Enslaved To Fulfill His Desires

ned in slightly, voice low and cold. "This is what happens when you don't listen to me," he said. "If you had do

avy weight on his chest. He hadn't spoken a word since Elaine had gone up to her room in silence, holding her cheek where Mau

Maureen said suddenly,

at her. "So quickly? You'r

it until she ruins this household? Until our childre

. "She's not poison. She's just... confused.

pped. "Old enough to lie, manipulate, and throw herself

't make a mistake. But sending her away? That's too extreme.

t of yours. That's your problem. Always givi

mly. "We took her in when they died, remember?

e," Maureen shot back. "She is not one of our own. She has

he's still growing. She need

but her eyes gleamed with something else.

up, wary. "Wha

. She lives two towns beyond Eldenfield, i

"The one who mar

the reason I am the woman I am today. She has no children of her own now, and I spoke to her

years since I've seen her. She lives

ar to be unreachable. We could visit. Write. It's not exile, Marc

Elaine out without direction. And Margaret-if she was anything like how M

ng didn't sit

ng into the fire again. "I fee

rl needs more than what this house can give. You said it yourself-she's confu

yes. "You're sure t

lf tomorrow, at dawn. We'll make the journey, and I'll return bef

ight. If Margaret agrees to take her in an

miled. "S

ine's future and the sorrow of letting her go, Maureen's eyes narrowed sl

-

reen crept into the small writing chamber beside the pantry. She lit a single candle,

key she kept tied to a ribbon around her neck. Within the box were thin scraps of paper marked w

nd dipped it in ink, writing slowly in a

nd untouched. Will arrive before midmorn

through the back door. Behind the vegetable patch, past the line of trees, stood a crooked

nger hawk, whistled lowly, and watched as the bird disap

to the house, she

-

the household. Elaine stood quietly by the steps, a small satchel in he

ed her slowly,

oday," he said gently. "She's a strong woma

d, eyes watery. "You

u are still family and nothing will ever chan

aid n

vel cloak. "We should leave before the weather b

aine tightly. "Be brave,

nodded

on Marcus's shoulder

her. Just a faint, unreadable look-something between relief and discomfort. He didn't approach, didn't say goodb

us watched until they di

his breath, "Please, Marga

w was that Margaret w