The Marí

Part.10

Days had passed; I'd been in the hospital for weeks and still there was no sign of Reg. Each day my hope wavered like a flickering candle but I clung to it desperately I was better now, no doubt. My body had healed at an unnatural pace—scars that should have taken months to fade were gone as if the encounter with the dark creature had left some mysterious mark on me the thought sent a chill down my spine but I pushed it away.
I ate well rested even better and grew accustomed to the peculiar rhythm of the place. Dr. Liz with her hazel eyes that seemed to hold both warmth and secrets, checked in daily despite her busy schedule I learned she was already booked for the coming week; the full moon was approaching and with it came a surge of activity. According to Liz, full moons here were a time of both beginnings and endings. Birth rates spiked as did strange baby-making rituals that defied my understanding. Deaths were also more frequent, though no one dared speak much of why. Whispers of old tales and cryptic warnings hung in the air like an unspoken truth, making the hospital buzz with an undercurrent of tension. As I sat in my bed staring out the small window at the sliver of sky visible through the dense shadowed trees, I wondered if Reg was out there somewhere trapped or worse my heart clenched painfully and I swallowed hard forcing back the dread that threatened to consume me. The whispers I'd overheard from the nurses suggested that this full moon would be unlike any other though it was officially a day off for the hospital staff, there was an underlying tension that hinted at something far more significant. This particular full moon coincided with the festival of the new harvest a celebration steeped in tradition. From what I could gather these festivals were marked by dance, music and the offering of gifts to an enigmatic figure known as the Mari—a word spoken in hushed, reverent tones. I still didn't know exactly what Mari meant but I had pieced together enough to guess that he was a figure of immense importance—perhaps a king or ruler but different somehow a sense of awe surrounded the mention of his name as though he embodied both salvation and something more shadowy. The festival would be a grand affair a gathering that promised splendor and spectacle, almost like a ball and presiding over it all would be the Mari, a being whose presence seemed to command both worship and fear. Rumor had it that the Mari was no mere mortal but a vision of divine perfection, an Adonis sent by the heavens to bless the kingdoms with growth and prosperity. The image conjured in my mind was both mesmerizing and unnerving—a powerful figure whose beauty could captivate and whose gaze, perhaps could destroy the very thought made a chill creep down my spine, a feeling that settled deep and refused to leave. But enough of that I thought with a groan, glaring at the clock on the wall frustration bubbling beneath my skin. The thought of this so-called "owner" coming to claim me tomorrow gnawed at me. Owner? The word itself made my blood boil I, Princess Annabella Emerald Night, reduced to a possession?  I was royalty even if the circumstances had stolen away my finery and left me in this plain worn gown, my beauty was undeniable a trait that had been whispered about in court and beyond. I was more than just a princess; I was a vision that surpassed the glistening waters of the Euphrates the thought steeled my spine momentarily banishing the unease gnawing at my heart, a bitter smile crept across my lips if this mysterious owner was truly my way out, they'd better be prepared. All I wanted was to find Regina and start anew somewhere far from the shadows of this place maybe I'd get a puppy, maybe two but first I'd return to my father, I know he would be furious yet he would make them all pay for what they had done to me. A yawn broke through my musings, exhaustion pulling me under as memories of better days flooded my mind. I allowed myself to sink into them letting the warmth of nostalgia wrap around me like a cloak.
"M'lady, your bath is ready," Reg called bowing her head.
Walking lazily to the bath area I paused as Reg untied my robe.
"The 'Mari' will be with you shortly," she added leaving me with my thoughts, I sighed in relief as my body came in contact with the water, closing my eyes in response to the new warmth that embraced me, moaning in satisfaction as cold lips came in contact with my breasts.
"Morp...he...us," I moaned out loud. "Orpheus," I cried my hands burying themselves in his hair I squirmed beneath him as his hands swam their way to my womanhood massaging my clit like a vice, I gasped as his lips came in contact with mine tugging and sucking roughly. My hands moved to his hard rock chest, how can one be so cold and yet feel so warm at the same time? I whimpered as he slipped two fingers into my virgin hole defiling me with his hands. I moaned loudly not caring who caught us, my thighs clenched at his hand writhing underneath my folds as the muscles in my belly clenched. "Orpheus!" I screamed as I came, panting heavily on his hands.
He kissed me softly pulling away "Soon, my love, soon," he whispered.
"Merald, Merald..." A familiar voice pierced through the haze of my exhaustion, its tone laced with urgency. I jarred awake my heart hammering in my chest, sitting up in a defensive position my body rigid as though I were a cat caught in a downpour. My breath came out in shallow gasps and for a moment the world around me felt as if it were closing in.
"Put those away; you won't need them," Liz chuckled her hands easily swatting away my clenched fists before I even realized I was about to strike.
I blinked still trying to shake off the remnants of my restless sleep, Liz's presence settled over me familiar and grounding I slowly let go of the tension in my muscles as I glanced over at her. She stood beside the bed, her petite frame outlined by the soft morning light streaming in through the half-drawn curtains. Despite the early hour and my grogginess my eyes couldn't help but linger on her chestnut-colored hair which cascaded in soft waves around her face. Her cheekbones were perfectly sculpted and her hazel eyes gleamed with a warmth I'd grown accustomed to, If only I were born less striking maybe I could have admired her beauty without any reservation. Liz was lovely, certainly but she didn't make me feel small—she made me feel seen like I was worthy of her attention.
"You're still half asleep, aren't you?" Liz smirked crossing her arms with a teasing glint in her eyes "You look like you fought off a battalion of monsters last night."
I groaned in response burying my face in the pillow for a moment trying to drown out the weight of the world pressing against me. I was so tired, so utterly drained I had hardly slept in the past few days and the nights were worse than the days. The dreams I had though—God, the dreams. My body ached with the echoes of them I could still feel the sharp sting of memories that didn't belong to me— a dark figure haunting my thoughts but none of that was important right now.
"Your owner is here to collect you, you need to prepare." Liz's voice grew a touch sterner and I could hear the quiet frustration beneath her words "I brought clothes for you unless you plan on leaving in that hospital gown?"
I blinked at her still not fully processing her words. "Owner?" I repeated the word foreign and hollow in my mind the confusion lingered in the air thick and suffocating.
"Hmm, I'm not in the mood for you to give me that look," she said raising an eyebrow. "Come on, Merald, you're not going to get away with being moody today."
I sighed deeply rubbing my eyes as I tried to gather my wits the thought of leaving this place felt too real now like the door to another chapter was about to close but the idea of whoever this "owner" was—this nameless figure who now held claim to me—sent a shiver down my spine.
"Alright, alright," I muttered pushing the covers aside as I swung my legs over the side of the bed the coolness of the stone floor greeting my bare feet "I'm up." I shuffled toward the small corner where Liz had set up a dress for me the simple garment was a far cry from the rich, elaborate gowns I was used to—my life as a princess was starting to feel like a distant memory. The fabric was rough, too plain for my liking but I was in no position to argue as I pulled the dress over my head, the feel of the coarse material brushing against my skin made me wince. I stopped as I caught sight of the love marks—purple, swollen reminders of last night's errant memories—strange. The deep red flush of them along my thighs sent a rush of embarrassment straight to my chest and I couldn't help but shudder at the vivid recollections.
No, I wasn't cursed but these marks—these were too much to ignore, the bruises on my chest, the soreness that seemed to linger in every part of my body—it all screamed of things I couldn't quite comprehend. I cursed under my breath my fingers absently tracing over the delicate pinkish-purple rings that marred my skin.
"Merald, any minute now," Liz's voice filtered through the haze of my thoughts pulling me back to the present.
"I'm coming," I replied my voice thick with fatigue my fingers fumbling with the fabric in a futile attempt to smooth it out. The dress didn't fit perfectly but it was a simple thing and in that moment it was all I had as I stepped out from behind the curtain, I felt Liz's eyes on me, her expression unreadable.
"How do I look?" I asked the sarcasm dripping from my voice though I was too tired to truly care.
Liz gave me a warm smile the kind that made me feel as though for just a second everything might be alright "You look like someone who needs a very long nap but other than that, you'll do fine."
I rolled my eyes the last remnants of exhaustion pulling at me like a heavy weight "I'll take that as a compliment." Liz led the way and I followed her through the halls of the hospital each step feeling heavier than the last the place seemed to stretch on forever, like it was mocking me, forcing me to confront the reality that I was about to leave the only place that had given me any semblance of peace but peace was fleeting. The promise of the "owner," the unknown figure who was going to collect me—it made me nervous, made me feel like an object, a prize to be taken and paraded around.
I thought of Regina wishing she were here I needed her, needed her familiarity and warmth to ground me. A bath would have done wonders to settle my mind but there was no time, the thought of the love marks—no, I didn't want to think about them anymore. "Let's get this over with," I muttered under my breath the words barely audible to anyone but me. Once we were outside we came to a sudden halt at the sound of a carriage slowly making its way toward us the rhythmic clip-clop of the horse's hooves reverberated through the cobbled street, growing louder with each passing second as the vehicle drew nearer I felt a peculiar tightness in my chest. The coachman dressed in formal attire with a polished hat dismounted with a practiced grace, bowing low as he opened the door of the carriage. I inhaled sharply unable to contain my astonishment the carriage before me was no mere means of transport—it was a work of art. The wood polished to a gleaming perfection was adorned with intricate carvings winding patterns that resembled vines spiraling up toward the crest above the door. The centerpiece of the crest was a striking emblem: a beast with its body coiled protectively around the moon, its claws gently cradling the crescent shape the design seemed familiar almost as though it had been etched into my memory from another life but I couldn't quite place it.
"Merald," Liz's voice cut through my awe her tone laced with a hint of concern.
I blinked pulling myself from the reverie and turned to face her, she was standing there her hands trembling slightly as she held mine her face usually so confident now carried a shadow of uncertainty.
"The world you're about to enter... it's a dangerous one," Liz said her voice low and careful like she was trying to shield me from some unspeakable truth "Stay safe."
Her words struck me harder than I expected I could feel the weight of them pressing against me and for a fleeting moment, I thought about the uncertainty that had been building inside me for days the unknown—the unfamiliar world I was about to be thrust into. It wasn't just the physical journey ahead that terrified me but the knowledge that my life was slipping from my control.
"I will Liz. I promise," I replied, squeezing her hands with as much conviction as I could muster and without thinking I pulled her into an embrace, holding her tightly. The comfort of her arms around me felt like a fleeting moment of peace in the midst of the storm that was building inside me. I was trying to convince myself that I wasn't afraid but the doubts lingered hovering at the edges of my mind a clearing of a throat broke the spell between us. Liz and I pulled apart quickly and I turned to see the coachman his posture stiff and formal.
"Mi lady," he said respectfully his voice carrying the weight of a long-held tradition. He extended his hand a silent invitation to climb into the carriage.
I smiled my heart racing with a final lingering glance at Liz, I took the coachman's hand and allowed him to assist me into the carriage. My fingers brushed against his but my mind was already elsewhere, my thoughts tumbling over one another as I stepped inside I couldn't help but feel the enormity of the moment. The interior of the carriage was as grand as its exterior—velvety cushions lined the seats and golden embroidery glinted under the soft first light that filtered through the curtains. The air inside smelled faintly of cedar wood and leather and I could feel the weight of royalty in every inch of the carriage. I settled into the seat my fingers tracing the intricate patterns on the armrest, feeling the delicate embroidery beneath my fingertips. The world outside seemed to vanish as the carriage lurched forward its wheels turning with a steady, powerful rhythm the sound of the horses' hooves echoed against the streets, and I was left with nothing but Liz's last words to echo in my mind.
Stay safe.
But what did that even mean? How could I stay safe in a world that seemed to be pulling me deeper into its tangled web with every passing moment? I leaned back letting the soft cushions cradle me and closed my eyes briefly I couldn't let fear rule me, I couldn't let the unknown paralyze me as the carriage rumbled along, I allowed my mind to drift. Seeing the grandeur of the carriage, the elegance of everything around me—it was impossible to deny the truth that I had in some strange twist of fate begun to be treated as a princess, as someone of importance but there was still so much I didn't understand. Did the "owner" know my true identity? Was that why this magnificent carriage had been sent for me? Could it really be that something as simple as my bloodline could command such luxury?
I let out a soft almost bitter laugh to myself. Well, what do you know? Royalty certainly pays off. The thought hovered, a strange mix of pride and unease settling in my chest.