Page 55 of A Dove To Break

“That’s insensitive,” I laugh.

“What? Why would anyone consensually breed with their sibling?” she asks. “Anyway. I love this.”

“You talk a lot,” Adrian says to Fiona with a teasing smile.

“And you bitch a lot,” she quips, making Adrian laugh heartily.

“As awesome as this is,” Brent says. “We should get going. We can talk in the truck.”

“Oh! Come on. I brought you clothes,” Fiona says as she jumps up with a bag in her hand to drag me down to the guest bathroom. When I shut the door, she hugs me. “I’m so glad you’re okay! How do you feel?”

“Eh. A little sore,” I say.

“I bet. You look fucked up, girl,” she says.

“Ouch,” I laugh.

“Have you looked in a mirror, babe?” she asks, eyeing me suspiciously before pushing me toward the sink.

“Oh fuck!” I say loudly. “Oh my God!”

“Seconds later, the door comes open. “She’s okay. She hasn’t seen herself until now,” Fiona says.

Most of the white has been replaced with a blood-red hue, like someone poured wine onto my skull. There are visibly broken blood vessels in my eyes. Dark purple and black bruises wrap around my throat, and there are small red dots on my face, heavier around my eyes and lips.

“What the fuck?!” I say, stuck in a state of shock. Fiona turns me around and starts dressing me as I stare off into space.

My throat is sore, but I feel pain differently after being whipped bloody so many times growing up. I knew it was bad, I almostdied, but I didn’t think I looked likethis. I look fucking possessed.

“Hey,” Adrian says, cupping my cheek. “Whatever you are thinking right now… You are wrong.”

“I look hideous," I say blankly. “I can’t go into public looking like a freak.”

“You can and you will,” he says simply. “Would you like to know why?”

“Why?” I ask with a sigh.

“Because hiding means that you have something to be ashamed of. You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, because you did nothing wrong. You did not ask to be strangled almost to death. You didn’t ask to be violated your entire life. You didn’t deserve anything that happened to you, so you are going to keep your head held high and own it. You do not give them any more power than they have already stolen. Okay?”

“Yes, sir,” I say.

“Also… don’t call me sir. The only time I ever want you to address me that way is if I’m about to fuck you. You are my equal, Alania,” he says.

“What if she wants to call you Daddy?” Fiona asks, and I laugh.

“Okay. You can call me Daddy,” Adrian says with a grin before kissing me.

“Then you have to call me Mommy,” I say, matching his smile.

“Okay, Mommy. Let’s go,” he says, smacking my ass.

“I’ll just stay the brother,” Brent laughs. “Adrian can call me Uncle.”

“Yeah, right,” Adrian laughs.

“Oh shit!” Brent shouts as he spins and hugs Adrian.

“What is happening? I’m lost,” Fiona says. I look at Adrian, and he nods but waves us all out of the bathroom.