Keditha's Beloved

Chapter Twenty One

"I'm glad you got cleaned up. You were a mess earlier." Philip says. He tucks a piece of hair behind my ear. I flinch back from his touch.

"Le-leave me alone Philip. My father will come for me, you know that."

Philip laughs, pulling me closer by my waist. I try to push him away but he tightens his grip. "You're so naive." He says, caressing my face. "I know about your father, do you really think he'd come safe you in his condition?" He tips my head up so I look at him. "Besides I'm not counting on him to come."

He releases me, walking over to his table. He grabs a piece of paper and quill. "What do you mean?" I ask.

"Your father may not be able to come but I bet there's one person who'd be interested in hearing of your recent disappearance." He chuckles lightly. Why was he so amused by himself?

"You don't mean-"

"Oh but I do." Philip grabs my hand, pulling me towards the table. "I already have you.” Philip leers at me. “But I also know Julian, he’ll come for you and when he does, I’ll gut him alive in front of you.”

I shake my head. "You're mistaken. He's not going to come. I know he won't." I say, glancing down. I mean why would he? He didn't care for me.

"Don't underestimate the power of love dear." Philip mutters, forcing a kiss on my lips.

I shove him back. "Don't touch me!" I snap. Philip narrows his eyes. He grabs both my forearms, tossing me into the chair.

He places a hand on my shoulder, leaning down to whisper in my ear. "You're going to write that letter for Julian, and only write exactly what I tell you."

"You want me to trap him? I can't do that!" 

I gasp when Philip slaps me. He grabs my throat, looking me straight in the eyes. "I'm getting a little tired of your disobedience. Try to be good for me or I won't be too generous next time."

I nod, tears falling from the stinging pain in my cheek. "What d-do I wri-write?" I try to speak without bursting into tears.

"Just tell him I have you and you need to be saved. Make it seem genuine. And don't forget to tell him to hurry, I'm a very busy man." He runs a finger down my jawline. "With our wedding that needs to be planned." He laughs, the sound sending a shiver down my spine.

"I'm not going to marry you Philip. Not now, not ever."

He frowns, I was half scared he was going to slap me. "We'll work on that later, just write the letter. Like I said, I'm very pressed for time."

I shakily pick up the quill and start writing. Philip sighs. He grabs the paper, crumbling it in his hand. "I need nice handwriting." He hands me another piece of paper. "Or do you insist on disobeying me?"

"I-i'm sorry, my hand is too-" Philip grabs my hand roughly, leaning in.

"I don't have time for your excuses. I'm going to leave to conduct business and that letter better be finished when I get back." He presses his lips against mine. I recoil from the feeling.

He opens the door, closing it instantly after he steps outside. I hear a loud click as he locks the door.

I grip the edges of the chair as I burst into tears. Lord why was this happening? Will I ever get out of here? I pray that Julian was going to come but If he did come, Philip was going to kill him. All this was a trip and there was no way out of it.

I grip the quill, wiping away my tears. I needed to finish this and make it seem genuine. Inhaling slowly, I start writing. Slow and steady so it wouldn't be messy.

Dear Julian

I know you're still mad at me but please before you throw this letter away. Philip has taken me captive, he says he's planning a wedding for us. He's even threatened to kill me.

Please I really need your help. I apologize for everything I did, just hurry. 

I still love you

Athena

Philip enters the room a couple moments after I finished the letter. He reads it over my shoulder. His closeness made me uneasy. Almost nauseous.

He nods. "Very good. At least you're good for something." He picks up the letter, folding it carefully then sealing with wax. "I send this out right away but right now." He walks to the door, gesturing for me to follow with his finger.

I follow him out, not wanting to get anymore abuse. He takes me through the castle and only when we stopped at a stairway going down, do I question him. "Where are we going?" I ask in my most innocent voice, hoping to come off as more curious than defiant.

Philip pulls me to him by my arm. "We have to sell the look dear." He mutters softly into my ear. He takes me down the stairs and I soon realized this was the dungeon.

"Wait, why are you taking me here?" I struggle, pulling against his grip.

Philip sighs out of frustration. "We have to sell the look. You're supposed to be my captive, not my guest." A guard opens a jail for Philip. He shoves me in.

"But I'm already your captive!" I yell at him.

An evil grin crosses Philip's face. He crouches to meet with my eyes. "You're not my captive yet, and you better pray that doesn't ever happen."

Philip stands to leave. "Send some men to Astoan, make sure my dear bride has nothing to run home to." He tells the guard.

I scramble to my feet, trying to get to Philip but the guard closes the door in my face. "No! You can't do that! Please!" The stone hallways echo with Philip's laughter as he walks away. I sink to my knees and sob.

          ______________________

It's been multiple days since Philip sent the letter. Surely Julian must've gotten it by now. And my parents...

"My bride." Philip says in a singsong voice as he enters my cell. "I have something for you darling." Philip grabs my hand, turning it upward. He drops something cold and wet into my hands.

I gasp. It was my mother's favorite necklace, and it was covered in blood. "No!" I cry. "Why! What did I ever do to you!" I scream at Philip.

He slaps me, grabbing my chin. "Don't raise your voice to me!" He slowly grins. "Let's hope your love gets here soon. I'm getting impatient." He releases me, leaving the cell.

I stare at the bloody necklace in my hand. Mother and father... They're dead...

And Julian was never coming.