The next day dawned cold and gray, mirroring the turmoil within her heart. She had been assigned to serve Azurel again, and the mere thought of facing him filled her with dread. Her steps were hesitant as she made her way to his quarters, her mind racing with memories of his forceful kiss and Ilyas's betrayal.
When she entered the room, Azurel stood there, his presence commanding and intimidating. She stood far from him, hoping to keep a safe distance.
"Come here and help me get dressed and dry," Azurel ordered, his voice calm but authoritative.
She hesitated, her feet feeling as if they were rooted to the ground.
"I know about the conversation you had with Ilyas," Azurel said, his tone dropping to a chilling whisper.
She froze, fear gripping her heart. Her eyes widened, and she paused, unable to move or speak.
"Look at me," he demanded.
Her eyes shut tightly, her hands trembling. Tears began to fall as she felt the weight of his command. Azurel moved closer, lifting her chin with a firm but gentle hand, pressing her body close to his. She gasped as she felt his bare, wet skin against her own, his bulge evident and alarming.
Her eyes opened to meet his piercing blue ones, the ones she had grown so afraid of. "Let me go," she whispered, her voice shaking.
"If you're going to rattle on about me to Ilyas, let me give you a real reason to do so," Azurel replied, his voice dripping with menace.
With a sudden movement, he threw her onto the bed. She kicked and struggled, but his grip was strong and unyielding. He easily grabbed her leg and began kissing her feet, moving up to her calf. His hands slid up her long skirt, slowly revealing her legs.
"Stop," she managed to cry out, panic flooding her voice.
Gathering all her strength, she pushed him off and scrambled away, her heart pounding in her chest. She ran from the room, her breath coming in ragged gasps, the terror of what had just happened echoing in her mind. The corridors of Ilyas's house seemed endless as she fled, seeking a place to hide and escape the nightmare her life had become.
*****
Alone in her small, dimly lit servant quarters, the maid clutched the thin blanket to her chest, her knees drawn up as she sat curled on the floor. Tears streamed down her cheeks, her sobs uncontrollable, echoing through the silence of the room.
She cried, feeling caged and desperate. Azurel's presence was suffocating, and Ilyas's refusal to protect her only deepened her sense of helplessness. She had nowhere to go, and her sobs echoed through the quiet room.
A knock on the door startled her, a rare occurrence in her confined world. Her heart raced as Azurel entered, his presence filling the room. She pressed her back against the wall, her fear palpable.
Azurel inhaled deeply, a twisted smile playing on his lips. "This room smells intoxicating, just like you," he said charmingly, as if his behavior was normal.
"I have a proposal for you, mademoiselle," he said, giving her a fake respect that felt more like mockery.
She trembled, clutching a blanket to her body as she pressed herself against the bed, looking up at his tall frame towering over her.
"I'm taking you to France with me, and Ilyas won't say no," he declared.
Her horror was evident. Azurel's words were like a death sentence. "Or," he continued, his voice cold and calculated, "you submit yourself to me for one night, and I will leave you alone."
His blue eyes bore into hers, his expression stoic. She was speechless, her eyes wide with shock and fear. The room seemed to close in around her as she tried to comprehend the choices laid out before her, neither of which offered any real escape from her torment.
"No," she said, her voice breaking. She crumpled into sobs, unable to hold back the torrent of emotions. Azurel bent down, and she jerked back instinctively, but he reached out, trying to fake soothe her.
"Oh, madame, don't cry, amour," he murmured, wiping away her tears. His hand then trailed down to her neck, brushing against her breasts. She hitched a breath, fear and revulsion coursing through her.
Azurel's grip tightened as he held her by the back of her neck, bringing his face closer. He kissed her roughly, and she tried to push him away, her fists pounding weakly against his chest. But he was too strong, and her resistance only seemed to amuse him.
"You'll learn to enjoy this," he whispered against her lips, his voice a cruel mockery of tenderness. "You have no choice."
His hands roamed over her body, and she felt trapped, like a bird caught in a predator's claws. She tried to twist away, but he pinned her down, his body overpowering hers. Tears streamed down her face as she realized the futility of her struggle.
Azurel's kisses became more insistent, his hands more demanding. "Just give in," he whispered, his breath hot against her ear. "It will be easier that way."
She closed her eyes, sobbing uncontrollably, feeling utterly broken. The room, once a place of refuge, now felt like a prison where her cries for help went unanswered.
As Azurel continued his assault, she felt a cold numbness begin to settle over her. The terror and pain were too much, and her mind started to retreat, shutting down to protect itself from the unbearable reality.
Just when she thought she could endure no more, there was a sudden loud knock on the door, followed by Jasmina's voice calling out. Azurel paused, his grip loosening slightly.
"I'll be back," he promised, his voice low and menacing. "This isn't over."
He stood up and walked to the door, leaving her trembling and broken on the bed. As the door closed behind him, she curled into a ball, clutching the blanket around her, and sobbed until there were no tears left to cry. The horror of her situation was inescapable, and she knew that as long as she remained in Ilyas's house, there would be no end to her torment.
*****
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