A woman's terrified scream echoed, sharp and piercing, immediately followed by the vicious crack of a whip slicing through the air. The harrowing sounds jolted me awake with a terrified gasp, chills running down my body.

I looked around, scared, the dreadful sound still fresh in my mind, the night clings to the room like a suffocating veil, the silence punctuated only by the steady rhythm of someone's breath against my neck. 

And then I sensed a firm hold on my waist. 

Lord Darius's arm wrapped around my waist, his grip firm, almost possessive, as if even in sleep, he's determined not to let me slip away. The warmth of his body seeps into me, a stark contrast to the cold reality outside. 

I turn my head slightly, my eyes settling on the balcony shrouded in darkness. 

A pang of guilt twists in my chest. Meredith must have waited for me, desperate and alone, only to leave when I didn't come. The thought is unbearable, but there's nothing I can do now. I've been caught, ensnared by my husband, again.

Carefully, I shift in bed, turning to face him. 

Lord Darius's face is serene in sleep, the polar opposite of the man who has been chasing me, controlling me, and binding me to his will. 

His white satin robe clings to his chest, which rises and falls with each breath, and the soft glow of the moonlight from the balcony highlights the recently grown beard that frames his face. His hair falls across his forehead, and for a moment, I find myself captivated by the serenity in his expression. 

In this moment, he looks almost vulnerable a man, not a lord, not a tyrant, but someone who might feel as deeply as I do.

A strange impulse tugs at me, a challenge whispered by some rebellious part of my heart. 

Before I knew it, I found myself inching closer, closing the distance between us. I wanted to feel his warmth again, to connect with him in a way that defied the fear and anger I harbored. My gaze fell to his lips, remembering how they had claimed mine with a force that left me breathless and confused.

My gaze falls to his lips, remembering how they claimed mine, leaving me breathless and confused. 

But then he moved a little bit and shook me back to reality.

What is wrong with you, Scarlett?

I scolded myself, pulling back. 

I was supposed to be mad at him, furious, even. 

He tried to control me and whipped Eliza, and yet, I couldn't bring myself to blame him entirely. Day by day, I was seeing new sides of him, and understanding more of what drove him.

He had been on edge lately, and I knew it was because of me and my sister. 

But I couldn't let that stop me. I had to prove Meredith's innocence before him, no matter the cost. Still, I couldn't deny the conflicting emotions stirring within me. The more I tried to hate the situation, the more I understood him. 

And the more I understood, the harder it became to hold on to my anger.

He cared for me, in his own twisted way. 

He followed me, found me, every single time I tried to slip away. 

Was it because he was lonely? Or was it because he couldn't tolerate the thought of losing another family member?

I closed my eyes, trying to shake off the confusion, but exhaustion quickly pulled me under.

When I awoke, it was to the soft sound of movement. Sunlight streamed in through the balcony, casting a warm glow across the room. I blinked, disoriented, before realizing Lord Darius was standing by the bed, his back to me as he adjusted the cufflinks on his white outfit. His robe had been replaced with something more formal, but the sight of him still made my heart race.

He turned to me, a radiant smile on his face. For a moment, it was as if the tension between us didn't exist, as if we were just a husband and wife waking up to a new day. But I couldn't bring myself to return his smile. Instead, I got up siting on my knees and adjusted the duvet around me, and looked down, avoiding his gaze, not ready to speak.

"Good morning, my dear Scarlett," his husky voice rumbled in my ear, and I found myself clutching the duvet tightly, my heart racing.

What is wrong with you, Scarlett? Oh, dear Lord.

I chose to stay silent, feeling his presence close by the bed.

"So, you're not going to talk to me now?" he chuckled, trying to catch my attention. I avoided his gaze, turning my face away each time he tried to draw near.

Lord Darius continued to pace near the bed, his presence undeniable as he attempted to coax a response from me. His voice was smooth and teasing, but I remained resolutely silent, my gaze fixed on the patterns of the duvet.

After a few moments of this game, he sighed dramatically. 

"Scarlett, are you really going to ignore me like this?"

His chuckle was maddeningly casual, as if nothing troubling had transpired. The reality of the previous day pressed heavily on me. Finally, unable to contain my frustration any longer, I spoke up, my voice low but accusing.

"How can you remain so composed, my lord? After everything that happened yesterday, being dragged back here, witnessing Eliza being whipped, and having her replaced with another maid, not to mention being confined to this chamber, how am I supposed to find anything good in my morning?"

His eyes widened for a moment before a broad, playful smile spread across his face. 

He lowered himself to my level, his fingers gently grasping my chin. His touch was surprisingly tender, though his intent was clearly mischievous.

"I thought you were upset because I kissed you without your permission," he said, his voice dripping with seductive charm. "So, these are the facts that are bothering you?"

The look in his eyes was intense, his smile a mix of amusement and arrogance. I felt a rush of embarrassment as his words hung in the air, my cheeks flushing red as I turned away.

He leaned in closer, the warmth of his breath tickling my skin. I struggled to maintain my composure, my heart pounding as I tried to focus on anything but the way he was making me feel.

There is definitely something wrong with me.

Lord Darius finally straightened up, a satisfied smile on his lips.

"Since you're so troubled, let me address it," he started fixing his cuff links.

 "You are not to leave the estate for your own safety. Although Nikolai was caught, he still believes Meredith is trying to free him. I understand you object, but my decision stands. You may do as you wish within the estate with Mabel assisting you. Once Meredith is apprehended, I promise I will take you to see her. She has committed a grave crime, escaping from jail after being sentenced to death."

I remained quiet as he prepared to leave.

"I'll be out for a few hours," he continued, adjusting his cufflinks with precise movements. "I'll return by the afternoon, and when I do, I'll teach you how to ride a horse. It's a skill every lady of the estate should possess."

"I don't want to learn," I replied, attempting to keep my tone firm.

He chuckled and moved closer, attempting to kiss me. I gasped, realizing his intention, and turned my head slightly. His kiss landed on the side of my lips, but he didn't stop there. His lips brushed against my cheek, leaving me flushed and breathless. 

He pulled back, a mock look of disappointment on his face, and I raised an eyebrow, daring him to try again.

"Well, that didn't go as planned," he said with a grin, clearly amused.

"Well, would you like to watch me train with my horses then?" he teased, leaning down toward me. 

Lord Darius finally pulled back, his eyes locking onto mine with a smug yet affectionate glint. He reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair away from my face, his touch sending a strange warmth through me.

"Your eyes, Scarlett," he murmured, his voice soft and almost reverent. "They're like the most beautiful storms, so full of emotion, so captivating. They draw me in, even when I know I should stay away."

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. His words, though laced with affection, only added to the confusion swirling inside me. I wasn't supposed to feel this way, at least at not this period of time.

But his presence was overwhelming, and the way he spoke to me, the way he looked at me, made it impossible to ignore the conflicting emotions warring within me.

With one last lingering look, Lord Darius turned and left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. As soon as the door closed behind him, I let out a shaky breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. I sat there for a long moment, trying to collect myself, trying to push away the turmoil his touch and his words had stirred up.

***

True to his word, Lord Darius returned by afternoon. Mabel, acting more like a bodyguard than a maid, shadowed my every step throughout the estate. No matter how many times I asked her about Eliza, she skillfully dodged my questions, politely declining to give me any real answers.

Eventually, Mabel led me to the back of the estate, where the stables and training course were located. There, I spotted Lord Darius dressed in a sleek black outfit, his focus entirely on the horses as he trained them with a practiced hand. Among the ten horses, I immediately recognized Obsidian.

As soon as he saw me, Obsidian broke away from the group and made his way toward me. I stood by the fence, my heart softening as I gently petted his sleek coat when he reached me.

"Obsidian, it is?" came a voice from behind, deep and warm, carrying a hint of a smile. I turned to see Lord Darius's grandfather, Mr. Alistair Kingsley, approaching with a casual stride, while Mr Ralph held an umbrella over him. 

He had a distinguished air about him, with silver hair that matched his neatly trimmed beard, and a twinkle of mischief in his eyes that belied his age.

And as I thought about it, I realized I never had any proper conversation with him since Meredith's matter. 

An idea suddenly struck me, what if I could bring him to my side? 

Perhaps he could help me sway Lord Darius, or at least soften his resolve.

"Yes," I replied, smiling as I continued to pet the horse. "He's beautiful."

"And he was wild," Mr. Alistair continued, his voice taking on a sharper edge. "When Obsidian was first brought here, he was an unmanageable beast. No one could tame him until Darius took him under his wing. In just a week, my grandson had him under control."

I nodded, still gently stroking the horse, but a chill ran through me at the change in his tone.

He stepped closer, the playful twinkle in his eyes hardening into something far more calculating.

 "I'm well aware of the situation with your useless runaway sister, Scarlett. And I've been watching your involvement closely."

His words hit like a slap, and I froze, my hand stopping mid-pet.

"Instead of embracing the fact that you now bear the Kingsley name and the respect that comes with it, instead of preparing yourself to be the wife of a duke, you continue to act wild and reckless. But I have faith in my grandson," he sneered. 

"If Darius could tame a wild horse like Obsidian, I have no doubt he can train you as well, and strip away all that wildness."

I stared at him, shocked, unable to hide my disbelief as he continued, his voice dripping with condescension. 

"After all, I am the one who taught him how to tame the wild. You'll learn your place, just like Obsidian did."

The smug satisfaction in his eyes was unmistakable, and I realized that this was the true Alistair Kingsley, a man who believed in control and dominance above all else.

"It's just that I could have handled things earlier," Mr Alistair continued, his voice growing darker. 

"It's Darius, my boy, who's been keeping me from dealing with you and your sister the way I should have. I had to watch my entire family crumble, and all because of that wench of a sister you have. If I ever get my hands on her, I swear I'll break her nec—"

I stood there, shaken to my core. Never in my life had I imagined that Mr. Alistair could harbor such deep grudges. His words echoed in my mind, harsh and filled with a bitterness that seemed to have consumed him. As I tried to process what he had just said, he glanced up at Obsidian with a look of disgust before turning to leave.

I looked back at Mr. Ralph, who wore a grim expression, his eyes shifting between me and Lord Darius, who was still absorbed in his work on the course.

So, Lord Darius is like this because of his grandfather?

Has his ruthlessness been instilled in him by his grandfather?

It suddenly made sense. Losing his parents at a young age and being raised by a man like Mr. Alistair, someone so consumed by anger and a thirst for control, had undoubtedly shaped Lord Darius into the man he was today. 

Was it fame and power that had blinded these two, or was there something more, something deeper that had twisted their hearts?

 My mind spun, replaying every interaction I'd had with them from the day I first saw them until now.

I turned my gaze back to Lord Darius, who was riding a brown horse in the ring. 

He looked magnificent, completely unaware of the dark conversation that had just transpired.

 The sight of him, so strong and in control, stirred something inside me, a mixture of sorrow and confusion that I could barely contain.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I leaned against Obsidian, petting his sleek coat. The gentle giant seemed to sense my distress, rubbing his muzzle against my forehead as if trying to comfort me, urging me to cheer up. 

The simple, affectionate gesture from the horse brought a small, sad smile to my face, even as my heart ached with the weight of what I had just learned.

But that's not true. 

Lord Darius is not what Mr Alistair thinks he is. 

Sure, recently it's been Meredith and Nikolai making Lord Darius so on edge, but I can't forget how forgiving and gentle he was with me from the very beginning of our marriage.

Was that his true self?

I've only seen his ruthlessness recently, especially when I tried to ignore him and found myself in trouble. It turns out he was protective, but his way of showing it was simply harsh.

Even though he is cruel to others, he truly cares for me. If he didn't, why would he reveal that caring side of himself to me?

I wondered if Mr. Ralph was aware of this. Could it be that he wants me to be with Lord Darius all the time because he believes I might help save him from the darkness of revenge and anger?

As I was brought back to reality, I looked at him. 

And in the next moment, I did something completely out of character, I crossed a line.

"My Lord, you told me you would teach me how to ride the horse, and yet you haven't paid any attention to me!" I yelled, desperation in my voice, hoping to get his attention.

Lord Darius looked back, his face breaking into an amused smile as he trotted the horse toward me.

This is it, Scarlett. This is your only key to help Meredith.