I awoke with a jolt, strong arms carried me through a shining circle of light. My hands were still bound, but I could see a little through a small hole in the blindfold. General Desmond was carrying me. The sound of bustling workers, training knights, and gossiping servants told me that I was not in the same place I had fallen asleep in. Did they use teleportation magic? Shivers ran down my spine and through my body,
"She twitches in her sleep?" Desmond mumbled to himself. I couldn't fake sleep forever,
"If you're going to kill me, just do it." I whimpered through cracked lips and a hoarse voice,
"So you are awake," was all he said. We walked through what sounded like two large wooden doors and I was soon placed on a cold marble floor,
"Bow your head," Desmond ordered, I obeyed and placed my forehead on the icy tiles,
"What's this? General, we have no need for more maids," an older man's voice boomed, ringing through my ears,
"Your Majesty, this girl is Duke Herman's gift to the young prince on his birthday," Desmond's voice never quivered, even though he was talking to a king!
"Oh? This rugged little thing?" A feminine voice, probably the queen's, asked,
"She has the eyes," Desmond said as he brought me to my feet, "the ones you've been looking for,"
Were they going to gouge out my eyes? I began to shake as I choked back dry tears. General Desmond lifted the blindfold from my face, the feeling of cool air soon wafted my way and my once soaked eyes stung. The room was indeed exquisite, crystal glass windows lined the room, lighting it beautifully. The thrones they sat upon were decked in rose quartz and gold, signifying their kingdoms wealth. I had never seen a nobles house, let alone a throne room, to me, this was a nightmare. The gold seemed to weave around the innocent rose quartz like a snake would to prey. The queens eyes fiercely examined my own, picking apart every shade and color of my soul. I wanted to shrink, to melt away, to fall and cry in my own black abyss. I could feel my weight shift, my body slowly fall. General Desmond placed a firm hand on my shoulder to keep me steady,
"You see, it is just as the prophecies say," he nodded toward the king and queen,
"Indeed so, my son will be more than pleased with his gift," the queen smiled, she turned to me with warmth in her once cold eyes, "my I guess I should prepare a wedding present for you," she snickered.
A wedding present? I was snapped out of my daze when a loud voice boomed once again,
"What is your name?" The king asked,
I paused, I couldn't form the words. It was as if a rope tied itself around my tongue, no, it was more like a chain of hot iron. I felt a finger tap my shoulder and I snapped into action,
"Freya, my name is Freya," I stuttered,
"Show Freya to her room and see to it that she is taken care of," the king ordered,
Three women in black and white came and took me from the General's side, but I still didn't feel safe. When we finally got to the room my stomach churned, there was a large wooden table with robes servants waiting. Scrolls about a prophecy lined the walls,
"What are you going to do?" I whimpered,
"Please just be a good girl," on of the women said,
"They're just going to verify very the Generals words, nothing more." Said another.
They shoved me in the room and I heard the faint click of a lock. The robed servants strapped me to the table as hot and heavy tears streamed like waterfalls down my face. They poked and prodded my eyes, I fought back the urge to scream in pain. They sucked my blood with a needle and tested it with magic. The pain spread through my body like a viper weaving it's way in and out of my muscles. When they were done, the handed me a cookie. The monsters that tortured me handed me a cookie. I was too sickly and tired to be enraged. I just wanted my heart to stop. The women took me to a large beautiful room. Pink furniture held countless bouquets of flowers. A small bunny plush was left for me on the bed. Then, one older woman appeared in front of me,
"Good evening, Lady Freya, I'm your head maid, Theshia," she smiled as she bowed, "the results of your test are being examined now, it is my duty to bathe you and prepare you for your meeting with the royal family tonight," she looked at me, expecting an answer,
"Yes ma'am," I nodded, even that simple action endured great pain throughout my body. For some reason, she seemed satisfied by my pain. They bathed me in a warm bath with rose petals and something they called 'incense'. It was unusual for me, I was used to a bucket and a rag, not a luxurious tub and a sponge.
