Slowly it goes darker and darker in the room. The soft light from the candles on the walls give the room a warm atmosphere. The deep silence reflects the mood of the young woman sitting on the bed. Her legs naked legs crossed, her hands resting on her thighs. Her head hangs down, her soft brown hair covers her face. She sighs and throws her head back. Still she keeps her eyes closed. With one movement of her elegant hand she creates a soft breeze in the room. The flames of the candles are blown out and the room is caught in the darkness. She opens her eyes and looks around. Slowly she stands up from the bed. Her hair falls down on to her naked shoulders. She stretches her arms into the air and spins around. The light that shines through the thick velvet curtains reflects in her naked body. Then she stands still, her muscles strained in concentration. She holds her head a bit to the left and listens for a few minutes. Someone is coming.

Without making a sound she walks to her bed and grabs her silk night gown. Quickly she puts it on and waits. The light that shines through underneath her door tell her someone is there. The footsteps stop in front of her room and then someone knocks on her door.

"Yes? Who is there?" Her musical voice pierces through the silence. "It’s Moira m’lady. Sir Gavin wants to see you in the library at once." The thick ebony wood door deadens the voice of the woman at the other side. "Tell Gavin I will be there in thirty minutes. I need to get dressed first." Her voice sounds calm but her nails penetrate the soft flesh of her hands in fear. "He said to tell you will have to be there in fifteen minutes m’lady." Moira’s voice sounds sad. "I am sorry m’lady." Quickly she leaves, her footsteps fade away in the cold hall.

The woman sighs and relaxes a bit. She looks at her hands. Blood covers her palms, frustrated she screams and turns around to get dressed.

"Did you give her the message Moira?" Warm yellow and orange flames burn in the fireplace of the great library. The man in the large comfortable chair looks at the small woman in the doorway. "Yes sir, I did." The man laughs. "Very well Moira, you may leave now." He stands up from the chair and walks to the window. The light from the library allows him to see what is out there. Hundreds of plants on the ground wave along in the stream. Fish in all kinds of colors swim by or look back at him. An underwater paradise lies in front of him, but he doesn’t see it that way anymore. Bored he turns around looking around for something to do. His golden eyes burn with pleasure when he sees the woman who enters the room. Her grey eyes look at him in anger but she nods and smiles. "Gavin." Again he feels his heart beating faster just listening to her bright voice. " Well hello there Dominy. How are you on this beautiful evening?" He bows and his smiles drips with sarcasm. He notices a flash of fear in her eyes and he feels the pleasure running through his body. She is his and he can do anything he wants with her.

Slowly he grabs her hand and kisses it. "Why the gloves Dominy? It’s a nice touch to your outfit but I seem to remember you hated those things." Gavin frowns at looks up to Dominy.

She laughs nervously. "I just wanted to please my kind husband on this evening. Anything wrong with that?" Gavins face becomes a dark mask and Dominy knows what’s coming. Quickly she lifts her arms to protect herself but it’s too late. His fist hits her against the delicate bones of her face. She falls down to the marble floor. "Don’t ever talk to me that way Dominy dear. No stand up and stop crying." He turns around to get himself a drink. Dominy feels the blood dripping from her mouth. Her jaw is bruised and she feels dizzy. Still she stands up and staggers to the fireplace. "Oh no you don’t. I will tell you when to sit down Dominy." Gavins looks at his bleeding wife and smiles. He loves to see her that way. So helpless and broken. Her face white with fear and pain. " The reason I asked you to come her concerns the twins." Dominy holds her breath for one moment and then regains control. She needs to protect her children. She waits for him to continue or for a sign she is allowed to speak.