"You're a bastard and a son of a whore!" I shrieked as he stalked from my bed and to the door.

"Perhaps you should learn what those words mean before you go bandying them about. I'm none of those things. And you'd do well to remember it."

"You don't scare me, Bodin."

"Don't kid yourself." He said derisively. "You're petrified of being in my hands and relying solely on me. What did you think would happen? Did you really think I'd let you be sent off to someone you or I hardly know?"

"You just don't want me to be anywhere you won't have access to me!"

"Also true." He gave a grudging nod. No hint of shame in his demeanor.

"You're absolutely a-a-a"

"Bastard, so you said." He said dryly. His hand on the handle of the door.

"My father isn't even in the ground and you're plotting how to get me in your bed. What manner of man are you?"

"I'm one that goes after what I want, Belle. Which happens to be you." He said decisively. "And you're wrong about me plotting."

"Oh?" I quirked a malicious brow. "You're not plotting?"

"No I have been. For several years. I told you, you'd be mine and you will. Just a matter of time now."

"You're dreadful."

"I've been playing chess a long while now, Belle."

"I taught you how to play!" I reminded. Taking my most snobbish tone.

He scoffed. "Are you truly so naïve? What if you're wrong about everything you think you know about me, Belle?"

***

I blinked at him in confusion. "What's that supposed to mean."

"I knew how to play chess. Quite well, actually. I regularly defeated everyone in my household."

"But I always beat you!"

"Because I let you." He towered over me. Pointing a finger at me as he huffed in rage.

Why's he mad?

"Why would you do that?" I asked more warily.

"Because I saw a girl I liked. One I was interested in getting to know."

"So you were so shy you feigned not knowing how to play the game."

"In-fact I'm not shy. I've never been. I just don't have much to say. And you were so busy leading me around by the collar, I saw no need to correct you every time you said that."

"What are you saying to me, Bodin?"

"I'm telling you, you're wrong about everything you think you know. Especially about me. And you're going to learn that come hell or high water, I always get what I want."

***

I spent that night praying my father would come out of the sickness. Both for his sake and mine. I had no idea what Bodin had in store for me but he was right about one thing. For the first time in my life...I was afraid of him.

And the lengths he's willing to go.

I'd learned tonight that he was both far more commanding and far more conniving then I'd ever realized.

If I want a man of my own choosing I need to extract myself from Bodin.

Once I'm his ward, he won't let any suitor near me. I was certain he wasn't bluffing. I'd never known him to bluff and the look on his face tonight had been pure wrath when I'd mentioned other suitors.

He was possessive too?

When did he change so much?

I needed to talk to Sarah. I need a way out of this.

And with that last thought, I dismissed it all to focus on worrying for my father.

When I could take it no longer I rushed across the chamber and ripped the door open. Bent on seeing my father in whatever state he was in.

Bleeding or dying, I need to see him.

He'd always been my wisdom and strength.

Even I could admit that perhaps he'd spoiled me shamelessly. I'd never wanted for anything and in all my life he'd never said a harsh word to me.

As I stepped in the hall I saw a shadow rocking off the wall and turning to block my path.

Even with the torch behind him and his face cast in darkness I knew him.

He'd been leaning on the wall in the hallway.

Doing what? Listening to me? Waiting for me to emerge?

"You were waiting for me to come out?"

"Waiting for you to defy me and try to go to him. I knew you would, as surely as the sun rises."

"He is my father!"

"I'm aware."

"Don't be condescending with me!"

"Stop acting the obstinate child." He countered. "I'm trying to save you a sight that will haunt you the rest of your days. If you'd have a grain of trust in me and relinquish the smallest bit of control to listen, you'd realize I'm right."

"You are nothing more than an annoyance, Bodin."

"Is that so?" He snapped. Snatching me in his arms. His hands snaking around my lower back and shoulders as he jerked me so suddenly I stepped with him in shock.

He shoved me back against the wall. Holding me there. "What's it going to take for you to realize there is a time when you must obey me? For your own good."

"There is nothing I must do."

He grunted. "Damn you, Belle."

He reached over and yanked the handle of my chamber door. Pulling it open he shoved my hip until I slid through it. Once inside he ripped it closed and began descending on me.

I backed up reflexively. Having never seen him so aggressive before.

"What are you doing?"

"You'll figure it out."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked worriedly.

He moved slightly to the right and left and I veered to keep him in direct eye line as I retreated.

Yelping as my legs hit the foot chest at the end of my bed.

Without missing a beat, he caught up to me and grabbed my waist tossing me backward onto my bed. And putting one foot on the chest to hop up after me. Ducking the canopy as he crawled over me.

I sunk into the bedding with my arms at my side.

"What are you doing?" My voice was rising.