Chad's eyes caressed her body, and Danika wished the ground would open and cover her up. But she stood defiantly, staring Chad squarely in the face.
Lust blanketed Chad's eyes as he looked at her hungrily. “Can I touch?” he asked eagerly.
“When I’m done with her.” the King spoke calmly, yet his eyes made the words a promise. A clear display to her that he had control while she held none. Danika was his to-do as he wished to. Chad stared at the king again before walking out, and Danika discovered that there was a look in the man's eyes when he was staring at his king. Not hate—no, not hate. But she couldn’t place that look yet.
“Guards!” the king called, but he didn't have to raise his voice.
Two guards appeared. “Yes, Your Highness.”
His cold eyes didn't leave Danika. “Tell the servants to bathe my slave once I'm done here. Get her clean and have her in my chambers in three hours.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” The guards were reluctant to leave because they were staring at her state of undress.
Danika focused on the king with anger and hate in her teary eyes, defiance in her stance.
He released her breast finally. “I will hurt you so much, you will live and crave pain. I will do to you everything you and your father did to me and my people, and so much more. I will share you with as many as I want, and I will train you to be the most obedient of dogs.”
Fear was almost an entity on Danika's tongue, but she didn't allow it to show on her face. She knew all this would happen even before he came in.
His lips twitched, drawing emphasis to his scarred cheek. “I will break you, Danika.”
“You can never break me, you monster!” The words tore from Danika's lips. Yet as her words spoke those words, she knew they were nothing but lies.
Her eyes widened because she talked back at him. Slaves do not talk back at their masters or there would be punishment.
He didn't disappoint. The king grabbed the chain of Danika’s collar and yanked on it hard, and Danika cried out.
His eyes flashed. He tilted her chin up, his grip strong. “I love seeing so much fire because I am going to love quenching all of them. You have no idea what I have in store for you; or maybe you do. After all, you once trained slaves.”
My father trained slaves! she almost screamed at him.
Pure hatred dripped from the king’s cold eyes. “Your training starts tonight. You will be in my bed.”
He got up and stalked out of the room like a huge, lethal panther.
..............
Danika was finally taken away from her cage immediately after the king's visit. She saw places again that weren’t her cold barren cage, and it made her feel better. However, her heart still beat faster whenever she remembered the reason she was taken out of her cell for the first time in one week.
She was put in a tub, and the maids bathed her just like the king instructed. Funny, that maids would bathe a slave. But then again, it was not surprising if the slave's destination was the king's bed.
Three maids attended to her. One of them, the oldest named Baski, was the one in charge.
They loosened her hair and combed out the tangles, leaving it in a long, curly mess. The clothes they had her put on made Danika cringe. It was barely any clothing; she might as well be naked. A red leather skirt that barely left her hips and red leather top that only covered her nipples, stopping just above her belly is all she wore.
Then she was given a long robe that covered the clothlessness. They sprayed fragrance at her too.
“All done,” Baski announced.
Danika stared at herself in the mirror, and for a moment, she saw herself like she used to be: Princess Danika.
“You can go over to the king's chambers now. It's not advisable to keep him waiting,” Baski stated curtly.
Danika said nothing. She desperately wanted to ask these people how ‘her people' were. She hadn't seen any of her people since she was brought here.
Were they slaves too? Had they been sold out as sex slaves? Where they shared amongst the privileged rich families of Salem? After all, that was exactly what her father did to the people of Salem. She was worried, but she knew she had no right to be.
She had more pressing things to worry about. Like the fact that the king of Salem, who hated her with every fiber of his being, was about to sleep with her.
She stood at the front of his chambers, staring at the door, then hesitantly knocked.“Come in,” came the curt reply. His deep voice reverberated through her.She opened the door and walked in. The light illuminated the room. The chambers were bathed in gold. It was the most beautiful sight she had seen, but the situation wasn't exactly favoring Danika's sense of exploration and appreciation. She could only stare at the big man who occupied one side of the room. At thirty-five years old, she has never seen a man who looks more larger than life than King Lucien.Watching him as he stuck a feather into the ink on the table, withdrew it, and continued scribbling down on the scroll before him, it was hard to believe that this man had ever been a slave.But he was. For ten whole years he endured unspeakable tortures in the hands of her father. Now, he was paying it back.The king raised his head finally and stared at Danika, holding the feather and watching her blatantly. All over her, his
She knew he didn't finish and she wondered why. The man hated her; he had no remorse for her. So why didn't he keep plundering her body until he gained his satisfaction? She didn't know the answer to that, and it was the least of her problems. Alone, she started sobbing aloud. For the first time since her kingdom was ambushed, her father killed, and she was taken into slavery, she felt pain. Real raw pain.Heart-wrenching sobs wretched her throat. She had always dreamed of flowers. Her husband making love to her under the moonlight. Her, losing her virginity to him while he loved her body so tenderly.This was nowhere near what she imagined. Reality hurt like a knife to the heart. Father, why did you have to do this to me?She didn't know which pain was greater: the one coming from her body or the one from her heart. The one from her body was physical. What he did to her hurt. But the one to her heart hurt too, because she knew that this was her life now.Danika got off the bed, glad t
SOMEWHERE IN SALEM. "Get the big bowl, Sally dear." The older woman's voice came from the sitting room. "Coming, Mrs. Menah." Sally carried the big bowl to the living room, and the older woman took it gratefully. "Come, join us eat." Mrs. Menah gave her a kind smile. "In a minute, Mrs. Menah." Sally went back to the kitchen. She sat down on the small chair there, her eyes looking around, taking in her surrounding. She's been here for a few days over one week. These good old couples she was giving to are the kindest of people. They treat her right as if she's a member of their family when she's only their helping hand. She's no longer a slave, but a help. Now, she gets paid for the simplest things. This is the best life ever for a girl that was born a slave. She's supposed to be happy. But she's not. Not at all.  
The crowd cheered King Phillip on as he announced that he wanted to take Danika first. Danika swallowed down the panic and humiliation she's feeling and tried to detach herself from the present. When the king started playing with the strap of her flimsy top, she wanted to scream 'No' but the words caught on her throat, and couldn't get past it. She took steps backward without knowing that she moved. His displeasure showed on his face. His hand shot out to her chain collar and he dragged her back. "Behave," he commanded curtly. Danika nodded, not wanting more punishment to befall her. He let go of her straps, but instead, he dipped his hand under her short skirt. He caressed her underwear, and Danika felt like vomiting. "Get the clothes outta the way, Phillip. We've got to see." Moreh grunted, t
Danika kept clutching and following him as they walked out of the Royal Court until he got to his chambers and walked into it. Alone with her, he locked the door. Turned and faced her, more formidable than ever. "Thank you so much f---" She began. "To the table. Do not lie on it. Just give me your back." He commanded in a curt voice, his expressionless darker than ever. Danika did what he said, her body shaking with the adrenaline of what almost happened in the court...what he saved her from. She was all too grateful to do what he asked. She held the table with trembling hands and closed her eyes. He came up behind her and worked her finger into her experimentally. He frowned harder because she's not wet, not even from all the erotic plays in the Royal Court. Danika doesn't know where he produce
"Someone wants to see you, Your Highness." Chad announced, coming into Lucien's room. He was tying up the imperial letters he's finished writing. He looked up to Chad, "Who is it?" Chad shifted uncomfortably. "She refused to leave. We've tried everything possible to get the girl to go but she refused, saying she must see the King. She's adamant and very persistent." "Mmh..." Lucien rubbed his jaw in thought and frowned. Then, he got up and took strides towards the door, "Let me see who this girl is." Chad followed him and together, they walked through the big halls of the Royal Palace towards the entrance of it. Servants and maids bowed to him as he passed, and some threw out their greetings respectively. Once he entered the hallway that led to the entrance, he heard the commotion. The guards forcing a girl to leave and the gi
Danika arrived at the King's Chambers at exactly five minutes. She knocked, and at the voiced approval of the King, she entered. As usual, he sat behind the desk scribbling down on a scroll. He didn't spare her a glance when she entered. "Kneel." He inked the tip of his feathers. Danika's knees sank to the ground and her head lowered. "Come here." She walked on her knees towards him. When she got beside him, her knees were hurting a little. But she's determined to be good. He raised the written scroll and dropped it gently aside. He picked up a fresh one, "Strip." Her hands shot out in front of her and she started undoing the buttons of the uniform. She took them one after the other until finally, it all came undone. She lifted the clothes from her head and dropped them to
The night was almost falling. Vetta watched Danika as she drew water from the pit. There was no one there, and Vetta was feeling really angry just staring at her. How can someone in a plain slave uniform, look like royalty even without trying? It angered Vetta really well. She has to work hard in looking like the mistress she is. Sometimes, she looks at the mirror and she sees the slave she's always been. No. She's no longer that girl. She isn't! She watched as Danika carried the pot of water on her head and started walking. As she got closer to Vetta, she came out of the shadows and placed a leg on the path. Danika stumbled on it and fell. The pot broke to pieces and she winced, scrapping her elbow on the ground. Vetta bent down and grabbed hold of her hair. "Watch where you're going, Slave!" She snarled. &nb
1499 word(s)PublishedExcerpt 3b. Final Excerpt.Hours later, the sun is down. The moon rose high in the sky, glowing beautifully with the stars surrounding it. Anarieveta got down from the carriage, paid the carriage-rider some coins, and watched him drive away.Then, she entered the huge property of the Raskins. Staring at the elegantly decorated big home, she contemplated knocking on that huge door several feet away from her.There's no turning back now. Her baby, Merrily, needs her.With that in mind, she covered the distance and knocked on the door, her heart in her throat. The door swung open.Gedony Raskin stood tall behind the door. The sleepy look fled from his eyes as he saw Anarieveta standing uneasily behind his door.When he sent out that crazy message about Merrily being sick and needing her, he never expected that s
1035 word(s)PublishedExcerpt 3a.She didn't let him.In fact, Anarieveta began avoiding him again. This time, harder than the first time.Two months after their night together, Gedony Raskin has had it with her. He has done everything within his power to see Anarieveta again, but she always evaded him.He's in the school? She's suddenly out of the premises according to her assistant.He's in her office? She's not around.He goes to her home? Everywhere is locked.The next thing he heard is, she has gone to the palace to spend some time with her godson, the little Prince.Their night together lives in his head always, he hasn't been able to forget it. And frankly, it hurt him that she moved on without him. How can she just forget that beautiful intimate moment like it never happened?"Papa, papa,
1433 word(s)PublishedExcerpt 2b.Several hours later, Anarieveta admitted to herself that she's happy again for the first time in a long time. Genuinely, womanly happy.He was right there in the kitchen with her when she was making omelets and he found every reason to make her laugh. At first, it was difficult—she doesn't really have a lot to smile about.But he was always making jokes. And when jokes weren't working much, he told her stories about his children in the past. The stories were so funny, they made her smile. Smile so hard. Laugh.It didn't take long before she was laughing out loud as he told her tales elaborately.They ate together. Went out on a walk together. When they got back, they sat in the wooden chairs in the backyard, talking with each other.It was beautiful. It made Anarieveta so happy
1403 word(s)PublishedExcerpt 2a."You're right. So, let's talk about the present." His arms wrapped around her back, successfully caging her in his arms so she wouldn't escape, "Why have you been avoiding me?""I'm been too busy. I wasn't avoiding you.""If you're going to lie, at least look me in the eyes while doing that, will you?" He sounded amused."Alright. There was nothing to talk about. Mr. Odin makes sure any problem concerning the kids are solved." Shifting uncomfortably in his arms, her eyes darted to the door behind him longingly."What about the problem between us?""Mr. Raskin—"He kissed her. Gently. Passionately. Intensely. His lips molded with her perfectly, licking and tasting hers so thoroughly that a moan tore through Anarieveta's throat.Her body
857 word(s)PublishedExcerpt 1b.Note: There are only three excerpts...********In the early evening, Gedoni Raskin stood inside her living room with his daughter plastered to his body, his broad shoulder cushioning her head, her small arms wrapped around him."Why are you sick, Pumpkin? Don't be sick, you know Papa doesn't like that." He said, tenderly."I know, Papa. You get sad when we get sick." Merrily mumbled against his shoulder, her eyes closed."Yeah. Papa loves you two so much, he gets sad when you're not happy.""I am happy, Papa. Miss Ana gave me food and bitter herbs and sang to me. I don't feel so bad anymore.""Oh, guess we have Miss Ana to thank for that," his eyes found her across the living room and held."Yes, Papa. Miss Ana likes me, and I like M
981 word(s)PublishedExcerpt 1a.FIVE YEARS AFTER MOMBANA'S WAR.Anarieveta entered her Bed Chambers, her eyes darted to the fire pit which produced heated light into the bedroom, and felt satisfied that the fire hadn't burned out in her absence.A small figure occupied her king-size bed, the figure moving her body to glance at the door when she entered. Anarieveta smiled at the little girl, walking towards the bed, she lowered herself on it."I've seen Aiden off. Your father will be here very soon to take you home, okay?" She reassured the little girl.The sad lines on Merrily Raskin's small oval face disappeared immediately after her teacher appeared at her doorway. She isn't feeling so good, but her good teacher tells her that everything will be alright. So, everything will be alright."Alright, Miss Ana." She whispered, her br
1037 word(s)PublishedEpilogue...EPILOGUE.Five years later....It is a happy day in the Palace of Kingdom Avalon, as Kamara and Declan celebrate the birth of their second child, Princess Ainaa.A huge feast is held in the Court, a lot of people attended too. Sally and her family sat at one side of the round table, a huge smile on her face as she tries to feed solid food to her own second whose her youngest.Baski, Remeta, and her best friend Corna sat at one side, laughing and talking. Beside them; Haydara, Corna's mother, and her husband Gunther are trying to wipe the oil Raira, Corna's little sister, poured on her clothes.King Lucien has tried to hold Prince Nikolai repeatedly so he'll stay in his seat on the round table, but the Prince isn't having any of that. Instead, he has snuck out again with Princess Auroria, h
1392 word(s)Published296: Final Chapter 2.Name: KING LUCIEN AND QUEEN DANIKA'S FOREVER.....In the next three months, a lot happened.After the war and the birth of the Prince, the people of Mombana practically begged King Lucien to marry their Queen and keep ruling them. The Ministers were most in support of it after they saw the way the King protected their Kingdom, saw the intense love the King and their Queen has for each other, and heard the rumors of the heavy rain in Salem at the birth of the Prince.They wanted the King and the Prince in any way they can get them. In fact, they practically begged the King to merge their Kingdoms back together again and marry their Queen, if it means that he will keep ruling Mombana.Of course, the King agreed to it. The Queen was in support of it wholeheartedly.
1338 word(s) Published 295: Final Chapter 1. As Prince Nikolai nursed, that was when the King gave the Queen the good news of Vetta's survival. Danika was so happy. Tears of joy returned to her eyes again. So much joy, it was contagious. She kept thanking the heavens over and over again and immediately she was done breastfeeding, she insisted on going to see Vetta. No matter how Baski and the others tried to discourage her because of her vulnerable state, she refused adamantly. In the end, the King instructed Chad to carry her to Vetta's bedroom while he stayed with their sleeping baby. Vetta teared up at the sight of Danika. They were hugging immediately Danika's body touched the bed. They were crying together too. Vetta was thanking her for saving her life while the Queen is thanking her for being alive. Today has