His Home

Emma~

Loading my shabby travel bag into the back of Orion’s shiny BMW feels wrong. Not only is it a knock-off, but the handles are coming away at the edges due to the fact that I haven’t used the thing in years. I’ve never liked to leave my family, and here’s the evidence.

When offered time to gather my things, he seemed to have transformed into some sort of army general. Glaring at anyone that dares come over to say goodbye, hurrying me along, and letting me know with a smug look on his face what items won’t be needed on the road. If I wasn’t so tired, I’d have fought him more when it came to some of my toiletries and loungewear, but it’s getting late and I just want this over with already.

He claims that he’ll be able to buy whatever I want when we arrive, so to get there I should just take the essentials, hence his impression of airport security. I just don’t have the heart to explain that to me, this whole place is essential because he’d never understand.

He’d need empathy for that, and in that department, he’s clearly lacking.

Now that we’ve set off, I sit with my back to him, staring out of the window and trying not to let myself focus on the scent that’s filling the car. His aftershave, I’ve noticed, is surprisingly pleasant when considering how strong it is. It’s dark and spicy, a bit like the captor wearing it, but unlike in men, I tend to like that in a smell.

I, on the other hand, didn’t even have time to shower, so I reek of all of my efforts in the kitchen. I suppose I should be grateful that he let me pause packing long enough to make a sandwich though, as not only would I stink, but I’d remain hangry the whole journey too.

My mind keeps going back to my home.

What will everyone be saying now that we’re gone and they’re free to speak without fear? Hell, how will they feed themselves? You know, since I once had to leave a booklet in order to show them how to use the oven the last time I had to travel for schooling.

Tonight will be hard for my brother, and even more so for my father. I don’t have to hear them to know that they feel like they’ve let me down and there’s not a lot of comfort I can give them when traveling in the opposite direction.

So in order to try and calm my roaring mind, I rest my head against the glass and wish for sleep. At least in my dreams, Orion can’t find me there, right?

***

Wrong.

“Welcome home, Princess.” Orion breaks the silence and I jump, not expecting it as I see that the car is pulling up into a pre-lit area.

I half suspected the grand mansion that I would find here, he’s sure got the ego for it and I just hope that he knows well enough to keep his extracurriculars away from here. I want nothing to do with his crimes.

People are lined up outside waiting for us, like the period shows my mother would watch about lords and ladies. For a second, I wonder if this is a joke meant to lighten the mood, but no, Orion seems to be expecting it as if it’s normal.

How conceited can one man be?

He holds the door open for me, holding out a hand that I ignore pointedly and walk right past him. Everyone in line at the exact same time bows their head to us slightly and I actually stop in my tracks from the shock.

“Not used to the respect you deserve?” He asks from behind me, far closer than I was expecting, and I can’t help but jump for the second time in as many minutes.

“Not used to this time period,” I answer sarcastically.

An older man and woman step forward, looking up only when they come to a stop, and once again they bow their heads. What is it with him and this gesture? It’s so strange!

“This is Margaret, the housekeeper, and David the butler. If you need anything, let them know and they will see to it.” Orion introduces them, ignoring my previous comment, which is even more valid now.

A butler... is he actually for real? He does realize that he’s not some sort of king, right?

“Emma is tired, I’ll escort her to our room, and you can give her the tour tomorrow.” He waves them off before I can thank them for their time, and it takes a second for the other part to process.

“Our room?” I exclaim loudly, earning a few stares in the process, which promptly turn away the second Orion mutters under his breath. I’m not sure if it’s aimed at me or them, but I don’t particularly care.

Who threatens his own people? Is this man a monster or something?

“Would you prefer to sleep in the cellar?” He jests, clearly knowing that I have no choice in where he chooses to place me.

“I would actually,” I reply, purely to see the look of shock and aggression present on his face.

After all, it can’t be worse than sharing a bed with him. I’ve never slept with a man before, in the literal or physical sense, and it seems silly to think that I was waiting for my perfect match. Oh, do I regret it now.

“I can’t wait to see what else that sharp tongue can do.” He recovers quickly with his vulgar comment, and I roll my eyes while following up the stairs behind him.

They are starting to droop now, and I don’t care where he takes me anymore. I just want to go to sleep and wake up to find that none of this really happened. It could just be a nightmare, right?

The room we enter is dark and gloomy, the typical lair I expected for his sort of type. But I don’t care enough to look around all that much and seat myself on the sofa near the window the second I spy it. It’s comfortable when sitting, and I realize that there’s no reason why I can’t sleep here tonight instead of on the floor.

A nice surprise in a sea of disappointments.

“You’re not sleeping there.” He answers my unspoken thoughts, and I ignore him, moving a pillow to the side and resting my head against it.

He can go to hell if he thinks I’ll climb into that bed with him.

“You don’t have any nightclothes.” He changes his approach but receives the same answer as before, nothing.

I close my eyes, willing unconsciousness to close over me and sleep to begin, and I think I’m starting to get used to his smell now. I can pretend that I’m in the forest or something, not next to a murderous man.

“Are you really that adamant about not sharing my bed?” he asks angrily while walking over to me, and I look up at him this time.

“Are you really that stupid to think that I’ll give in?” We lock eyes for a second, but he caves first for once.

“Fine, freeze for all I care,” he snaps before climbing into the bed and covering himself with the thick duvet. There are no blankets around, but I’ll make do with the things I have. I’d rather die than admit to needing one after that comment.

I let out a deep breath before turning over, knowing that I can finally sleep undisturbed now. I’d rather he not be the first thing I see when I wake up again.