A Kingdom of Bloodshed (A Crimson Court Series)

*¬*Prologue*¬*

Blood coats the old matt within the center of the room. Shattered glass lay strewn across the floor, looking like fallen stars spread across the room. The room is shrouded in shadows, a feeling of heavy unease has begun to snatch the breath from my lungs.

I feel my breath catch in my throat.

A figure stands amongst the shadows. His tall and powerful height fills the space. His presence seems to drink the energy from the room, begging for attention.

Glass crunches beneath my feet as I stride cautiously forward. The male doesn't move. Instead he watches me from the shadows, his head cocking to the side. Fear lances through me. Fear but also unfiltered stubbornness. Swallowing that fear, I ask,

"What do you want?"

The male ignores me, instead, he stuffs his hands into his pockets; watching. Always watching.

The male keeps his attention on me, his face hidden behind the hood of his cloak. The only thing I can see is the slight outline of his jaw.

I pause in the heart of the room, the smell of old blood and sweat causes my nose to wrinkle. "Why am I here?" I try to ask him another question, yet, he still remains silent. His attention shifts to me, his lips now visible from the light that hits him, they quirk slightly to the side in amusement. Again, he remains silent watching me.

Far-off sounds can be heard through the walls, sounds of people screaming, of swords clanging together, of some deep booming. It's unsettling. Neither of us moves. Both observing the other. Glaring at this insufferable male, I snarl again "What is it you want? You came into my home stealing me away from my family. So you must seek something, what is it?"

"Stole you from your family?" His voice is a husky whisper. Carried along the silent winds within the room before settling upon my skin. "I haven't done anything of the sort." Calm arrogance ripples within his tone as he continues to stare at me, his head cocking to the side once more. It irritates me.

"Then why am I here, if not because you stole me away?"

His voice is soft, velvety when he speaks next, "Because your family owed me a debt. I simply came to collect it."

I cross my arms over my chest, perhaps that will remove the chill that's begun to settle over my skin. It doesn't.

The male smiles, his bright white teeth flashing in the fading light, as though my uncomfortability amuses him.

He walks smoothly towards me. The shadows now skittering away as he approaches. The faint light from the open door behind me, the only source of colour within this room. The power I feel radiating from this male sets my skin on fire.

I don't like it.

Reaching up, he trails a finger down my cheek, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear; I reach up and smack his hand away.

The slap echoes through the quiet room.

"Beautiful and fierce." I blink, ignoring his comment and snarl, "What debt?" He grins at me again, his lips quirking to the sides as he whispers, "Your family called for aid in their time of need and I answered. A debt was owed for saving them, and you were the price I wanted."

I think I may vomit. "Why?" It comes out weak, soft. Nothing of the warrior nature I'm to possess. Pathetic.

He throws his hood back. My heart stills within my chest.

He's beautiful in a frightening way. The male has lightly tanned skin, full pale pink lips, a proud nose and a sharp jawline. He has long dark lashes that sweep across prominent cheekbones, and jet black hair, not too long but not too short either. But it's his eyes that make me pause, they're unique; bright amber-coloured eyes, like sparks encased in glass. He also has a pale white scar sliced over his right eye. The skin from his eyebrow to his cheekbone has puckered under the healing. He's lucky it missed his eye altogether.

He's the most beautiful male I've ever seen.

He smiles at me, his voice melodic when he speaks, "Because, there is something about you that intrigues me. And I think you'll find, Althea Alinac, that somewhere down the line, we will have use of each other."

Those powerful eyes glance over me, taking me in before he gives a slight bow, his stare never once breaking mine.

"I highly doubt that." I snarl, more unnerved by the fact that he knows my name and his is still a mystery to me. He then turns and strides for the door. My anger comes crashing in with a vengeance,

and I've not thought this out when my dagger slashes across his forearm. Him having blocked my attack as swiftly as it took me to plan it.

He simply turns his head, smirking at the blood that trickles from his arm. "Sloppy, but effective."

Growling, I spit, "Let me out of here. I do not wish to be a part of whatever game this is to you." He takes a finger and slides it over the cut on his arm, wiping the blood away. To my horror it starts healing. As if I never even cut him.

"Who are you?" I whisper, fear now crawling back into my system. If he's this powerful to make a cut stop bleeding, then I don't stand a chance.

"Where are my manners? I am Kazimir Morningsong."

"What do you want with me?"
"Not with you but from you." His words unsettled me even more. I take a small step backwards, aiming for that open door. Hoping to escape this darkened room. But Kazimir tilts his head to the side and studies me. Another amused smirk curling around his face.

"I am one of the neighbouring kingdom's rulers. I am a powerful High Fae. One of the strongest this world has seen in over several centuries." High Fae. He's High Fae... that means...

"What do you want from me?" I swallow my fear, trying to awaken the warrior nature I was born into. Kaz grins, white teeth flashing in the dark. "You are going to participate within a tradition that I hold within my court. You are to be a contestant, one I hope to be worthy of my attention."

He's sick. He's twisted and sick. "I've heard of you." I mumble. "I've heard of your games that you play every five years." Kazimir laughs, darkly and sweetly. "Then if you've heard of me, you know which Kingdom you're in."

I do.

He rules over the Kingdom of Bloodshed. He's dark, evil, and cruel. Never keeps a bride longer than a year before something tragic happens to them. Every five years, he holds these horrible tournaments to decide who is strong enough to be his wife. It's rumored he hasn't found his equal yet.

I blink, "If I decline to participate?"

"There is much you don't know about this world. About my Kingdom and my people. I suggest not declining if you wish no ill will towards those you care about." I don't know if I should run from fear or be insulted at the threat he let hang between us.

High Fae have always been powerful, but every respective Kingdom has its own High Lord. A powerful Fae of magic and strength. My own parents are powerful and yet my powers are dormant. They have yet to surface or even whisper as to what they could be. I wonder who the High Lord of this court is? It must be someone of immense power, even greater than his; if they've sent Kaz to do their dirty work for them.

Gulping, I stare at Kaz and hiss, "Do not threaten me."

"What will you do if I continue?" He purrs, his fingers once again reaching for my face. He doesn't get the chance to touch me when I bolt. Aiming for that door and towards my freedom that lay beyond.

I don't get far.

His hands fall upon my shoulders as the door swings shut. Closing me within the darkness and shadows. I notice the wall is stained with blood too. That the whole room reeks of it.

"Are you going to kill me?" I ask as he spins me around and presses my back into the wall. My dagger hangs limply between my fingers. Kaz extracts it, tossing it aside. The metal clanging in the distance is swallowed by the faint chaos bellowing through the walls from outside.

"No." He purrs. His nose nuzzles my neck, placing ghostly kisses to my skin as he states, "I am going to watch you win. I'm curious to see how a lady of Dawn will survive in this court."

Bile rises in my throat, "I'd rather you killed me."

"That could be arranged. But then who would I have to play with?" He purrs once more, his lips now pressing real kisses to my skin. I'm about to retch when he pulls away, his amber eyes seem to glow within the darkness, "Welcome to the Crimson Court, Thea."