Tyrant's Obsession With The Heiress

Lady Karina was cold, hungry, and growing ill with the damp. Thus, her physical condition and apprehension made her snappish.

"If you are going to put me to the gallows or your blade, then you best be done with it," she said without hesitation, unwilling to wait any longer while he dragged out her evident fate.

Van Merikh stroked his chin thoughtfully, his massive hands finally coming to rest on his narrow hips.

"There is no intention of killing you just yet," he replied, his eyes never leaving hers. "In fact, I believe I still have use for you."

His words did not give her even the slightest hope.

What other use could he possibly have for her?

"A use for what?" Lady Karina asked abruptly, no longer concerned with her fiery tongue and what other ill fate it might bring her. "A whore for your men? Target practice? Pray, what use could you possibly find for me that is not painful, degrading, or humiliating?"

Lady Karina heard his joints popping as he crouched down before her. It was a startling move considering his size and she instinctively backed away from him. But she still dared to lift her gaze, studying him in spite of her resurfacing fears.

Van Merikh's two-coloured orbs were still disconcerting and she found it challenging looking him straight in the eye, unsure of which colour drew her focus more.

"You have a sharp tongue, girl," his voice came; it was so low that it almost sounded much like a growl. "Tis best you curb it around me. I have no patience for disobedient wenches."

Lady Karina's emerald green eyes flashed.

"I am not a girl nor am I a wench," she emphasised firmly. "I am the Lady Karina Hyacinth Reinhardt and my father is a garrison commander for Lancelot Von Asher, Viscount of Blackthorn Reach. And I am not disobedient; I am simply asking you questions that you have yet to answer."

Van Merikh watched her, the way her eyes sparked when she was irritated, and he was surprised to admit that it somewhat intrigued him. He was so hardened to life in general that there was normally no space for emotion of any kind.

Emotion bred potential for weakness.

And weakness had no place within a beast's heart.

But this tiny woman before him was certainly spirited with a fire he'd never seen before, as he'd seen the day he and his men had invaded Moonveil and overrun it.

In fact, in the very brief time that Van Merikh had been introduced to the emotional, talkative Karina Hyacinth Reinhardt, he'd seen nothing about her that was disenchanting. But appearances and attitude could be broken.

Van Merikh was far too seasoned and hard-headed to be swayed.

"You claimed that you would bear the punishment for your father and vassals," Van Merikh reminded her. "Are you still so willing to do that?"

Lady Karina's lovely face blanched but to her credit, she nodded, "I…I am. What are you going to do?"

Van Merikh didn't reply; he simply stared at her. But Lady Karina sensed something in his question and her manner perked.

"Do you mean to say that my father and the others have not been put to the gallows?" She questioned, almost eagerly.

Van Merikh paused a moment. "Some."

He could see the anguished tears well up quickly in her pretty emerald eyes and how hard she fought against letting them release.

"My father is alive?" Lady Karina whispered.

"He lives still," came Van Merikh's vague answer, only supplying her with information necessary to her question.

Lady Karina blinked and fat tears splattered on her dirty and dusty surcoat as she clutched her hands close to her bosom.

Van Merikh observed her with a keen, narrowed gaze, feeling an odd and foreign twitch in his chest and having no inclination of what it was.

He'd seen many tears over time and not one of them had ever given him cause to react. In fact, most hysterics fed his bloodlust. And if anything, he gleaned strength from the fears of others.

But most oddly enough, not with this one.

"Where is my father?" Lady Karina begged to know, wiping the tears away from her cheeks.

"Suffice to say that he is whole and sound," Van Merikh answered, watching the raw emotion ripple across her angelic face. "He has informed me that you have been dispensing business since a young age and that you know more of Moonveil's coffers than he does."

Lady Karina paused in wiping her tears from her face, her emerald green eyes focusing on him with surprise. "Is that the reason why I still keep my breath? To speak of our wealth to you?"

He shook his head. "I am aware of how wealthy Moonveil is. What I wish to know is what else is there to its assets."

"What do you mean?" Lady Karina tilted her head slightly towards her shoulder.

"Sheep, cattle, and other functions. Moonveil is a rather wealthy castle and I must learn of its riches and what more I must expect," Van Merikh explained, craning his neck to the side to pop the knots in them.

Lady Karina's tears seemed to dry as she contemplated his words. "And once I have educated you, what do you intend to do with me? My purpose will be served and you would have no other use for me."

Van Merikh scrutinised her for a moment before standing up, his chain mail clinking. He was so enormous that he snatched all of the air in the cell, making it difficult for Lady Karina to breathe.

The man stifled her.

"I have not decided yet," Van Merikh replied, crossing his arms over his broad chest. "But for now, you may be of use."

"And if I refuse?" 

"I would not, if I were you," his tone came out as a firm warning.

It was almost a plea.

The statement sent bolts of terror through Lady Karina more than any clear threat could have.

Lady Karina retreated from sparking her fiery tongue again, knowing that it would be foolish to challenge him.

She shouldn't have even blurted out such a bold question, but she always possessed an unruly tongue.

It was nothing new.

"My punishment," Lady Karina murmured. "What are you going to do? Tell me so that I may prepare myself for it."

Van Merikh weighed his options and then he crouched again and his massive body was once more close to her. Very close.

Before Lady Karina could react, he possessed her face in one hand, tipping her chin up to savour a better look.

His hand was so large that it swallowed up nearly half her head.

The more he inspected, the more his interest grew in what he saw.

"Stand up," Van Merikh ordered, leaving no room for defiance.

His dual-coloured eyes had her caught in a shaken trance, mesmerised somewhat.

But Lady Karina obeyed without question, doing as he asked and standing on stiff legs that had been folded against the icy stone.

She fixed her gaze on the floor as his eyes raked over her; she could feel the twisted heat from the evil orbs.

It was like being analysed by the Devil himself.

"Remove your surcoat."