Golden Fate: A Fractured Nation

Flaming Queen

I had spent all week planning my wedding. Organizing an event of this magnitude was no easy feat and required rigorous dedication. Féilea had been an enormous help and my best resource. Her input and knowledge of these lands and the people's culture had been a blessing. Without her, I would have made a fool of myself.

This evening was no different from the previous ones. Odette droned on and on, discouraging my decisions and fighting with me on every single issue. Any custom, food, or even color that remotely resembled my kingdom was considered wrong or improper. Odette took this all rather seriously, as if she had this event planned for years. By the looks of her yearning for my betrothed it seems she might have.

As the day drew closer to its end, I became overcome with exhaustion. Féilea had urged me to eat multiple times throughout the day but I had to refuse. As I had refused for the entirety of the week. Even the mention of food had my stomach churning. I could not bring myself to eat, not even for her sake.

Instead of food, she offered pomegranate juice. The juice did not keep me full, but it at least gave me a little bit of nutrition to help me through the tedious days. I nursed the glass of the pink liquid all evening, Féilea was sure to never let it become empty. She was a dutiful handmaiden and an even kinder friend it would seem.

Throughout the week Elijah stopped by often. He would simply give me a smile or a compliment on my choice of décor. The brief interactions became routine and were something I began expecting daily. He would linger, soaking up every moment before rushing out of the door, being summoned by his councilmen. I almost enjoyed the small interactions, tiny glimpses of what my future marriage entailed.

Elijah was kind enough, even respectful, what scared me was the darkness that lurked in his eyes. Elijah enjoyed the hunt, teasing and cornering his food before he slaughtered it. I was his current prey, his ultimate catch. After he finally had his claws in me, he would break me. He would enjoy breaking me down and tearing me apart in front of his court. He would prove his strength and power, and laugh as he saw me crumble in the process. I was going to be his ultimate battle, his trophy for this war.

I knew I would break, I had to be realistic about myself. I would crumble, I would fail, but if I kept his interest I would survive. If I survived, I could poison his head with my ideas, sway his court, and soon enough have them eating out of my hand. This would keep me from becoming the husk my mother found herself as. I would be miserable but at least I would be alive and have my children to keep me company.

Odette became flustered each time Elijah would appear. Her words would slur and her tone would become more dainty, feminine, and submissive. She was practically tripping over herself to be near him. Elijah hardly paid her any attention at all. His gaze was now trapped by me, his new prey, the one woman who was just out of reach for him. Not being able to claim me must be absolute torture for him and his ego. To have another man's mark on me made me that much more desirable.

I could not simply fall before him with my legs spread as Odette obviously had. No, he would have to work for it with me. He would be required to marry me, to respect me before his court and claim me before he could ever even get a taste of me. A smirk tugged at my lips at the thought of him crawling to me, begging between my legs. Suddenly, his face was replaced by a larger frame, dark hair, and blood red eyes crazed with lust. I groaned, shaking the thought free of my mind.

The guard to my left leaned down, whispering in my ear. "Ma'am, are you alright?"

I nodded, smiling up at him. "Thank you, I am fine. Just tired from all of this planning. A walk along the beach would do me well. Féilea may escort me." My eyes turned to Odette, observing her timid stance. "You are dismissed. Send Adar tomorrow to finish the dress. I have no more use of you." I smirked, savoring the shock that flashed across her face. Something as pretty as her had probably never been dismissed in her entire life.