Mine (Book 1 )

Part 25

Alexandra

Djolna sits beside me at the table where the feast is laid out. Luka sitting at its head with Arga by his side. The shackles making itself known on my wrist every time I lift it to my mouth. "Tonight my Queen, we shall consummate our marriage" he says to me when no one's looking. I shoot daggers at him with my eyes. 

"Daughter" Luka addresses me and I look at him irritatedly. "How are you settling in as the new Queen of Ayra?" he asks smiling. 

"Like a prisoner" I snap. 

"A prisoner?" he feigns shock "No no. That simply cannot happen" he shakes his head " You are not a prisoner. You are a Queen!" he roars "You must live like one. I shan't have my only daughter think herself a prisoner" 

"If I am not allowed out of these walls, am I not a prisoner?" I ask Luka and he sighs shaking his head. 

"It is silly Djolna, to keep your Queen prisoner" Luka shames Djolna. I could tell Luka was not fond of Djolna. 

"Are you not afraid she will escape my lord?" Djolna asks

"Escape?" Luka laughs "And go where?" he laughs louder. "Ayra is surrounded by Helvite and Helviti soldiers. Where will she go?" he smiles "Daughter" he addresses me "As long as you are accompanied, you are free to do whatever you wish" 

I walk back to my quarters accompanied by Rosalynd. I hear footsteps and turn to see Djolna. "Leave us" he orders Rosalynd. Rosalynd hesitantly looks at me and scurries inside my quarters. "My Queen" he smiles and walks closer towards me and I step back. He corners me into a wall. 

"Think twice before you try anything" I warn. He grabs my hand and twists it behind my back. 

"You will give yourself to me tonight" he growls by my ear. I use my strength and twist his hand behind his back making him wince loud. 

"If you ever touch me again, I will cut your throat" I warn assertively. 

"Let me go" he tries to threaten and I tighten my grip on twisting his hand. 

"Do you know what I remember of you?" I seethe "I remember a scared boy who barked but never had the courage to bite" I spit. I kick behind his knee so he's on the ground and I stand above him "I am not your Queen, nor am I your wife" I spit and go into my quarters locking the door. 

*******

I look up at the wall built of Helvite that barely let any sunlight grace Ayra. Rosalynd follows me close "Do you not want to see Miss Ava?" she whispers. 

"No. Then they would know I care for her. And that would make her something they go after to hurt me" I respond. "We should go back" I say to her and she nods agreeing. 

Ayra seemed so drab and dull as we walk back to the Palace with Helviti guards following close behind us. "Lexie!" a voice calls out to me "Lexie!" I turn to see Drava run towards us. The Helviti Guard gets ready to hold him down. 

"She's my friend" I say to the guard. He still stands stiff. Drava stands in front of me. 

"Lexie" she breathes heavily. 

"That is Your Majesty to you" the guard corrects and I reach my arm out to touch her shoulder. She looks at me afraid. 

"You have to help us" she begs "Y...Your Majesty" she stammers "We're being killed" she cries "The one's they think are not worthy of feeding, they're killing us" she cries. I look around and see the Capital filled with people coughing and crying on the street. 

"What do you mean?" I ask hurriedly. 

"Miss Ava... she's dead and they've been killing.." she starts and I cut her off.