The Unkowns

Luna

-Chapter 12-

I pouted as if I were a child while Katia and Faun scrubbed my body relentlessly for what seemed to be an hour.

"I do not care if flour adorns myself!" I attempted to protest, however they relayed that the king and queen ordered for me to appear presentable.

"They do not wish for their future Luna to be dirty and improper," Faun explained.

"They have not yet met me; how can they form an opinion about a lady they have not yet met?" I sniffed.

I could not help but shiver as Katia doused me yet again in freezing water.

"They have arranged upon your meeting this very day," Katia said.

I spluttered, soapy water spewing from my mouth.

"I do not wish to meet them!" I leapt from the tub, my intent to run, however they grabbed my arms and pulled me back down.

"Now, now, 'twill not be so bad," Katia soothed.

"If they are anything like their son then they shall be perfectly horrid folk!"

In all honesty, I was frightened. Perhaps they will not like me, or proclaim that I could never be a ruler? I did not wish to be one, yet I could not help but long for their approval.

"'Twill be alright," Faun told me sweetly.

I huffed at waited for them to finish washing.

Once they had readied and clothed me like a doll, they walked me down the hall and into the ballroom where I had failed my training.

Nerves coursed through my stomach, and I placed hand on them as if to make them still.

The king and queen sat at large thrones that I had not noticed before. At the far end of the ballroom they magnificently gleamed of shimmering gold, reaching up all the way to the ceiling.

I breathed in awe, never having seen such extravagance in my life.

"Bow before your king and queen, little one," a powerful voice boomed, and I could not help but search for the origin.

There lied the king, with frightening eyes and a long, curly beard the color of midnight. I immediately saw the resemblance between him and his son.

"Did you not hear what I said?" He boomed, and I scowled before slightly extending my upper body forward.

The queen let out a soft laugh, and I looked up to find the epitome of beauty and grace. Long, flowing blonde locks, cherry red lips, soft blue eyes; she appeared to be immortal.

"You originate from Thorn, I assume?" The king asked.

I raised my chin proudly. "Yes."

"I see the resemblance between you and your mother. Such beauty," he boomed, stroking his beard thoughtfully.

"Yet you appear to be quite wild. Hunter shall have his hands full."

At this the queen clasped her hands together in delight.

"I had hoped approval would be granted!" The queen could not contain her joy.

"When shall be the wedding?" She asked her husband.

Wedding?

My breaths came out in short puffs and I began to hyperventilate. I had not foreseen a wedding proposal! I could not marry Hunter. Never!

"In a week's time," the king told her gently.

"No!" I cried, then gasped and covered my mouth with my hands.

The king's thunderous gaze caused me to cower in fear, but then the queen spoke.

"Perhaps she is right. Perhaps that is too late a date. Shall they be wed in two moons?"

I cursed my sharp tongue.

"It shall place such stress upon yourself, my love. Is this what you wish?" He replied lovingly. The love in their eyes was unmistakable.

Such love was grand, however I had no interest in finding love. I am more concerned with finding my sister and escaping this awful place.

"'Tis," the queen replied, tracing the king's jawline with her finger.

I averted my eyes, feeling uncomfortable.

"Perhaps there is some mistake," I blurted, a plan forming inside my head.

"What mistake?" The king asked, frowning.

"I see the love in your eyes that you have for each other, and I cannot help but confess that I do not feel the same for Hunter. Perhaps we are not true mates?" I said, careful to keep my voice light and innocent.

The queen laughed.

"Dear Ara, there is no denying that you are indeed Hunter's mate. How similar you are to your mother! I still recall her asking the same during her encounter with my mother," she said sweetly.

At these words my heart sunk in my chest. 'Twas my last hope of escaping marriage to a beast without conflict.

All that is left is to flee, and somehow find my way back to Thorn. With Sasha, of course. I had a plan, and not one of these Unknowns could prevent me from discovering Sasha this time.