The Crimson Chains That Bind Us

Chapter 13: The First Battle Has Begun

The carriage ride home was quiet, Ashton sat across from me his arms crossed over his broad chest. And his stormy eyes closed. "My lord." I could still feel the touch of the kings hands on my body, I wanted to burn my skin. To drown out the feeling of his touch. "Forgive me," I clenched my fist against my chest, bowing my head as tears threatened to fall. "I had no intention of this happening. I have shamed you." Ashton leaned forward, taking my face in his warm hands.

"Hush," his eyes softened as he wiped the tears from my face with his thumbs. "It was not your fault, I put you in such a position." I sobbed harder, falling into his arms. My tears staining his tunic as he pulled me onto his lap, cradling me in his arms. "I could have killed them all right there." He growled. "How dare he lay a hand on what's mine." The carriage jerked and came to a hilt. It startled us, I hurried from his lap wiping the tears from my eyes. "The hell." He snarled as I climbed out after him, he held my hand tightly.

Seven royal gaurds stood in the path, their swords in position. Ashton released me, reaching for his own sword. "Duke Ashton Rowan Dragmyr, you are hereby under arrest for betrayal of your King Edward. You shall be put do death where you stand." They lunged at my husband, and with a quick maneuver Ashton dodged their attack.

"Like hell!" He snarled. Blocking their struck with his sword.

"Ashton!" I screamed, clinging to his coat that he had placed around my shoulders. I was useless to him in battle. Ashton swung his sword, hitting one of the soldiers on the shoulder. The battle continued, fear forced me to stand still. If my husband was to be executed for betraying the crown, what of me? I certainly would be put to death too. And if I happened to escape and ran to my father, what would stop them from doing the same to him?

Suddenly a pair of strong arms grabbed me from behind. Pulling me off the ground. I flayed, kicking and screaming. "Farrah!" Ashton growled out in anger as he tried to reach me for me, trying to protect me. But I only distracted him, as he reached for me he was hit from behind, a sword was thrust into his back.

"Ashton, no!" I screamed, watching my husband fall to his knees. His eyes widened by surprise, tears formed as I watched him grab his sword. Anger shaking his body, he staggered to his feet fighting the soldiers behind him. Ashton spat out at the knights who surrounded him. Cursing them as they circled him. Something covered my mouth and nose, the world fade to darkness I watched another sword being plunged into his chest.

I awoken to a dark room, my body laying on furs. "Ashton." My voice was soft, my throat scratchy. I couldn't see anything around me, but I felt for his body. Searching for his warmth, praying I had witnessed a nightmare. I moved, trying to sit up but cold metal touched my ankle. My heart stopped as I slid my fingers down my leg to my ankle, chains. I was chained, I tugged at them willing my leg to break free. But alas, I failed. I was trapped. "Oh god." I cried, my hands feeling the silky gown. My clothes had been changed, and my new gown was thin and the sleeves felt as if made my lace. I killed my husband, there was no way he survived those hits. Not even a god could survive. But I prayed that he would, I needed him to survive.

A door opened, light pooling in the room from outside. When the door closed again, I was greeted with darkness until the light of a candle illuminated the room. It was simple, more of a prison cell. It was only furnished with a bed, one in which I was attached to. In the center was a small table with two chairs, there wasn't even a window nor hearth. A maid bowed to me, sitting a bowl of porridge and bread on the table with a glass of water.

"Hello." I greeted her, perhaps I could convince her to set me free. "Can you help me? I need to get back to my husband." I pleaded with her, hoping she would be my light in this eternal darkness.

"His majesty wished me not to speak to you, Lady Dragmyr." She never met my eyes, only did her work quietly. I could see her sweating, is sick? No, the royal family is known for casting their employees out if they are ill. So she must be nervous, she's young maybe even younger then Catherine. I hope my ladies are safe, since they had left ahead of Ashton and I, I prayed they were left unharmed.

"So you know of me." She frowned, not daring to meet me in the eye. "Please tell me, is there any word of my husbands well-being?" She lit another candle, making the room a tad brighter. But darkness still surrounded me, my heart was racing in my chest. Something terrible is about to happen. "Please, I need to know of what had came of him." My heart pounding in my chest. Please don't be dead, I prayed. I couldn't survive another death. I crawled towards the edge of the bed closest to the young maid.

"I-I don't know." She stammered and gave me a clumsy bow. "I must take my leave, my lady." She hurried away, locking the door behind her. My heart sank, and i collapsed back onto the bed, bringing my knees to my chest. A sob escaped me, and I slowly cried myself to sleep. When I awoken again, I was greeted with the door opening and king Edward stepping in.

"Farrah." He purred as she stalked towards me, I scrambled to my feet. Trying to escape him, but my ankle was locked by the chain. "You look so radiant in that gown." He started to unbutton his tunic, his eyes resembled a cat ready to pounce an innocent mouse.

"What happened my husband?" I asked him, he strolled towards me. I wanted to escape, but there was no escape for me. Grabbing my wrist in his grasp.

"Dead." He chuckled as I tried to fight him off. "And now, I'm taking you as mine." He threw me on the bed, using his body to hold me down but he was much stronger then I. He held my hand with one of his as tried to undo his trousers, but he was interrupted by the door swinging open. "What the fuck?" He shouted, I craned my neck to see who was entering to find the third prince standing in the door way. He stared at us horrified, something crossed his face, anger, perhaps? But it was only a moment before his eyes landed on the king. "Isaac, I'm busy," Edward sneered.

"I see, but your highness there is something that you might want to see." Edward grunted as he put himself away and buttoned his trouser. I breathed a sigh of relief, he hadn't spoiled me. I stood, fixing my gown. "Where at?" He ordered.

"Throne room." Edward began to grumble as he stormed out, Isaac stood there staring at me.

"Help me." I begged him, walking to him but was stopped by my chain. "Please Prince Isaac. Help me." Tears were flowing from my eyes, who knows how long it will before Edward took me. Isaac shifted uncomfortably before peaking into the hallway. He pulled something from his pocket before coming to me and kneeling before me. He messed with the chains, and it came with a satisfying click. "Oh thank you." I sobbed, Isaac looked up at me.

"You must escape on your own." He whispered. "I can't let Edward know that I helped you. I have to keep the image of supporting Edward before we attach."

"What of my husband?" I whispered, my heart pounding in my chest. "Do you know what has become of my husband?"

"I don't know." Isaac shook his head. "Ashton is strong, but I don't think he's even that strong." A sob ripped from my chest, I couldn't handle another death. Had god forsaken me? Am I being punished? Everyone I love is dying. "Have hope Lady Farrah." Isaac cupped my cheek in his hand. "You know you are lovely, Ashton is a lucky man." He smiled sadly, there was shouting off in the distance. "You must go." He ushered me out of the room. "Follow this hall to the servant's stairwell, follow that all the way to the bottom." He kissed my knuckles before releasing me. "Go now." I nodded my head before lifting the hem of my gown and running down the hall. My feet smacking the cold stone floor. I looked behind me, expecting to see someone following me. I tripped, smacking my face on the floor. My nose started bleeding, I pushed back my sob and got back to my feet and started running. I found the stairwell that Isaac was talking about, it was dark and each step was uneven and worn.

I watched each step carefully, when the stairs came to an end I ran into a maid. Her eyes widen when she saw me in my atrocious sight. I placed my finger to my lips, signaling for her to be silent. Shouting was everywhere, I ran down the hallway, expecting to see guards standing around but each one I found were rushing to the throne room. Something in my soul told me to follow them.

Wiping the blood from my face, I followed the knights. Lingering in the shadows of the palace. What was happening that was stealing everyone's attention? When I made my way to the throne room my heart stopped.