An Angel of Death and Ruin

ch.1

A hollowness inside her stomach stirred her awake. Rosamund left her bed chambers and began wandering around the castle. The air was cold and stale as she made her way through the hallways and levels of her home. She thought how stupid of her to think a quiet stroll in the castle would ease the hollowness inside her. Rosamund was to be married in the morning and after the ceremony she would leave Rivera immediately and be carried off to a new land where she was to live the rest of her days. Another land of cruelty and greed. The hollowness consumed her.

She walked down the hall where her prince had his quarters. Her prince. She did not want to have anyone, especially him.

She stared at his door intently. She wondered if he was as cruel as his mother and father. Besides over-supervised courting, Rosamund had no idea what kind of a man prince Varas really was. He remained proper and polite during the entirety of their courting, but she could see in his eyes something dishonest underneath. It was a gut feeling that silently screamed at her when the proposal was announced and she agreed. Of course, her parents were overjoyed.

Rosamund had enough of her meandering and she turned to walk back to her room when prince Varas's door creaked open. Had he sensed her staring?

"My lady," he purred ever so sweetly bowing his head as a gentleman should.

Rosamund's cheeks flared red, she was just in her nightgown of course.

She gulped. "My lord, it is bad luck to see your bride the night before the wedding."

"And yet you have found yourself mere inches from my door."

His gaze ran up and down her attire, the light fabric only a small barrier away from what lay underneath.

Rosamund turned to walk away. "I will be off to bed now, goodnight."

"Wait." Varas grabbed her wrist, his pale hands were icy cold to the touch.

She met his gaze. Varas was not an ugly man by any means. He was tall, strong and handsome with a good head of golden-blonde hair similar to her own. Any maiden would find him a swoon-worthy prince.

"You are very beautiful, Rosamund," He said his eyes still roaming up and down her.

His compliment meant nothing to her. She did not want his flattery. She hoped that once married that he would lose interest in bedding her after a short while and leave her be throughout their marriage. She did not care what or who he did as long as she was left alone.

He grew annoyed at her silence and his grip on her wrist tightened.

"And what do you think of me?" A long line of a smile crept onto his face. "Are you happy you are to marry me?"

Rosamund remained uncomfortable conversing with the prince while still in her nightgown. She could only imagine what he must be thinking. How could she explain she was just walking around the castle to give company to her numbness? Now, she was found right in front of his door with nothing underneath her bed wear. The implications of that to a male....

Varas turned to grip her shoulders. She had never been touched by a man in this way. His eyes were deep pits of violet-blue and she averted her gaze away from them.

"You can look at me, Rosamund," He coaxed. "Please tell me what you think of me."

Rosamund gulped. "You are a very accomplished young gentleman. My parents are delighted at our engagement."

He gave a sigh of annoyance and gripped her shoulders tighter. "No, Rosamund. Don't be afraid. We are to be married in the morning, after all. Tell me. Tell me what you desire."