When Astrid is kidnapped and shipped off as a gift for a king’s coronation, she becomes resentful of her life and resigns herself to death at his hands. Spared by her new captor, she must find a way to navigate the turmoil of harem life. Pitted against the other girls of the harem, and the king's favorite, she must survive attempts on her life, societal upheaval, and, most dangerous of all, a budding romance. Is she just making the good of a bad situation? Or is love truly blooming with her tyrannical owner? "Do you know who you're talking to?" He asks both angry and amused, with a dangerous flame in his golden eyes. "Loras." "Loras is a king, Astrid. A king doesn't give explanations in front of anyone. And if you don't learn that, this palace will kill you." He doesn't sound like he's scolding her, nor does he sound arrogant. He tells it as it is. And Astrid was aware of that. But still, it's not something that her heart could just accept. She didn't realize she was crying until his hand dries her tears. And before realizing it, he pulls her closer. "N..." She tries to oppose it, but it's too late. His lips are pressed on hers and all breath leaves her chest. His lips are soft and full, embracing her mouth entirely. "Open your mouth!" He whispers an order and she can only obey. Her knees are melting so she grabs his neck. He puts his arms around her and lifts her up, pressing her body into the wall, trapping her. And then, suddenly, just when she was starting to get used to the maddening sensation of his touch, he steps back. "Don't you want to finish the conversation about Lysa?" He asks.
View MoreThe man looks bored. A beauty is trying to whisper something into his ear, but no words could reach him. Because the king is empty on the inside. He has nothing to wish for. Because there is nothing he doesn't have already.
Until his eyes fall on one of the slave girls that were brought to him as a coronation gift. They all look small and pathetic; terrified.
Except for this one. Her eyes don't fall to the ground when he notices her. She does not tremble or turn.
She stares at him. Her eyes holding a fire that burns him inside. Excitement. It's been too long since he felt that.
#One day earlier#
The old ship tilts as the sea attempts to drown the sinners that took refuge on it. Astrid smiles at the thought.
"God, if you hear us. Sink this ship and let the screams of those animals be the last thing I hear!" The beautiful woman prays out loud looking straight at the captain.
One of his loyal monkeys takes a step toward her.
"Let her be. If God would listen to her she wouldn't be here." The captain stops his man with a bored tone in his voice.
Astrid bites her tongue. It is true. If God would be out there, she would be home with her family. Laughing with her brothers as her mother makes dinner while singing their old song. Her father would read his book near the big window and smile from time to time looking at them. Now they are all dead. Only unlucky Astrid is alive.
A solitary tear falls on the wet floor. It gets lost through the many other before it. A lot of women cried here. A slave ship has this curse.
"Astrid... They will kill you if you talk like that!" Lanna whispers, pinching her arm.
"I can only hope they do." Astrid answers with venom in her voice. How can Lanna be quiet now? They both lost their parents in the same way. Murdered by those animals. Now they have to bow to them?
A thunder pulls her out of her dark thoughts. She is terrified by them.
"We are almost there. And just in time. They started the celebration." The captain says looking out of the window.
The girls huddle together to see the outside.
Astrid turns her head in the opposite direction. She wants nothing to do with whatever they're seeing. But the excited screams and whispers make her curious. She takes a peak.
The sky is covered in shining flowers. They appear and disappear with a rumble of loud thunder.
Dragons fly in between them. Dancing in between the colorful flames.
Their beauty is undeniable. But so is the fear they bring. They are creatures of destruction.... and no beauty can hide that.
The dance is over when they arrive in port. It is quite late. The celebrations will continue tomorrow.
They are chained and guided towards a small building close by.
Astrid doesn't fight it. What's the point? They are here. In their land.
A few older women take the girls in to make them presentable. They even act king when they untie their hands. But there is no kindness in their job.
"Look at the state of them! Why don't those savages understand that they need to bring them in good condition?" One of them whispers to another.
"Hush and do your job! It doesn't matter anyway. The king already has enough beautiful women. And with better blood. These will be just servants."
This is Astrid's only hope. To never have to meet the cruel king. Or if she meets him... to have a knife to slit his throat.
They are stripped of anything they came with. They are washed thoroughly. No piece of dirt on their bodies. No trace of home. They are left an entire hour to soak in warm rose water before being covered in fragrant lotions. Their hair is combed in complicated braids and their faces are painted black and red. The colors of the dragons. The colors of death and fire.
"Dress them quickly!" Someone screams as the first ray of sunshine comes through the windows. "He has arrived!"
"But we don't need to present them until noon!" The oldest woman says, looking at the girls and then at the man that just came in. He is dressed in golden clothes and wears a tall hat. the woman bows deeply.
"The king already rejected the first three sets. It took him seconds." The man says not looking too surprised.
"All the beauties from east, west and south?" The woman asks with her voice barely hiding her fear. "But they were... The north is the last..."
"Doesn't matter! The king does as he pleases. And by the look of it. Those will become sacrifices for the dragons too..." He answers looking at the trembling girls in front of him.
"We will die? I thought we are going to become servants?" One of the girls asks and the man answers with a knowing smirk.
"Get them ready. We leave in ten minutes!" He orders as he gets out.
The next few minutes are a mess. the women are screaming at the girls, the girls are crying. No one wants to get dressed to go to their deaths.
Except for Astrid. For the first time in days, she's excited. She will soon join her family.
After being forcefully dressed, they are pushed into carriages. Some cry, some pray, some simply wait in silence. Such a difference in between the slave girls and the people already celebrating their new king in the streets. I guess is fair... They have no reason to fear or hate him. They are just happy they have a reason to drink.
"Astrid..." Lanna calls her while taking her hand. "I am scared."
"Death will free us, Lanna." Astrid answers, comforting her only friend.
"But death will not come quickly. It will come by fire and pain."
The two girls just stare at each other. They can do nothing. Just wait.
Once arrived at the palace, they are given no time to admire the golden halls that will become their coffin. The opulence, the luxury. Breathtaking, but cold as the souls that own it.
They are all rushed in the throne room, right in the middle. They are sorted, the tall ones in the back, the more beautiful ones in the middle. They are ordered to kneel down with their heads on the ground and wait for the king to come.
And in that uncomfortable position, they sit for an hour.
Some servants whisper. The king got bored and left with his favorite woman. The mother of his heir. The most beautiful woman in the empire. But still... just another slave at his mercy.
Astrid sighs. Her father was a priest of the old ways. He thought her that life, whether we want it or not is a gift from God. There is no forgiveness for the ones that end it themselves. She thought at the time that that's beautiful. It has a meaning. Now... She hates it. The idea of betraying her father's faith is the only thing that kept her from taking her own miserable life.
"His Majesty, King Loras!" A guard announces and a deadly silence falls over the room.
Astrid sneaks a peek at the man that takes his seat on the throne. He is tall, with broad shoulders and a strong body. The only way a warrior king can be. But all of that can be expected. What Astrid didn’t expect is his face. Not beautiful in a common way. The lines are not soft, the eyes are not clear. His long hair falls in a wild cascade under the heave crown that rests on his forehead. He looks like... and old god.
Astrid scolds herself. How can she admire such a man? The man that is at fault for her family's death.
Her eyes burn with hate. She disregards all orders and keeps her head straight. She will die anyway, but she won't die with her head down.
But something unbelievable. The king rises his eyes. And looks straight at Astrid. The world stops as they both stare at one another.
The king gets up from his throne and slowly comes down the stairs. Astrid's heart is shaking at each of his steps, but she won't move her eyes.
She prays death will be fast.
But it isn't. Fate doesn't offer her this kindness.
Instead, the king grabs her chin and forces her to get up.
With a smirk on his face, he looks at her up and down. Astrid holds her breath, as everyone else around, it seems.
"You are mine now!" He says and with that seals her fate.
The entire court gasps as they all look at Astrid.
"All hail to King Loras Dardarian and Queen Astrid Dardarian!" The guard announces them solemnly as they step through the gold doors. The banquet room is filled with the noble lords and ladies of the kingdom, diplomats from beyond the seas and high members of the land councils. They all bow in front of the royal couple as they slowly make their way to the other side of the room, where the thrones await.Astrid looks at Loras, who is holding her hand. So many years passed, so many troubles they overcame and with every second that they live she feels that not a thousand lives would be enough next to him. Loras notices her melancholic glance and smiles."This is not the day for unpleasant feelings, my little one! This is a day of celebration." He whispers, the feeling of his breath on her neck, still giving her shivers of pleasure after so many years."I am old, Loras. When will you stop calling me little one?" She laughs."Do you want me to find you another nickname in the next life?"A
"Where is my son?" Loras shouts, his voice unrecognizable.Astrid helps Lysa get up and whispers to her that Omar found his way to the dragon cave and is now with his aunts. Once she hears that, color returns to her face and she starts crying hysterically.Everyone turns to them, distracted by the noise. Everyone but the king, who is so blinded by his rage that he can't hear a thing around him."You're not lying?" Lysa asks, clinging to Astrid's arm with such force that she almost breaks it."He got lost in the corridors. The king's dragon sensed his distress and called for him. That's why he ended with us." Astrid explains and the guards around them exchange questioning looks before glancing at the king."Loras! Loras!" Lysa shouts, running toward him, ignoring the traitorous lords that throw her murdering looks. "Omar is with Astrid! Omar is alright! Our son is alright!"The king's fist freezes in the air and he turns his head to Lysa. His former favorite is in tears, happiness mixe
Astrid tries to swallow the lump in her throat as she looks at the cave's entrance, waiting for someone to run in and announce that Loras arrested the lords without spilled blood.Sansa's voice is in the background as her prayers echo on the cavernous walls, creating a soothing noise. It helps the other girls that are gathered in the corner, as far away from the dragons as possible."We just got here..." Tamara tries to calm Astrid down, but to no avail."Did Loras say anything to you about Lysa and Omar?" Astrid asks, holding Erik a bit tighter to her chest."He just seemed furious. But my brother is not the one that is easily overpowered by emotions. And he loves Omar. I think he will forgive Lysa too for his sake." Tamara confidently declares. Her reassurance seemingly more for herself than for Astrid."My lady?" Esmee asks. "I could take the little prince for a while. So you could rest."Astrid looks at her. She wants to say no, as feeling Erik close to her makes her feel better,
The heavy doors open and all heads bow in front of her. If the events from earlier wouldn't have opened her eyes, Lysa would think that they all respect her. She looks at her new husband and the dignified way he keeps his back straight and his hand on that decorative sword on his waist. He will find his end tonight. She looks around. They will all find their end. Including her. Two chairs were brought to sit tall on the other side of the room and Lysa walks to sit on one. Lord Connrad joins her soon after and the meeting of the traitors begins. "Noble lords of the kingdom!" Lord Connrad starts his grand speech. "For centuries, our influence was the foundation that the crown used to build this great nation. Every change good or great was passed through our opinions before a king would even consider implementing it. And that brought us to where we are today. On the top of the world. Second only to God's heavens." The Lords cheer in agreement and Lysa simply fails to understand the ne
Lord Connrad has a huge grin on his face as he stares at the woman that once was known as the jewel of the crown. Lysa is indeed a beauty, even so many years later, even after a child. Her figure is unchanged, the skin is soft and tight. Her breasts are defying any force of gravity that tries to tame them.The woman is shaking, terrified by what's to come, but doesn't utter a single word. After all, who would help her even if they hear her screams?She closes her eyes, trying to disconnect, to leave her body to this filthy word. But that seems to provoke Lord Connrad, because he grabs her hair and shouts at her, ordering her to look at him like she used to look at the king.Why would she? This scum is no king...In her mind, she returns to her first night with Loras. Sansa chose her to go. She liked how Lysa could hold her head high. She didn't realize that she was only doing it because she had nothing to lose. In the prince's chambers, she was shaking like a bird caught in hand. Lora
The bells ring louder than Lysa had ever heard them. Curious thing. She's been here for years and she never paid attention at the sound. Every hour... one ding for one past midnight, two dings for two past midnight. Every single day without a break and it's the first time she actually listens to them.The high priest in right on time. The old man always is. That might be his only quality as in the rest of the time he spends his moments preaching about how everything is a sin.Lord Connrad comes into her room without knocking and she throws him a threatening look that he chooses to ignore."You, my lady, are dazzling my eyes. Truly the jewel of the crown as the peasants refer to you."Lysa can't help but throw her eyes in the mirror. The dress is indeed dazzling. Impeccable white, crusted with endless diamonds that reflect the weakest light into a rainbow that then dances around her. A sight to counter her flawless body and rise her full chest. A bit of cleavage, just enough to attract
Omar is shaking at her chest, but Lysa signals him to be quiet. Lord Connrad sent two of his personal guards to escort them, but they still have to get to the meeting point unnoticed. "You said we are going to see auntie!" Omar whines and the echo of his little voice hitting the empty halls makes Lysa freeze. "We have to see a friend first." She whispers to her son. "It won't take long, I promise." The promise is a lie. Lysa doesn't know how long it will take, but it's enough that she is anxious, she is not going to bring her son in the same state. "I'm cold!" He whines again after a moment of silence and Lysa curses herself for not dressing him in warmer clothes. But at the same time, the guards would have gotten suspicious if the prince would have walked to his aunt's place all dressed up. "We are going somewhere warm, my love. One moment." She wraps her arms around him, trying to provide all the warmth she can with her own body. This old path was closed years ago so there are n
"What happened? Where is she?" Astrid bursts into the infirmary with Tamara, confused as hell, running behind her."Forgive me, Lady Astrid! Her stomach started bleeding, suddenly. It may have been more than an indigestion, I believe the stress made a hole inside her guts. She bled out the poor girl.""She was fine a moment ago and now you're telling me that she bled to death?" Astrid shouts, but the medic is already not paying attention to her anymore as she bows to somebody that just came into the room. Astrid turns around, surprised to see Lord Connrad."Thank you for your worry, my lady. My wife would have been honored." He says, barely contenting his smirk. "Your Grace. It's an honor to be in your presence."Tamara doesn't seem to reciprocate the feeling but politely nods at the lord. Since she doesn't know the situation, she is not filled with rage as Astrid is."Forgive me, my lady! My lord! I did everything that was in my mortal power. The rest comes only from God and he was t
"You look at me as if you just saw a ghost, Astrid." Sansa comments, trying to seem offended, but with a smile hiding behind her lips."I... didn't expect that...""Neither did I. To apologize to a... well, you are not a slave anymore... to a concubine of my brother was not something that I thought I will ever do in this life. But I am not that stuck in my own ways not to see the necessity to do it this time.""And what made you think that?"Sansa sighs."More than one thing I suppose. My brother seems better, happier. I can't ignore the good effect you have on him. You offered him a son, a lovely little baby that even if I hated you, I can't help but adore. You turned around the fate of the war... Maybe I started it, but... I never wanted to go through with it. It was too late when I realized that and I am glad it failed. You didn't take advantage of that victory to push everyone else aside for your own gain. And more than anything you seem to care about this kingdom in a way that on
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