by Cari Hillard

Created on: October 07, 2009   Last Updated: October 10, 2009

Chapter 1

England, 1479

Catherine watched the carriage coming up the drive. Edward was home. She stared out the window as he staggered up the front steps. Her heart began to race as she quickly got back into the bed and snuffed out the candle. She tried to lie as still as possible as if she were asleep. She heard his footsteps coming up the stairs and prayed that he wouldn't be able to hear her heart pounding. The door creaked as it opened and she strained to hear anything else. It was as if he stood there at the door, unmoving. Suddenly it slammed shut with a loud bang and she jumped.

"I know you're awake! He snarled."

She said nothing. She silently prayed that he would leave her alone.

"I saw the light in the window from the road, you stupid wench!"

She still said nothing. She was filled with fear and dread. Too many nights, she had been faced with his drunken hatred. She turned as she felt the covers being ripped from her.

"Get up!" He yelled.

Catherine slowly sat up and looked at her husband. Edward stood over her bed, panting as if he had just run a long distance. His eyes, black as night, roamed over her body, hidden only by her nightgown. His eyes filled with desire but it didn't retract from the obvious hatred lurking there.

"What do you want, Edward?" She asked, hesitantly.

He laughed, an evil sound.

"I want you, of course. Would you deny me, my sweet wife?" He asked, snarling the last.

"Yes! I would deny you!" Catherine said, heatedly.

She tried not to show her fear, for like a beast, he fed on it.

"Have I not taught you enough? That you still don't fear me?"

Catherine didn't respond. She couldn't.

He grabbed her by her braid and dragged her from the bed. She held on to her hair trying uselessly to relieve some of the pressure. She cried out.

"Must I tell you again?" He breathed into her ear.

Edward slammed her back into the wall by the window, still holding her by the hair.

"I want the money, Catherine." He demanded.

"W-what money?"

"Don't pretend like you don't know!" He said jerking her by her braid. "The money that I know you've been hiding from me!"

Catherine felt her heart drop.

"Do you think I'm stupid? Did you think that I didn't know that you were hiding away money and jewels? I know what you planned! I know you were saving enough money to take your little brat and leave me!"

"No-"

"Quiet!" He stared at her a moment, his eyes seemed to grow even more black. "It won't happen. I won't let it. I know everything! I just don't know where you hid

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