I sat on the floor with so much grief that filled my heart. My parents died to protect me since they loved me enough. So, I wasn’t an unwanted child. Mom Freya told me that my parents had passed away before. But I couldn’t shake away the feelings that she might say anything to protect me from the harsh truth.
But then, something bothered me. “Mom?”
“Yes, sweety?”
“You said you didn’t know my mother’s identity as a witch. You knew it from the chasers’ conversation with each other.”
Freya nodded. “It’s true.”
“But then, how could they know her identity?”
“I have never thought about it until now. So, I can’t answer your question, sweety.”
Then the heavy door opened. Constantine walked into the dungeon. He went directly to my cell.
“My darling, Mrs. Ross, what a lovely family reunion, isn’t it?”
“Let us go! You are a criminal!”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Can you prove it? No one saw me take you and your mother here. So, you can’t prove that I am a criminal.”
“You manipulated Victoria to trick me!”
Constantine laughed out loud. “Manipulated? Not at all. It was Victoria’s idea and initiative to bring you here. Isn’t she amazing?”
“Why did you bring me here? Why did you kidnap my mom?”
He didn’t answer. “I heard a little about Mrs. Ross’s story about your parents. I can fill the blanks that you and she don’t know.”
“How?”
“Since I have my resources. I know what happened and why they chased your parents.”
“You lie!”
“No, I am not. Do you want to know?”
I took a deep breath. It would complete the missing pieces we didn’t know. So, finally, I nodded. “Yes.”
“Then you should stay with me here.”
“What do you mean? I have a job. So, I need to work. I can’t stay here.”
“How about this? You stay with me for a month, then I will give you the information you want to know.”
I shook my head. “That’s not good enough. What if you lie? Then I will waste my time for nothing.”
“What are you afraid of? I can provide you with the same job here. A librarian? Okay, I will buy many books and create a new library. I will give you the same salary.”
“You are crazy!”
Constantine grinned. “Maybe. It is all because of you.”
“Because of me?”
“Yes, my darling, since I want you badly.”
“But you have already had Victoria. She loves you!”
“Victoria is my mistress, but you will be my wife.”
“No!”
“I will let your mother go. So, she can live peacefully as before.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. But you need to stay here for a month and give me a chance to win your heart.”
I glanced at my mother. She had sacrificed her life to raise me. It was the least I could do for her. “Deal!”
“Sweetheart, no!” my mom yelled.
Constantine then rang a bell. The head servant came after a minute or two. “Yes, my lord?”
“Release Mrs. Ross and send her to her house.”
Newburry bent his body forward. “Yes, my lord, right away.”
“It has done, my darling. Now, about room arrangement, you will stay in another room tonight.” Constantine opened my cell and offered his arm. “Shall we go now?”
I shook my head. “Not until I see my mother leave this place first.”
“Very well.”
Then a guy came with Newburry. He was about my age. “My lord.” He bowed to Constantine.
Constantine only nodded. He held my hand as I watched how the young man opened my mother’s prison. Then he blindfolded my mother and tied her hands.
“Is it necessary? Let her go!”
“My darling, it is only a precaution and safety for your mother. If she knows how to get back here, she can harm herself. However, by knowing nothing, she will be safe. Also, if she weren’t tied up, she might have tried to escape in the middle of the trip and put danger to herself. I promise you that your mother will return safely, and you will talk with her once she has returned home.”
“Mom, please call me as soon as you arrive home.”
My mother nodded. “Yes, sweetheart. Don’t worry! I will contact Ethan as soon as I arrive home! He will release you!”
Then the young man held my mother’s arm and guided her outside. Later, when I couldn’t see her again, suddenly Constantine carried me in a bridal style.
“What are you doing?”
“Bring you to where you are supposed to be.”
“Oh, and where is that?”
“You will know soon.”
He walked fast through a hall and stairs. Later, he opened the door to a vast room. He carried and placed me on the bed.
“It is your room from now on.”
I looked around at a beautiful room with a white ceiling and pillars. The wall is painted cream, while the curtain and couch are pink. Next, the bed has four posts covered with pink silk clothes. The rest is a brown cupboard and table. It is indeed a luxurious room, equipped with expensive furniture.
“It’s a beautiful room.”
“I am glad you love it since it is supposed to be my wife’s room.”
“What?! Have you had a wife already?”
“Not yet, but you will be one after a month.”
I shook my head. “Ethan will save me soon.”
“Why should he do that?”
I wrinkled my forehead. “Since Ethan won’t let you have me.”
“He will, especially if you have been mine.” Then Constantine held my waist and whispered, “You enjoyed my kisses and touch. I will make you mine soon.”
“No!”
“You shouldn’t fight the inevitable, my darling.” He kissed my ear and sucked it.
“What are you doing?”
“Afraid that I can make you want me?”
“No, what I want is Ethan, not you.”
“Really?”
“Yes!”
Suddenly, Constantine said nothing but pushed me hard on the bed and kissed my lips.
“Let me go!”
“Don’t fight me, my dear. I won’t hurt you!”
“Let me go!”
He touched my lips while I turned my face in the other direction. “Your mother is on the way. However, my servant can harm your mother with a call from me.”
“Y-you won’t dare ….”
“Have you forgotten how I treated your useless ex-boyfriend?”
I trembled since Constantine was ruthless to Kenneth. “Please, don’t hurt my mother.”
“I won’t hurt her if you cooperate with me.”