A Kingdom of Bloodshed (A Crimson Court Series)

*¬*Chapter One*¬*

To say my stay here has been anything but pleasant, would be a lie. It's been three weeks since that day. Kaz hasn't shown me his court. Nor has he introduced me to anyone that resides within his palace. My parents have tried bargaining with Kaz, to offer him another prize for their debt. But he declined.

My mother is High Fae, my father is the High Lord of our Kingdom. I was born in the Dawn Kingdom. According to my mother, there are four ruling kingdoms, each one with a High Lord overseeing them.

There's the Kingdom of Light, where the people are pure and peaceful. The Kingdom of Wind, these people are intelligent, wise, but also sneaky and can't be fully trusted. The Kingdom of Dawn, my home, is known for its fierce warriors and battle winners. We're the ones you want on your side if you wish to win. Then there's the Kingdom of Bloodshed, which is Kazimir's kingdom. This one is the darkest kingdom of them all. No one wants to align with Kaz but they also are scared to cross him. Any alliances he has are tense and fickle, ready to snap at any given moment.

Each kingdom has a sector to rule over, a treaty has been followed so that no one crosses any lines. That treaty was titled Treaty of the Sacred. This treaty decrees how one ruler decides to rule over his people is his choice, the other bordering kingdoms must mind their own business. We are not allowed to sanction or punish another ruler for the treatment of their people unless it is within their respective Courts.

The last three weeks have been about educating myself on the workings of the Kingdom of Bloodshed because my twentieth birthday is today, which means that my magic should reveal itself, but it is also the day I plan my escape.

"I still don't get why you insist on leaving."

"Because, Arrow, I cannot stand to be here any more. I do not belong in this court" Arrow is brushing my hair, my long wavy locks falling to mid-waist. I don't have the same burgundy colour as my mother, or the dark brown of my father. My hair falls somewhere in between, almost like an auburn tint. My eyes are different from both my parents, my mother has violet-blue eyes while my father has green eyes. But me? I have blue-green eyes with a ring of violet around them. So rare according to my parents.

I have my father's mouth and my mother's nose. Strong cheekbones and a soft jawline. I'm not by any means pretty, but I'm not horribly unattractive either.

Arrow hums to herself, as she brushes my hair. I regard her face in the floor-length mirror in my room, "What is it?"

"I know you've only been here a few weeks, but... I've begun to look at you as my friend."

"I'm sorry."

She frowns, her lips creasing at the sides. "I understand that you were brought here against your will, and that makes you angry, but is fleeing the right option? You know he'll just drag you back here." She puts the brush down and walks around me, pausing before me as she holds my face in her warm hands.

"I just don't want you to make a mistake that you'll regret later."

Arrow has been the servant Kaz assigned to me all those weeks ago. The only person he bothered to introduce me to. But I don't look at her as such. She has become my friend, a bright spot within this chaotic kingdom. Leaving would mean she'd get left behind, as much as I don't wish to lose her, I also need to find a way back to my family.

"Arrow, it'll be alright."

"Will you at least stay for your birthday celebration? I've worked hard on making a party for you and it would be awkward if the person of the hour didn't show." Arrow meets my stare, her eyes filled with sadness. "I didn't want a party." My reply is cold, colder than I intended for it to be. She sighs, and releases my face, striding for the door to my room. Just before Arrow exits, I say, "But yes, I'll stay. I will leave after saying my hellos to the guests." It seems to ease the hurt that was wrinkled upon her face. The door closes behind her and I'm alone once more. I'm still not used to the room he assigned me. It's different from what I used to live in.