Forest of Lies

Chapter 17-A Bargain Well Struck

I have been bare in front of others many times. King Evander was the first male to see me in my most natural state. Only the thought of killing him kept me from breaking the calm state I held onto while he appraised me the way one would a piece of well cooked and seasoned meat.

His icy eyes trailing up and down my body. Lust building within as the embers of fires grow into hungry burning flames. But here, with his dagger beneath my chin, my flesh covered in blood and ash, those same eyes are cold as mountain snow. He is angry. His jaw clenched in such a way that the muscles twitch in short fluttering spurts.

But, he is also afraid. The color of his tan skin has paled. The fingers of his empty hand tremble just enough for me to notice. For me to feel wicked enjoyment spark within my chest. Warming my chilled flesh, the skin and muscle having healed once the roots retreated back into the ground. The Veteres, the Ancients, have already left their mark upon me. They have no desire to want my body scarred from communing, but King Evander does not know this.

"My mate," he rushes out, dropping his dagger before cupping my face in his large callused hands. "Thank the Goddess you are alright."

"You need not worry Evander," I utter, letting out a small tired sigh as he begins perusing my body for any remnants of the Veteres' physical connection to me. "Never have I been scarred from communing with the spirits of nature. No shaman has for many millennia. The Veteres do inspire fear amongst our people, but they merely serve a purpose. As do us all."

"Regardless," he seethes, standing up and grabbing my dress and robe. "You will tell me what the Veteres are. Why those with your gifts must risk their lives to commune with such creatures."

I debate whether to or not. Keeping my eyes locked onto his while tossing on my garments that now smell of horse and grass. But, here again is an opportunity to protect myself, to keep the few friends that are with me, close at my side.
"What you ask I cannot tell, it is forbidden to do so."

On trembling legs I stand up, letting my head hang at the mention of my shame. Of what respect I would lose if I were to tell him such sacred secrets of my people. The King steps forward, boots crunching over blood spotted grass. A callused palm cupping my cheek, beckoning my head up to see his angry and fearful gaze.

"You will," he gruffly replies, his grip tightening in warning. "How am I to understand them? How else can I protect you if they were to attack you."

For a moment, I close my eyes. Lids longing to close in dreamless sleep. To forget the last day and night. To be without the waking worry of this beast doing whatever cruel things he could possibly do. And yet, I am his queen. His mate that he pines and growls over. I have and will do what he wants of me, but I have yet to ask more of him. More of what I deserve if I am to live with this cruel and barbarous beast.

"If I do so, you must promise to let my friends and I stay together," I whisper, sniffling and scrunching my face enough to let forth sorrowful tears. "If it is learned that I told an outsider such sacred knowledge, they will be in danger from allowing me to tell you. Please. Please Evander. I couldn't bare bringing shame and harm upon them because of my choices."

"Then what will it take my love, for you to tell me?" The king utters, his other hand clasping my face. Dipping his head closer to mine. "If you are worried about the protection of your companions, they are safe with my soldiers. Once we arrive home, they will be safe with their mates behind the walls of my city."

"But even then, how will I know they are safe, if they are not close to me?" I reply, fighting back a cold shiver in order to clasp onto his shirt as if it were the only thing to keep me standing. "Could there be a way for them to stay at my side? Within the rules of your people of course."