Bound (The Guardians) (5 page)

I stand still for a moment before rapidly tugging at the bracelet again. When I can’t pull any harder, and my face is red, I stop and sigh. ‘Wait a second, unless…’ I grab my face with both hands and cry out, ‘I’m dead aren’t I? Your grandfather didn’t knock me out, he
killed
me!’

Leo stares at me with a confused face. ‘If you are dead, then why am I here?’

‘Good point,’ I say lowering my hands. I go to open my mouth again, probably with another bizarre explanation, when Leo cuts me off with the raising of his left hand.

‘Ah – before you get too ahead of yourself again, allow me to explain.’ Leo reaches into his pants pocket and pulls out a flat tablet the size of his hand. He places it down on the carpet. A projection starts and I step back. It’s amazing. I feel as nervous as the person who first discovered how to make fire.

The dark figures of two people are shown via the projection. One is a man, the other a woman. Leo begins, ‘Successor children, those born to the Lord and Lady Guardian, must be united to have a chance to become the next leaders. The position traditionally falls to the eldest child. However they may refuse the job if they desire, which then leaves the role to the next sibling and so forth.’

I roll my eyes. ‘I know that. I’m not stupid.’

A picture of a silver engagement bracelet and then a gold uniting bracelet appears before us. They spin just slightly in the air. Leo continues, ‘A Successor child may choose any person they deem fit for the role of a Successor’s bride. However, typically they are people of high born families, those with wealth and or social influence.

The Successor then gives the target their engagement bracelet and the arrangement is settled.’ The projection stops and Leo reaches down to pick up the tablet.

‘I have chosen you. My pick, of course, had to be approved by my father and grandfather because of your background. I had to debate quite a bit for you. They were hard to convince, my matches in the past have all been with ladies they had personally chosen for me. But for now they have consented to my pick. It is now up to
you
to prove yourself worthy of
me
.’

My mouth drops open. I stare at Leo with utter shock. Reaching around for words, I say, ‘So…y-you expect me now to go along with this? Unite with you and live happily ever after? Wow. You’re all a bunch of psychos! I’m out of here!’ I storm past Leo and try to pull on the door. When it won’t budge, I smack it hard with my open palm and turn towards him. ‘What’s your plan then? To keep me locked up here, basically as your prisoner, until we unite?’

‘More or less,’ Leo replies, folding his arms. ‘But I am not quite ready to be united yet. I am merely securing a bride because that is what is expected of me. Besides, you are not fit to be presented to the public as mine. So it could be a while.’

I shake my head with frustration. ‘
You’re
not ready? What about me? I don’t even know you! Argh! My father was right, you’re all evil. And you… you’re a cruel demon hidden behind a pretty-boy face! How dare you force me to do this? I always held hopes that you Guardians weren’t as bad as my Da says, but you’re not! You’re a monster! I wish I’d just left you to die!’

Leo glares down at me, his tall frame rather intimidating. ‘Do
not
call me a monster.’

I yell, ‘You’re making a girl unite with someone she doesn’t love. You plan to keep me trapped here so you can go on guilt free, knowing you’ve done your duty. It’s sick! You
are
a monster! A monster! Monster!’

Unexpectedly, Leo lunges towards me. I double back until I hit the window with nowhere else to go. He grabs my right arm and holds it above my head. I’m pinned. Leo’s blue eyes are terrifying me. I feel so small.

He shouts, ‘You belong to me now. You will not speak to me that way.’

Tears come to my eyes as the pain of his grasp worsens. I stare into his eyes and whisper, ‘Monster.’

The next thing I know, Leo pushes me hard. I fall to the floor. He pins me to the carpet, both of his hands wrap tightly around my wrists, his legs pushing mine into the ground. I can’t move.

Leo leans over me. With a smile, so unlike the one I had first seen, he says, ‘It is about time, country mouse, you realise who I am. You realise what I can do to you, simply because I feel like it. When the time comes, you and I will unite. Then every-last-little-bit of you will belong to me. I will enjoy taking you, again and again, whenever I want it. And if you try to run, I will hunt you down…and, well, who’s to say what will happen after that.’

Leo quickly lets go of me and stands up. I huddle into a ball, crying. My wrists are burning from his touch. I hear him leave the room as I weep into the carpet. I hate it here.

I hate him.

CHAPTER six

I spend the next hour lying sideways on the bed, knees up and face into the silk sheets. In my head I replay the details of the last day over and over again. I run through them so many times, I start to get sick of the thoughts and wish I could reach into my brain and pull them out.

I regret it all. I regret not waiting at the Poridos station like everyone else. I regret being in such a rush to get home. Most of all, I regret not being selfish and taking Blade up on his sleepover offer. I would have woken up this morning in his bed, feeling safe and warm. Drinking his mother’s homemade, high protein shakes designed for highly strung city-life.

My thoughts are finally broken when I hear the door unlock. I tilt my head up. Is it Leo? I’m so not ready to see him again, ever.

Thankfully, it’s not Leo. It’s a maid. She’s an older lady wearing a black dress to her knees with a white apron over the top. She scurries in holding something in her arms. When she notices I’m staring at her, the woman says, ‘Oh! Hope I didn’t wake you dear. I’m bringing you some spare clothes and a fresh towel so you can take a bath.’

I watch her place the items on the table. I quickly eye the open door. Sliding off the bed and creeping towards it, I poke my head out. My vision is immediately blocked by a stocky Tower security guard in a black suit. He leans over me and I shuffle back into the room.

The maid glances at me. She warns gently, ‘It’s best if you stay put, love.’

I walk towards her as she lays out a dress on the table. It’s blue and made of a soft looking material. Around the neckline is gold patterning. I can’t even guess how much that must have cost. It’s clearly something designer made. I’ve seen dresses like that in the windows of Poridos boutiques – the ones I never go in.

‘This is for later,’ she says tapping it. ‘You have a meeting this afternoon. Until then you can wear this.’ She lifts up a white nightgown with short sleeves. ‘They will arrange to get you more clothing later on.’

I ask quietly, ‘Have you seen my bag?’

The maid shakes her head. ‘If you are looking for your phone, the guards probably have it locked away or perhaps even tossed it out.’

I frown when she says that. I haven’t had a chance to tell my parents what has happened. I know they must be unspeakably worried.

The maid stands up straight. ‘Oh how rude of me! I haven’t introduced myself. It’s been a while since we’ve added a new member to our executive housing. My name is Teri. I’m one of the Guardian’s personal maids. I’m here to attend, exclusively, to members of the Montarus family. There are other maids here, but they work with the guests and residing Sentry officers on the bottom levels. But I’m here for you as well. If you need anything to make your life more comfortable, that a maid can provide, you can always ask me. I’m never too far away and always happy to assist.’

I say, ‘Thanks, but I…’ Another maid interrupts me when she comes rushing through the door. She’s dressed like Teri but is younger, maybe mid-twenties. Her brown hair is in a messy bun and the stray hairs stick out from the side of her head. She is holding a tray in her arms with two plates on it.

‘This is Poppy,’ Teri tells me. ‘She’s been here a year and is also an executive maid alongside me. She will be happy to assist you as well. But she’s still fairly new, so direct your questions to me.’

Poppy nods and places the tray down on the table. ‘I have your meal.’ The young maid pulls the covers off with a grand display.

Teri locks onto something on one of the plates. She asks the young maid what it is. I glance over. It seems to be a sweet treat of some kind in gold paper.

Poppy laughs nervously. ‘It’s for Mellea… I thought she could use a treat.’

Does everyone here know my name already?

Teri snaps back, ‘I understand that. But these are Lady Lethia’s personal, handmade chocolates. You’re not supposed to serve them to anyone but her.’

‘Um, excuse me,’ I interrupt. ‘Is there any way I could go for a walk outside? I’m feeling a bit claustrophobic.’ Actually, I want to scan around for unattended doors and make a break for it.

Poppy frowns at me gently. ‘Oh, I’m so sorry. But new brides aren’t allowed to leave the Tower until they pass their probationary period.’

I feel sick when she calls me by that title. I’m no one’s
new bride.

‘How long is that?’ I ask uncomfortably.

Teri and Poppy glance at each other with uneasy faces. Teri says, ‘Well… you have to stay inside the Tower until Master Leo allows you to leave.’

I mumble, ‘So… I have to wait…until Leo says I can go?’ Slowly I smile and unmeaning to, laugh very lightly. As I giggle, a couple of tears roll down my face. I can’t help it. The tears start to get heavier and heavier until I’m balling my eyes out.

Poppy rushes over and pulls a white handkerchief from her pocket. She hands it to me. Sniffing I take it and dab my sobbing eyes.

The maid grins back at me. ‘Now, now…do you know what you need to make it all better?’ Poppy asks. I shake my head.

Teri answers, ‘A nice hot bath! I will get the water started.’

‘And a chocolate,’ Poppy adds, passing the gold wrapper treat it to me.

I take the treat as I see the maids scurrying around the room. This place is a fancy prison and it’s clear I’m going nowhere.

***

I take my bath and change into my provided white nightgown. I walk out of the bathroom and over to the dark wooden table. The plates have been recovered to keep the heat in. I lift one of the lids carefully. It’s a salad with chunky bits of meat in it. I have no idea what it is, some sort of exotic variety of bird perhaps? No…an endangered species that the Guardians dine on in their private halls whilst sipping expensive wine and reiterating to their associates how truly marvellous they are.

I sit before it and shove my fork into the centre of the bowl. I carefully lift it to my mouth and chew. Unfortunately it’s tasty, better than anything I have ever eaten. Not wanting to waste royal cuisine, I shove it all down. After it’s gone I see the gold chocolate on the plate and rapidly eat it.

I push back tears as my mouth moves up and down. I start to feel tired and walk back to the bed. My weariness becomes overwhelming. I think whatever Dorkarn did to me hasn’t worn off completely yet. I shuffle around on the mattress, find a comfortable spot and shut my eyes.

CHAPTER Seven

I come out of a deep sleep with unsureness. The first question I ask myself is “where am I?” followed by, “what the…?” I lock eyes on woman leaning over me, only inches away from my face. I scream and roll away, but I’m too close to the edge and fly off the other side hitting the floor. I hear her laughing as I sluggishly drag myself up.

The woman has dark brown hair and a tight bun, styled in a perfect donut shape. Unlike Poppy she has no strays. She is dressed formally in a white shirt and tight black skirt. Her tall and slender frame makes her appear like a model, she is rather beautiful too.

She laughs for a moment. It’s sharp and highly amused. ‘My apologies, I did not mean to frighten you. Or…perhaps I did. Either way, it was enjoyable. The Tower is long overdue for some comic relief.’

What did she just say?

The woman bows her head. ‘My name is Elentia Heronheart. I am the Head of Operations and Affairs of the Guardian’s Tower and personal secretary to Lord Neros and Lady Lethia.’

I keep hearing the Lord and Lady Guardian’s names. I wonder if I will get to meet them soon. Maybe I’m too lowly for them to be bothered with me. But if they’re going to keep me here, I figure it’s the least they can do.

Elentia moves around the bed and I straighten up. Her dark brown eyes are focused on mine. Her glare makes my spine tingle with an unsure feeling. She eventually reaches the opposite side of the bed near me; her shiny black heels sliding across the white carpet.

‘So, Successor Leo has finally chosen himself a bride after nearly two years.’ Her eyes study me from head to toe. ‘Leo has had matches with young ladies from all over the Centreland and beyond, almost one hundred girls if my tally is correct, and it always is. And yet he chooses a simple country girl. It is baffling, considering the calibre of women he was presented with. And why now… why
you
?’

I swallow the lump in my throat. Something about her is wrong. She’s nosey and I can feel darkness around her, the kind that leaves you with a knife in your back.

‘I don’t know,’ I say, trying to sound calm and unbothered. ‘But whatever the reason, it was his choice. If you want the facts then talk to him instead of shining a light in
my
eyes.’

Elentia takes a step back. A sharp smile crosses her face before she laughs again. ‘It has been a long time since we have had a fighter too. I am looking forward to your stay.’

Moving backwards, Elentia pulls out a clipboard from under her arm. I hadn’t noticed it there before because it’s so small and lightweight. It’s electronic and controlled by her finger’s touch. She taps around and then a projection starts about my head. She pulls a pen from her bun and taps the air. As she does, a calendar opens and the entire Tower schedule appears. It’s double booked with events for weeks on end. My mouth falls open a little.