The Wild Hunt (Part One)

Sweet Nothing

SERRI

I was whisked away to meet my betrothed. I could feel the blood on my skin start to dry and crack as two female servants held me by the elbows and guided me toward a long, low lying table set with precious, porcelain tableware and cups. A feast of steamed vegetables, fermented greens, decadent sauces with various grilled meats and fish, heaps and heaps of hot bowls of rice and glass vases of wine adorned the center of the table. All of it was displayed across a gold runner.

People I've seen before visit the palace sat around the supper talking amongst themselves. No one paid much attention to me as I was ushered towards the far end where General Yakmen was seated. He was deep in conversation with a younger man when I finally approached him. The female servants practically shoved me down to the ground and I grudgingly took my place to the right of the general.

"Ah! Princess Serri Bayor." The general turned towards me and flashed a toothy grin and clamped his large hand on top of mine in my lap. I almost flinched from the contact but made to place my other hand on top of his.

"General Yakmen Kapor. It is an honor to meet with you." Kill me now. Please.

Those deer dropping eyes centered on my face before moving lower... lower... and lower until they found their way back up. His lips twisted into a triumphant smirk. "The honor is all mine to be betrothed to such an exquisite beauty."

I wanted to throw up. Better yet, I wanted to take his beefy head and smash it against this table before plucking the speared prongs from the meat and stabbing it in his thick neck.

But I smiled as sweetly as I could and looked away, abashed. "Please. I've received enough compliments tonight General Kapor."

He huffed a laugh and slapped his heavy hand against my thigh. A sick taste  made it's way down my throat. He gave the flesh there a gentle squeeze and I wanted to choke on my spit.

"You will find me full of compliments and more... enticing words," he purred, leaning closer to me.

I could smell the stench of wine on his breathe and something fowler. Smoke.

After I was sanctified the people were dismissed to enjoy themselves in feasting and celebration. Father lifted my chin where I still knelt beside him on the altar and stared me dead in the eyes before saying, "You will bed General Yakmen Kapor tonight and everyday after up until your wedding day. We will not waste another precious day until his seed has been sown and you are with child. Do you understand?"

A new fear slipped inside of me at the thought of loosing my purity to that hog. I had plenty of time, years to think about the act of consummation and the intricacies of it did not scare me. What scared me the most was giving my body to the paws of someone similar to my father. I didn't want to experience such an intimate thing with a man who only wanted to use me for his own good.

Freedom. I had let myself hope just a little that I would taste freedom with the man I was  to be betrothed to but all along my father played me like the helpless fool of a girl that I was.

The general leaned closer and his broad shoulders cast a shadow across the table and over my lap. "I was informed by the king his pertinence to consummate our relationship before the wedding."

I swallowed hard. "As was I."

He glanced around briefly before leaning further in and I felt his hot breathe against my ear. "Shall I take you now?"

Panic set in and I grappled to keep my composure as his hand curved dangerously close to the apex of my thigh.

What would he say if I told him no? Would he become angry? Would he grab my wrist and drag me to some secluded area in the palace and force himself on me? I didn't know what kind of man he was before he lost his wife and became the bitter, prone to outburst, heavy handed man that I've heard so much about. My father picked him for a reason. Proximity. Status. Similarity. I didn't think saying no to him would be wise. But I wasn't ready. Things were moving too quickly.