A Game of Cards.... ((One on One// PRIVATE//CLOSED))

((And more secrets are being revealed…sigh))

The words that he spoke stung her so intensely, she yanked her hands away from him. She had never thought about that – getting pregnant, that is – in such a long time. She sighed, wringing her wrists. But she didn't make eye contact with Marcus. She couldn't. Once again, her shame reared it's ugly head.

"D-do you know why I was a favorite among my mother's men?" She choked out. Gods, she couldn't believe she was saying this. "They…. they didn't have to worry of children when it came to me. I-I…" she could hardly breath, but she forced herself to go on. "I'm barren…. I cannot have babies…"

(Sorry)
(Good morning)

Gently, carefully, he took hold of her wrists, tracing soothing circles on the back of her hands with his thumbs. He was… surprised at her words, and disgusted at her mother and her men for making her suffer like that— this was why he couldn’t let her do this with Luc. “I’m sorry, Winifred, truly I am. But this is why I can’t let you do this to yourself— you’ve been through so much— let be take this blow for you. Let him hit me. Thomas— Thomas could hide you. I’ve smuggled out servants— people he’s toyed with— before, Thomas hid them. He can keep you safe until I’m healthy.”

((For what? Good Morning!))

She felt like she was going to cry again, but Marcus's touch calmed her in a way nothing else could. She bowed her head, watching him caress her skin in calming circles. Within that touch, there was hope; hope she desperately want to hold to. But she couldn't. Lifting her gaze to Marcus, she shook her head.

"He'll know. He'll know you sent me away. Marcus, he hurt you more. He'll beaten within an inch of your life, or maybe he won't hesitate to kill you, where will that leave me?"

(Oh, I thought Marcus had asked too much, nvm
Hello! How are you?)

“It would leave you alive,” he said quietly. “And healthy. And untouched by my uncle.” His dark eyes pleaded with her, begged her to leave even though he wanted her to stay by his side so badly. Of course Luc would kill him. That was a certainty, but it was a certainty no matter what she did. “And he’s goung to kill me anyways.”

((Hiya! Im doing good, and you?))

Winifred shook her head. "He wouldn't. Not with me here. Not if I do what he wants and I will! It doesn't matter to me. Marcus, it's you I want. It's you. I can't let him take you away from me." She kissed his lips and stood once more. She had to stop touching him.

Winifred’s words hurt more than Luc’s knife ever could. “No,” he breathed, voice drenched in horror. “You can’t do what he wants— you can’t give it to him—“ Marcus’s heart was pounding again, squeezing painfully. “Don’t do it. For the love of God—“

(I’m pretty good, a bit tired)

((Well, that's pretty good I guess))
"Marcus…" She said, her voice shook. She couldn't listen to this anymore. She had to make up her mind, she'd already been here for too long. Luc would start to wonder. A lone tear slipped down her cheek.

"I have only one request for you." She took another step back. "When I get back and I'm sweaty, dirty, and disgusting…..hold me, please. Hold me and make me sleep." she pointed to her bag, where the syringe laid inside. "I won't on my own…" And before she could change her mind, she never spared him another loo, she couldn't, as she walked out the door.

Marcus sagged against the headboard of his bed, tear after tear sliding down his cheeks, silent except for his ragged breaths. Here was a young man completely undone. Broken. Finished. Walls blown to bits. And there was nothing he could do about it.

Winifred shut the door behind her and only then did she cry. Placing a hand on the servants shoulder, she gripped her stomach as if she was in pain. She was, her pain was so great it made her feel utterly sick. "Make sure Lord Marcus eats and rests." And she drifted away. She wiped her tears as she walked down the hallway. That was all the time she had to mourn the love that she had always wanted, but now would never know.

You should have known better….

She straightened her shoulders as she stopped at the door to the dining room that was slightly ajar. A servant looked to her and she order him to get her a cup of wine. She'd need some to get through tonight. She couldn't do this sober.

As the servant placed a cup of blood red liquid in her hand, she slugged it back before throwing the door open. Her gaze landed on Luc as she licked her fingers.

Luc gave her a cold smile, the same smile he had given to so many women, the one that shook them to their core— but this time, it was hinted with something else, the same smile he’d once given to Lauren… His eyes followed her every movement, hunger lighting them up.

(Uhhh can we skip?)

((Most definitely))

((I'll start))

Winifred shook intensely as she slipped from the bed. Her limbs barely worked and she crumbled to the ground, slamming against the nightstand. She caught her empty wine glass before it hit the ground and she looked back at Luc's sleeping form with wide eyes. He didn't stir. She sighted and lifted herself with shaky hands.

Her whole entire body ached with sick dread and painful release. She gritted her teeth as she worked her body out of it's tense state knowing it would hurt more when she dressed. She gathered her clothes from around the room as sickness rolled in her stomach. She had such a foul taste in her mouth that she could hardly swallow.

Damnit Winifred, breathe She pressed a fist to her chest. Panic would not relent though. She began to tremble furiously as she slipped her clothes on with gritted teeth. Tears fell down her cheeks as she looked to the mirror. She was pale and ill looking with clammy skin. She swept her hair from her face with unsteady fingers. And turned to the door.

Out…. she wanted to leave. So she did. Using the support of the things around her she made her way to the door. But the memories and echoes of that night grabbed at her and weighed her down.

He was rough and brutal, toying with her and using her body as a mere plaything…she hardly felt human. He forced her to do unspeakable things, things she'd long since for now branded to the forefront of her mind. But one thing stuck out most….

He didn't call her Winifred….

He called her Lauren.

(Shit I’m going to cry again
I really really hate Luc)

Marcus did not sleep. The night was long, the darkness wore on and on and on, and not once did he close his eyes. Every time his eyelids slid shut, the image of Winifred, tortured, crying, ravaged, burned itself into his mind.
Winifred.

He didn’t know it was possible to cry this much. All his life, he had never allowed himself more than a few tears. But now… he didn’t think he could ever stop.

Every step hurt but she didn't stop. Even though she dirty, she knew there was one person that would love her. He wasn't too far. That is what kept her going.

Marcus kept her going.

She smiled weakly at the thought of being in his arms, heard his voice, feeling his heart beat. It hardly felt as if hers was. Her eyes fell on the door to his room and she tried to compose herself as best she could. Winifred tucked her hair to one side and fixed the sleeve of her dress. And then she opened the door.

Marcus’s head snapped up when he heard the turning of the knob. His eyes fell on Winifred, and all of a sudden he was crying again. He said nothing, couldn’t find the words, only sat up properly and held out his arms to her.

Winifred gave a breath of complete abandon as she ran to him. She tried her best no to hurt him as she let him hold her. She rested her head against him, squeezing her eyes shut as she took in his scent. She needed him, all of him. Her shaky breathing soon turned into sobs that she couldn't control.

Marcus wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly and stroking her hair. His heart squeezed painfully, what was left of it anyway, but he just kept rocking her from side to side wanting to press kisses against the top of her hair but worried that it would scare her off after what she had just been through. “I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry. I’m here now, I’m right here, I’m not going anywhere.”

Winifred's heart wouldn't stop pounding violently in her chest. She was back in his arms, she was safe, she was home. "Don't let me go….please.." she whimpered.

Marcus hugged her tighter, and his heart broke for her. “I would never do that to you— I’m right here— you’re safe, he’s not going to get you here. I’m here for you, I’m right here.”

Resting her cheek against his, she shuddered. She was so tired. "I love you…" she whispered. "I thought about you every minute of it. I just wanted you… And now I have you…." She could feel herself smile. "I love you so much." And it was a love that didn't change at all. As she allowed herself to relax, to be swept away by the rhythm of his rocking, she prayed to the heavens above, thanking them for the man they had given her.

Marcus caved in, pressing gentle kisses to the top of her head. His hold on her softened, becoming easier to sleep in. “I love you too.. I love you too much for words… I’ll hold you for the rest of the night, just sleep…” he whispered to her, never wanting to let her go.

Winifred nodded and practically melted into him. She wrapped her arms about him and nuzzled his neck. Her cries quieted as he listened to his whispers. Her eyes drooped as she slowly fell into slumber. Marcus was so warm against her.

Marcus just held her and murmured sweet nothings into her ear for the whole night, until his throat was raw and his chest burned. But not once did he close his eyes. Not once did he fall asleep. He stayed wide awake until the sun rise ito the sky, thinking of nothing but Winifred and Luc.

Winifred awoke in Marcus's warm embrace. She pulled away from him and looked into his eyes.
"How are you still awake?" She asked sitting up and rubbing her eyes. She gave a warm smile as she shifted beside him. She almost forgot about the events that had occurred that night. But she pushed the thoughts away, why make herself suffer through it once more? It was easy to do just that.

Marcus warmed at the sight of that smile, doing his best to offer one of his own. “I woke up a few minutes ago,” he lied smoothly, taking her hand in his. “How are you feeling?”

Running her fingers through her hair, she nodded, "Much better… I can get past it now…How do you feel?" She placed a hand on his chest, not being able to ignore the jolt of sorry that pulsed through her at the memories of that night.

Marcus gave her a smile that somehow conveyed just how broken he was, how unfixable. “I’ll be fine..” he answered, lying while he put his arms around her. “You don’t need to worry about me. I’m just glad that you’re better now.”

"I know that we can't ever return from this…" she stated out of the blue. She needed to say this now otherwise it would eat away at her. She stared in his brown eyes. "There is no way I'll forget what happened last night and neither will you. We're not okay, and we won't be for a little while. I just want to remind you that we'll be broken….together. We don't have to be alone at all anymore." She took his hand in her. "And we will find a way to stop him."

"I know that we can't ever return from this…" she stated out of the blue. She needed to say this now otherwise it would eat away at her. She stared in his brown eyes. "There is no way I'll forget what happened last night and neither will you. We're not okay, and we won't be for a little while. I just want to remind you that we'll be broken….together. We don't have to be alone at all anymore." She took his hand in her. "And we will find a way to stop him."