He heard a singular clap. He turned around and looked in that direction to find it was King Osiris himself clapping for him. Seconds later everyone else followed suit and began to clap for him. The King held up his hand and the arena was gone and once again he was standing beside Khepri and King Osiris in front of another gate.
“The second trial. The desert of Sorrow.” He continued.“You are special Marlon. I can see why the beautiful Queen Bihadlly chose you for her daugter.” He walked back to his throne. Once he was situated. He held up his hand again and this time the gate opened.
Marlon felt like he was getting closer to the Princess with each task he accomplished this was the second one, and he hoped he would be able to face whatever came his way. For both of their sake…
The trip back to castle Meadowbrooke had taken half a day’s ride. They had rode fast and hard, arriving at the castle when it was night, and in half the time it usually took to arrive there. Her home seemed so foreign to her now. It seemed darker and less magical than it had been when she was just a little girl growing up here. The carriage ride had been a silent one. The General had made sure she was uncomfortable the entire trip by staying stretched out inside of the small, confined space, and using the majority of her seat as a footrest for his dirty boots. To avoid them she had to sit to the far right of her seat. Cramped in a corner of the carriage.Shortly after arriving home the General, along with his guards, escorted her to her Royal chambers. She noticed two large soldiers standing in front of her doors. The General wasn't taKing an
He let her go and walked out. She watched them all follow after him. She felt the nervous knots in her stomach relax once she heard the last soldier shut her chamber doors. She finally exhaled, not realizing she had been holding her breath this entire time. With the room being so full she hadn’t noticed her lady’s maid. She stood by her hope chest against the wall across from where Flossina stood. She thought the General was joKing. All she saw was a young girl with a long raven black braid pinned into a bun atop her head. She looked no more than thirteen.“You are my lady’s maid? ” Flossina asked her. She had already knew the answer but she tried to keep the attention off her. She felt enraged and numb. This was a child, and Marlon had only been protecting her. General Torunn w
The tears were spilling out now as the overwhelming feelings swarmed around her. She brought her knees up to her chest and gently rested her forehead on them while she quietly cried.Twenty minutes later her lady’s maid returned with a large drying cloth for her. She felt weak from all the crying she had done and she hoped Alexi wouldn’t notice. She wrapped the garment around her and dried herself off. She put on her favorite nightgown, which was a lavender color silk chemise. Alexi had pulled her bedcovers back for her.“If that will be all, Flossina.”“Yes, thank you for your kindness.”Flossina said.She saw the girl blush under her compliments. She curtsied once more and left the room.
“Princess, no handcuffs. No guards. Just you and I, talKing.” His tone still sounded oily to her.“Talk of what pray tell, General?”“Your future.” He said simply.Those words got her thinKing. She hadn't been thinKing about her future in the same way he had. She had been in survival mode for a while now.“Come.” He commanded and began to leave her room.She followed him out her room, down the hall and winding stairs, and into the grand meeting hall. It was a room her mother had utilized only for social and political gatherings with other Royalty. Everything inside of the large beautifully decorated room was covered in white linens.
No matter what, she had to endure. No matter how long, she had to wait for the right moment. She would avenge the death of her mother and Marlon.She nodded her head ‘yes’“Answer me.”“I wish to live, General.” She said quietly.She saw how he looked at her mouth. She realized Marlon had had the same look on his face when she would want him to kiss her, and in this moment she realized he had desired her, just as she had desired him.Her heart ached more for him.“Then you will do exactly as I say. Do you understand Princess?”She nodded her head when she spoke, “Yes.”
“Good ! Shall we go to your stepfather, Princess?” He jerked her chains and half dragged her out of the room and into the throne room.Flossina’s mother had only let her watch court proceedings a handful of times and her mother had always been kind and generous to her people, making sure her diplomacy and fair justice reigned supreme. Now, she was inside the throne room and it looked drastically different than she recalled. The banners were no longer brightly coloured they were all dark purples, grays and blacks. The room was filled with unfamiliar faces. Courtesans walked around freely. She was shocked. She couldn’t see her stepfather. She saw the looks of the men.When they saw the General enter the sea of people parted and he pushed her in front of him. She refused to ho
“Please, Your Grace, I ask for your forgiveness.” She said it loud enough for everyone at court to hear. She could feel the General’s gaze on her back.“Why did you escape if you had nothing to hide?” He shot back loudly.There was a small uproar in the room. Her stepfather held up his hand and the crowd ceased.She hated lying, hated not being able to tell the truth, or to expose both of these men for the evil men they were. She stood there under the scrutiny of the the people of Zuff. She took a deep breath and recited what the General had told her.“I was taken, Your Majesty. By a man. He…” She paused. Thoughts of Marlon caressing her cold cheek when she was unconscious came to her. She didn't think she coul
“Please, Your Grace, I ask for your forgiveness.” She said it loud enough for everyone at court to hear. She could feel the General’s gaze on her back.“Why did you escape if you had nothing to hide?” He shot back loudly.There was a small uproar in the room. Her stepfather held up his hand and the crowd ceased.She hated lying, hated not being able to tell the truth, or to expose both of these men for the evil men they were. She stood there under the scrutiny of the the people of Zuff. She took a deep breath and recited what the General had told her.“I was taken, Your Majesty. By a man. He…” She paused. Thoughts of Marlon caressing her cold cheek when she was unconscious came to her. She didn't think she coul