A Schemed Course

A Schemed Course

Chapter 1.


After two physically draining days of travel, Nia signed as she finally reached her destination. A dark castle towered over a stone walk way. Being later evening, the sun sat right behind it, giving it an uncanny orange glow that bled into the black sky above.

Nia walked up the cobble stone to a brooding door way. She dread the thought of entering. Having never seen anything like this in her small town, this was something out of her mother’s books.

Nia timidly grasped the cold knocker and dropped it three times.

The door was opened by an extremely tall thin man. “Welcome Ms. Ellavine, Please follow me.” With an abrupt twist the skeleton man started down the main hall, paying no mind to its absolute magnificence… and eeriness.

The walls were covered in tapestries with vast ceilings that loomed threateningly. Nia Ellavine thought the place seemed alive and it wouldn’t hesitate to eat you whole.

Like every dark brooding castle needs, there were paintings with stone faces and deep eyes akin to that of a Puritan society passing judgment and distain on a sinner. Their seemingly angry glares brought a shudder to Nia and she looked after her new… manager?

“Thank you, sir.” With a rush of her feet she began to follow what she deemed as the walking dead. “My mother wanted to sincerely thank Master Ambros for-”

“-You may tell Master Ambros himself, the matter does not belong me.”

A bit put-out, Nia replied timidly, “yes sir…” Though her thoughts were never modest: you frigid prick.

------- ------ ---------------- Nia Ellavine

The entire walk to Master Ambros’s office was in silence as I stayed four steps behind Mr. Codd (I thought it was a very suitable name), keeping our distances but not straying too far.

The paintings looked as if given the chance they would grab you and pull you through to the hellish world of a permanent adornment. As childish as it sounds, I was afraid of them.

I’d never seen such beautiful things, even the paintings. They reached from floor to ceiling, lining the walls. I dared not touch anything, or else it’d break and I’d be stuck working here for the rest of my life for no pay at all…

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When we arrived, Mr. Codd stopped abruptly and knocked on a massive deep purple, double doored entrance. There was an intricate saga of death, life, and a number of different creatures carved into the wood.

“Enter.”

As we stepped into the room, I forgot myself for a moment. My wide eyes following my fingers as they delicately trailed over the mystic designs on the door.

I glanced up- Shit.
Mr. Codd was glaring at me with his beady black eyes. I jumped next to him, feet together and head bowed, “my apologies sir.” Relax Codd, someone needs to appreciate the beauty…

There was a deep chuckle sounding across the room. “So you enjoy my home?” His voice was like silk that wrapped around my body and made it tingle. I had to sneak a peak at the face it came from.

I gasped when our eyes met, an shot of electricitly pulsed through my body and I almost dropped to my knees with a groan.

He was beautiful. There was a devilish grin across his fine lips. They lightened the mood of his sharp crystal eyes. He seemed to pierce my soul and know my dirtiest secrets, and he was laughing at them… in delight or mockery I did not know.

“Yes Sir, very much.” My voice came out breathy and rushed. My finger tips were still prickling and I could feel the weight of his gaze. What is going on?! Why am I reacting to an utter stranger this way?? How Daft Am I!

There was another chuckle… that was definitely aimed in mockery at me!

I shot my eyes up towards my new master and gave him a soft glare of disapproval. His sharp nose and strong chin bent forward a little as he matched my glare.

He growled! It was quiet and low in his throat, but I visibly shuddered. My eyes snapped shut and head dropped back down. My legs! My knees! They were begging for me to buckle and relieve some of this unbearable weight. I felt the growl rush through my body. UGGHHH! What in loathsome feral is happening to me?? My body felt hot and my cheeks burned red, probably as red as the curtains hanging behind him.

I was breathing heavily when I heard my new Master tell… Carrion he was excused. Behind my fog of complete los of control, I had to inwardly laugh at how well my dead fish friend’s name suited him. How glorious!

“Now Nia, be kind and take a seat.” Was that towards my thoughts?

I started to move toward his elegant desk, his eyes pulling me closer until I stood rigidly opposite.

“Sit.” I immediately dropped into a chair, my shaky limbs were grateful.

Sitting in front of him I felt like a child waiting to be confronted with some naughty deed I’d done. I was part of the chair, there was no way to move and even if I could, there’d be no where to go.

“I’m Master Ambros, as you well know.”

My eyes focused on the multitude of different objects littered across his desk. “Yes.”

“Your duties will include all manners of cleaning and you’ll be taking up the responsibilities of the garden, both inside and outside the greenhouse. For that I will personally be directing you on what to do.” I wondered what kind of garden I would need to be briefed on. We’ll see.

“Will I start tomorrow?”

He lessened the tension between us quite a bit by keeping busy with his paper work instead of my face. I mentally thanked him.

“Yes, and Carrion will give you your schedule as well.”

“The entire week?”

“No. You’ll have two days of every week to do as you please.”

“Thank you.” I was anxious to explore. “Will doing as I please include free reign of the house and town?”

“With the exception of the dungeons, yes.” He looked up to make eye contact. It definitely served its purpose because he had my full attention. “However, do not wonder beyond the safety of the house at night.”

I was about to ask why when-

“It is not wise to test these boundaries. There are dangerous things in this town that I’m not going to discuss.”

I wanted to know the exactly what could be so dangerous that he’d warn me. But, from the look in his eyes, I could tell he wasn’t going to relent. I still felt like a child under a scrutinizing gaze and couldn’t seem to muster up enough courage to persist any further in the subject. I’ll just ask him later.

I felt like it was time to change the subject a little. “Is it just you and Carrion here?”

“And now you.”

“Why?”

He looked down at his papers again and ignored my question. That frustrated me, but it was to be expected.

“Do you understand everything that’s expected of you?”

Ugh! “Yes sir.”

“Good” At that moment, fish man walked in, “ It is getting late, Carrion will give you a brief walk through of your duties and then take you to your room. Have a nice evening Nia.”

“Thank you master.” I gave him a slight bow and followed Carrion quickly out of the room.

When the heavy doors closed behind me, I felt the pressure instantly lift. How interesting…

----------------------------------------- Master Ambros

I could feel Carrion escorting my new arrival down the hall. I wasn’t looking forward to having another person in my home. But, after what her mother did for me I couldn’t deny such a simple request. Well at least it seemed like a simple request.

Batty old women doesn’t know where she’s sent her daughter.

There was a knock at my door. “Enter.”

My blood pulsed at the site. She was absolutely beautiful: Long black hair that waved and slightly curled past her full bust to stop right at her slim waist. She was admiring my door like a curious lamb on a tour with long slim fingers. The next moment she saw the look on my butler’s face and jumped to attention like she’d been burned. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s what his glare did.

I had to agree with her thoughts and immediately retracted any rejection towards another person joining my house hold.

“So you enjoy my home?” What a wonderful reaction to such a simple question.

When she looked up I got to see that beautiful face. It was exotic with high cheek bones, full lips, notably fair skin and the most dazzling chocolate eyes- Her eyes…

I almost growled when our eyes met, a sharp spike of heat shot through my body and my inner beast awoke. ??This doesn’t happen. Not like this- because of this. I couldn’t understand it; my demons only awake in the heat of danger, not when a little girl walks into my office!

“Yes sir, very much.” I could feel her words move through my body, with that seductive voice she could bring an army of men to their knees. But, I was more then that.

I chuckled again as her embarrassment rose to decorate her cheeks. She’s glaring at me! Me!

I glared right back, but couldn’t suppress the growl of excitement. Damn you, you will stay quiet and in shadow. I held back the rest of my mental reprimand as I watched her reaction. I nearly growled again. She looked like she was going to moan in orgasm and fall to her knees. What a dangerously amazing site that would be.

The direction we were following didn’t seem so trusting, and with a quick change of subject I asked Carrion to leave. It was unnecessary to say, but I felt any action taken not between Miss Nia and myself at the moment would be wise.

“Now Nia, be kind and take a seat…Sit”

She was adorable sitting across the table. I could smell her fear and uncertainty.

“I’m Master Ambros, as you well know.” She refused to make eye contact. There was an urge to chuckle at her fiddling fingers.

“Yes.”

We continued a light discussion of her duties and I gave her warning to not leave the house. She didn’t seem to enjoy it, but it was for the best. I had a strong feeling that she was going to take my advice and venture into risky territory. Well, everything here was risky territory, though outside was somewhere I couldn’t control.

When she left, my beast was roaring with rage to stop her before she could get away. My finger nails were changing my hands into claws. I wanted to eat her, make her beg and moan. “…Have a nice evening Nia.”

“Thank you master.” Damn her anger smelt good!

There was an immediate sense of relief when her plump ass rushed out the door. I let out a rather loud growl of frustration and stood.

I looked down to see a tent in my pants, “How very interesting…”

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A. Note: Need beta.