The Grim Trade: Part I

By Hannah Emily Thompson

About the Book
Eliza Morissette and her brother, Aiden, grew up on an island where love is forbidden, and marriages are arranged. When Eliza turns eighteen, the age of marriage on the island, instead of being the escape that she needed from her parents, her husband, Ciel, is quite the opposite. He’s not only abusive and manipulative, but there’s just something different about him, something that Eliza doesn’t quite understand. When the man of Eliza’s dreams shows up on the island with his crew of adventurers when she’s six months pregnant with Ciel’s child, what will Ciel do when she decides to leave with him? Join her on this harrowing ride to find out what happens but remember… not everything is as it seems.
Trigger Warnings: Abuse and both consensual and non-consensual sex

About the Author
Hannah Emily Thompson lives in Nashville with her boyfriend and three cats. She loves romance, emotion, and suspense, and she’s a passionate writer that also loves to read, draw, and play video games.

• Language: English
• Publisher: RoseDog Books
• Release date: Mar 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887295558

Book preview

Chapter 1 - Impending Marriage

Eliza

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My name is Eliza Morrissette, and I just turned eighteen years old. I currently live with my younger brother, Aiden (pronounced Iden), and my parents, who make no effort to hide that they absolutely despise one another. They’re married, but they didn't marry each other because they were in love. In fact, love is forbidden on our island.

The King keeps a close eye on us through his servants, who stalk around at all hours of the day and night, trying to catch anyone breaking the law. If they see you doing anything the King deems illegal, you will be given a strike - or multiple - depending on the severity of what you've done. After ten strikes, your punishment is death.

Love is the worst crime of them all and can get you an immediate ten strikes if the King wishes. But being forbidden to love means that everyone on the island is cold and alone, living day by day fueled by negativity and sadness. People walk the streets and live their lives with faces and hearts like stone, and it’s not uncommon to see people bickering or even fighting with one another.

Religion was also outlawed long ago, and this combination has left us humans like empty shells of our former generations who could actually know God, fall in love, and marry on their own terms.

Creativity is looked down on but not illegal (unless it has anything to do with love or religion), so I find myself drawing in my free time. I draw landscapes, people, animals, anything I can think of (literally, because I haven't seen half of the things in real life that I draw). If you show creativity, you're seen as weak and treated as an outcast, but I don’t care about any of that.

I often daydream about leaving and making a new life for myself, but then I remember the towering stone wall around the island and the guarded stone gate that is the only way off. Only the King and a few of his chosen servants are allowed to leave through the gate, and I’ve heard hushed rumors that they’ve built a ship, but I don’t think the King has left the safety of his heavily guarded palace.

I’ve never seen outside the walls, but I can hear and taste the ocean, which has always calmed me.

I now sit against the wall, a sketchbook on my lap and pencil in hand, listening to the ocean. I draw how I imagine it to look - an expanse of waves that go on seemingly forever - the definition of freedom.

I smile down at my finished drawing, deciding that it’s my favorite one yet, then I close my sketchbook and make my way back to my house.

I enter and walk past my dad, but like normal his eyes don’t bother to leave the TV. Even though my parents don’t agree on much else, both of them prefer Aiden over me and they make no point in hiding that fact. To them, he’s perfect in every way, while I am purely a disgrace.

Oh, it’s you, my mom says with a hint of disgust in her tone as I walk by the kitchen, and I roll my eyes as she adds, dinner is almost ready, so tell your brother.

Yeah, I say, then I head to the back of the house to put my things in the room that I share with Aiden.

I tear the drawing I had just drawn out of the sketchbook and tape it up on the wall above my bed next to all my other favorites, and Aiden scoffs.

I’ll never understand why you waste your time with that stuff… You are aware that it won’t help your life any, right? he asks.

I ignore him and view my drawing a little longer, and after a moment he shakes his head and looks back down at what appears to be homework on his bed beside him.

Food is almost done, I say as I put my sketchbook in the box under my bed, which also holds all of the pictures that I don't deem worthy of the little space left on my wall.

I turn on my heel and walk to the kitchen, Aiden following close behind me, and he and I set the table while Mom finishes dinner.

So Eliza, my dad says after we’ve all settled at the table, and my heart drops as my eyes move to meet his. As you know, you just turned eighteen, which is the age for marriage. I’ve received news that the King has picked out a partner for you and that he has planned the wedding for a week from today, he adds with a complete lack of emotion.

My face goes pale, and my breath catches in my throat before I move my eyes to my plate.

I’ve known that my marriage would be arranged for me my entire life - ever since I was a child - but that didn’t prepare me for this moment.

I stare down at my food, which I no longer have an appetite for, and I swallow hard. Out of the corner of my eye, I see my brother look over at me with pity in his eyes as he eats, but I keep my eyes locked on my plate.

Am I able to meet him first? I ask as tears threaten to fall down my cheeks.

Doubtful, my mom says from beside me. Your father and I met on our wedding day, but that was twenty years ago, she adds, giving my dad a look opposite of admiration.

Eat now, my dad says, noticing my untouched food.

I force myself to finish dinner, then I wash my plate and take a shower. Afterward, I look at myself in the mirror, and I examine my long strawberry blonde hair that I got from my mom and my chestnut brown eyes that I got from my dad, but I honestly feel as though my appearance is the only thing I inherited from them.

Letting out a long sigh, I leave the bathroom and head to my room where Aiden is already lying down in his bed, then I force myself to fall asleep with a deep pit in my stomach.

Sunlight pours into our room the next morning, warming my face and waking me.

I open my eyes, and the first thing that pops into my mind is last night. I can see my dad again as he told me with a complete lack of sympathy that I’d be married to a stranger in a week.

I know that both of my parents will be glad to finally be rid of me and pass me off to someone else. I mean, I do ruin their reputation with my careless creativity after all.

I suddenly get a whiff of breakfast cooking, and it dawns on me that soon, I will be the wife. I will be the one making breakfast, doing chores, and, scariest of all, having kids.

I sigh, and tears begin to flow down my cheeks.

Mom comes into our room to wake us about a half-hour later saying breakfast is ready, and my brother wakes up quickly and heads to the kitchen to eat.

I, lacking an appetite, grab my sketchbook and sneak by the kitchen and out of the house, then down to the stone wall.

Sliding to the ground and using the wall as support, I begin to draw a field freckled with flowers with one big, beautiful lone house in the middle of it. As I draw, I imagine myself sharing this house with the love of my life.

Once I’m done, I smile down at the finished drawing and daydream about a world where I'm absolutely one hundred percent free.

When I get home, Aiden and Dad are both gone for school and work, and I sneak by my mom, who is cleaning the living room, and retreat to my room.

Liking, but not loving, the new drawing, I tear it out of the sketchbook and lie it on the stack of drawings in the box under my bed, then I lie down.

I stare at the ceiling and daydream about my new life until dinnertime, and like usual, Aiden and I set the table while mom finishes cooking, then we all settle around it to eat.

So, Aiden, how was your day at school? Mom asks before taking a bite of food.

It was okay; I made a B plus on the science test, he says haughtily.

Good job, son! Dad says before reaching over and scruffing Aiden’s hair, and I can see the ambivalence in his expression as he decides whether to get mad at the hair scruffing or to be cocky about the praise.

Yes, we’re very proud of you, Mom says with a genuine smile on her face.

I take a bite of food and chew slowly, thinking that maybe getting away from this family won’t be so bad after all.

After I finish eating, I wash my plate and lie back down in bed, once again staring at the white ceiling as thoughts whirl through my head.

I startle when Aiden opens the bedroom door, and he smirks at me.

Aiden, how long has it been since I told you that I love you? I ask, and his head snaps in my direction.

I don’t know, he replies with a shrug of his shoulders, and he cocks his head in confusion.

Well, I do… love you, I say, and he smiles a bit.

I love you too, Eliza, he says as he turns the light off, then he lies down in his bed.

Remember when Mom and Dad would fight and you and I would cuddle in one bed for comfort? I ask as my eyes search for his in the

dark room.

Uh… yeah, I do, he says. That was a long time ago.

I miss those days, I whisper as tears begin falling down my cheeks.

I don’t… I mean, hasn’t life gotten better the older we’ve gotten? We’ve learned to adapt, and their fighting doesn’t bother us anymore, he says, and he turns in his bed so that I can finally see his brown eyes.

I mean - I miss when we could look to each other for comfort, I say.

Yeah… but now you’re about to leave for good, huh? he asks, sounding younger than ever.

Looks like it, I say back, and I let out a sigh.

Well… I think that getting out of here will be good for you - you can finally get away from Mom and Dad.

It’ll leave you all alone, though, I say back.

Trust me, I can take care of myself. It’s time for you to take care of yourself, he says, and I sigh again and nod at him through the dark. Goodnight, big sis, he adds, making me smile.

Goodnight, little bro, I reply, and I fall asleep feeling a tiny bit better about next week.

Chapter 2 - Ciel Nottingham

Mom wakes Aiden and me up for breakfast the next morning, and I stretch, then sit up. Not up for family time, I sneak by the kitchen with my sketchbook once again.

Sliding my back down the huge stone wall, I sit down and begin to draw.

I seem to go into a trance, and before I know it, I’m staring at a drawing of a man dressed in a tuxedo and a woman in a long, elegant dress gracefully dancing in one another’s arms. They stare into each other’s eyes with looks full of contentment and love.

I smile as I look it over once more, but it quickly fades when I hear footsteps coming closer, and I look up to see a servant impending quickly.

Oh, of course it’s you - it wouldn't be anyone else out here drawing in midday. Let me see, the servant says, holding out his hand.

Um, no, it’s private, I say with a furrowed brow.

Nothing is private on our island, especially not for people like you, he says, his arm still extended.

I stare up at the servant as I begin to sweat nervously, and after a moment I act as if I’m going to hand him the book. Right before he grabs it though, I make a run for it.

When I get to my house, I open and close the front door as silently as possible and head straight for the bathroom. After tearing the picture out and staring longingly at it one more time, I tear it up and flush it down the toilet, then I run to my room and grab the drawing I did yesterday.

I close it in the sketchbook and run to the living room right as there’s a knock at the door, and Mom eyes me suspiciously as she walks past me.

Hello, how may I help you? she asks after opening the door.

I believe… your daughter… may have drawn… something illegal, the servant sputters, out of breath from chasing me.

Mom looks over at me with rage evident in her eyes, and she opens the door so the servant can see me.

Give him your stupid book, she says harshly, and she watches me closely as I move forward.

Here, I say as I hand it over, and the servant opens it up and frowns.

Where’s the real drawing? he asks, finally breathing normally as he flips through the blank pages beneath the drawing.

You’re looking at it, I say.

Why did you run from me then? he asks me with a raised eyebrow.

I had to use the bathroom, I answer, and a slight smile forms on my lips.

The servant tosses the sketchbook at me and looks me in the eyes, his lips pursed into a thin line.

After a moment he says, You’re getting away this time, but next time I will catch you.

He stares a second longer before regaining his composure, then he straightens his jacket and walks off.

After closing the door, Mom turns to me. Our eyes lock, and after a moment she yells, What was that about?

I flinch before saying, I got carried away and drew a couple dancing together. I knew the King would consider it illegal.

Why must you insist on making us look bad, huh? Your dad will hear about this when he gets home, she says, and she walks away without another word.

I storm to my room and put my sketchbook in the box before throwing myself onto the bed, and Aiden looks over and stares at me for a long moment, then he shakes his head and continues his homework.

A while later, I hear Dad get home and slam the front door behind him. I wait in suspense for him to come barging into the room, and after a couple of minutes, that’s exactly what he does.

Eliza Morrissette, what is this I hear of you running from the King's servants? he booms, his eyes almost bulging out of his head.

I did what I had to do! I can't express myself through what I love to do without getting in trouble! I yell at him, and tears begin falling down my cheeks.

No, you can't! You’re a disgrace to this family, he says, and even though I already knew that’s how he felt, his words still stab me in the chest like a knife.

Aiden looks up from his homework again, and his eyes flicker to me, no doubt to see my expression.

Why do you hate creativity? I mean, you hate it so much that you hate your own daughter for loving it. Do you actually think that you’re a family? Well regardless, I’m definitely not a part of it! I say, and I begin to storm past my dad, but he stops me in my tracks by grabbing my shoulder.

No, you’re not, he spits with his eyes on mine before throwing me onto the floor.

My head hits my bedside table with a crack on the way down, and he leaves the room and slams the door behind him.

I lie open-mouthed on the floor with wide eyes and tears streaming down my cheeks as my mind processes what had just happened, and after a moment I sit up slowly and put my hand to my forehead. I instantly feel warm blood dripping from a gash, and when I look over to see Aiden still staring at me, I sigh and lower my gaze to the floor.

What, are you going to say I got what I deserved? I ask him.

No, I was going to say that I’ve never seen Dad so violent before, he says sadly, and in that second, I remember that he's still so young - only fourteen - and I pity him.

It must be painful to be in his shoes, confused and brainwashed by everyone he thinks he can trust.

Me neither, I say after a minute, and I stand up and make my way to the bathroom to clean myself up.

No one speaks at dinner that night, and afterward, I fall asleep quickly.

A few days pass, and I open my eyes to see the golden light of the sun shining into the room. I sit up and stretch, and I can’t help but think immediately that tomorrow… I’ll be getting married.

Mom suddenly opens the door and walks into our room, and her eyes meet mine for the first time in days before they flicker to my sleeping brother.

Aiden, breakfast is ready, dear, she says before turning on her heel and leaving.

Aiden stirs awake and sits up, and after rubbing his eyes, he gets out of bed and walks groggily out of the room.

Like I have almost every day lately, I lie in bed all day and stare at the ceiling while my mind swirls with thoughts.

I wonder what my husband will be like. Will he be just as cruel as everyone else on this horrible island, or will I get lucky and actually get paired with a decent man? The thought almost makes me laugh out loud, but then my face falls. This is my future. This marriage is what I have to do to get away from my parents.

Dinner that night is awkward, and no one speaks about what is to happen tomorrow other than that I need to pack my things, which I do before I lie down.

I fall asleep feeling empty and alone.

I wake the next day and stare at the ceiling for a while like I usually do, listening to the light rainfall on our roof until I hear Aiden stir in his bed.

He sits up and rubs his eyes, and after a moment he stands and walks to the window.

Hey, someone just pulled into the driveway, he says, and our eyes lock as my heart begins pounding in my chest.

Eliza, come down! I hear my mom yell, and I catch the rare happy tone in her voice.

I hesitate for a moment before grabbing the clothes that I had left out for myself last night, then I change in the bathroom quickly and head to the living room.

When I enter, I see one of the King’s servants standing beside my parents and his eyes move to me.

I’m here to escort you to your wedding at the courthouse, then to your new home, the servant says almost robotically.

I look at my parents to see them staring back at me blankly, then I move my eyes to Aiden and my heart sinks. His eyes are full of tears and even though he’s trying to hide it, I see the slight frown on his face.

After grabbing my bags, I stop in front of them all and my eyes linger on Aiden’s.

Don't let them continue to brainwash you, little bro, I say, and I watch him squint his eyes in confusion.

Both of my parents furrow their brows, and after Aiden and I hug, I turn and leave without a single goodbye from either of them.

As I walk to the servant’s car, I straighten my posture and try to prepare myself for my new life.

The drive is short, and soon we stop in front of the courthouse, a formal looking building surrounded by guards. I continue standing tall as we enter, although my breathing is unsteady, and I follow the servant down a long hallway.

He suddenly stops and opens a door, then he steps aside, waiting for me to enter first.

I gulp as I walk through the doorway, and I instantly see a man in a suit and tie standing behind a desk. He nods hello, then motions for me to sit down. When I turn to do so though, I lock eyes with a boy my age sitting in the chair next to mine, and my stomach drops - for I do not see any compassion at all staring back at me.

Before sitting next to him, I look him over, noticing his dark emerald green eyes, short dark brown hair, and muscular physique.

We sign some papers and I learn that his name is Ciel Nottingham, and I’m forced to change my name to Eliza Nottingham. We exchange silver bands, the same basic style wedding ring everyone on the island wears, and soon after we’re on our way to our new house.

Once we enter, I’m shocked to see that it’s the exact same as the house I grew up in, down to the furniture and lifeless decorations.

Um, hi, I say, my eyes moving to the stranger I just married.

He turns his head in my direction, and his eyes seem to burn into mine, instantly making my heartbeat quicken.

Make me dinner, he demands.

I nod, then I rush to the kitchen and search through the fridge and cabinets until I find enough ingredients to make a decent meal.

The whole time I’m cooking, I’m thinking that this has to be better than being with my family, right?

We're going to need some food, I say when we're seated and eating.

His eyes move to me, and he looks me over for a moment before saying, Yes, well, my parents gave me some money so I can give you some of it for groceries… But make sure to get some spices because this food is bland.

After eating, I shower and brush my teeth, then walk to the bed and sit down.

I feel Ciel staring at me and when I turn to him, he pulls me down and starts to kiss me. He starts out soft, then he gets faster and faster until it’s a bit aggressive.

What... are you… doing? I manage between kisses.

He stops and looks into my eyes for a moment before saying, Consummating our marriage, and after a second he begins to undress me.

What do you mean? We just met, I say with a furrowed brow, and I try to pull away, but he grabs my arms tightly.

We just got married, he says sternly.

Ciel, get off of me! I say as I try to fight against him, but he grips my arms tighter and kisses me harder, trying to drown out my pleas.

After he realizes I’m not going to give up without a fight, he pauses and looks into my eyes again, his face hovering inches from mine.

The more you fight, the worse it’ll get, he whispers, and my blood runs cold.

The look in his eyes terrifies me, so I relax and allow him to undress me fully until I’m vulnerable underneath him, then he undresses himself and begins to kiss me again.

Without warning, Ciel penetrates in one harsh thrust, and I cry out in pain. He continues for what seems like forever as pain overwhelms me, and at some point, I close my eyes and try to imagine that I’m sitting by the wall with a pencil in my hand and a sketchbook in my lap. All of a sudden though, he begins to thrust harder, and I’m snapped out of my trance.

He finishes soon after, and I make my way to the bathroom and sob for hours on the cold floor while I’m overwhelmed with pain - both mental and physical.

I really thought this would be a new start for me… I thought that maybe I would be given a break. But I know now that I was wrong - I’m just in a new prison.

After a while, I leave the bathroom and crawl into bed next to Ciel, and I fall into a troubled sleep.

Chapter 3 - Abuse

I wake to Ciel snoring beside me, and I sit up and put my face in my hands. A thought suddenly pops into my head that may make me feel better, and I open one of my bags and pull out all my favorite drawings. After hanging them on the wall, I marvel at how much more wall space I have now that I'm in the big bedroom.

I smile, knowing myself so well, then I head to the kitchen to see if there’s anything I can make for breakfast. I settle for scrambled eggs and toast since that’s about all that’s left, and when it’s done I make my way back to the room.

Ciel? I say as I lightly shake him, but when he doesn’t wake, I shake him harder.

All of a sudden, his eyes pop open and he swings his arm and smacks me in my face - hard.

Tears instantly well in my eyes, and completely shocked, I stare at him in silence.

Huh? he asks as his eyes move from my hand that’s cupping my cheek to his hand that’s raised in the air, and it’s clear he’s taken aback as well.

I was trying to tell you that breakfast is ready… and you smacked me, I say, still teary-eyed.

Oh, he says with a shrug, then he adds, weird.

He takes a deep breath, obviously disheveled, then he gets up and walks out of the room, leaving me alone on the bed with tears rolling down my cheeks.

After a minute, I pull myself together and join him in the kitchen.

My dad bought me a car for going to work and back, but you’ll have to figure out your own way to the store because I’ll be working most days from nine to six, he says, and he pauses for a split second to look at the handprint on my cheek before sitting down at the table to eat. Oh, and here, he says, handing me a wad of cash. For groceries. Dinner better be ready when I get home.

I don’t reply, and we finish our food silently.

Ciel takes a shower and heads to work, and after I clean the house, I leave and begin the walk to the store. The walk there isn’t bad, but the way back with all the bags proves to be quite the challenge.

I thankfully make it back to the house with everything still intact, then after I put everything away, I realize that I still have some free time before having to start dinner.

I decide to draw, and I pull out my