Chapter 14: Isabelle

The maid has come in two more times with food, a few times with some pills she said were for pain. But I have taken nothing from her. After Liam left, I pushed, with much difficulty, one of the oversized overstuffed chairs to the window so I could look out into the yard that is expertly manicured. There seems to be high hedges that make up a maze and intricate flower beds that from up here make beautiful yard art. I bet it smells amazing out there. I must admit to myself it’s a much prettier view than the one from my other cage. I have two tally marks on the back of the headboard of the bed. Because as far as I can tell that’s how long I have been here.

I close my eyes and tilt my head back enjoying that last bit of heat from the setting sun. One thing about this new cage is the windows are so big and it faces the afternoon sun that I was able to feel it come through the glass. When I closed my eyes, I could pretend I was out there basking in its light with nothing blocking its rays from touching my skin. What I wouldn’t give to have just a few minutes to sit outside. The last time I was able to without being ushered from the door to a car or into another building was so long ago I can’t even trust my own memory of it if I’m honest. Alessandro never let me out of my room without a purpose. Even if he did say I was looking too pale and to fix that. If I ever leave this place to return to his home, I know it will not include going outside. He doesn’t love me but for reasons unknown to me he needs me. So, this situation will have upset him. He will blame me; I will be punished but at this point I would welcome it. Better the monster you know than the one you don’t. Here it is impossible to ever let my guard down, never knowing what fate will fall me.

Even though the sun has firmly set, I still sit staring out the window. Content just to sit there for the remainder of my time here. This little peace I have found in the chair is interrupted with the lock turning, I can’t imagine what reason the housekeeper would have had to come in, dinner was a while ago. But when I hear the cart rattle again, I turn a curious eye to the noise. Only it isn’t the older maid this time. No, it’s Liam, my heart picks up slightly in my chest. He doesn’t look happy. He walks with purpose in each step as he brings the cart up next to my chair. Then he turns to get his own seat moving it with an ease I can’t help but be jealous of. He doesn’t allow it to scrap the floor like I had to. He simply picks it up as if it weighs nothing. I watch as the cord of muscles contract and flex under the dress shirt he is wearing. He must have got back from the meeting and came straight to my cage. I get an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach at that thought. I can’t help but squirm in my seat to try and get rid of it. Liam sits across from me and opens the trays.

“Good evening, Isabelle.” He says with a sad tired smile. “Fredia told me you haven’t touched anything she has brought to you. And we can’t have that. You need to eat.” There is surprisingly no malice in his voice, but why would he care if I ate or not? He brings more food with each meal then I have in a normal day. He starts cutting some chicken into bite size pieces. When he is done, he brings it to his mouth taking a bite before loading the fork again and bringing it to mine, I slowly part my lips and take the bite. We continue this pattern for the whole meal. And I am so consumed with trying to figure out what is happening, why he is doing this. Why does he even care that I don’t realize till he places the fork down that we have eaten the entire plate. He covers the plate with the tops and pushes the cart to the door. I figure he would leave now that he has done what he set out to do. Instead, once the cart is removed, he returns to the chair in front of me. I look into his pale blue eyes as he stars back at mine.

“Fredia also said you have sat here all day just staring outside. She said you sat so still that it seems you were a statue we could add out there in the gardens.” He pauses briefly before turning his head to look out the window and I follow his lead looking out into the sky. We are far enough from the city, the lights don’t pollute the skies, so the stars are clearly visible. I can’t help the smile that creeps across my face. I haven’t seen stars in so long.

“Such a beautiful smile…” Liam whispers so low I almost don’t hear him. I don’t think he intended me too anyway. Still, I can’t shake how it makes me feel. I feel the apples of my cheeks heat as I lower my head to let my hair provide a protective curtain between us. He leans forward in his chair gently grabbing my chin. I flinch from the unexpected touch. He scowls and pulls my face, so I am looking at him then pushing my hair behind my ear. I am looking straight into his eyes. Eyes that hold confusion, I am a puzzle he is trying to figure out. Yet he is kind and gentle, two things I know nothing about.

“Why do you act like you aren’t used to being told you are beautiful?” I guess my discomfort didn’t go unnoticed. I’m not sure what on earth possessed me but I answer him.

“Because I am not.” I say in a whisper a little hoarse from the lack of using my voice. His brows deepen with the scowl on his face.

“You are used to it?” He really seems at a loss.

“No, I mean yes. But only because I’m not.” I try to turn my head away from him. But he doesn’t let me. Remaining in control with a strong hand on my chin. His eyes lose a bit of softness, taking on a glint of anger.

“You’re not what?” he demands. I swallow thickly.

“I’m not beautiful. Therefore, not used to hearing it.”