I came in late in the afternoon with lunch for Dahlia. She was curled in the fetal position on the bed, her face tucked into the pillow. I sat beside her carefully, setting the plate in front of her.

"Wake up," I whispered.

She suddenly jumped at me, arms flailing. I blocked my face with one arm and struggled to fight her off. She was like a wild dog, biting and scratching at me. My hand found hold of her wrist and I yanked her off of me, climbing onto her and pinning her to the bed. Her hair glowed in the darkness of the room and fear was evident on her face. She looked like a siren, drawing me closer and closer to insanity.

"I'm sorry! Don't hurt me," she squeaked as she attempted to curl in on herself.

I dug my knees into the outside of her hips and tightened my grip on her hands. She yelped in pain, but I didn't stop. I pressed my weight down on her and leaned down so my lips just barely brushed her cheek.

"I'm not going to hurt you, not if you obey me," I whispered.

Her whining slowly ceased and I continued.

"You will be submissive and obedient. You will not attack me. You will not try to leave. Simple rules, and if you follow them, you will never have to want for a thing. Don't you see? All that I do is for you; all that I will do is for you. You should be grateful."

I stood up quickly and left without another word, locking the door behind me. Her pleas fell on deaf ears, for no one was around to hear her, and I certainly was not going to go back to attend to her. She would sit and learn her lesson. I would simply deprive her of food or company indefinitely, and she would behave.

"Vee? You okay?" Sebastian asked when he saw the bruise on my cheek.

"Yes," I sighed, forcing a pleasant smile onto my face. "I was knocked off of Xander." I blamed my mare for my fresh injury.

"Oh. Well, perhaps if he behaves, I'll saddle up Xerxes and we can go for a ride later," he offered.

He was so hopeful and cheery, still too young to understand my vagueness and reluctance to spend time with him. It was not his fault; he could not help who his mother was, nor could he help that she had died and left us alone with Father.

"Yes, perhaps," I sighed, walking past him to the kitchen. 

I left through the side door, making the trek from the house to the stables. I liked the openness of the vast land my family owned. By the time I arrived at the barn that stood for centuries, the stable boy was leaving.

"Would you like me to stay and saddle Xander for you?" he offered.

I shook my head, waving him out the door as I approached the last stall. Xander stood strong and proud, a sleek black Arabian horse. Xerxes stood in the stall beside him, a smaller and younger white Arabian. Father's horse was a gold Akhal-Teke. It was difficult to come by, and had cost a fortune. Our horses were all meant for speed and endurance, except for...Mother's. The gargantuan creature laid in the last stall of the barn. He was a Clydesdale, bred for pulling carriages and wagons. He was more of a pet for leisure; Mother never enjoyed our fast-paced taste for life. The animal was a deep brown with white markings all over his face that resembled war paint. She had named him Chief. 

"Chief, you are going to meet a new friend tomorrow," I whispered. 

He looked at me and stood, raising on his hind legs and stomping repetitively. No one had ridden him since Mother passed; he hadn't even left his stall since the day it happened. I waited for him to settle before I approached the stall with a grin. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I left the stables around nightfall. I told myself I would not cater to Dahlia until she learned to act like a proper lady, but I couldn't stay away from her. I had made up my mind while visiting the stables: I would sit with her tonight, and tomorrow we would go riding. I approached her room, knocking softly before I peeked in. She sat in the middle of the bed with her legs crossed, staring at the wall.

"Dahlia," I murmured, stepping into her chambers cautiously. I did not want to be attacked again.

"There is no way out of here, is there?" she asked. 

I sighed and sat beside her. "I suppose there isn't. You are meant to be my bride, dear."

"I cannot get out, but you aren't going to harm me?" she continued, her voice like wind weaving through the trees. 

"No harm shall come to you as long as you are mine. I swear it," I vowed. 

She nodded and mumbled something under her breath before turning to me with a meek smile.

"I suppose I could be happy here."

I was filled with such joy that I lost control of myself, leaning forward and kissing her deeply.

Her lips tasted like vanilla, and her mouth opened pliantly under the urging of my tongue. Eventually, I pulled away and gazed down at my angel. Her cheeks flushed and she stared at me in shock. Fear was still evident in her eyes, causing me to regain my composure. I moved away sheepishly, settling on the opposite end of the bed with my hands in my lap.

"I apologize," I chuckled. "That was not very polite of me."

She nodded a little, staying silent as she touched her lips.

"I should go," I sighed. "Until tomorrow, my love."

I know where I want the story to go, but I'm having a hard time figuring how I'm going to get there. Hopefully you readers will stay with me throughout this difficult process. I would appreciate input and suggestions