Chapter 37

Roxanne

It surprises me when he laughs. He walks to the table and uses a cloth from his meal to clean himself. His gaze remains steady on mine the entire time. He hasn't said a word for a few minutes and I'm suddenly beyond nervous. He picks up the remaining chair and I close my eyes expecting it to land on my head. I hear the legs of the chair settle against the floor and dare to peek. I watch him sit down on the mattress.

"Come here and sit in the chair."

It's a command. Everything in me rebels at the dictate but what choice do I truly have? I drag my feet closer. He tips his head to the chair when I take too long. I sit.

His voice is soft, entirely too soft, and it makes his words more ominous. "You should not have struck me."

"I'm sorry?" I squeak. I really expected instant retaliation and his delayed response has my nerves completely unraveling. He should just have hit me over the head with the chair. I've struck him twice now and he's yet to punish me... or kill me. Acasia told