"Officially welcome to the Blackthorn household. This is your home now," Mrs Blackthorn cheerfully welcomed her daughter-in-law.
The woman was elegantly clad in a soft lavender halter gown. Fur was draped around her long arms and her velvety brown hair were pinned up in a graceful bun. She was the perfect example of a woman belonging to a high society.
"Thank you! Mrs. Blackthorn," Skyla politely added as Maven helped her with her long gown. Doran had permitted Madame Maven to stay with them. Now that Skyla had sold her villa and distributed all the money.
"Call me, Amsilia. You can also call me mother if you feel like it. After all, we are family now," Amsilia pleasantly smiled and guided her to the bedroom she would be sharing with Doran.
"I am honoured by your generosity," Skyla was quick to respond. Amsilia had always been kind and welcoming towards Skyla and she wondered if her demeanour was also a show like her son or if she genuinely cared about her.
"Feel comfortable. Your walk-in wardrobe has been stacked, so change if you want or you can wait for Doran. He will be here soon." Amsilia showed Skyla her wardrobe. Skyla thanked her for all her efforts and sat down on the enormous four-poster bed, covered in black satin sheets.
His room had dark and dull themes of black and grey. A huge window opened into a balcony overlooking the vast gardens of their villa.
"I will wait for Doran," Skyla answered, tearing her eyes away from the setting of his room, her room now too. Uneasiness crept up in her heart.
Amsilia turned and strode towards Skyla and took her hands in hers. The sunshine smile she held, faltered as she spoke in all seriousness.
"My boy is not an easy man. From above he appears all charming and calm but inside of him is a raging storm which engulfs people whole. I know you know that, your face tells it all and yet you married him. Give him a chance, don't give up on him. I will help you as much as I can." Her words startled Skyla. She wasn't expecting his mother to be this blunt with her.
"I will try, Mom Amsilia," Skyla sluggishly smiled and she beamed in return. Leaning forward she kissed Skyla's forehead and murmured.
"Thank you! I always wanted a daughter and now I got you. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask." Skyla obediently nodded and Amsilia wholeheartedly smiled, seeming satisfied. She left soon after to let Skyla familiarise herself with the surroundings and room.
Skyla wondered if Doran's mother knew about the true intentions of her son. He had only married her to usurp her company and had no interest in her.
She also thought deeply about Amsilia's life story. People who smiled a lot always had the saddest stories to tell. Mr. Blackthorn was deceased and Doran had taken over the family business, so Skyla had no clue the type of man he was when he was alive.
Skyla still sat collecting her thoughts when the door handle dipped and it noiselessly slid open. She lifted her head to see his tall stature enter the room and a chill scuttled down her spine.
Did the temperature just drop in the room by a few degrees?
His presence filled the room as his steely gaze almost made her flinch. He strode past her, opening the cufflinks of his shirt.
"Why haven't you changed out of this ridiculous dress? The wedding is over or are you planning another one?" his demeaning remarks left her seething. Didn't he say a few hours ago that she looked pretty in it?
"I was waiting for you," she ignored his icy tone and replied calmly.
"For what? Do you want me to change your clothes? Don't you have a personal maid for this," he asked, standing in front of the vanity and unbuttoning his shirt. Skyla looked away and got up without answering.
She entered the walk-in closet and selected a black satin nightie. Nothing could have prepared her for this. No one had ever treated her like that, her heart tightened and the back of her eyes burnt but she held back tears.
After changing she hung her wedding dress back in the closet, it was not a dress it was a shroud and she seemed to have been buried in it.
Walking out of the closet she uneasily regained her position on the bed. She could hear the water running and knew Doran was taking a shower. Soon the sound of water stopped and he stepped out only wearing a loose grey night trouser. It hung low on his perfect Adonis's belt.
A small towel he held to dry his tousled hair which dripped at the ends and trailed down his perfectly corded torso. The man had the right muscles in all the right places. He smelled like fresh pine woods.
Her cheeks automatically felt warm seeing him half-naked and he ambled towards the divan lying in the corner of his room. Slinging himself over it he became comfortable, his long legs spread out as his arm elegantly rested on the backrest.
"Come sit with me," he indicated to the empty seat beside him with a flick of his eyes. With a thudding heart, Skyla gathered herself up and moved to his side. Settling in the seat, his gaze unwavering while hers was lowered.
"So tell me Skyla, are you a virgin?" his calm voice resonated in their room. Loud and clear.