Audrey stood before the mirror, her hands trembling as she adjusted the laces on the back of her gown. She couldn't help but glance at the faint handprint around her neck and the whip marks on her back. She had done her best to hide them, but she knew that they would eventually be discovered.
The door to the bedchamber creaked open, and Dante stepped inside. He was known as a war-obsessed savage, but as his eyes took in Audrey's appearance, his expression softened. He approached her, his footsteps heavy on the stone floor.
"You look beautiful," he said, his voice husky.
Audrey felt her cheeks flush at the compliment. She began to undo the laces on her gown, her movements stiff. Dante's eyes were drawn to the whip marks on her back, and his expression darkened.
"Who did this to you?" he demanded, his voice lacking control.
Audrey tried to brush it off, insisting it was nothing. But Dante wasn't convinced. He gently traced the whip marks with his fingers, his touch sending shivers down Audrey's spine.
"It was my stepbrother," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Dante's anger was palpable, but Audrey quickly interjected with a playful insult. "You're such a hothead," she said, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "I can handle my own problems."
Dante's anger subsided, replaced by concern. He pulled Audrey close, whispering that it didn't seem like nothing. Audrey relented, telling him about the abuse she had suffered at the hands of her stepfamily before the wedding. Dante listened, his anger rising with each word.
Audrey, sensing his anger, playfully chided him for being overprotective. She assured him that she was stronger than she looked. Dante, still concerned, insisted on treating her injuries. Audrey, amused by his persistence, allowed him to tend to her.
As Dante gently cleansed and dressed her wounds, Audrey couldn't help but feel a sense of safety and comfort with him. The tension between them built as they finished preparing for bed. Dante pulled Audrey close, his eyes filled with a mix of concern and desire.
Audrey, feeling the same desire, wrapped her arms around Dante's neck. They shared a passionate kiss, their bodies pressed close together. As they made love, Dante was gentle and tender, taking care not to hurt Audrey's injuries. Audrey responded with equal passion, her body moving in sync with his.
Afterwards, they lay in bed, their limbs tangled together. Dante whispered that he would always protect her, no matter what. Audrey smiled, feeling a sense of peace and contentment she had never felt before. She knew that, with Dante, she would never have to face her demons alone.
As they drifted off to sleep, Audrey couldn't help but feel grateful for the man by her side. She knew that the road ahead would be filled with challenges, but with Dante by her side, she knew that they could face anything together.
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