Mira frowned. Her eyes were closed, but her mind was awake. Do statues think? Fighting panic at the thought she tried to move a finger. With relief and some confusion, it moved. She opened her eyes slowly and let them focus on a beautifully sculpted ceiling. She could feel the softness beneath her and smell wood. So she wasn’t in the room she had been taken to await the “procedure”. Before trying to figure it out too much she tried to move every muscle. No difference from before. Slowly she tried to sit up. Instantly an older woman appeared and helped her get all the way up.
“Easy, dear. Your body has been through a lot in the last month.” She says gently while offering Mira a sip of water.
“Month?” Mira’s mind can’t seem to get past it.
“Everything is fine. Please, go slowly. The doctors have already given you a clean bill of health, but you have been asleep for a long time.” she smiles warmly as Mira turns to sit on the edge of the massive bed.
“What happened? I thought I was going to be a statue.” Mira asks, her mind still fuzzy.
“You were. There was just… something, missing when you went to sleep.” David’s deep voice rumbles from a doorway across the room. Mira felt her spine stiffen at the sight of him.
“I thought you discarded those that disappoint you...” Mira’s mind whirls in confusion.
“I always send disappointments back.” David answers as he crosses to stand in front of her. He waves his hand at the older woman. With a small smile of encouragement toward Mira, she bows her head and leaves the room.
“Then what am I doing sitting here?” Mira asks with a frown. “Wherever here is…” She adds with a mumble and another glance around.
“You, are not a disappointment. There was just something missing when I put you to sleep. You would have been magnificent as the centerpiece in my collection though.” He stares at her intently as if trying to see what is different.
“So... what?” Mira asks feeling her insides squirm under his scrutiny. She could feel anger slowly starting to rise at his lack of information into her situation. His eyes instantly snap up to hers and she can see the thunderheads building in them.
“So, you are mine. You are to stay with me in whatever capacity I decide I want you for.” He answers, his voice growing chilly. Her anger started to boil.
“And I have no say in this?” She glares back.
“I own you. There is nothing else to say.” His cold voice whips against her. Mira glares up at him.
“How can you own me, when I am a grown woman? Why keep me here?” Mira asks, her tone biting. He steps closer, towering over her.
“I own you because I paid for you. Grown or not, you are in MY world and will abide by my rules.” He rumbles
“And if I choose not to?” She whispers back. He pauses and his eyebrows draw together slightly. Then takes a step back from her.
“Why would you?” He asks calmer than a moment ago.
“A, I have no idea who you are. B, I did NOT choose this for myself. C, I have no idea what you want from me. D, I happen to have a mind of my own. I can think, I can feel, and I can rationalize. I have never done well with being given orders or ultimatums.” Mira fires back, ticking each point off on a finger. David frowns at her.
“You really do not know?” He seems genuinely confused now. Mira rolls her eyes and shakes her head at him. Who is this woman and what rock has she been hiding under? She’s the first woman to try to run away instead of seduce me. “Introductions then. I am David. Welcome to my kingdom.” He says with a slight bow. Mira swallows hard and struggles to keep her jaw from hitting the floor.
“Mira. Mira Whitmore.” She whispers while her mind screams at her. You idiot! You’re not in Kansas anymore toto! KING!!!! Oh hell. Now what do I do?
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Mira. What I want from you, is your company. Considering your reaction when I found you, you already know that I surround myself with beautiful things. You are beautiful and I want you to be around me. I paid very well for you, which in my country, makes you mine to do with as I please. That is a fact that will not change. Understand that I do know that you are a living, thinking, being and that will be accounted for. I am not cruel. I can offer you anything you wish if you please me, but I will not be disobeyed.” David started pacing as he talked but stopped in front of her again on the last sentence. Mira swallows hard, but shakes her lowered head.
“God, please tell me that I’m dreaming. This can’t be real.” She whispers to herself. David closes the distance between them. Using one finger he lifts her eyes up to his.
“I assure you, this is very real. I realize that this is an adjustment from your previous situation and will try to be patient. But patience is not my strongest quality.” He gives her a half smile.
