Claire lay that night in a crushing embrace that held her close to Ruthivan's chest. He had been angry with her yet again, she'd cast a spell on him to bring the worst discomfort and refused to heal him. Still, he held her close to him and heard none of her protests.
She had sworn to get free of the bond that linked them together, swore to get free of him, and as swiftly as she'd breathed the words, he'd reminded her that she was trapped in the house. The ward that surrounded it, tailor tuned to her own frequencies, keeping her prisoner. 'It will be there until you learn your place,' he'd said. 'What does that mean?' she asked, unable to even pull away from him enough to look at him. 'As long as you have to ask, it will be there.'
What could she do? Claire was raising a brood with this... monster. She hated that she felt a clear resentment toward her children as well. They were half of him, her blood and his own were locked in them for eternity - mingled together to never be taken apart. If she did find a way out of this place, did she take them and hope to conquer the twisted racist message he'd hammered into them? Or leave them behind, lost causes to grow into xenophobic hatemongers like the man who was their father?
The final question... getting out of here. Her own father had given her to Ruthivan like cattle without concern over his angry tendencies. If he knew what Ruthivan had done, he would surely free her of the marriage... but she couldn't go tell him. Certainly, Ruthivan wouldn't let her. Unless... she tried to fake everything until he was satisfied in her compliance.
Claire closed her eyes and brought back one of the best memories she had - a picnic behind the cottage - Gilean's face when she brought out the chocolate covered strawberries. She let the warm feelings spread and when she opened her eyes in the darkness of the bedroom, she noticed a faint purple glow coming from her skin. She would hold the memories tightly, her flames would return, and Ruthivan would have to slowly release his grip. When he did, Claire would take her chance.
