Faith's POV
Rage seethed beneath my skin as I glared up at him, my palms still pressed to the cold floor. He'd actually expected me to crawl , to humiliate myself like a supplicant. But I'd done nothing wrong.
Okay, maybe entering his room without permission was a mistake, but desperation had driven me to it. And now, as I looked up at him, I felt a spark of defiance ignite within me.
I stood frozen in the hallway, the silence a physical presence that pressed against my skin. The floorboards creaked softly beneath our feet, the only sound in a stillness so profound it seemed to have a life of its own.
I breathed in deeply, searching for a scent, any scent, to cling to. But there was only the faintest whisper of something , a hint of simmering soup, the ghost of furniture polish. It was a fragile thread, barely perceptible, and it only served to underscore the emptiness around us.
My mind reeled as I slowly stood up, my eyes locked on his. The contract, the lies, the manipulation , it all swirled together in a toxic storm. I felt like I was drowning in uncertainty.
He stood before me, his eyes glinting with amusement, the rope around his waist accentuating his chiseled physique. But I refused to be intimidated. My heart racing, I took a step forward.
"What did I sign?" I demanded, my voice shaking with rage.
He raised an eyebrow, his smile never wavering. "You'd rather stand?" he taunted, his gaze raking over me. "I thought you'd crawl."
My eyes flashed. "I won't crawl for you," I snarled, my fists clenched. "You're a liar. And I want to know what I signed."
Felix's eyes narrowed, his expression glacial. "You should crawl, treasure," he said, his voice low and menacing. "Or I'll make you crawl. And trust me, you don't want that." The amusement that usually danced in his eyes was gone, replaced by a cold calculation.
My heart faltered as his gaze pinned me, its weight crushing. I felt my breath catch, my skin prickle with unease. But I stood my ground, fueled by a desperate need for the truth.
I didn't know what I was doing, but I didn't care. I was tired of being kept in the dark, tired of being manipulated. I deserved to know what I'd signed, what I'd gotten myself into. The truth, no matter how bad , that's was all I wanted.
"Can you just tell me the truth?" I spat, frustration boiling over. Felix's gaze had been boring into me for what felt like an eternity, his eyes demanding submission. But I was done playing games. I wanted answers. My mind kept drifting back to that day, to the paper I'd signed without reading.
Stupidity didn't even begin to cover it. I'd give anything to turn back the clock, to read the words that had sealed my fate. But life didn't work that way. All I could do was stand here, facing Felix, and demand the truth.
Felix's gaze dropped on me like a weight, cold and unyielding. His eyes dug into mine, leaving me feeling flayed and exposed. A shiver coursed through me as he held my gaze, his face a mask of stone.
The air seemed to vibrate with tension before he laughed, a sound that was more a rusty gate than a warm expression of amusement.
His eyes gleamed with a hard light as he tilted his head, and for an instant, I could've sworn his blue eyes flickered with a red ember, but I blinked, and it was gone.
"Ahhhh" My scream was lost in the sound of my own heartbeat as Felix's fingers closed around my hair, yanking me backward.
The room spun, colors blurring together like wet paint. Pain detonated through my scalp, a sharp, stabbing sensation that left me breathless.
I stumbled, my hands grasping for something, anything, to anchor me. But Felix was already slamming me against the wall, the impact jolting through my entire body. My head cracked against the plaster, sending stars dancing across my vision.
When I opened my eyes again, Felix's face was inches from mine, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. His breath was hot against my skin, making my heart stutter. "You want to know?" he growled, his voice low and menacing, the words vibrating through my entire body.
I tried to nod, but my head was spinning. Felix's grip on my wrists tightened, holding me in place. "Maybe you should crawl," he whispered, his lips brushing against my ear. "It's what slaves do when they disobey their masters."
I felt a jolt of fear, my body trembling beneath his grip. Felix's eyes seemed to gleam with a cruel light, his smile twisting his face into a mask of menace. He leaned in closer, his warm breath washing over me like a dark wave.
For a moment, I thought I saw something flicker in his eyes, a glimmer of amusement or maybe even excitement. But it was gone before I could grasp it, leaving me wondering if I'd imagined it altogether.
"Stop," I whispered, my voice barely audible. Felix's face was inches from mine, his eyes burning with intensity. I felt a tremor run through me as he gazed at me, his expression unreadable.
His chest was pressed against mine, the warmth of his skin seeping through the thin fabric of his robe. I could feel the hard planes of his muscles, the ridges of his abs, and the solid wall of his chest.
Felix's lips curled into a sneer. "I hate disrespect," he hissed, his breath hot against my skin. And then, his tongue darted out, tracing the path of my tears. I felt a jolt of shock, my heart racing as he savored the saltiness of my sorrow.
His eyes locked onto mine, gleaming with a mixture of cruelty and fascination. "You're a canvas of tears," he whispered, his voice low and husky. "And I'm the artist who's going to paint your soul with fear."