Bought & Bound

Thersia Irish stood before the ornate mirror in her father's office, her heart thumping and racing with every tick of the clock. She adjusted her fitted silver gown, the one her stepmother, Vivienne, specifically chose for her.

She knew the purpose of being here, but she still wondered when Vivienne ever decided to buy her a dress. She knew Vivienne loathed her and it's not like she had much love for her stepmother.

The dress shimmered in the dim light, a constant reminder of the deal her father made. She felt suffocated, extremely suffocated. She couldn't stand being in the same room with the people who were supposed to be her family.

"Thersia, come here, dear," Vivienne called, her voice dripping with sweetness, like honeycomb laced with poison.

Thersia hated her voice so much. She remembered how Vivienne's voice scared her so much when she was younger. She always made sure to lock herself in her room once she heard her voice.

She still hated it now, but she was older. And she had zero cares in the world about Vivienne or her dad, not forgetting her step sister.

Thersia's stomach twisted as she turned to face her father and stepmother. She glanced at them and noticed how her father Philip Irish, a man once revered by her,was her idol until he got married to Vivienne.

He was once a pillar of strength and wisdom, but he now seemed like a different person altogether.

Then he became a clone. She could barely recognise him. Physically? She could. Did she just call her dad a zombie? She chuckled drily to herself and she enjoyed her own joke.

Vivienne on the other hand, radiated an aura of triumph, her piercing green eyes gleaming with satisfaction. Her raven black hair was pulled back. She wondered which hairstylist always advised her to go with this style.

"Thersia, you know why we're here tonight," Philip began, barely meeting her eyes. Guilt was eating him up and he couldn't bear to look at his older daughter.

"To sign my life away,"Thersia finished, her voice barely above a whisper, a whisper that seemed to carry the weight of her fate.

Vivienne's expression became twisted and her face contorted in a scowl, Thersia smirked. She wondered what was going through her stepmother's mind. How could a person be this heartless?

Vivienne's expression turned cold, the room became extremely quiet, too quiet that you could hear a pin drop. "Don't be dramatic, Thersia. This is a business arrangement, not some sort of slavery contract"

Thersia's gaze drifted back to the man standing by the window, his stiff back to her. She wondered why you were standing so rigid, was his back in pain.

At some point, she really forgot that her soon to be husband was actually in this room, with her and her weird family. He stood there like he cared less, like he was just a passerby and not the main person.

Luka Thompson, the Ice King and her soon to be husband. He was a legend in the business world. He was ruthless, cunning, and feared by all.

She had heard whispers of his dealings, how he crushed his opponents without mercy, till they were practically begging for their own life. He crushed his opponents with zero mercy and that was her husband to be.

She wondered if she committed a sacrilege in her past life, and marrying the Ice King was her present punishment.

She debated running out and eloping, hiding herself away from everything till her name eventually gets wiped out from this night. Probably elope too and get married to a normal man that doesn't behave like a rock.

"Thersia, sign the contract," Vivienne urged, her voice bringing her back from dreamland. She heard the change in her tone and smirked, her voice was laced with a hint of malice, like a green snake slithering through the grass.

She took deep breaths and tried to regulate her heart beat and her shaky palm, but it didn't help in any way.

She was going to be sold no matter how long she tried to postpone it.

Her hand trembled as she reached for the pen. She knew this moment would change her life. Taking the deepest breath to steady her emotions, she signed her name, the scratching sound echoing through the room like a death sentence.

Was she overreacting or was she hallucinating? She had to be, because it felt like the ink was bleeding onto the page. Why did she have to be unlucky? Of every man in the world, she just had to be thrown to Luka Thompson... Luka Thompson.

She felt like she was selling her soul to him. She glanced at him from the corner of her eyes and saw that his back was still turned. Was he even part of this damn contract marriage? Or was he just a spectator?

She was still staring at him when he turned abruptly, she immediately averted her eyes, but not before they had a tiny eye contact.

Hatred, mistrust, boredom, she saw all these on his face. She's always been a good emotion reader, so it wasn't difficult to deduce his emotions.

He turned and locked his piercing blue eyes onto hers. For a moment, Thersia felt like he was baring her soul and reading every one of her thoughts, like he could see the depth of her soul.

His emotion switched immediately. From boredom to something else, his expression is unreadable, like a mask carved out from ice.

He probably noticed that she could read him like a book.

Luka glanced at her from the corner or his eyes. He noticed how she kept fidgeting with her silver gown. Wasn't she comfortable with it?

"You're officially a Thompson, Thersia," he said, his voice low and smooth. He had a husky voice and if she compared it to a drink, it would be rich whiskey. He smelt like old and new money too.

"You can stop staring and get moving now Miss Thersia" he added, his voice sending shivers down her spine, like a winter breeze on a cold night.

As they left the office, Thersia couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead. She wondered if she just came out from the dungeon to dive head first into hell with this man.

Would she ever be free of this contract or would she just become another pawn in Luka's game of power and control?

She knew he was a control freak and unfortunately, she will be the first lady to marry him...not like he had a shortage of admirers.

Thersia focused her gaze on the city light, anywhere but at him. The lights blurred together as they drove through the night, like a kaleidoscope of uncertainty.

The silence in the car was so oppressive ,a heavy fog that clung to Thersia's skin like a damp shroud. It was suffocating in here and she felt it pressing down on her chest.

The stillness pressed down upon her chest,making her heart race with anxiety. Her palms were extremely sweaty and she hated that she was a nervous wreck.

Different thoughts and plans of escape were running through her mind. She even thought of jumping the window and running away, but the thought of jumping out of a moving car wasn't worth it.

She was finally trapped, right where her step mother had always wanted. She has become a prisoner of her father's desperation and Vivienne's cunning motives.

As they arrived at the Thompson Estate, Thersia's heart sank as it finally dawned on her that she was married to Luka.

His mansion loomed before her. She felt like she was walking into a nightmare zone from which she never awakened..

Thersia's eyes felt heavy with trepidation as she took in the sight of the estate, its grandeur and beauty tinged with an air of menace.

Her mind raced with apprehension as she gazed up at the castle, its walls seeming to close in around her like a trap. The mansion was the exact opposite of the suffocating atmosphere she had just left behind.

Was she waking into a nightmare unknowingly? She hoped she would wake up soon, splash water on her face and laugh about her weird dream over a glass of red wine.

Wine!! No... a situation like hers deserves whiskey... She needed something to burn her throat, maybe she would wake up then. Yes, that would be her perfect wake up call.

Her husband led the way, his long strides forcing Thersia to increase her own slow pace. "Why did his creator have to give him such long legs?" She had to increase her pace to be able to keep up.

She glanced behind her and saw Vivienne and Philip. They were following closely behind, their presence a constant reminder of the contract that had just been signed. Seeing them in her home made her extremely uncomfortable.

"Did she just refer to this place as her home already? It hasn't even been up to 3 hours. Get a grip, Thersia Thompson!" She admonished herself.

The name came out naturally. Not Thersia Irish anymore... She was Mrs. Thersia Thompson. That would take quite a while to get used to.

She still had millions of thoughts running through her mind at the same time. She felt like she was carrying the weight of the whole world on her little petite. Her mind raced with thoughts of escape, of fleeing this place and leaving here.

She wanted to leave the Thompsons and their manipulation behind. But she couldn't, the estate was heavily guarded with securities and she couldn't risk it.

Thersia's eyes widened as she took in the majestic interior, the sweeping staircase and ornate details designed to inspire awe and reinforce the Thompsons' dominance. She felt like a mere pawn in this stupid game of theirs.

And she felt stupid too. Did they really think they were less of her? Throwing her to the wolves and watching her fail. She was going to prove them wrong on all counts.

The little group made their way to the dining room, where a sumptuous feast was laid out before them. She wondered if he wanted to throw a party because of the amount of food here. It could literally feed a family for 3-4 days.

Thersia's stomach growled, reminding her that she had barely eaten anything all day. She was feeling nauseous when they left the house in the morning and she only took a protein bar and nothing else.

She was extremely hungry, but her mind hadn't settled yet from the whole events of the day. She wasn't calm yet. But. no one cared about how she was feeling or she felt like eating now or probably later.

Luka took his seat at the head of the table, his piercing blue eyes surveying the room, calculating, boring holes into their souls with an air of quiet confidence.

Thersia was seated to his right, Vivienne and Philip on his left. The tension in the room was enough to make a sane person go mad and Thersia hoped it should be anyone but her that'll run mad.

"So, Thersia," Luka said,his voice low and smooth, "tell me more about yourself. What are your hobbies, your likes and dislikes? Tell me your preferences"

Thersia's hand froze in the air. Was he finally directing his questions and precious attention to her? How flattering, she mocked.

She was really unsure of how much she was supposed to tell him. She would hate to be the one who would lay her own insecurities on the table. It could be used against her later and she didn't want that.

She decided to improvise. She'd just have to tell him the basics, the normal things women told their men.

"I like to read," she finally replied, her voice devoid of emotion. It sounded absolutely flat and she knew that always irritated Vivienne.. not like she cared.

Luka stared at her like he was still waiting for more answers and she felt like maybe her answer was too brief.

"I love to take a walk in the park, and to swim" , she added.

Luka stared at her like she grew a second head or a second pair of hands. She wondered if he knew how degrading his stares made one feel. But what right did he have?

He had been behaving like a spectator in his own contract marriage, displaying the worst type of nonchalant attitude she had ever seen a person possess. Oh, he was a fine one to try to make her look stupid.

"You're done? That's it?", Luka asked

Thersia shrugged, feeling a surge of defiance. Would it be bad if she gave him a resounding slap and bolted for the door?

"What else was I supposed to say? You asked about my hobbies and I replied to you and that's not enough?" she retorted

He smiled, but it wasn't a genuine smile. Maybe she was pushing his buttons too hard.

His smile was cold, calculating. "Oh, I think there's much more to you than that, Thersia. Much more layers to peel back".

She didn't bother replying to him, it was actually of no use. The rest of the meal passed in silence, the only sound was the clinking of silverware against plates.

Her mind was still preoccupied with thoughts of escape, of finding a way out if this prison called a mansion. She hadn't gotten a reasonable plan yet, so she might have to stay a couple more days.

After dinner,Luka rose from his seat, his eyes never leaving Thersia's face. It excited her and terrified her. She's never had a man look her in the face in that manner.

"I think it's time we got to know each other a little better, don't you, Thersia?" he said, his voice low and menacing. It reverbated in the room and scared the hell out of her.

Her heart raced, her eyes went wide, filled with horror. She looked at her palm and saw how sweaty it was and she kept fidgeting with the hem of her dress. She knew what he was capable of.

She's heard of how far he would go to get whatever it is he wanted on earth. She was terrified. She looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

She just sat there and stoically stared at him. She didn't want to play this stupid game with him.

"I'm tired Luka," she said, her voice almost betraying her. "I think I'll be heading to bed now. The day was quite eventful, so you should consider heading to bed as well"

Luka's smile was cold and calculating. "Oh, I think you'll find that you're not as tired as you think at all, my wife. Not yet, anyway"

My wife?!!! He made it sound like he was saying "my devil". Nothing about that title sounded right.

Before she could think of a reply or turn her back and climb the stairs leading to her room, he gripped her hand, his grip like a vice. Thersia's eyes went wide, her pupils dilating with fear.

She tried to pull her hands free, but Luka's grip was too strong. She was panicking and her breaths were coming in short gasps.

"Don't scream or fight it, just follow me out. I have something to tell you", he added with a sinister smile.

She was about to break free from his grip, but she caught a glimpse of Vivienne's face and she stayed still. She wasn't going to give her that satisfaction of watching her crumble.

Straightening her back, she followed Luka out of the dining room. She caught a glimpse of Vivienne's face and saw a change in the emotion.

She laughed darkly to herself. Vivienne probably wasn't expecting the situation to turn out like this. And Thersia swore not to give her a single bit of satisfaction.

She would not give up easily. She would find a way out of this prison, a way to escape Luka's clutches, no matter how long it takes her.

And so, with a straightened back, a focused eye, a jawset face and fierce determination burning in her body, she followed Luka up the stairs, into the darkness of the night and the unknown terrors that lay ahead.

Thersia's feet felt heavy as Luka dragged her up the stairs, her mind racing with worst case scenarios. She tried to wiggle her hand out of his grip, but the more she tried, the more he tightened his grip on her till her wrists were sore.

Luka led her down a long hallway filled with portraits of people Thersia had never seen nor heard of. She did notice the similarity between them and the Ice King, they all had piercing blue eyes.

She wondered if their children would have blue eyes as well, or if they'd just have her grey eyes.

Wait... hold up... Our children!? Thersia.... She groaned.. Get a hold of yourself, this is not a normal marriage and so sexual relations of any sort were out of the equation.

Thersia's mind raced past the uncomfortable notion of a future bound to him by blood ties, her focus fixed on escaping him.

Luka stopped abruptly in front of a door at the end of the hall, and released his grip on her wrist entirely. She wiggled her hand out and exhaled. She felt a sense of relief wash over her, but once again, her happiness was cut short.

Thersia blinked at the semi dark room and wondered if her life was going to be cut short in this room because she talked back at him. She should have just been mysterious and kept shut.

The room was dimly lit, there was no source of light other than a few candles flickering to light up the room. Thersia adjusted her eyes to darkness and saw books, endless rows of books. It had that musky and pungent smell of old books.

It had to be some sort of library or study. There was a large desk in the centre of the room and Luka walked over to the desk. He leaned against it and fixed his eyes on her.

She felt the temperature of the room become cold, she had chills on her body due to the intensity of his stare. She knew she just had to avoid eye contact or she would be lost staring at those scary and gorgeous piercing blue eyes.

"So, Thersia," he said, his voice low and menacing, "I think it's time we had a little chat."

Thersia swallowed hard, it felt like she had a bone stuck in her throat. She tried to prepare herself mentally and emotionally for what was to come next.

She wondered what he wanted to chat about, but she knew it couldn't be good. Who has ever had a discussion with the Ice King and came out alive with their dignity intact?

"What do you want to talk about?" she asked, clearing her throat and maintaining eye contact to try and sound brave at least.

His lips curled up in something that wasn't a smile, it sent shivers down her spine. Whatever it was on his lips, she didn't believe he was smiling, but if he was, then it was a cold and calculating smile.

"Oh, I think you know exactly what I want to talk about," he replied,

"You see, Thersia, I've been watching and analysing you since we met in your father's office, and I have to say, I'm really not impressed by your washed out skills".

The room was so still, you could clearly hear a pin drop. She went through different emotions at once. Embarrassment, confusion, hatred for him and then anger.

Who was he to judge her? They barely knew each other and he was suddenly claiming to be an expert on her? She couldn't react, she had to keep her cool and play this game carefully.

"What do you mean? What are you on about?" she asked him. She was genuinely confused about what he was talking about.

Luka laughed and it felt like the room became colder. His laughter was devoid of emotion, it was cold, a mirthless sound. He looked at her and wondered if she really thought him dumb and stupid. Did she really think her actions weren't that obvious?

"Don't play dumb, Thersia," he said, "I know all about your stupid little tricks. I know all about your attempts to escape."

Thersia's heart immediately came to a halt, it stopped beating abruptly due to surprise and fear. How did he know? She had been so careful, so sure that no one was paying her any attention. Did she slip up at any point?

Ughhh... This was bad, her plans were already failing even before she executed them. She needed a distraction, she needed something to stall time and engaging in a baseless conversation might give her time before she probably dies.

"What are you talking about?" she asked, trying to sound innocent and clueless.

Luka leaned forward, his blue eyes gleaming in the candlelight. "Don't lie to me, Thersia, I hate liars the most," he said, "I have proof, I have proof of everything you've done."

Proof? What sort of a sadistic man did she tie her life to?

Her breath caught in her throat and she swallowed hard, she tried to relax her trembling fingers as she thought of a plan. But it was difficult because her mind kept blanking in fear.

She was trapped, caged in this room with a man who seemed to analyse her thoughts and moves. He was a monster and she was terrified of being in the same space with him. An excessively handsome monster.

Maybe she could strike a deal with the devil. She wasn't sure it would work, but there was no harm in trying to reach for the stars.

"What do you want from me?" she asked, normalising her voice and trying to sound brave.

Luka smiled again, a sinister smile that was definitely snatched from the devil in hell's face. "Oh, I think you know exactly what I want from you, dear wife," he said with a smirk, "I want you to behave, Thersia, I want you to just do exactly as I instruct and be a good little wife."

Thersia's palm twitched. Her blood boiled and she had the strongest urge to smack him really hard on his face.

"A good little wife and do exactly as you instruct?" She scoffed

She had no other choice than to obey him to be fair. She was at his mercy and it wasn't like she had much to lose anyway. She would just play along and obey his rules.

"I'll try," she said, trying to sound calm and obedient.

Luka looked at her, his eyes baring her soul and just replied nonchalantly. "Good girl. I'll be watching you, Thersia. I'll be watching you every step and if you try to defy me in any way, I really don't think you'd be able to escape the consequences."

She nodded her head obediently. She knew she had to be very careful, she had to play her game carefully to avoid being caught again. She couldn't let him make her his plaything.

Luka smiled again. A cold smile. "Good," he said. "I'm glad we understand each other, Thersia. Now, let's get some rest. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow."

Thersia nodded, trying to mask her distaste. She knew that she had to be extremely smart. Her husband was smart and she had to be smarter than him, even though it sounded impossible.

As they left the study, Thersia felt a sense of determination wash over her. She would be the perfect wife for him and she would win his trust and then disappear.