The Wild Hunt (Part One)

Control

Splash!

Icy water hit my burning skin and I swore I felt it sizzle. "Urrr..." I seethed between clenched teeth.

"Cold, boy?"

I blinked the water out of my eyes and hurriedly licked my lips. I was so thirsty. I sucked in the droplets that clung to my crusted lips and ran my tongue around the outside of my mouth, desperate to lap up every cool drop.

King Mansee chuckled. He stood at the door to my cell. He was dressed in his usual garb. A flowing black cape over an embroidered silk tunic and billowy pants. A gold sash draped handsomely across his chest. The guard who threw the bucket of water on me set the bucket upside down on the floor before returning to his position against the back wall.

"I thought you'd be relieved to get a bath. I certainly was after that bold stunt you pulled yesterday."

I blinked again. Go burn you piece of shit!

"I don't think he appreciated the kind gesture."

My eyes darted to the other guard beside the door. He stooped down to pick up the bucket of water he had beside him. I felt a hand clamp around my forehead from behind and yank my head back between my stretched arms. Another hand grabbed my chin and forced my mouth open. I started to panic when I saw the bucket rise over me and tip. Water gushed into my mouth and in my nose. I gargled and choked on the water, not being able to gasp for air as he kept pouring it down on me. My lungs stung and my nostrils burned. I choked on the water, convulsing and thinking I was going to drown before the last bit of water trickled out.

The hands released me and I threw my head forward, coughing hysterically as water bubbled up from my throat. It burned so bad.

"Are you thankful now, boy?" The kings voice was snip. He was easily offended. That was his weakness. Not having control. I shook my head, huffing out a laugh, even though it hurt to breathe.

"You laugh at the face of death?" There was amusement in his words.

I knew he wouldn't kill me. He believed I was Serri's weakness but he had it all wrong. Serri was my weakness. That's why I was here. Every assault, every infliction, ever ounce of pain he dealt towards me I suffered for her. Because I foolishly was in love with her. I would die before she ever stepped foot in this palace again. I would continue to endure this torture. For her. For her freedom.

"Listen, boy."

"Yes, your highness." I quickly, interjected.

I watched him fumble on his words. Good. I caught him off guard.

"Did you have physical relations with my daughter?" He bit out. I could hear the anger in his voice rising. He was like a hen, so easily ruffled.

I grinned, leaning forward as far as I could with my arms hung over my head and feet bound. Pain raced up the leg the guard drove the heel of his armored boot into yesterday. I knew the bone was either broken or fractured from the horrid sound that came from it. I didn't care. I pushed down the pain and found my voice. "Did I fuck your daughter, your highness?"

King Mansee went red in the face. He clenched his hands at his side. "You dare talk to your king that way, boy?"

"Is that not what you asked me yesterday, your highness. Did I fuck your daughter?"

I wasn't sure if it was the near death experience that had me feeling all riled up, but I knew he wouldn't kill me and I was tired of playing the mute. He thought I took Serri to bed. Ha! The irony of it all. I longed for the last two years to take Serri to bed, but I knew it would never happen. I dreamt about it. What her small, supple body would feel like beneath mine. I smiled brazenly.

"I should cut that tongue of yours out of your mouth!" He barked. Yes. Loose control.

"Does it displease you to know that I've touched your daughter, your highness?"  The afternoon of her coming-of-age party was the first time I ever touched Serri. I felt so nervous taking that step and feeling her skin against mine. We had never touched in all the eight years we had been friends. Never once did I hug her or hold her hand. She never asked or implied that she wanted to. I was very surprised when she allowed me to take her foot in my hand. To kiss her as long and as deeply as I wanted to. If there was anything I regretted, it was not having touched her more. I had only a little while to memorize the feel of her skin and the shape of her mouth. I wished I had explored every inch of her so I would forever have her body burned into my mind.

The king bristled. "That is a heinous crime."

I managed a shrug. "Believe what you want, your highness. A touch can be as innocent as a brush of hands or as intimate as wondering fingers..."

"Enough!"

I felt those familiar hands yank my head back and pry open my mouth. The guard in front of me pinched my tongue, tugging it outside my mouth. His blade came up under it and I felt it's sharp edge begin to slice into the sensitive muscle.

I gripped the chain above me, bracing for the splintering pain I was about to endure. Perhaps I said too much. I closed my eyes.

"Your highness!"

The door to my cell burst open and the guards paused their doing. A young man in battle attire kneeled at the threshold. He was breathing hard like he had been running.

The king turned around. "What is it boy?" He snapped.

"Y-your highness. It's... it's the princess. General Koh has information on her whereabouts. The village guards in Kobe informed his grace that a strange girl wearing palace servant attire and a tribal boy came from the woods seeking shelter. One of the older village ladies took them in. Early this morning they were seen boarding a boat. That is all your highness. General Koh is executing a plan as we speak right now to follow after them."

I let a shaky breath escape and the guard holding the knife against my tongue began to saw again. A searing pain exploded in my mouth.

"Stop!"

He did. Both guards removed their hands and dutifully returned to their positions. I tasted the metallic tang of blood in my mouth and allowed a small wave of relief to wash through me.

"We'll wait until Princess Serri arrives to watch his life end. It seems like a fitting punishment for the both of them."

With that, the king turned on his heels, a triumphant smirk on his face and followed the man out the door and down the long stretch of hall before them. The guard closed the door after then, sealing me shut inside once again.

Serri. I looked up towards the heavens. Please, please, run as far away as you can. Please.