Death's Priestess

Chapter 2- It Begins

Five weeks passed after I became a married woman. Everyone left who did not permanently live in the castle, I was never acknowledged as I wandered around. When the others left Albert began to act differently, at first, it was raised voices then grew into physical violence. He would only yell at me on the good days, I tried to stay out of his way by spending most of my time in the library or in my room. Alice and Beth were assigned as my personal maids and even they could do nothing to help me, just patch me up when the lords' anger subsided."Cassandra," Albert yelled. Today's deal must have fallen through, I placed the book I was reading onto the side table. I headed over to his study and knocked gently on the door."It's me, My Lord," I whimpered."Enter," he answered. He stood behind his desk that had been completely wiped clean. Papers and books were thrown about the room. The new vase of flowers lay on the floor leaking water."What do you need," I whispered."Something only you can do," Albert said walking towards me. He raised his hand and brought it forcefully against my cheek. I must have bitten my cheek because a small trickle of blood seeped out the corner of my mouth."Is that everything my Lord," I said numbly."Emotionless wench, you never show anything on that dull face of yours," he yelled, "it pisses me off.""I'm sorry my lord," I said trying to adjust my face to give him the look he wanted."Useless, I bet this will stir some emotions up," he growled as he picked up the vase, and as hard as he humanly could he chucked the vase at me. The vase broke to pieces as it made contact slicing up my face. The bloody glass shards hit the marble floor shattering even more."My lord," I sobbed. Tears and blood splattered on the ground."Now. Clean it up," He grinned. I fell to the floor, using my skirt to hold the shards I picked them up one by one slicing my hands to ribbons. "Wonderful." From behind me, the doors flew open slamming into the wall."Albert!""Father," Albert gasped."You've gone too far," he said."My Grace, I'm sorry," I cried trying to clean up faster. The Duke grabbed my hand and forced me to drop the glass."Cassandra my dear, this is not your fault don't apologize" The Duke assured. He gasped in horror as he looked upon my face. Seeing the old man with his soft green eyes and peppered beard look at me made me cry even harder. He rang the bell in his pocket, a few moments Alice and Beth raced into the room."My Lady," Beth gasped."I'll go get a wet cloth," Alice cried as she ran out. She returned a few moments later with the cloth and the Duke's personal butler."Orland please carry her up to her room," The Duke ordered. Orland nodded and picked me up gently, Alice placed the cool, wet cloth on my face. It felt good against my burning skin, Beth took my hanging hand and gently placed it in my lap."I'm sorry, I got the dress dirty," I said weakly."Hush dear, that's not important right now," Beth cooed adjusting the cloth. I cried and sniffled the entire way to my room, the cloth turned red and sticky from blood and snot. Orland placed me gently on a chair while Alice and Beth ran for more water and clothes."I'll go grab the medicine kit, My Lady," he stated."Thank you, Orland," I smiled weakly. I shifted around in the chair to look into the mirror, as expected my face was covered in blood. I winced as I pulled the cloth off, after losing the hardened blood the cuts began to bleed again."My Lady, please let us do that," Beth cried out. She and Alice had just come through the door with clean water and cloth. They quickly placed down the bowls and Alice started cleaning my hands while Beth worked on my face. Orland came in moments after them with the medicine kit. Alice grabbed a long bandage and wrapped my hands up before helping Beth with my face."My Lady you'll need stitches," Beth apologized."We have nothing to numb it with, will you be ok?" Orland asked."How much worse can it get," I winced trying to smile. Orland nodded and with a painful look on his face, he grabbed the tools. I closed my eyes praying it was over with quickly."I'm starting now," Orland whispered. I felt the slight prick of the needle followed by the screaming pain of the stitches sliding through my skin. I think I passed out from the pain for I opened my eyes staring up at the canopy of my bed. It was strange I could only see out of one eye, the other was blocked by something dark and fuzzy. I stood up and grabbed the handheld mirror that sat by my bedside. Raising it up I saw what had become of my face, Bandages wrapped around my headcover my entire right eye. More were wrapped around my mouth leaving only a space for my nose and mouth for breathing and eating. The only part that wasn't covered was my left eye which already looked dead."My Lady you're awake," a high-pitched voice yelled."Alice," I murmured. Alice ran to me and threw herself into my arms."I'm so glad your ok," she cried."Shouldn't I be the one crying?" I chuckled."Alice that is not proper behavior," Beth sighed grabbing Alice and pulling her off me. "My lady His Grace would like to see you.""Alright," I groaned as I stood up. Beth tried to support me but I waved her away, I could walk by myself. I carried myself with as much grace as I could heading to the Dukes study. I kicked the door in a knocking fashion as I currently could not use my hands."Come in dear," he said."Hello Your Grace," I said trying to open the door. Someone opened it on the other side helping me get in. "Thank you.""How are you feeling," he asked."um,""It's alright, you can be honest,""I'm in pain Your Grace, I am scared,""I'm so sorry my dear, but as you know divorces are not possible in the current world,""Father!" someone screamed as they threw open the doors. I turned around and saw Albert standing there. He moved toward me with anger, thinking he was going to hit me I flinched and threw my hands up to cover my face. I pulled the stitches as I did so causing them to bleed only slightly."Albert, get out," The duke yelled."No not until you explain what's going on,""Its simple you've lost your claim on the duchy,""But why,""Look at what you did to your wife, who you are supposed to love,""How am I supposed to love an emotionless bitch," Albert yelled. Finally having enough I stood tall and stepped in front of them."You made me this way you bastard," I screamed. "I was perfectly happy before you came along." For the first time in a month, I expressed my emotions but I could only look at his stunned face for a moment before I doubled over in pain."Oh my," the duke said catching me. After he helped me back to my feet I looked at Albert hatred burning in my eyes."I can only hope Diatus visits you tonight, may your last breath be painful," I hissed. It was ashamed upon to wish the god of death upon someone but he didn't deserve any sympathy. Using all of my strength I kicked him in the knee sending him to the floor. After seeing him on the floor I was filled with pleasure, the man who beat me was now below me. I felt relieved at the moment he couldn't hurt me with the duke around, I was safe. I walked out the door and let out a breath I didn't even know I had been holding. The sun had already set so I headed back to my room to rest, when I arrived Beth had replaced the bedding and there was steaming food sitting on the table in the corner."I hope salmon is alright tonight, I had the chef butter it so it should be soft," Beth explained coming out of the closet with my nightdress."That sounds perfect," I smiled. I walked over to the food and sat down, before I began to eat I inhaled deeply. The fish smelled like wood smoke from being on a fire with a hint of rosemary and thyme. The butter smelled sweet and heavenly, I sent a quick prayer to the gods for this meal before digging in. The salmon fell right off my fork making me have to scoop instead of stab. I brought the fork to my mouth and tasted the fish, it practically melted in my mouth. I scarfed down the rest of the meal."If you are all done miss, let us get you ready for bed," Beth called. She helped me into my nightdress first and then replaced my bandages. Due to mental and physical exhaustion fell asleep the moment my head touched the pillow.