Chapter 1  Tourched

I awoke in the chaos of my burnt-out village, I could hear moans and groans coming from those around me that lay dying, my heart heavy with dread. I did my best to remain hidden, my pulse racing, when they reached where I was hiding under several burnt corpses. They had brutally beaten and torched everyone and everything in my village, except for the young females, who had been shoved into cages on top of wagons, a sight that filled me with fear as I watched them ride away with the girls, silent with shock and tear-filled faces. 

The entire village was in ruins, everyone was either dead or gone, and I felt utterly alone. I could barely breathe. When I finally pulled myself free, I searched for my father, my mom had died years ago, he was all that I had. I stumbled over dead bodies, my emotions raw. I finally saw him, struggling to take his last breaths, sitting against a tree, and my world crumbled.

"Daddy!" I ran to him, my heart racing. He could barely open his eyes, but a faint smile hinted that he knew it was me. His smile quickly turned to a grimace of pain "Go, Syla, hurry, run to the King!" he gasped, struggling for air. I shook my head, tears streaming down my face as I tried to be strong. "I can't leave you, Daddy, I won't!" But he insisted, his voice weak but urgent, "Go, go now! It's not safe for you here... run child!" His face and body were horribly burnt, and with a final effort, he whispered, "I-I love you...forgive me for not telling you the truth, I just wanted to keep you to myself, a little longer." 

"I love you too, Daddy!" I whispered back, holding him close, as his eyes closed for the last time, his last breath escaped his lips.

I held my father's lifeless body well into the night until the sound of approaching horses broke the silence. I quickly gathered what little I could salvage from the ruins of my village in the dark, then set out, staying hidden just off the road. The Kings Pyramid was a full days walk from my village. 

I was tired and thirsty. My dad's last words kept playing over and over in my mind as I walked.

I quickly darted between bushes when a group of riders rode by, unsure if they were the King's soldiers or ruthless rogues, I chose to keep to myself, as they nearly rode out of earshot, I shifted, and a branch snapped beneath my bare foot. I froze, but it was too late. They heard the sound and turned back, their horses closing in. I ran as fast as I could through the dense woods, weaving through thick underbrush, my father's blood, stained on my clothes, mud caking to my skin, and thorns slashing my face. Just as I thought I'd escaped, a rough hand grabbed my hair, yanking me up. "This one will fetch a fine price," he gloated, tying my hands and feet. Throwing me over his horse, "If not I'll keep her for myself," he said rubbing his bulge.  I lay there, too terrified to speak or move.

The ride seemed endless, but I could see the King's Pyramid off in the jungle surrounded by trees and snakes that looked like vines, I realized they must be outsiders, coming into our kingdom for trade. I gazed around, hoping to see someone I knew, that walked along the roadside. My eyes scanned the familiar surroundings from my uncomfortable position on the back of his horse. The pyramid loomed ahead, and my heart raced with a mix of fear and uncertainty. Would I find an ally within those walls, or would I face even greater dangers? Our King was known as the 'Ripper' he didn't like strangers snooping around and he disliked traders even more. His personal life was shrouded in sexual secrets of forbidden unions, he was known for his blood lust.

As we entered the grounds, I was taken to a grand hall filled with people there for trade. I saw guards and servants, but no one I recognized. The man who had captured me, a burly figure with a scar from his eyebrow to his chin, pushed me forward. "Found this one near that burnt-out village," he said to a tall, imposing figure seated on a throne. "She might be worth something," he said smiling, his rotten teeth showing, I could smell that he hadn't bathed in months, a vile and disgusting figure.

The King's majestic form exuded raw power, his muscular well-tanned chest gleaming with oil, every defined contour visible beneath his open Kingly robes. His piercing teal blue eyes burned with intensity as he raked his gaze over me, his full lips parted slightly, inviting, demanding attention. With a subtle nod, he summoned me closer, "Very well, bring her closer," he commanded, his voice deep like thunder that echoed off the walls.

I was dragged forward, my heart pounding in my chest. The King's gaze was intense, and I felt like he could see right through me, searching for something. What would he want from me? Would I be able to find help here, or was I just a pawn in his bloodlust sexual games? I shivered kneeling before him. The man behind me grabbed onto my hair, jerking my head up so the King could see me.

"Speak, girl," King Rryan said, his voice a little softer now. "What is your name, and what were you doing near my burned village?" he watched me, waiting for my reply. I trembled at his words, too scared to speak. My tears flowed down my scratched and bleeding face. Why did my father tell me to come here, I felt all alone in the world and it terrified me. 

He watched me for more than an hour, as others were brought forth also bound with ropes, some he took in and others he passed on and I did not want to be passed. That meant the one who captured me, would become my master.

When he looked back at me, I tried to speak, but my voice was gone, I had not had water in a very long time. My hand flew to my throat, and he saw it. I swallowed hard and it hurt. My eyes pleaded for him to have mercy.

"Have this one brought to my chambers and clean her up," he instructed his Royal Guard Valin and maid Lydia. They quickly untied my hands and feet from the ropes and helped me to walk, but when he saw that I was hurt severely, and could barely stand. He ordered Valin to carry me.

King Rryan, sensed that there was something different about this one, He thought... He could smell her fear, he also knew that she had never been touched, virgins were rare in this part of the world, but she looked familiar, she looked like someone he once loved.

As Valin carried me, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions: fear, uncertainty, and relief that I had been chosen to stay. 

The King's chambers were lavish, with purple and black velvet drapes and a very large, four-poster canopy bed. Lydia helped me into a nearby dressing room, where she began to remove my blood-soaked, muddy clothing carefully. "Oh my! She said looking at my wounds, she summoned the Royal healer Kayla, to come quickly, Kayla was not just a healer she was also the apprentice to the King's Sorcerer, "Why is this one so important to the King?" she asked, "He never has slaves brought up to his chambers." She used her magic and what she saw frightened her, she quickly healed me and left the room, mumbling about betrothal and mate bonds.

I winced as Lydia cleaned my wounds, her touch gentle but firm. She helped me into a warm bath, and I closed my eyes, letting the warmth of the water and soap seep into my skin. She took her time caressing me with the soapy towel and even washed my hair. She smiled as she cleaned me even down there. No one had ever touched me there, I quickly closed my legs and she smiled. "It needs to be cleaned child." and she parted my legs once more. 

After my bath, Lydia dressed me in a soft, clean white velvet nightgown, that hugged my soft curves and led me back into the King's bed chambers. King Rryan sat in the chair next to his bed, He watched me with an intensity that made me blush. My nipples became hard, poking out and my nightgown seemed to display them proudly, my hair was still wet my soft black curls fell to my waist, and I felt clean for the first time in days, He smiled. 

"So, Syla," he said, his voice low and smooth. "You're a mystery to me. Where are you from?" 

How did he know my name? I tried to speak, but my voice was still hoarse from dehydration. Lydia offered me a glass of water, and I sipped it gratefully.

"I... I am from Traykor," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "My father used to be part of your Royal Guard, William Larko." I was hoping he would remember him.

King Rryan's expression changed, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "Traykor?" he repeated. "And your father was William, one of my old guards." He thought.. that's where he's been hiding her.

I nodded, my throat still sore. "Y-yes," I whispered. "With his last breath, he told me to come to you, but then that man chased me down and took me, while I was on my way here." 

He turned to Valin, his eyes narrowed in anger, "Have the one who sold her to me brought back and put in the dungeons." Valin nodded and rushed away.