The Rebel Maiden-A Short Story

Chapter Two-A Life Changing Bargain

He's not wrong, I am a half-elf.

My father had my brother with another woman, but she died not long after he was born. My father had me with a elf though she left him before I turned one.

Although he is...was technically my half-brother he will always be brother to me. I have always had the ability to change the land. I have met many full royal elf's with this power. But my powers are stronger than all of theirs. Ayden having that kind of power would be catastrophic.

"No you can't do this!!! It's against the twenty-two laws of Mundi Vita! Arranged marriage is illegal!!!"

"You really think the counsel can stop me?!" He laughs.

"I wouldn't be standing here if they could, one little law isn't going to stop me now!"

"I still won't marry you, I'd rather die!!!" I scream at him.

"Wouldn't be so hasty if I were you," he looks straight at me "Better reconsider your options."

Two guards drag a human through the hall doors.

Humans are rare in this world. My brother was a Submerge, my father is too. Submerge's are the most common creatures in this world. They look human, the only thing that makes them different is that they are tied to this land by magic. They can heal people, a few minor spells not much more.

A human is what we call a mistake in this world, but not him...never him.

His shirt is torn showing his hard muscles, his body bloodied by battle, his brown hair a mess. But his opened blue eyes seem to call my name in agony.

"Ethan..." I whisper his name wanting to wrap my arms around him.

"I'm so sorry Jade..." he whispers back.

"You know..." Ayden starts In again" As much as I would love to watch you two beg for each other..."

He grabs Ethan by the collar of his shirt while holding a dagger to his throat.

"We have unfinished business to attend to."

"Don't do this Jade..." Ethan pleads.

"I don't see how she has a choice filth..." he snarls.

"What's it going to be Jade, I don't have long and neither does your friend here," he presses the blade even closer to Ethan's throat.

I take a deep breath, I won't let Ethan be killed. No person has ever shown me as much love as he as. Most people would just let Ehtan die, he's only a human.

But I am certainly not most people.

"Spare his life and you have my hand," I submit.

"Jade no..." Ethan whispers while all hope fades from his eyes.

"Excellent!" Ayden hollers.

His eyes are beaming "Now all we have to do is..."

"You didn't let me finish," I cut him off.

"I have some demands."

"Ugh your so complicated," Ayden complains.

"Let's hear them."

"One I will not wear a dress, if I have to marry you it will be in a warrior's tunic. I prefer to see my world one last time before I'm enslaved so the wedding will take place outside. Bring as many guards as you like. I don't care, might as well get used to them. Lastly before the wedding I will speak to Ethan alone and then you will set him free."

"What is it with you being so manly?" Ayden asks while swinging his sword around contemplating my requests.

"You can wear your tunic, the wedding will take place outside, but I'm not liking that third demand. You may speak to him with one guard outside the cell, but I said I would spare his life not let him go. It will be fun watching you suffer as I hold him over your head for the rest of your life.

"No!" I struggle against the restraints and scream "Murderer of my people!!!"

"Take her away and put the human in the dungeon. Have her ready within the hour."

The guards push me into a room with a bath tub and stand outside the door. I have the privilege to bathe myself handcuffed.

I manage to get myself out of my clothes and while I bathe the maids scrub the extra outfit I keep in my satchel clean.

I slide the blue tunic with a gold leaf on it on, the symbol for the rebellion. I then drag myself into black pants. I leave my ragged hair alone, one piece of defiance I can keep.

When I'm done the guards lead me to the dungeons. My legs ache by the time we get there. They take me to Ethan's cell and one guard stands outside the door as promised.

"I'm so sorry Ethan, I didn't have any other choice."

He tries to stand on weak legs "You could have just let them kill me."

"I will never let that happen. Why do you think I chose for the wedding to take place outside? As tradition Ayden will be bare foot ."

All of the sudden I see it dawn on him and he finally understands.

Why I chose for the wedding to take outside, I'm taking the only way out.

"Your going to...I have to watch you do this, do you understand?!! He's making me watch you marry him, I'm going to have to watch you die!!!" He screams at me.

I sigh knowing that he can't understand, that by doing this I'm giving up everything that I have, using every bit of strength to save the most important thing in my life.

Him, and that's the last thing he wants.

"You're lucky, you've only passed out before but this...!!!" he shouts.

"This is suicide!!!"

"One day you'll understand why I did this. That I'm doing what I am because I love you more than anything in this world."

"Please..." I reach my hand towards his grabbing it.

"Trust me."

I let go, walk out the door, and hear him trying to plead with me.

I then watch two more guards grab him and follow me to my death.

The breeze outside is cool as I walk up the aisle of stones. They have my feet chained, but my hands are tied loosely with rope.

I get to where the priest stands and stand beside Ayden, who's smiling all the way.

I ignore them both while the priest babbles on, I only pay attention to Rick who stands by a few chairs, surrounded by guards.

I then hear the Priest speak those awful words.

"Do you King Ayden take Jade Riff to be your beloved wife?"

"I do," he smiles, making me want to hurl.

"Do you Jade Riff take King Ayden to be your husband?"

I take one last look at Ethan, and see the guards at the ready if I say no. I face Ayden ready for death and I grab his hands.

"I don't."

I let my power surge through me, using every bit of strength I have. I watch as Ayden stares in shock as he looks down at where he stands. He's standing on the land of Mundi Vita, the world I can control.

I've only killed a few plants and game before having passed out. But by killing a Submerge I'm killing myself as well. A life for a life I guess. I turn around while holding Ayden by his hands and see Ethan in tears screaming.

Then everything fades to pitch black.