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As always, my torment began with Prince Vlad.

As soon as we awakened, he was upon me. I was in no mood to have him accost me. As soon as he drew me close for a kiss, I smashed him with a candlestick and fled the chapel as he recoiled.

I did my best to outrun him. I evaded him quite well as we rushed through the castle. His laughter brought me to seething rage as he pursued me. At times he would grab hold of me, twirl me about, then vanish. His nails, long and sharp, tore at me. I slashed back at him, hissing savagely.

Furious, I realized he was merely toying with me.

I finally ran into the Brides’ chamber, the heavy door swinging back and striking the wall with a resounding crash. It bounced back, almost closing, then was shoved open again.

I whirled about to face him. I was covered in blood by now, my own of course, the cruel tears in my flesh already mending. My lovely dress was torn and nearly falling from my body. Most certainly, I was quite a ridiculous sight to behold.

Vlad stood in the doorway, his brow furrowed, his eyes burning with green fire. I was satisfied to see the angry scratches I had inflicted trailing across his features.

“Come here!”

“I am not your slave! I am not your whore! I will not do as you say! I am not here to service you!”

“But you are!” Vlad moved swiftly into the room, a smirk twisting his full lips. “The sole purpose of your life now is to serve me. ”

I backed away, holding my hands out to him. “Come no closer! I will not be treated in this manner!”

From the corner of my eye, I saw Ariana seated upon her divan. She watched us, fascinated.

“You do not dictate to me how I treat my own wife!”

“I am not your wife!”

I avoided Vlad’s first swipe of his hand, but the second landed me full in the face. I impacted with a thud on the floor. Kicking furiously, I pummeled his legs with my feet trying to topple him over.

I glanced at Ariana to see her studying her doll. The face was cracked and one of the eyes seemed on the verge of falling out. Did she not care for what was being done to me?

Another blow to my face brought my attention back to Vlad.

“I hate you!”

With a look of absolute joy and dreadful lust, he pinned me to the floor.

“Hate is such a passionate word, my dearest Glynis. ” He griped a handful of my hair and pulled my face close to his. “That you hold such passion for me ignites my desire for you. ”

“I hate you!”

He smiled with satisfaction. “I know. ”

When he entered my body, I screamed in his face with rage. Then I was squirming and fighting beneath him.

“Help me,” I cried out to my sisters in desperation. Of course, there was no response. In the midst of my degradation, my gaze sough them out. I saw that Ariana had joined Cneajna on her bed. Cneajna was busily trying to embroider. Her lips were pursed while her gaze was fastened with great determination upon her work. It was as if my rape was not occurring before their eyes.

“Get off of me!” I slapped Vlad, and he, of course, slapped me back.

Elina entered the room and slowly walked over to where we struggled.

“Help me,” I pleaded with her.

She merely stood over Vlad, watching him thrust into me, her arms crossed across her chest.

Vlad finally finished and sat up.

I thrust out my foot and kicked him in the stomach. He simply backhanded me in response. With princely grace, he stood, adjusted his clothing, and swung his deep auburn hair back from his face.