A Fairy Tale for Big Girls – 10. chapter

“Come have supper,” he said, kissing her hair. She closed the book and slipped down from the window. Martin had already reached the door when Lili caught Mark by the shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” she said when he turned to her. “You and I should never have met.”

His gaze softened. He placed his hands on her shoulders and stroked them gently.

“You do realize I am king?” he said quietly. “Whatever you did, wherever you did it, I am the one who can grant you pardon.”

“Let’s leave it,” she ended the conversation.

After a brief hesitation, he nodded.

“For now.”

She smiled gratefully, and he received it with visible displeasure.

But then she rose onto her toes, leaned in, and lightly kissed his lips. He froze in astonishment. In all those long weeks, not once had Lili initiated any intimacy herself. He had always been the one to begin, often having to almost force her. His surprise was unmistakable. It amused her, and she slipped past him toward the door.

“This won’t work like that,” he whispered, catching her. He pulled her back into his arms. She did not even try to resist. He pressed his tongue gently into her mouth, and when she leaned into him of her own accord, desire rushed through his whole body. He grabbed her ass and pressed her against his groin. She yielded, pliant, returning his wet kisses for a few more moments.

She isn’t resisting! he kept repeating in his head. He could feel how her own initiative set him on fire in an instant.

“Supper,” she said suddenly, pulling away with a smile.

“It can wait,” he breathed, trying to reach back for her.

“I’m hungry,” she objected. “There will be time for the rest.”

He hesitated.

“…are you asking me for restraint?” he asked incredulously.

“Is that a problem?” she smirked, provocative.

“It is a problem, little one,” he said, his voice holding no anger, only arousal, as he rubbed his already hard dick against her. “I keep you here as my plaything, so I can do with you whatever I want and whenever I want. Not so you can have a say in it.”

He expected her to be outraged by such a statement and start resisting boldly. He was ready to take her right there for it. Instead, she replied,

“All right.” Her smile vanished. “Shall we go upstairs, then?”

He looked her over, then straightened as understanding dawned and lifted his chin.

“Is this an attempt to train me?”

“I don’t know what you mean. It will be as you say.”

“If I do as you wish, you’ll be kind to me. If I don’t, I can still take what I want, but by force. And you know I would much rather have you willing.”

She tried to suppress a triumphant smile and failed.

“So we’re going to supper?” she asked.

Her eyes were bright.

His smile held delight, defeat, spite, and excitement all at once.

“You are far too bold for such a small girl. But fine. Have what you want.”

She slipped from his arms. He let her go reluctantly.

“But don’t expect me to spare you afterward,” he added to her back and followed her.

They entered the breakfast hall. The same tables. The same people.

“…supper is shared as well?” she asked in surprise.

Mark pulled out her chair and pushed it back in once she sat. As he took his own seat, Martin answered,

“Yes. Though the two of you somehow never make it on time,” he smirked.

Mark replied as he sat,

“At that hour I’m usually hungry for something else.”

Lili lowered her gaze, ashamed, and Mark laughed.

“Lili, how can you still be so shy?”

“Some things aren’t spoken of aloud.”

“And where did you learn that?” Mark asked, unable to resist a mocking tone.

“A lady’s proper upbringing!” she insisted.

Both men looked at her. When she bowed her head, they understood she would say no more and began to eat in silence. Mark lasted only a moment before leaning close to Lili and whispering into her ear.

“I’ll fuck more loud moans out of my properly brought-up lady soon enough.”

Then he calmly straightened again.

“I’m still eating,” she snapped, trying to hide her arousal.

“I can wait.”

Martin shook his head with a smile.

“You two are like a dog and a cat.”

Supper ended. Everyone rose.

Mark passed behind Lili’s chair and, as always, left first, this time weaving between the tables. She stood and followed slowly. She did not know why he chose this path, but she knew what would come next. And she was angry with herself for looking forward to it. Her thoughts broke when they passed the familiar ladies. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Elena reaching both hands toward her. She had just time to turn when Elena shoved her. The force of the impact surprised Lili and she fell. Mark turned at once at the sound, and when he saw her on the floor, fear flashed through him.

“Lili!”

Martin was already helping her up as Mark rushed over.

“Are you all right?”

His voice was frightened.

“Of course. Nothing happened,” she said, already standing. “I stumbled.”

She carefully rubbed her bruised shoulder.

At that moment, Mark stopped, and the expression on his face changed.

“…girl…” she heard Martin whisper behind her, pitying.

Mark’s gaze hardened. His lips pressed tight, and his hands clenched into fists.

“Nothing. Is. Happening?” he snapped, cutting off each word.

The fury in his eyes startled her so badly that she stepped back.

“You are my property!” he snarled.

Somewhere deep down, he knew he was shouting at the wrong person, but his anger had peaked. He was absolutely certain Elena had knocked her down. And Lili, instead of protecting herself and telling him, had chosen to protect someone who deserved it least of all.

“My property can be damaged only by me!” he shouted louder, emphasizing every word. “If someone hurts you, I will punish them. If you allow yourself to be hurt, I will punish you!”

She stared at him, frightened and stunned, unable to speak a single word.

He turned to the women standing near her.

“Which one was it?”

They all stayed silent.

“Which one?!” His voice cut through the entire hall.

“…Sara,” a whisper came from somewhere.

Lili sharply drew in a breath and opened her mouth. Mark looked at Sara. The terrified girl did not make a sound, only began to tremble. For a moment he seemed to hesitate, then said,

“Two weeks in solitary. Bread and water.”

“Mark,” Lili said.

“Quiet!” he barked roughly.

He stared at the now-crying Sara a moment longer, then turned and strode off sharply.

Lili glanced at Elena, who made a horizontal line under her own throat with her fingers, and hesitated.

Behind Lili, Martin whispered,

“Go after him.”

Lili cast one last look at Sara and ran. Mark walked with such fury and speed that she struggled to keep up. He kicked the door to his chamber open and stopped by his table, his back to the door.