~Kiva Someone screams, glass shatters and a thud loud enough to be attributed to the house fracturing rouses me. My body lurches upward, throat tightening as I look through the darkness. Sheets wind around my legs as I scramble across the mattress, toppling over the edge and to the floor. Another scream, except this time it's cut short, coming from downstairs. My blood turns ice cold, chills rattling through me. With my feet finally under me, I wander toward my door, resting my ear against it. “Andri…what’s going on out there?” I call out. My personal guard doesn't answer. The commotion from downstairs seems to be nearing, the sound travelling up to the second story. Whoever has broken in, is getting close. “Andri? Can I come out?” I'm begging.My fingers brush against the door handle, tempting me. Father would demand I stay in my room, wait for help, but I fear someone is coming to kill me, and if Andri is not posted at my door, there will be nothing between them and I. Thro
~Kiva I stare at the mahogany door, knowing what conversation is going to occur beyond it. "Fuck this," I mutter under my breath, knocking on the wood. “Come in, daughter.”My father waits beyond his desk as I enter the room. The deepening lines between his brows tell me all I need to know. “How many casualties?” I ask gently, not stopping until my hips bump against the desk. Father runs his hand down his face. “Too many. We are lucky we are alive.”I shift. That’s an understatement. I should be dead. This morning I woke, feeling like I’m now living on borrowed time. Were that man not my mate…“What made them back off?” “You tell me. You were at the mercy of one, and they spared you,” Father asks distractedly, sighing as he sifts the paper in front of him. Memories flash through my mind, vivid and dark. The way he had pinned me down against the bed like that, the raw power he was so willing to inflict upon me just to harm me. What kind of man is that?“I don’t know father. I
~KivaStaring up at the ceiling, I smile.Now this is why I wake so early in the morning. It’s the perfect way to start the day.Stretching my legs out, my hand slides under the covers, tugging my sleep shorts down.My eyes flutter shut as my fingers rest between my legs, applying pressure exactly where I like it. The feeling jolts through me, excitement chasing it.I like to take my time in the morning, chasing my release.Delving deep into my mind, I play through all my usual fantasies. I never have one person in mind, however one figure materialises as I pursue my pleasure.That man…Tall, built like a killer, and ice cold. I met him just last night and he hates me already.Something about that intrigues me.As a Princess, I’m used to those pushing for my favour. This man couldn’t care less. I both hate and like that.Only moments after the thought of him clawed through my mind, euphoric pleasure hits me. It doesn’t last as long as I would like, though.I need to get myself laid one
~Kiva"I've never met someone so unlikeable."I stretch my legs out in front of me, staring off over the mountain. The moonlight illuminates the snow, allowing us to see for miles out over the ranges.Thankfully my other guard is on duty, and at the exact hour expected, I found him slumped outside my room asleep.I will not be telling Ark about his tendency to do that."Once everything calms down, he'll be gone, I'm sure of it,” Louis, my only friend exclaims.I met him on a Royal visit to his village, where we bumped into each other, and he struck up a conversation without having any idea who I was.Now…well, our relationship has always been complicated.I draw my legs up, hugging them. "I hope so. I can't stand him.""Mercenaries are strange." He gazes off in the distance, as if recalling a memory. There is so much about him I don’t know, and I don’t bother asking.He’s made it clear he prefers it that way."They kill people and it doesn't bother them. It's beyond strange,” I mumble
~Kiva Bracing my hands on my knees, I stare at the floor, trying not to throw up. "I've had enough,” I gasp out. I can feel sweat trailing down my forehead as I look up at Ark, who stares down at me with his arms folded over his chest. That menancing look…It makes training under his scrutiny far more difficult, knowing he’s judging my every move. "You've barely done anything."I collapse onto my stomach, pressing my cheek against the cold floor. I believe more than ever that he’s a killer. As I lay here, I’m barely clinging onto life, utterly ruined by him and his thorough training. If it could even be called that. "I've ran laps, I've lifted far too many weights, and I put up with you for over an hour. I'm done," I grumble. I tried to push back against his instructions to begin with, but he made it very clear that he wasn't going to allow that. I regret it now, getting the feeling most of this training is his retaliation to my attitude. "That was merely a warm up. Now, t
~KivaI hobble into the dining room, exhausted from a day of training with Ark."Why is there another plate?" I ask, slumping into my seat.Father looks up from the book he’s studying. "We have a guest tonight, Kiva. He is freshening up."I blink. That’s what I get for showing up late to dinner.Although it’s not my fault. Ark is relentless at training."Please don't tell me it's another suiter,” I groan. The only time he doesn’t tell me to prepare for a guest is when he’s trying to set up an engagement.He knows I’ll berate him otherwise. "You just have to meet him. You know how I feel about this, that it's completely your choice,” he assures me.It’s my choice, as long as he’s a Prince and it’s on a specific timeline.I groan frantically, slumping back in my seat. "But it's expected of me to marry a Prince.""It's preferred,” father says carefully.Father’s problem is that he has expectations of me that he tries to hide behind transparent excuses. I have to marry a Prince. That’s
~KivaCatching up to Caspian, I grab his hand and drag him down the hallway toward my room."I should be going soon, Princess,” he exclaims warily, not entirely comfortable being away from my father alone together."I assure you, the view from my room is priceless."Shouldering the door open, I skip onto the room, tugging him in with me. The thrill of what we are doing flutters through me, and not due to what I have planned…But because of who doesn’t want it to happen.Caspian lingers awkwardly in front of the window. "You can not see much, it's too dark."I roll my eyes. "The view is me, silly."His eyes widen as he turns back to look at me. Slowly his attention drifts down my body, coming to terms with what I’m insinuating."Y-you?"Keeping my eyes on him, I slowly tug my cardigan off. I hope I look seductive, but by the way Caspian swallows uncomfortable, he is still deciding whether he wants to go along with this or not."I wanted you the moment you walked in," I murmur, trying n
~KivaI lean down, feeling the burning stretch in my hamstrings."You did well today."I don’t look up. Only Ark’s boots are in my view as he strides back and forth. His hands are probably tucked behind his back, posture perfectly straight.Ugh. I can’t stand him.“You were fierce, strong. Resilient."Oh Ark, you’ll see fierce if you push me one more time."I don't want to have to punish you again, Kiva,” he continues. His warning burns through me, reminding me of the deprivaty of last nights punishment."Whatever,” I mutter."I mean it."Gritting my teeth, I stare down at my wrists. The are worn red from being tied to the bed all night. I had attempted various creative measures to get out of my binds, but unfortunately, I didn't get out until Ark came in at sunrise with a knife."Do you punish everyone like that? By tying them to their bed after interrupting their night with someone who is meant to be their prospective husband?" I suddenly snap.Ark frowns down at me."Don't talk to
~Kiva"Ark!"My head spins as I practically throw myself from the couch. Ark catches me in his arms, pressing me close against him."Hey sweetheart," he soothes, holding me for a beat before he pulls me back so he can examine me. "What the fuck happened to you?"Dark, cold anger simmers in his eyes. He withholds it well, but I can see on his face, in the tension in his muscles that he's moments from exploding. "A lot. Sit down," I encourage, pointing to the couch. It's mostly for myself because I feel like I'm moments away from fainting.He guides me onto the couch before he sits next to me, his body turned to face me. He grazes his fingers over my skin, face, gently tracing over the bruises and marks that mar me. His jaw only tightens as I wince.Slowly, his attention shifts to Louis, who stands back a little. "Did you do this?""No, he didn't. He saved me," I cut in quickly. If Ark so much as suspects Louis is involved, he won't hesitate to kill him.He frowns. "Saved you?""You n
~KivaWe walk hastily through the forest, circling around the wait.We don't speak as we walk. Louis's breath is harsh as he keeps up a decent pace while still carrying Erin in his arms. My mind is still whirling, or maybe that's the blood I'm losing.It takes over an hour of us walking before we make it to Louis's home on the east side of the river. It's a simple wood cabin with two rooms and a bathroom.I would be happy for him, if I didn't know the job title that is funding this place.My legs wobble beneath me as I approach the couch, colours spotting in my vision. Louis hurries into another room, placing Erin on the bed.I sit slowly, feeling faint.I've lost a lot of blood from the back of my head. When I look down it's all over my chest, drenching the front of my shirt from where it has run down my neck."She's been drugged. She will be out for a bit," Louis says, closing the bedroom door as he comes out."It's for the best. She need's rest," I say quietly, squeezing my eyes sh
~KivaI roll my head back, groaning.Consciousness has struck me harshly and quickly, dragging me back up to reality. My vision spins, something on the back of my head aching sharply.It slowly dawns on me that I was hit viciously on the back of the head.My vision eventually starts to steady, the messy splotches of colour finally piecing together to reveal my father."Kiva," he says in a calm, steady voice.I blink. I'm in the room where I saved Erin, tied down to the bed. When I lift my hands, they are weighted down by thick iron chains."Why am I tied down," I ask breathily, trying not to let panic overwhelm me."Did you follow me, sweetheart?" father asks, taking a tentative step toward me. Behind him are two guards who stare me down menacingly. "Did Ark have you follow me?"I let out a long breath, trying to process what is happening.My father now knows that I've learnt about what is going on here. I'm tied down in a place where girls before me have been tortured and murdered,
~KivaSteadying myself, I head through the front door.Initially I planned to burst in and confront my father, to threaten him. However, once I enter, hearing voices drift down the hall, I decide to slow play this.Pressing my back against the wall, I inch closer to the room, keeping my eye out for anyone who could pass by.This place seems like any other home. Aspects of it have clearly been changed to suit a business, with what looks like a waiting room in the old sitting room and a reception in the foyer.I will investigate the intricacies of the place later. For now, I want to hear what my father is saying.“How do we know they don’t already have something on us?” The unfamiliar voice sounds panicked.“If this were about the business they would have killed my daughter.”I draw in a breath. They are talking about the rebellion. Father would never openly tell me what he thinks, so I listen keenly.“Maybe they were planning to.” The other voice sounds like they are pacing.“She doesn
~KivaThe dining room opens up around as I approach where my father sits, enjoying his breakfast.A shaft of sunlight cast through the towering dining room windows gives my father a deceptively ethereal glow.He looks innocent. He couldn't be further from that.His eyes lift as I wander in. "Good morning. Feel better?"I school my expression into a smile, remembering the story. I was kidnapped, and now I am home and terrified the rebellion is going to come for me."I feel...fine," I exclaim stiffly, sliding into my chair.Father's gaze feels heavy as I carefully select my breakfast. A piece of toast I'm going to smother in spread, accompanied by some fruit.It's what I would choose if I weren't hiding something. It's what I would choose if I weren't moments away from throwing up on the polished floor."You have been through a few hard weeks, haven't you dear?"I ignore the bite of pain in my stomach. His sincere tone doesn't help the situation. I must fixate on Ark, his sister and all
~KivaMoments later, a figure emerges at the window, clambering through.I tense, watching Ark duck his head under the glass, snow dusting his shoulders and hair. I admire the ease at which he climbed up the trellis considering the amount of times I have fallen from it.He removes his cloth mask, breath clouding in front of me as he meets my gaze.His expression immediately softens. "Hey, are you okay?"I look down at my hands, unable to face him. This is the most horrifying discovery I have ever made and I am still reeling from it."I...no."He's crouched in front of me in an instant, grabbing my hands in his gloved one's. The ice still lingering on the fabric burns at my skin, but I welcome the distraction."What happened?" he asks gently."I found something. Bad," I tell him, fighting past the lump in my throat to say it.I feel so stupid. How many years was this going on and I never knew about it? Ark allowed me to hate him for weeks, trying to protect me from the horror that I wo
~KivaI walk through the manor doors, shoulders back, chin tilted up.The guards stare in wonder and confusion, making to say something, but I wave them off. I don't want a fuss."Get my father," I tell one of them.The nod, rushing off toward his office.It's early evening and I'm finally returning home. I spent my entire childhood in this home, and now it just feels vast and empty, void of everything that once pleased me.Ark and I spent the whole day coming up with a plan for tonight. I've come here to find evidence of what Ark has alleged.Not even a minute later my father is rushing down the stairs toward me.Only a day ago I would have rejoiced at seeing my father. I may have felt overcome with emotion, grateful to have been freed from the rebels.Now, I feel nothing but repulsion."Father," I say, trying to sound relieved, although it comes out rushed and a little rehearsed."Kiva...oh my baby, you're home." He ushers me into a hug, holding me close. I let him, fighting the urg
~KivaI let them come to me first.Their faces are concealed by shadows, but I don't need to see them anyway. They are just more rebels who would rather kill me than risk allowing me redemption.The tallest one lunges for me first.Anticipating their attack, I slash the shard of glass along their arm in a similar fashion as with a knife. Ark's training rings in the back of my mind, giving me some confidence in my ability to get out of here.The rebel hisses in pain but barely flinches, still advancing on me. They manage to grab my arm in a firm grip, holding the glass away from themselves.Someone kicks me in the lower back, a jolt of pain accompanying me in my fall to the floor.I hadn't even realised someone had come up behind me...The rebel who kicked me climbs on top of me, trying to wrestle my arms behind my back while another readies the rope to wrap around my neck.With my cheek pressed against the cold floor, I try not to let my panic exhaust me.They really are going to do i
~KivaThis is bad. Really bad.Ark has taken me back to the compound again, letting me calm down. I haven't slept, unable to stop replaying the events of the other night over in my head.Caspian is free. I'm free from him, although not free from Ark.But that is the least of my concerns. Ark's accusation rings in my head. His sister is dead, and somehow Caspian is involved, and so is my father.Did they kill her? My stomach churns at the thought.Rolling over in bed, I tuck my knees to my chest, wanting to sob. I have no reason to trust Ark, and yet I believe him. Seeing his expression, hearing the way he spoke has made it clear to me that whatever is going on is terrible.I just can't wrap my head around how my father is involved.The sound of voices drawing near has me sitting up. The guards that are usually posted outside my room don't speak much, and don't dare come in.Not like Ark did...It's strange to think that he once guarded my door as these people now do. I don't even know