Eory lived 12 of his eighteen years in captivity due to his evil heritage and finally has a chance at freedom when his caretaker, Kori, informs him that the usurper king who beheaded his family is willing to give him a chance at freedom if he can be...
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Pollyanna spent the next week intending never to see Rory again as she continued learning how to efficiently cook, clean, and sew.
She made sure to have an extravagant meal cooked for Kline when he came home—lest she incur his wrath—and she made sure the house was spotless and that any clothes that needed stitching were mended.
It was a busy job. Especially in the summer heat.
I belong to this man now. He supports me and mother. That's what matters. Pollyanna tried to convince herself as she wiped the sweat from her forehead.
Sometimes, when she was shaking out the rugs on the porch, or when she had to go run errands for Kline in town, she would see Rory.
He would approach her—intending to speak with her—but she would quickly move in the opposite direction with a heavy heart.
On one such trip into the town, she decided to quickly pop into the fortune-teller's tent. The fortune-teller was a human mage of very little magical talent as human mages tended to be.
Pollyanna tried to say calmly, "please, do you have any potions which prevent childbirth? Any at all?"
The fortune-teller shook her head. "I have no such potions, but I do have an amulet; if you place it under your bed, it should prevent childbirth."
The fortune-teller climbed to her feet from her sitting position and picked up a gray, diamond shaped amulet from the shelf behind her. "It's one gold coin."
Pollyanna didn't hesitate. She purchased the amulet, purchased meat from the butcher, and commissioned the tailor to make Kline an outfit after giving her his measurements.
Pollyanna placed the amulet under her bed when she arrived back at the manor.
She clasped her hands together and prayed to Renthas, "please... please don't make me get pregnant..."
When Kline arrived home later that night, he checked the small sack of coins he gave her to make sure it was missing the correct amount of gold.
His eyes were dark when he saw it was missing a piece. "What did you buy?"
Pollyanna gulped as he loomed over her and backed her against the wall. "I was hungry. I just bought myself vegetables."
Kline rose his hand; Pollyanna turned her cheek.
His hand raked her across the face.
It stung and turned an angry red.
"I-I'm sorry... I couldn't wait until dinner." Pollyanna murmured.
"I told you that you were never to buy anything without my permission." Kline berated her. "Are you stupid? Did you forget?"
