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damage I’d probably never grasp the source of.
    I lay there shaking, wondering what was next, wondering how I’d ever take him inside me if he was larger than Sir, berating myself for still wanting him the most when Sir was the gentle one.
    He shook his head and smiled. “Beneath that fire and rebellion, you are so sweet, Annabelle. My brother is right about that.” He was quiet for several minutes, breaking the stillness only to give me instruction. “You will not wear clothing here. I want to be able to look at what’s mine. You will never shield yourself from me or my brother. You will always be available for either of us to use however we please. Do you understand?”
    I wanted to say, I understand you’re a monster. But the words refused to climb out of my throat. I was too afraid of just how badly he could hurt me if I kept fighting him. It wasn’t in my nature to give in, but I had to. For the sake of common sense, if nothing else. I may not have been very obedient or submissive by nature, but I also wasn’t stupid.
    “Annabelle? I don’t wish to punish you again tonight.”
    “Yes, Master.” It was almost a sigh of resignation. He ran a tight ship, and he wasn’t about to let me challenge him in even the smallest way.
    On some level, it was easier this way. If I knew he wouldn’t let me get away with much, I wouldn’t feel the need to fight as much, which would get me hurt less. And I needed to fully heal if I wanted to get out of here. I’d need to be strong.
    After that, he brought me food. Like the juice, it was strange and different, richer than I was used to, the flavors subtler and more multi-layered. They had a whole food culture outside what we were able to get and prepare in the city.
    Soon, darkness fell. I tensed, worrying that he’d fuck and injure me, but it didn’t happen. It was so strange, the idea that I was his mate, and yet it was only his brother who had been inside me so far.
    He unrolled several blankets that sat next to his bed and made a little nest on the floor.
    “Lie down. It’s time for sleep.”
    I was too tired to protest sleeping on the floor, and to be truthful, not sleeping in the bed with him felt safer, like perhaps I could really sleep and get through the night unmolested. I curled up on the blankets as he settled in his bed above me. Then he let his wings come out and draped one of them over the nest of fabric.
    I can’t describe what I felt in that moment. I shouldn’t have felt safe or protected. Not after the day I’d had. Not after what he’d done to my back with his claws, or the threat that existed in his mere presence. But I did. His wing draped over me was so peaceful and settling, that although I still had plans to escape, a tiny piece of me broke off and attached itself firmly to him.

    ***

    The next day, Master left the cave again. I was alone with Sir, and although I’d been hiding out in Master’s cave, not wanting to face the awkward humiliation of walking around naked in front of the other one, I eventually got too hungry and had to venture out.
    Sir was seated on a couch in the main living area, again reading something on a computerized screen. He didn’t look up when I walked past him into the kitchen. There were some leftovers from the night before that had been kept in a cold box. I took them out and then stared at the machines meant for cooking, not sure how they worked. It was different from what we had in the city.
    I jumped when Sir’s arms came around me, and he kissed the side of my neck. I could feel his erection pressing through his pants, and something inside me said it wasn’t just ceremony and loneliness this time. He’d decided he wanted me, specifically.
    “Do you need help heating food, Belle?” His hand casually moved between my legs, stroking the flesh on display.
    “Yes, Sir.”
    He released me and took the container of food from my hands. My face heated, and the arousal that had been absent yesterday flared to