Alas, Evie looked up at her captor and was immediately faced with a barrage of conflicting emotions. He was very handsome, in a dark, rugged way with long waves of ebony hair, perfectly coiffed beard and alabaster skin.<br/><br/>Evie let out an audible gasp as he straightened up, his impeccable posture making him look taller and even more impenetrable. He was easily the tallest “man” she had ever seen, hulking and muscular yet somehow slim, with broad shoulders. Her head was barely level with his chest, with him standing a little over a foot taller than her.<br/><br/><em>That worthless boy has been cast aside, nothing more...”</em><br/><br/>Evie’s heart skipped a beat. Daniel was alive she was almost sure of it. Vance had all but confirmed it with his haughty remark. He would come for her. And they would be together again as they had dreamed.<br/><br/>They would run away, marry and start a life elsewhere. They would have a quaint little home on a farm that they would fill with beautiful babies and the sound of laughter. It could still be there’s if she played her cards right.<br/><br/>Evie shuddered as his cupped her shoulders with his large menacing hands. They easily encompassed her small frame and weighed down on her diminutive figure. It was not affectionate, he was asserting dominance and she felt as if her stomach had plunged into a bucket of ice.<br/><br/>She had been very lucky to have been given a father that was kind. Until that very moment, she had never known unkindness- typically her good looks won the affections of those around her, and her sweet charm made them love her.<br/><br/><em>"But, until that rescue happens, you belong to me. Any luxury or joy that you have is something I can give or take away at will." </em><br/><br/>She stood frozen by Vance’s impenetrable gaze as he towered over her, his hands moving in one graceful fluid motion from her shoulders to the expanse of exposed creamy slimy of her bosom and then to her neckline. She felt vulnerable there in that moment, impeccably small and helpless, and at the same time A strange heat and sense of embarrassment. Her cheeks flushed a deep rose- she had never been touched like this.<br/><br/>Her and Daniel had kissed in secret, held hands, and lain in each other’s arms many times before, having-despot the entire region being excommunicated by the church for Lord Vance’s unholy ways- still harbored an deep respect for the sanctity of love and marriage. The few moments of passion between them she had felt safe and loved.<br/><br/>This was different. She was exposed- fragile and very much at the mercy of Lord Vance. She knew very well that he could do whatever he wanted and what he could take. Fighting it would be futile...to not fight would feel like a betrayal to Daniel, her morals, and  most importantly god.<br/><br/>And then suddenly she gasped, her eyes widening fearfully as he grasp the fabric at her chest and- with the ease of breaking a small twig- ripped her entire gown straight down the middle, leaving her completely naked and vulnerable.<br/><br/>Immediately, she sank into a deep squat, clutching the tattered remains of her dress to her chest in a desperate and fruitless attempt to cover herself. It was beyond useless- her lithe, flawless creamy skin was completely displayed, an she shivered in the chilly breeze, made colder by the high altitude of the tower.<br/><br/>“Please, m’lord!” She begged tearfully, gazing up at him beaeechingly, crossing her arms over her supple chest. “I will give you no trouble... but, please. I have not known a man!”<br/><br/>((So sorry for the late reply. My toddlers have been raising hell for the past two days. Hopefully the length will make up for it. This is getting goo. It’s like a darker beauty and the beast with a twist on their personalities :) ))<br/>