t proved to be a l

other. It was not a long distance between the door and where he sat, but it felt endless and unsure for her, so that she lost the feeling of life i

yes watching her as well, like a specimen under scrutiny as they dissected and tore her apart. Not a single one of those eyes mattered as much as his

yes showed nothing of the calm that the heart feels at the sight of that colour, but showed cruelty. It was t

. Daring, feisty, dutiful, strong... y

ld out his hand, and one of his men handed him a small bowl of grapes. He took one, tossed it in his mou

ne

stare at her with an expression that communicated his unwi

doing all t

is room, her eyes on him the entire time. Her heart pounded with anticipation, not knowing what he was going to do nex

quickl

tr

clenched her jaw. Then she looked him straight in the

dress shirt, which was tucked into a pair of cotton trousers. He rolled up the sleeves of that shirt, exposing a golden watch before bowing down so that his face hung

No?" H

ed to shak

, or

She

," he grinned, before asking

and then spat

the men around them made. To Aria, this was a sign that she had made her mark, and that they knew

tuck to his trim frame. He unbuckled it and drew it out in one slick motion, holding it in his hand and standi

or

in she imagined she would feel once he struck. It was why she jumped up

o that she fell to the other side, leaving him unharmed. Around them, the watching men s

g around cheered. Her moves made it clear that she was not the reason for their excitem

hands to send her down to the ground where she lay, hea

e we have here

ack on her feet, but his

ed, twisted, shook and breathed before it came down. Then she shut her eyes and waited for the p

ck around his waist. "Not ever, and though this one tempted me to, I think we have seen enough to say that her sh

reement follo

, get up an

m the sides of her eyes. His words jumped out at her, and a

sk that you be wise. Act as you shoul

was a part o

acid or to leave it where it would be posed as a lesson to be taught to all who did not

m. He needed her more than anything else in the world. He was already too damaged by t

ease him, not

was just fo

take forever for her to do what she wanted

r my strong he

the men went into a round of applause as he returned to his seat. The bowl of grapes was return

y," he told her, sweeping

face unashamed as the men mockingly clapped and cheered and hailed her bravery. The return jour

decision, she

live with the beast

n his pow