘welcome’. You might not survive it,” he responded.
 
Violet laughed. “I can take a lot of things,” she said. “A bit of rough play isn’t exactly something I shy away from, especially when it comes to sex.”
 
Nathaniel’s lips curled into a sly smile, the impishness reaching to his sparkling pale eyes. “I definitely missed something over the last few years, haven’t I?”
 
“Considering the last time you got in my pants was around thirty years ago, yeah.”
 
“Maybe you’ll let me test those limits of yours one of these days.” His boldness knew no bounds, and peeked out at the strangest times.
 
“Keep dreaming, Nathaniel.” Violet took the chance to dress, not willing to be reminded again that it would be in her best interest. What does he know about her “best interests”, anyway? Although, she had to admit that after half a year of running around buck ass naked, the clothing felt fantastic.
 
Nathaniel hummed at her in approval. The clothing was baggy, but her smaller frame made it look more feminine, more delicate. She hated being reminded of her femininity, made her feel weaker somehow. Weakness was not something she wanted to portray to these creatures. They would see it as a “way in”, to get under her skin, to make her lose her focus. Nathaniel was dangerously treading that line, becoming more and more comfortable with her, and she him. She couldn’t forget what he’d done to her, both in their last life and this one. Reminding herself of his betrayal renewed a bubble of hatred deep within her.
 
“So what happens once we get inside? Got a nice fresh cage for me?” She leaned back in the seat, crossing her arms across her chest. “The clothes are a nice touch, I admit. Much more accommodating than Ramses.”
 
“You’re patronizing me, Violet.”
 
“Nah, just being realistic about the situation, that’s all.”
 
“Reality has changed,” Nathaniel said. His eyes settled on hers, like twin pools of darkness spreading over an ocean. They were mesmerizing.  “You aren’t a prisoner anymore.”
 
Her body stiffened, eyebrows cresting in surprise. “Then I am free to leave?”
 
“Not exactly. It’s not that easy.”
 
“Why not? If I’m not a prisoner, then I should be free to leave.”
 
“And go where?” He laughed mockingly. “Into the waiting arms of another master? Don’t you realize how the system works yet?”
 
She opened her mouth to argue, but she couldn’t argue with that. She had been captured so easily, then bartered away like some kind of commodity. She’d met many masters, but her knowledge only went so far as to realize that each worked differently than the others.
 
“If you leave me, all that awaits you is more misery. You were lucky to be captured by Ramses, he is gentle compared to most,” Nathaniel warned. “I’ve known some that flayed their prisoners and kept them on display. Primes do not die, but that doesn’t stop them from feeling unimaginable pain.”
 
“Point made,” she relented.
 
The carriage rumbled to a stop, and Nathaniel moved to unlock the door. A small, bent creature opened it, greeting them with a toothy smile. “Welcome home, Master,” he bowed.
 
“Greetings, Aryeth.” Nathaniel patted his head, smiling warmly down at him. “Go inside and let the others know our guest has arrived.”
 
Aryeth bowed again and scampered off. Nathaniel reached into the coach and offered her a hand. “Coming?”
 
“Do I have a choice?”
 
“You can take my hand and let me help you out or you can help yourself out.”
 
“You spoil me,” she rolled her eyes and took his hand. She might as well take advantage of his kindness while he offered it.
 
He leaned down close to her ear and whispered, “I would appreciate it greatly if you kept your snarky replies to yourself until we’re alone.”
 
“Afraid of a little uprising, Nathaniel?”
 
“If you value your freedom, you’ll do as I ask.”
 
“Fine,” she grumped, and began walking towards the entrance to the manor. He hurried along to keep up.