The Duke's Passion

"However, if I came out here alive, you better start looking over your shoulder because I will make sure you will regret using their faces and insulting them like that."

There was a long moment of silence as the three of them stared at me. Strange, I thought. I could see neither abhorrence nor displeasure in their eyes. If anything, there was this strange remorse and worry flickering across their eye. 

Why? Was what I wanted to ask, but I decided to ignore it. 

"We don't plan to torture, violate, or butcher you, my lady," said Fabian.. He sounded just like him and spoke just like him. 

"That is very convincing, especially since I'm tied up in here." A sarcastic chuckle slipped past my lips, shaking my head.

"It may sound strange to you, but we didn't want to tie you up, my lady," he added politely. "We can always untie the rope if you promised to hear us out."

"I promise." My reply was quick, not taking them seriously, as I knew they didn't mean that. I was correct as the three of them went silent, so I raised my brows and turned my head in their direction.

"If you don't start now, my people will arrive before you can kill me."

"Then let them come, for all I care." Suddenly, the person who wore Sam's face chimed in, making me furrow my brows. "These weapons are meant for us. You can choose and check if they are real because I asked Fabian to skin my face to prove I'm not an impostor."

"And you think I will believe that? How silly." A ridiculing chuckle escaped my mouth as I gazed at them. "If this is the game you three want, sure, go ahead. Let Fabian choose since he is an expert in this type of things." 

We stared at each other in silence. The three of them had managed to copy those three as if they were real. It was unforgivable, but I should play along. I wanted to see how far would they take this.

Sam's impostor cleared his throat and turned to Fabian. He waved and took a deep breath.

"Fabian, start peeling my face off." He ordered, closing his eyes as he perked his head up. I only watched this Fabian pick up a random dagger and stood on the side of my husband's impostor.

"Please forgive me, my lord. I will surely peel mine after yours." The person who was playing as Fabian let out a deep sigh, casting me one last look. But before he started doing this 'ridiculous' procedure, my husband's impostor peeked through one of his eyes.

"You will have a faceless husband after this," He muttered, indirectly asking me if I was certain if I would let this happen.

"Mhmm."

"Fabian will really peel my face off!"

"Uh huh."

He sighed, realizing getting my sympathy was pointless. "Alright, start."

Fabian glanced at me for the last time but said nothing as he began. He guided that impostor's face to the side, slicing from his jaw and blood immediately oozed from it. 

"Shit. This is not the shaving I need." That person grumbled through his gritted teeth, and it seemed that Fabian's impostor wasn't joking as well. 

"Alright, stop."  A deep exhale escaped my nostrils as I rolled my eyes. Knowing my enemies was better than having a faceless one. 

"Are you sure, my lady?" Rufus — I mean his impostor — queried, as if he wanted me to reconsider. Had he been looking forward to this?

"I don't know why you will go to such an extent just to deceive me. It's not happening," I muttered with disinterest. "Just tell me what you want. An alliance? Money? Power? Perhaps, a marriage?"

"Why would I want a marriage when I'm already married?"

"Then, that's better." I nodded approvingly, staring at the ceiling while feeling their gaze on my side. "Now, cut to the chase and tell me what you want by abducting me. If an alliance is what you want, I might extend my arm and shake hands with you. You were capable of abducting me and proved that you can be beneficial."

Silence followed my remarks, urging me to cock my head to them once again. They were just staring at me and my brows furrowed.

"What? Too straightforward?" I inquired, as it seemed that was what surprised them. "I hate people wasting my time, speak."

Sam's impostor opened and closed his mouth like a fish. "Give us a moment."

"Yes, my lord." and the two cast me a brief look before they left. Did they call him 'my lord?', I was still suspicious if this was Stefan's doings or what, regardless, I remained calm. 

The person who was left in the room with me trudged towards the bed. He plopped his butt down on the edge of the mattress. The blood dripping from his jaw instantly stained the sheet, but I ignored it. 

"What? Do you think forcing yourself on me will..." I trailed off abruptly as he bent over and the rope that was binding my wrist came loose. He didn't stop there as he loosened the other one.

As he undid the rope around my wrist, he went over to my feet and spoke. "An alliance... I guess."

"An alliance is what you want?" I quirked a brow, pushing myself up by my elbow, and watched him undo the last rope that bound my foot.

"I don't need power or wealth."

"Then what is this alliance for?"

He raised his gaze at me. "I want you to protect someone."

The longer I stare at his pair of burning eyes, the more it reminded me of how Sam look at me with such intensity. I averted my eyes away, taking deep breaths and reminding myself that he was not Sam.

"That is not what I expect from you," I replied, clearing my throat. "And what will I get in return for protecting this one?" 

"Everything."