Grace walked with trepidation into the dining hall the next morning, afraid that she would turn a corner and he would be standing there waiting. She sighed in relief when there was only Annabelle already seated and quietly eating her small breakfast. Grace gave a weak smile to the footman that pulled out her chair for her.


    “You look rather ill Grace. Are you feeling alright?” Anna said, taking in her pale face and red-rimmed eyes. Grace gave her best smile and still felt like she failed at looking normal. She gently shook her head,


    “I merely found sleep hard Anna. I will consider taking a nap in the afternoon before we are to get ready for Lady Orchid’s ball.” She said, focusing on cutting her food and keeping her eyes lowered so her sister wouldn’t be able to see the shadows clouding the color. She wondered if he would be there to escort them. If he did, how would he act and how was she supposed to? Another small sigh escaped her lips and Anna was about to speak when one of the kitchen girls came in.


    “Excuse me, this came for Miss Annabelle.” She said holding out an envelope. Grace looked up curiously as Anna accepted the note and broke the seal.


    “Why would they deliver it through the kitchens and not the front entrance?” She asked and Anna waved her hand dismissively.


    “It’s from Katherine, her maid was probably scared to come to the front and chance meeting the dark Earl.” She said and Grace had no counter as it seemed like a sound reason. She was about to ask what the missive said when soft voices reached the dining room. They were walking past, but even so she could recognize them. Without thinking she made to stand, the footman jumping forward to pull out her chair so she didn’t trip in her haste.


    “Grace?” Anna called, but she didn’t hear as she went towards the source of the voices. She came into the foyer just as he finished putting on his coat. His face turned towards her and she felt a sharp pain in her chest at the icy look. There seemed to be no warmth left in him and she was reminded of when she had first spied him in the ballroom. He was on guard, watching her warily. It was a look that she had never received from him before and she wanted to say something that would take it away. She opened her mouth and saw a flash of pain in his dark eye before he turned his back to her.


    “I will return this evening. Make sure things are handled while I’m gone.” He ordered to Aiden as he walked out the door. The younger man looked over at her, frowning in concern at her frozen state, but he only turned from her and walked away as well. She clasped her hands over her chest, feeling a heavy weight pressing in on her. Why? Why was it more painful than she thought it would be? Wasn’t this what she constantly said she wanted, a marriage in name alone? So why had she been filled with disappointment and hurt by the cold treatment that she had brought on herself?


    She turned and decided to rest in her room, walking past Annabelle and mumbling an excuse about having a headache, but as she reached her door someone called to her. She turned to see Aiden striding towards her, a determined look on his face. He stopped directly in front of her and pierced her with his striking blue eyes.


    “Forgive me milady, I wasn’t going to speak out of turn, but I can’t hold my tongue. My loyalty lies with only one man, the same man I have trusted with my life on many occasions…” He said and she frowned in confusion as his fists shook slightly.


    “I know that he may have used an unfavorable method to get you to marry him, but I have never seen him look at someone as he does you. Nor have I seen him treat someone so kindly, taking their feelings into consideration. Even if it doesn’t seem like it...the man cares for you.” He said and she turned her face away, clenching her hands so tightly her nails began to dig into her palms.


    “What is it you came here for exactly?” She whispered and Aiden bent at the waist, bowing low with his arms pressed to his sides.


    “All I’m asking...is that you give him a genuine chance and not condemn him for his past mistakes.”


    She looked at his bowed head and felt her heart soften. She sighed,


    “I’ll consider what you’ve said to me, but there is a lot to this that you can’t understand.” She said and he straightened, a small smile finally forming on his lips.


    “I won’t deny that Lady Blackwood, but what I do know is that the two of you are drawn to each other. It would be a waste to let a chance at happiness slip away because of stubbornness. I’ll leave you to rest now, but I will be here if you have need of me.” He said and left her alone once more. She suppressed a sigh and went into her room to sort through the thoughts tumbling within her mind. She dropped onto the coverlet and stared at the top of her canopy.


    The only thing holding her back from accepting Sebastian was the way he had forced her into marrying him. If he hadn’t used such an underhanded method, would they have had a normal courtship? She had always rejected prospective suitors, but then none had affected her with the same impact that Sebastian had. From the first touch, her body had fallen under his will, so how long until he convinced her heart to follow?


    “Not long it seems.” She muttered, rolling onto her side with her hands under her cheek. She wanted so desperately to deny that she was starting to soften towards the man, but it was becoming harder to do so. Aiden had been right about Sebastian’s kindness towards her and Annabelle. Not many men would have agreed to take in a younger sibling when there really was no need. He had never hesitated in giving her what she wanted, even holding himself back from his marital right so as not to scare her.


    There was a small chance that the two of them could be happy together. They obviously shared a mutual attraction to each other, the passion flaring brighter each time they came in contact. He seemed more than capable of providing a comfortable life for her, and Annabelle would also be looked after...She felt a pain in her heart as the one sour fact rolled to the forefront of her thoughts. Was he capable of feeling for her at the same level that she was falling for him? And what were her exact feelings for the man? Was what she felt for him the beginnings of love or just a woman’s curiosity from his heated embraces?


    She groaned and buried her face in her arm as she was no closer to finding an answer than she had been last night. After laying awake for several minutes she decided that no matter how long she sat there and went in circles, the answer was not going to be handed to her. So she went to see if Annabelle wanted to take a ride to Hyde Park for some fresh air. She knocked on the girl’s door, waiting for the sound of her sister’s voice.


    All that greeted her was silence and she frowned. Had Annabelle also decided to take a small nap. She tried the handle and found it unlocked, so she slowly opened the door and called softly,


    “Anna? Sweetie are you awake?” She looked around the empty room and hummed. With each empty room to follow, her heart began to race faster until it felt like it would burst from her chest and her breath grew shallow. She was almost sprinting out into the garden as she desperately searched for that head of blonde hair.


    “Anna! Annabelle where are you?” She called, sweat forming on her forehead as panic swiftly set in. The girl was gone! Grace wanted to kick herself at her own mistakes. The missive this morning wasn’t from one of her friends. It was from a desperate gentleman who couldn’t face up against the Earl on equal grounds. She cursed and lifted her skirts, running at full speed back inside the house. She wondered how much of a head start Anna had and calculated that from the time she had gone upstairs and brooded, thirty minutes had passed. Anna could be meeting the man anywhere and would fall into a trap before Grace ever reached her.


    “Lady Blackwood? Why are you so flustered?”


    Grace twirled around to see Aiden walking up behind her, a stack of parchment in his hands. She ran up to him, quickly explaining how she couldn’t find Annabelle and about the mysterious note that came before. Aiden’s eyes widened in fear and she felt slightly puzzled. Grace knew why she was afraid, but why did he seem even more so.


    “I will send people out after her immediately. Please leave everything to me Lady Blackwood.” He said, but as he started to turn away she grabbed his elbow.


    “I want to go along to look for her. I know where she might-”


    “No!” He snapped, cutting her off curtly as she flinched back. He placed his hand on her shoulder and looked conflicted as he tried to amend his tone.


    “You would only hinder the men’s search. I know you love your sister dearly, but I need you to trust me to handle things. Stay inside.” He said, squeezing her shoulder gently. He left her then, no doubt to find men to search for the wayward girl, or to go himself. No matter the case, Grace couldn’t just leave this to someone else. Annabelle was her responsibility. She wouldn’t let her fall into the same misery Grace had...Although, that wasn’t completely fair as Lord Charles wouldn’t be nearly as kind as Sebastian was. Deciding that she would give anything to protect her sister, she damned the consequences and ran out the front door before anyone could stop her.


    She decided to head in the direction of Lord Charles’ house, vaguely remembering Annabelle talking about its location in the past. She ignored the strange looks she was getting as she hurried down the street. A lady without an escort was bound to attract attention and on a normal day she would have thought more rationally about her actions. She was also keeping an eye out amongst the people walking down the street for her sister, hoping that she’d get lucky and catch up to her quickly.


    Grace had to stop after what felt like hours of searching and stepped into the shadows of an alley, leaning against the wall to catch her breath. She wiped her forehead with her sleeve, wishing she had been wearing one of her gowns more suitable for a walk. When she could take a breath without shaking, she straightened and took a step to continue her search. She screamed, the sound muffled by the large hand that suddenly clamped over her mouth as she was wrenched backwards into a hard chest.


    “At last the pretty lady joins us.” A rough voice chuckled in her ear and she shivered as she struggled against his iron hold. He hissed when she threw her head back, missing his nose, but still catching his chin.


    “Damn bitch!” He cursed, then she felt something strike the back of her head. Her vision blurred and she couldn’t support her own weight any longer, pitching forward. Her last conscious thought wasn’t about her sister…


    ‘Sebastian...help…’


    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


    Sebastian was still in a foul temper when he returned home that evening. He had purposely stayed at his warehouses even though the attempted thefts seemed to have stopped. Anything to avoid an encounter with Grace. He wanted to skip tonight’s social function as well, but knew he couldn’t let the women out without an escort. So he would hide himself behind the perfect mask, only acting as guardian to his wards. All contact and speech would be limited to the bare minimum. He sighed as he went through the front door, but stopped as soon as the shouting reached him.


    “Have we received word yet!?” Aiden’s voice rang through the hallway as he spoke to several old crew members that had joined the household. Sebastian frowned at Aiden’s stance, the man was giving off an air of panic and rage which immediately put him on alert as well.


    “What is going on here?” He called and all eyes turned towards him, widening in fear. The way they looked at him like he would strike them down on the spot made his heart jump. There was only one thing that would make them this afraid of his wrath. His hands shook as he pierced them with a cold glare.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    “Where is Grace?”


    “Captain I-” Aiden started and Sebastian was on him in a flash, grabbing his tunic and pulling the man closer.


    “Where. Is. My. Wife.” He growled, the dark sea captain of their past taking over. But unlike the other men who were visibly trembling, Aiden’s fear was only in his eyes. He straightened and met Sebastian’s glare head on.


    “I will accept your punishment after we’ve brought her home. Calm down Sebastian, you''re letting your feelings cloud your judgement.” He whispered so the men wouldn’t hear. Aiden didn’t always call him by his given name, only when he wanted to get a point across. Sebastian took a deep breath, releasing his hold on the man.


    “Tell me what happened.” He ordered. Aiden told the story of Annabelle disappearing and how he assumed Grace had followed. The two men assigned to guard the ladies had followed Annabelle as she tried to sneak out of the house. As they were about to force her home a carriage had pulled up and she was dragged inside.


    “Jackson returned to alert us just as I discovered Grace was missing as well. Drake stayed to follow the carriage to see where it was taking Annabelle. We are waiting for him to return; I’m afraid we’re not even certain if Grace will be taken to the same place.” He finished with a solemn face, looking just as upset as Sebastian at their lack of information. He took another deep breath, just as he used to before a fierce battle. With slow calculation he reached back and freed his hair, a dark aura surrounding him like an old ally. His men straightened, knowing that stance and the crazed look that clouded his grey iris.


    “I think it’s time I accept their invitation.” He whispered and Aiden smirked at the sight of his old captain taking form before his eyes.


    “Let’s show those bastards what happens when you steal from the ‘One Eyed Demon’.”


    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


    Grace groaned as her mind and body reconnected once more. Although, the minute she began to regain consciousness, she immediately wished that she hadn’t. The pain and discomfort swarmed her entire being and she had to fight the urge to retch at the pounding in her head. Her wrists burned, bound together and pulled tight above her head, hanging from a metal hook. She grunted with the effort to straighten her legs to take some of the pressure off, just able to balance on the pads of her feet. Not much and she would grow tired quickly if she didn’t get herself down. She tried to swing her arms to dislodge the rope from the hook, but it stubbornly held.


    Sighing she looked around, trying to get a grasp on where it was they had taken her. The room was shabby, a few broken shelves and crates scattered about, but nothing that would hint at a bedroom. She was most likely in an old abandoned home. How long until her assailants came to check on her? At the thought she made another futile attempt at pulling her arms free, only managing to cut deeper into her wrists. She bit her lip, worrying that if she continued she would cut the raw skin and risk infection. A slow creaking of rusty metal had her swinging her head to the door.


    A ragged man came in, his clothes in deplorable condition with stains and tears covering the material. His black hair was dirty and unkempt, the wild look making him appear even more deranged than the soulless glaze in his brown eyes. He flashed a grin, revealing several missing teeth; the rest a disgusting mixture of yellow and brown.


    “I see the lil’ lady ‘as woke up at last. I worried that yer ‘ead had been bashed too hard and we would miss out on s’ch a handsome reward.” He said, his accent drawled and a bit hard to understand, but she caught enough to get the jist. She pierced him with her most haughty glare.


    “So it’s ransom then. Going to send some note to my husband saying that you’ll return me safely if he pays.” She spat, startled when his grin widened as he drew closer to her.


    “It’s not so simple. You see, the man what ‘ired us ‘as business with that Earl of yers, but he’s been dif’cult in his responses. You and the pretty girl were to get his attention tis all.” He said, stopping directly in front of her. Her eyes widened when her slowed mind translated what he had said. Her and ‘the pretty girl’?


    “Don’t you dare harm my sister!” She shouted, lunging for him and cringing when the ropes rubbed deeper into her raw skin. He laughed and reached up catching her chin, the grime on his hand caused a shiver of repulsion to course through her body. The sight of her shaking seemed to excite him more as his eyes lit up.


    “I was told to make sure the two of you were alive long nough for the captain to see, but I was not denied from appr’ciatin such a nice gift.” He sneered and fear shot through her like an arrow. He brought up his other hand, flashing a small blade for her to see.


    “No ‘arm in joying ourselves while we wait for the captain to show up.” He said, the tip of the blade slowly moving to the top of her dress, resting between her breasts.


    “What do you want with him?” She asked, hoping to distract him long enough for help to come, but there was no way of knowing how long that would be. He chuckled, the fingers on her chin tightening as the tip of the blade pressed further against her chest.


    “I have no personal business with the devil, but the rich man that paid us seems to have unfinished business with the sea captain. From what I ‘eard, that man of yers took somefin valuable-”


    “Liar!” She shouted, surprising both of them by the conviction in her voice, but she continued.


    “Sebastian would never steal! He’s not that kind of man!”


    “Ha! Then you don’t know the evil bastard as well as the rest of us.” He sneered, refocusing his attention on his earlier goal. She fought the tears filling her eyes and shuddered as the first ripping sound pierced the air. He dragged the blade down, slicing through her dress to her waist. He repeated the motion several times until a strip of her skin was visible for his perverse eyes. She began to struggle against her restraints, bending away from his dirty touch. She wouldn’t allow anyone to see her so exposed and vulnerable.


    “No! Don’t!” She shouted, shaking his grip off and snapping at his hand. Her teeth didn’t sink in hard enough though and he slapped her across her cheek, her head rang in response and black cornered her vision, but she fought it. He snarled and grabbed her neck, forcing her unfocused eyes back on his face.


    “I like women with a bit of spirit, but I don’t have time to break you.” He grabbed the ripped material and pulled, tearing it completely so her chest was revealed to the cold air and his eyes. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she tried to avoid his rough touch, her strength slowly ebbing away. His smile was sinister as he took in the sight of her and she felt like retching all over again at the lust in his insane eyes. He reached out and grabbed one breast, twisting until she cried out in pain. His laugh filled the room and she shut her eyes as his hand crept down to her skirts, the blade aiming to make short work of the material.


    “Please...Please stop...don’t…help me...Sebastian...” She whimpered, hating that her body couldn’t fight back as she wished.


    “Boss! We got trouble!” A man shouted, crashing into the room, fear pouring from his entire body. The one groping her growled and glared at the other man.


    “What!? Can’t you see I’m-”


    “He’s here! That devil brought an army with him and their making short work of-Gah!” His sentence was cut off as the hilt of a sword smashed into the side of his head and he toppled to the side. Her eyes widened at the man standing in the doorway. He truly was a devil raining down on them. His slow steps echoed through the now silent room, the man before her frozen momentarily by the dominating presence before him. Sebastian looked more intimidating than any man or beast she had ever seen before.


    His tall form seemed to tower over everything. His hair left loose to freely fall down his back, swinging with each step. His right hand gripped the hilt of his sword tighter, the tip stained red. But it wasn’t the sight of the bloodied sword that had the man shaking. It was the pure murderous intent in Sebastian’s grey eye as he looked at them. She had never seen him so angry before and hoped to never see it again. His jaw clenched as he lifted the blade, pointing it at the man.


    “Step away from her.” He hissed, his voice made rough with his rising anger. The man seemed to regain his senses as he whirled around, drawing another knife, the shorter blade still held in his other hand. He held both up defensively and Sebastian’s gaze narrowed as he stepped to the side, the man mirroring his steps. She held her breath as the two sized each other up. Then with lightning speed that she had never witnessed before, Sebastian swung his sword at the man’s left. Thinking he had an opening the man lunged for Sebastian’s chest with the other knife.


    “Sebastian!” Grace shouted in warning, but it wasn’t needed as Sebastian had already glided out of the way, elbowing the man in his nose. He staggered back, instinctively covering the broken appendage as he dropped his weapon. Sebastian kicked the man’s feet out from under him just as others filed into the room. She started to warn Sebastian, but then recognized Aiden as he came in, a small form in his arms.


    “Anna!” She shouted, this time joy and relief in her voice. Her head fell forward as soft sobs racked her body. Sebastian came to her, shielding her from the others as he sheathed his sword and drew a smaller blade. He cut through the ropes holding her and the instant she was release she collapsed into his arms. He held her against him, his familiar scent filling her nostrils as he pressed his hand against the back of her head so her face was buried in his chest.


    “Thank God…” She thought she heard him whisper as his body shook and his hold tightened. He pulled back briefly to pull off his long coat, he draped it over her shoulders, concealing her exposed body. He picked her up, cradling her within the safety of his arms, his silent strength feeding into her. She sobbed and wrapped her arms around his neck, burying herself against him. He turned them, facing the room once more. Her assailant was kneeling on the floor, his hands bound behind him as two large men guarded him. When Sebastian made to walk out with her, the man decided to spit out one more decree.


    “You know this won’t stop! He was willing to pay us our weight in gold and he’ll continue to find men willing to do the job!” He cackled and Sebastian stopped, his steel eye locking with the other man.


    “How long do you think you can keep yer little bitch safe?” His laugh turned into a grunt as Sebastian gripped her tightly while swinging his boot into the man’s cheek. A loud crack was heard and she flinched, but noticed that the two men didn’t even blink. Were they used to seeing this? Sebastian straightened again and glared down at the man as he coughed out blood onto the dirty floor. He spoke to the man, but his words weren’t just meant for him.


    “He’ll never get the chance to touch her while I still breathe. And I’ll kill every bastard that dares come after my wife.” His voice was calm and cold, making it all the more threatening as it seemed to both lacked and radiated emotion. Sebastian turned his back, speaking over his shoulder to his men.


    “Get all the information you can out of him and his remaining men.”


    “Aye captain...but I think you dislocated his jaw.” One of the burly men responded. Sebastian glance back and Grace shivered at the menace in the look he gave them.


    “Then relocate it for him.”


    “Aye captain.” The man chuckled and cracked his knuckles. When Grace tried to look back, his large hand covered her ear, pressing her head back against his chest.


    “Shh love...rest now.” He whispered and the sound of his gentle voice managed to lull her to relax. She went limp against him, relying on his powerful body to protect her completely. They made it outside and she was surprised to see it was dark; how long had they been held there? As if sensing her inner thoughts he leaned closer, tucking her head under his chin and whispered,


    “I’m sorry it took me so long...You suffered because I was careless.”


    She didn’t know how to respond, but he didn’t seem to expect her to as he suddenly lifted her up onto a horse. She felt like she would tip backwards, but he was behind her before that could happen, wrapping one arm around her as the other gripped the reigns.


    “Sorry, but the carriage would have slowed us down, so you and Annabelle will have to ride with us.” He apologized and she looked over to see Aiden attempt to hand Anna to another man so he could mount his own steed. The girl flinched away and held onto the man’s shirt, shaking her head. He looked down at the shivering girl and cooed softly,


    “He won’t hurt you little one. But I’m not as quick as the captain and require both hands.” With gentle coaxing, her grip loosened and she allowed the other man to hold her just long enough for Aiden to get up on his horse. As soon as she was set in front of him, she clung to him once more. He shushed her gently and Grace was grateful for how careful he was with her sister. Sebastian turned towards home and set them at an easy pace.


    “Annabelle...I’m sorry.” She whispered and he hushed her.


    “She’ll be okay love. They didn’t do anything to her...it’s you I’m most worried about right now.” His soft words filled her with so much warmth and she turned her face into him to hide her smile.


    “Sebastian...Thank you.” She whispered as her eyes slid closed. Exhaustion began to creep in on her slowly and she felt his chest vibrate while he hummed in annoyance.


    “This is not the situation I wanted us to be in when you finally said my name.” Then he chuckled and she felt something soft press against her forehead before he whispered,


    “I have also never felt such a jolt at hearing it before it fell from your lips...I’ll have to make sure you say it again in a more pleasant scenario my dear.” And despite everything that had happened she smiled at his words and let sleep take over her consciousness.


    “I meant what I said...I will protect you...you mean more to me than you know....I love you Grace...”


    ‘What pleasant words my mind dreams up to help me forget what happened.’ She thought as she fell into a black sleep.