Beyond the Darkness

Chapter 7

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Chapter 7

King Roland sat before them, proud and smug on his throne. Prince Talon slouched in a less decorated seat next to his father. His haughty eyes perused the pair approaching. He had a touch of a smile on his lips as his gaze landed on Amaya. Spen and Kila stood on either side of the King. They were always the ones who received the night shift.

Amaya pulled off her hood and mask as she walked in. There were four people present and they already knew her identity. She bowed before the King and released her grip on Prince Aiden, stepping a couple feet from him.

"I request that you bow before me as well Prince Aiden," King Roland ordered, a smirk lingering on his lips.

Aiden didn't move, Amaya hadn't expected him too. He was too proud for that. Roland smiled, happy he was going to get to use force. He nodded to his son Talon, who got to his feet and stepped forward eagerly. Amaya mentally pleaded for Aiden to just do as the King said, but both men were proud. She knew Aiden would continue to refuse, and King Roland wouldn't relent until he did.

Talon walked over to Aiden, pulled back his arm, and punched him hard in the stomach. Aiden doubled over in pain, coughing, and trying to regain his breath. Finally he pulled himself back up and glared at Talon.

Talon raised an eyebrow and his fist swung out again, hitting him in his stomach. Again Aiden doubled over, and again he straightened back up. Talon swung again, this time clipping him on his jaw. Aiden crumpled to the ground and laid there for a moment, making Amaya think that he had been knocked unconscious. Instead Aiden struggled up, having trouble with his hands tied behind his back. He was in crouching position as he looked up at the Serpent King.

"I will never bow to you," Aiden growled.

With that Roland's face turned stormy and he waved his hands at Spen. Kila stayed in her spot eyeing Amaya suspiciously with her cold pink eyes. The two men descended on the blue-eyed prince. Talon kicked him and Aiden toppled over and then the two men started to kick at him from all sides. Aiden attempted to curl into himself as he laid there taking the barrage. Amaya stood watching in horror at what was being done. She could barely hold herself back from helping him.

She watched until she couldn't stand it anymore. "My King," she stated sharply and he reluctantly tore his eyes from Aiden to her. "You must stop this, he is going to die, it is too much."

King Roland held up his hands. Spen and Talon stopped in their movements. Aiden lay on the ground quietly, trying to regain strength. He was bloody and bruises were already starting to form.

"Have you grown fond of this prince during the month you were gone Amaya? He is quite handsome, so I wouldn't be surprised." King Roland inquired and the room grew quiet.

"No Your Majesty, I'm merely concerned that he won't live long enough for the exchange. It would be such a waste of my time if he dies without your payout."

"I understand your concern. However I will see this young prince bow before me. Since you do not like their techniques why don't you give it a try?" he asked, his eyes gleaming.

Talon and Spen backed up as Amaya stepped towards Aiden. Jitters ran through her body, but she knew she must not show any hesitation. Hesitation is what led to her mother's death, she would not allow it to be hers as well.

Amaya pulled out a knife as King Roland sat back in his seat, content to watch. Aiden had struggled back to standing position and glared at her with such hate in his eyes it almost made her cringe.