Given to Him

“It’s a mistake,” I stammered, trying to slip away.

“I was promised you,” he muttered, not moving even a step. “They handed you over.”

“What are you saying?” I protested—but immediately bit back my tongue.

I suddenly didn’t feel like speaking. I pressed myself against the panoramic window as hard as I could and trembled with fear.

“Your brother said that you are mine now, Liya.”

“What? Stop,” I clung to the lifesaving straw. “I’m not Liya! You made a mistake!”

“And who are you then?”

His gaze ran over my face; his lips curved into a smile—whether bitter, or maybe that was just how it seemed to me!

“Th… Taisiya,” I said, stumbling.

“Taya, then. You’re mine now, Taya,” he repeated my name again. “I liked you.”