“Christ, Mikaela.” I stopped walking and, not thinking, I gathered her into my arms. Her hands slid around my waist, her chin rested on my chest, her eyes on my face. “Is that what you thought?” My laugh was more of a coping mechanism to figure out how this woman who was new to a world like mine could read my expressions so clearly. “I’m glad you’re here, love, and what you did back there just now was unbelievably remarkable. What has Rhett been teaching you?” Admittedly, I was disappointed with the effect my nephew seemed to be having on her.
“Nothing.” She lifted her shoulders in a casual shrug. “Yousaid I should give my name a personality. It’s what I’m trying to do. Finding myself beneath all the scars.” She palmed my cheek, surprising me. “You’re the most important person in my life. Everything you teach me, I keep it here.” She touched her chest with her free hand. “I don’t need anyone else to teach me anything.”
Her words exploded in my chest, forcing me to inhale harshly. Not sure what came over me, I suddenly wanted to dip my head and cover her naturally pink lips with mine. “Ella,” I sighed instead, dropping my brow to hers. “You’re an enigma, love.”
God, she was. Slowly transporting me into a place I never knew existed. Admittedly, I wanted to stay there.
Chapter 29 – Mikaela
Istared at the ceiling, my thoughts drifting back to tonight’s dinner and how I feared leaving my room. While Rhett, who I found easy to speak to, his calm gave me confidence, Xavier’s smile alone gave me strength. Still, I learned one valuable lesson at tonight’s dinner. Strangers were quick to judge, hasty to hate, and unarguably ill-mannered. If this was how people behaved at first sight alone, I’d gladly live in this room for the rest of my life.
Only Xavier made me want to wear blinkers and follow him wherever he led me. He made me feel alive and want to explore the world outside my green room. Although I sometimes missed that tiny space, I hoped never to go back there or see Master again.
You won’t, baby, I heard Mama whisper in my ear.
“Yes, Mama,” I sighed, closed my eyes, and gave into those dreams where Xavier made me laugh, smile, and run free. At last, I was.
The first bite of pain came hard and sharp, snapping my body upright, yanking me from a deep sleep. For just a moment, it felt like Master’s whip had cut across my heated flesh, those tiny teeth digging deep, searching for blood. My eyes flew open, jerking to all corners of the room. Nothing stirred. Food poisoning hovered on my tongue, having had food at dinner that I’d never tasted before.
Another slash of pain blasted that thought from my mind. Wrapping my arms around my abdomen, I let out a hoarse groan and rolled onto my stomach. Agony blazed through my insides, forcing me to flip onto my back. Another blow struck. I ground my teeth, curling into a ball, shuddering and gasping for air.
What’s happening?“Please...” I gulped air quickly.
Mercy ignored my plea.
Slash.
My legs kicked out, uncurling my body, my nails biting into my palms.
Rip.
My insides felt like they were splitting, being torn out of me. I moaned and shook. I writhed and shivered. Fisting the bedcovers, I held on, trying to anchor my trembling body.
Fingers of pain gripped my head tightly, squeezing and forcing my shuddering body to sit up. My palms became sweaty. My heart raced, and dizziness made my vision swim. Then another crack sliced down my spine, and I felt my body rip open. Wetness flooded my thighs.
Did I pee myself?
