Having mustered my strength and regained my composure enough to rejoin the banquet, I was approached by King Florian and Queen Sera. "Princess, soon to be Queen of Evermere alongside my loyal General and friend," he declared, his guards a constant presence, even amongst his own court.
"Your Majesty," I said, offering a respectful bow, though the desire to seize a guard's sword and end his life was strong. When I straightened and met his eyes, his gaze was piercing. "You know, your eyes are... quite remarkable," he observed. "And familiar. You and the General share the same color and shape, that same intense fire. It's what caught my attention when I saved him from the slave pens on the edge of Evermere – that deep, unwavering gaze. I anticipate this union will be... intriguing."
He leaned in to kiss my hand, and I submitted to the gesture, the Queen's gaze upon me sharp with disapproval. "See that you satisfy him," the King said, his voice low near my hand before he released it and turned away. "A kingdom thrives when a queen's power matches a king's strength." His Queen continued to look down at me, her expression haughty. They moved away, continuing their rounds to speak with other members of the nobility. My gaze followed them as I sank into my own thoughts. Indeed, a good King also thrives when he refrains from merciless killings and spreading his seed throughout every kingdom! His comeuppance is coming!
The evening continued, and I returned to my seat, forcing myself to eat and drink while pointedly ignoring the General's unwavering stare. Did he never shed his defenses and enjoy himself like his men? He always appeared so grave, so stoic, observing his soldiers as if constantly expecting attack. He never courted the women or drank to unwind. During the month-long journey from Evermere to Ravenmarch, I had been forced to behave as a servant under his strict personal orders. Anyone from our kingdom faced brutal treatment – whippings for any error, days of deprivation if we failed to reach our assigned posts on time.
The journey here had been brutal. Bound hands and feet, exposed in the cold with only a coarse sackcloth for meager covering. It was a testament to my resilience that I hadn't perished. My attempt to take my own life with a pilfered dagger had only intensified the General's scrutiny, his eyes now constantly tracking my every move, even watching to see if I would pocket a steak knife and flee to my chambers. But I had already managed to conceal one within my dress had told him I wouldn't shed my blood for him, but that was a carefully crafted lie. I wouldn't shed it for him, but I would gladly do it for myself. This wasn't an act of cowardice, but one of liberation and a final end to the forced continuation of Evermere's rule, a thought that offered a dark sense of triumph in thwarting King Florian's schemes.
I stood and called for a guard, the General's gaze fixed on me with curiosity. "I wish to retire for the evening; please lead me to my chamber," I said softly. He nodded, and we began to walk, my pace deliberately slow at first to mislead the General. "Please hurry," I said, feigning the effects of wine. "I'm feeling quite lightheaded." The guard nodded. "Certainly, princess, this way."
We finally arrived at my chamber, but before I could open the door, the General materialized suddenly, his hand seizing my wrist. The soldier's eyebrows shot up, his gaze shifting between us. Valorik looked at him. "Thank you, Mercer. You are dismissed." The soldier bowed and left without a word. No!
I snatched my arm away, glaring defiantly. "You grow insolent, princess. Too insolent." He gripped my arm and hauled me into the room, the door slamming shut behind us. "Leave me be! I simply sought an early slumber!" I seethed. "Do I look like I just emerged from the womb? I am no fool," he sneered, his gaze raking over me. "Stop! Don't touch me!" I cried as he searched me, a cruel smirk twisting his lips as he found the knife. "Ah ha, what's this?" He held it up, examining it before turning it to point at me, and I stumbled backward.
"I was—" "Silence!" "Do you think I'm oblivious to your plotting, you scheming viper?!" I stared at him, my chest heaving. "I will not permit you to end your life," he said, advancing, forcing me to retreat. "I will be your shadow," he continued, closing in. "I respect and honor my King, but I am not like him. My word is absolute," he said, his voice a low growl as he neared. "You will belong entirely to me, and I entirely to you... until your final breath!" I felt the wall press against my back. "I will never leave your side. This is not a romantic fantasy, but a binding vow," he said menacingly. "Before the world, you will be a noble, a Queen. But within these walls, you are my slave princess, my whore to command at my whim. Your torment has just begun, princess. You will not die. No, you will not die, except by my hand!"
He seized the back of my head and forced his lips onto mine, shoving his tongue down my throat. I struggled to push him away, but his strength was insurmountable. "NO! Stop!" I gasped, finally managing to shove him back. "I detest those eyes the most," he said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
He began to back away. "Sleep. For tomorrow, we are joined in the chapel, and that night, we are joined in our wedding bed. You will know true torment then," he promised, before leaving.
I stood there, gasping for breath, staring after him as my female servants arrived moments later to help me out of my gown and prepare me for sleep. Please let me sleep and never wake!
Defeated, I sat in silence and gloom as they prepared my bath. I watched as one of them reached for a cloth and soap, then paused to add a few drops of herbs to the warm water. I suddenly recognized her. "You... you're from Evermere!" I exclaimed. She looked up, startled. "You... you remember me?" she asked cautiously. "Of course! You were a maidservant within our castle walls. It's good to see you here, alive! I'm so sorry for—" "It's alright, princess! Please, hurry and get into the basin before it gets too cold," she interrupted gently, removing my robe and helping me into the water with the others.
"What is your name?" I asked her after they had taken their time cleaning me and washing my hair. "Lanne." "Lanne," I repeated. "I'm so sorry for—" "Shhh. It's alright. There's no need to speak of what has passed." I stared at her, a sudden thought striking me – perhaps we were being watched. He had said he would never leave my side. Maybe she knew something I didn't.
"Alright, thank you for her assistance," I said quietly, still feeling a prickling sensation of being observed.
--
At last, I lay in the luxurious bed. Weary from a month steeped in torment, death, and grief, I finally surrendered to my emotions, weeping for my lost and scattered people, for my current plight, and for the terrors that lay ahead. "Please, oh please, Spirit of light and earth," I pleaded into the silence, "give me the will to survive this! Show me a way to the peace I so desperately desire. I yearn for rest. The General carries the scars of immense pain inflicted by my father and my people, a history I was ignorant of. Why must I bear the burden of his cruelty?"
I succumbed to sleep, tears still wet on my cheeks, my dreams a horrifying tapestry of screams, death, suffering, and a chilling smile that foreshadowed endless agony.