The morning sunlight shone through the opened blinds, causing the woman's face to twitch, before she finally awoke.
Lady Geruth's eyes opened, "Ngh...?" A dull ache lanced through her muscles, and her skin tingled. She winced when putting her lips together, swollen and sore.
Her legs were heavy and covered in bruises.
The elegant, noble lady had vanished.
All clothes gone. Geruth's lace night gown, silk undergarments, even the gold chain which she never removed... all scattered around the floor in a mess.
When she moved, a sharp sting spread along her neck and chest; marks bloomed there, dark red and purple, fingerprints and kisses she didn't remember inviting, let alone craving.
Why did I…? Her thoughts twisted. She remembered the wine, and Alan's eyes became strange, green, sharp as a blade. His voice, deeper than she recalled. The heat of his hands on her hips. The way she'd gasped, pleaded, begged...
