Wrath.
Cold, white fire anger surged through Salem as he regarded Inayah. He struggled to remain cool, flexing his hands intermittently before cracking the stiff knuckles.
He was thoroughly livid.
Completely pissed.
All he saw was red throughout the journey, and that itself swelled his tongue, making it nearly impossible to speak. He felt Inayah shift.
“Kade told me that you agreed, ” the girl began, her voice evidently tight with fear, “I didn’t know that he lied, I swear Salem-”
Salem turned his attention beyond the window. His nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply. The wolf beneath his skin stirred to life, threatening to rear its vicious head at the thought of Kade consciously deceiving him, taking Inayah out of his mansion without permission - the fucking audacity.
Fury rolled over him in salty waves. And just as he nearly succumbed to his own primal urges, the tides waned.
Kade would be dealt with later.
“I’m sorry-” Inayah’s soft voice drew him back into the carriage.
Salem studied her cooly. He did not speak.
The carriage eventually drew to a halt and he stepped out, pausing as she stepped beside him, then further back whilst lowering her head in compliance. Salem strode across the streets, conscious of myriads of gazes on them - the contempt hidden beneath blank stares, fear, loathing… such normal fleeting emotions inflicted on the mortals by his mere presence.
He had no other reason to be in town, none other than buying Inayah necessary clothes. He told himself that she needed warm clothes for the winter season that was soon falling. Humans were ever so fragile, immune systems that were easily compromised - it antagonized him, but he had no other option if he wanted her to continue toiling beneath him.
A small golden bell tinkled as he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The store was fairly large and empty. Numerous racks of fine clothes and material arranged to perfection. It was, perhaps, the only store he ever bought clothing from. Not for himself as his attire was imported by sea, but rather for his slaves. Inayah being the second.
“Master Salem!” An old man exclaimed, the top of his bald head appearing as he weaved from between racks. Salem’s gaze lowered towards the short, round mortal who now stood meters from him with a respectful smile; “Pleasure! You have finally returned! How may I help you-” The man’s eyes slid past Salem and towards Inayah who hovered dolefully, partially hidden behind him.
“Ah, I see!”
“She needs clothes, preferably warm ones.”
The man nodded vigorously, like a bird bobbing its head, and gestured Inayah forward. “Yes yes, I have just the right material.”
Salem stepped away from the fussing man who took her across the room. He wandered listlessly between the racks, fingering a cloth here, lifting fabric there. For the most part, his mind had drifted back to Kade.
He had been a fool to assume Kade’s compliance whilst living under his roof. He had been a fool to overlook Kade’s downright attraction to Inayah, assuming it to be his own simply lustful ways.
No, Kade was drawn towards his slave.
He had to leave.
As for Inayah… Salem beelines back to the part where they were, his slave stood on a raised platform set before mirrors whilst the man measured her body parts.
Salem watched her reflection openly. And when her eyes lifted to his own, he did not look away. There was something quite innocent about her, that stain of guilt which shadowed her eyes. Salem’s gaze flickers to her barely exposed neck, noting slight bruises.
Kade.
Rage flashed through him hotly. Then subsided just as fast.
The man began to jot down items on a small notepad, “Sweaters, raincoat, socks, stockings-”
“Trousers, ” Salem interrupted, conscious of her eyes on him.
The man hesitated, clearly not used to women having such items. He cleared his throat, “Of course. Gloves, top... is that everything?”
Salem nodded in finality then made his way to the front of the counter, already drawing out a cheque. His gaze subtly slanted towards Inayah who had stepped down from the platform, idly fingering an obsidian dark velvet fabric. His pen paused; “That fabric, ” he pointed at the item, “have it made into a coat for her.”
“As you wish.”
“With my crest over the breast and golden trimmings.” He had no idea why he requested such an item.
Yet, deep down, Salem knew why he needed Inayah to wear something that held his name.
It was an acknowledgement to the world that she belonged to him, slave or not.
A silent message to Kade and all who dared test his authority.
In the carriage, he could feel Inayah’s quiet eyes on him. Neither speaks throughout the journey back. Once the horses faltered to a stop before his mansion, Salem exited the carriage without a second glance back.
His strides were purposeful and deliberate, boots clicking sharply against the wooden floor as he made his way up the winding staircase and down a long-familiar hallway.
Once the door came to view, Salem inhaled a deep shuddering breath to curb his own anger. He gripped the doorknob and shoved it open, furious eyes falling on the figure sprawled above the bed. The room was in disarray, Kade’s fast asleep amidst the mess.
Wordlessly, Salem grabbed his brother’s ankle and tugged it sharply, yanking him off the bed. Kade made a noise of disgruntle, slamming hard on the wooden floor before. His eyes snapped open; “What the fu-”
“Get out.” Salem barked viciously. Stepping past his brother, he grabbed the partially open suitcase and stormed about the room, picking and tossing clothes into it. “I have requested the carriage to come round and pick you in ten minutes.”
Kade blinked and rubbed his eyes, “Is this about Lark-” A sharp sound left him as Salem grabbed his ankle and proceeded to drag him out of the room.
The action was abrupt, leaving no room for arguments. Suitcase in one hand, brother’s leg in the other, Salem strode determinedly down the winding hallway and steps. He turned a deaf ear to the curses as he dragged him down the staircase, each step bouncing against Kade’s head.
“Sir-” Mathilde appeared from somewhere along his peripheral vision, halting at the sight.
Ignoring their presence, Salem yanked the front door open and tossed the suitcase out. It flew open, contents spilling. Next, he crouched low before his brother and grabbed his collar, yanking him to his feet.
“If I find you on my property, brother, I will not hesitate to kill you.”
And with those final words, he flung the still half-asleep man out.
ns 15.158.61.5da2
