Catharina

Chapter 12

I laughed as I splashed water around in the small lake. Freedom was something completely different, strange and abnormal even. I had never experienced it before so to suddenly be surrounded by it, it was overwhelming in the best way.

Asher was leaning against a tree, watching me with an unreadable expression. I smiled at him and walked over to him, the ends of my gown being soaked. "What is it?" I asked. His expression vanished and turned into a smirk. "Nothing. You just are more a child than a princess," Asher said casually as if it was a true statement.

"A child? I am not a child. I simply have childish needs to attend to," I replied. Asher's eyebrow raised. I let out a huff of breath and turned around. "Growing up, you don't have the ordinary privileges the villagers and townspeople do. We never got to play outside. In fact, the few times we were spending our time outside we were reading books or studying. Sometimes the flowers, trees, berries, we never got to play much and run around. We were on strict instructions," I explained.

"Doesn't sound much like a childhood," Asher said. I felt his presence behind me. "My sisters and I played sometimes. Silly little games really, we enjoyed sneaking into the kitchen and listening to our maids conversations and they taught us how to cook. Not that I could remember any of it now," I told him.

"It sounds to me like you need to enjoy the little things," Asher replied from behind me. It sent a shiver down my spine. "I am... I think," I whispered, barely audible. I sensed Asher smile before I was suddenly lunged forward and was sent into the water. I squealed before going under and coming back up to greet a laughing Asher.

"You think you are so funny," I said trying to contain my laughter.

"Yes, actually I do. I'm brilliant when it comes to humor," Asher replied. I got out from the water and approached him. "I disagree," I stated with a smirk.

"You're getting pretty close to a boundary line, Princess," Asher said.

I loved this. Our playful behavior, a mixture of courting and humor. It was something I didn't do, something I wasn't supposed to do. "I don't think the line even exists." Asher flashed me a crooked smile. "I can put one foot over that line with ease," I assured him.

"Oh really?" Asher said.

There was a pause. A moment where we were just looking at each other, looking into each other's eyes, daring the other to make a move.

I couldn't take it anymore so I did the one thing I wanted to do.

I kissed him.

His lips were soft as they matched mine, his rough hands held my face before we were surrounded. Our lips unlocked and we looked around at the many men aiming swords at us. I clung onto Asher's shirt as he pulled me close. The men smiled at us as if they had just caught a deer.

"He will be pleased, will he not?" one of them said.

"Who are they?" I whispered to Asher, although I doubt he knew either. I looked up at my wordless man to see a mixture of anger and regret on his face. "Asher-" I started.

"Quiet!" yelled a man, shutting me up. I had never been one to cower in fear. In fact, I had never been one to experience fear except for my people. It was different and abnormal. I was scared. "Take the girl," he ordered.

I immediately held on tighter to Asher. Two men walked over in their metal uniforms and started pulling on me. "No!" I called out, holding Asher's arm tighter.

"Come on Princess, move!" one of the men yelled. I froze at the word 'princess'. He knew who I was, they all knew who I was. I pulled away from Asher, who stood still. My wrists were bound with rope and a cloth was shoved in my mouth before I was sat up on a horse behind another man.

"You're coming too, Asher. King Astros wants to have a discussion with you," one man said. I looked over at Asher, wanting some reassurance that everything was going to be okay, that I had nothing to fear. Only he never looked at me. He didn't glance, his face didn't even attempt to look over.

"I was told to bring her to him," Asher stated coldly.

"The plans changed. The reward for Princess Catharina has raised greatly," the man explained.

"Fine, but no harm is to be done to her," Asher told the man before he looked at me, "that's my job."

I was confused. Had Asher been pretending the whole time? Had he even cared? I looked at him craving for an answer. Only I was returned with a cold, stern stare before he looked away.

********

The journey to King Astros castle took the rest of the day and led into the night when the moon rose. The moon's bright glow became my comfort. It was as if it was watching over me. Asher still hadn't even glanced at me and I was feeling hurt and broken along with confused. How could a perfectly imperfect and wonderful man work with King Astros? I knew about the agreement long ago, and yet our short time together had proven that Asher was a different man, a caring one who was as kind as he was threatening. A tame lion towards me. A fierce beast to others.

King Astros' castle was big and had a dark demeanor. I didn't have time to observe it before I was taken to the dungeon and kept in a cell. I was scared for my life. The cold floor didn't help either. I kept taking in deep breaths, trying to calm myself down.

"Everything will be alright. The kingdom will be okay. Asher will be okay."

The door to the dungeon suddenly opened, shedding light into my cell, causing me to squint.

"The King wants you," the guard stated in a low voice. My cell was unlocked and rope clung my wrists together tightly before I followed the guard down the long hallways. Dark red rugs followed the paths with gold embroidery etched into them. Large paintings took over the walls, some of the King, others of unrecognizable people.

I was brought into the throne room of the castle. It had the same decorations the hallways had, minus the paintings. King Astros sat on his throne. His jet black hair was groomed with a golden crown on his head. He had a growing mustache and green eyes. A dark and mischievous expression was currently claiming his face.

"Welcome, Princess Catharina. I do hope my hospitality was grand," King Astros said. I refused to speak, instead stealing glances around looking for my loved one. Where was Asher?

"Is something more important than my presence?" King Astros asked. My eyes darted to him. I swallowed, afraid to speak.

King Astros stood up, walking over to me. I tensed up, watching him carefully.

"What makes you think you cannot answer me?" King Astros growled. He nodded to the guard standing next to me. The guard took a staff and swung it against the back of my knees. I let out a yelp as I fell to the floor, barely able to catch myself.

"Pathetic princess you are, Catharina. And somehow you'll take over your throne," King Astros hissed. I sat up from my hands and knees, my chin held high. "I care for my people, which is much more than you can say," I replied with a jolt of courage. As soon as the words left my mouth I knew I would regret them.

King Astros nodded to the guard again who swung the staff against my back causing me to break out in a yell.

"How dare you," King Astros growled.

"I must not lie," I groaned, looking up to him. King Astros grabbed me by my hair and pulled me up so my head was next to his. "How would you like your head delivered on a platter to your dear kingdom?" King Astros threatened. I flinched.

King Astros chuckled darkly before tossing me back down.

"The reward your parents offer for you is growing by the day. How far do you think they'll go to save your skin? They have other daughters, I do not see how you mean so much. Another one could take your place," King Astros told me.

Suddenly, a whip kissed my leg. I let out a scream. Soon enough, I felt blood start to leak from my flesh. I rolled over looking up at King Astros as he walked around me like I was lion's prey. I swallowed, fear growing and spreading throughout my body.

How long would he torture me?