Chapter 5
Rosalind
EMERGENCE - SLEEP TOKEN ?
Beautiful, splendid, comfort. I'm wrapped in a thousand pillows, my entire body supported and caressed by something so soft, I dare not open my eyes in case it is anything other than the highest thread count surrounding me. I don’t remember my bed being this comfortable, but after last night and everything that happened with those men…
An involuntary shudder rolls through me, and the sheets pull tighter as if in response, until I'm pressed against something warm and solid.
The church.
The corridor.
The Gatekeeper.
The orc.
I escaped through that church and ended up… where?
My eyes fly open, and the room I'm in is dimly lit. Shutters cover the windows, the bright light seeping through every crevice and crack it can find. Soft linens drape over the walls, while carved furniture and porcelain decorate the space. It all looks ornate and priceless. Not something you would find at your local department store.
I stare, transfixed at the room.
Where am I?
I sleep alone when I'm at home, door locked with blackout blinds pulled. Everything here feels right, but looks completely wrong. Movement from my waist caresses me, a large hand covering my stomach, pushing across my breasts, pulling a gasp from me.
“Mmmm, teats.” Someone says, and it gives me enough of a scare that my heart jumps out of my chest, and with it, my legs flail, arms swinging wildly, until whatever is pinning me down lifts, and I scramble off the bed.
Confronted by the sight of the largest creature I have ever seen. Dark olive skin, tusks protruding from his mouth. His eyes are kind, andare they two different colours?One brown and one blue. He has no hair that I can see, and muscles so big…I want to lick them. What is happening to me? To be honest, he looks relaxed as he takes me in, sleepy-eyed, wiping a large hand over his face.
“Forgive my rudeness, but I did not ask your namebefore you fainted yesterday. I am Steve,” he says, placing a large hand on his even larger chest.
“Steve,” I squeak. The giant orc in bed with me is called Steve. Now I know I must be going crazy. My impending marriage has caused a psychosis, and I'm really strapped to a bed somewhere while doctors take my father's money, explaining there is nothing they can do, lost to my delusions.
“I am familiar with your customs, my friend is bonded to a human female.” Moving to sit on the edge of the bed, the crisp white sheets complement his dark olive skin, covering his thighs but revealing enough I can see how thick they are. The dips and folds of the cloth covering his waist and his… and his… good lord, is that a fire hose under the sheet with him? Averting my gaze, I look to the ceiling when he rustles around, clearing his throat to get my attention.
Please have clothes on.
His lips move to expose his teeth, making his tusks somehow look friendly and not threatening. Shuffling forward, thrusting his hand out to me, wanting to… shake my hand?
Oh, okay, we're doing formalities. Sure, becausethisis normal.
“Hello, Steve.” My voice only slightly trembling. “I am Rosalind Theodora Carrington. I'm sure you've heard of my father.” I say flippantly, falling into old habits. “There seems to have been some sort of miscommunication. I do not believe he will pay aransom, and I will become effectively worthless to you if I… if I am sullied in any way.”
I've said my piece. Hopefully, whoever is behind this takes the hint, and I am returned. Surely the only reasonable excuse for what's happening is that I've been kidnapped and given some sort of hallucinogen. Kidnapped or lost my mind, either one is likely as I stare at the gigantic orc in front of me.
“Ro-sa-aa-lin-nd. I can not say your name correctly. I do not like it. I will call you Rosie.”
“My name is Rosalind.”
“Rosie.”
“Rosalind!”
His large hand reaches out and pulls me in between his legs, where he now sits on the edge of the bed. Squealing from the sudden movement. I half sit on his forearm while simultaneously pushing him away and pulling him closer.
His head leans into the crook of my neck, slowly dragging his nose along my shoulder, taking in my smell, pausing at my ear. This is how I die, I'm going to be eaten. Swallowed whole, and my bones spit out in a pile.
