Dalliance

Chapter Fifty Six

FOUR MONTHS LATER

Holly carried her dress behind her with a large smile upon her face. Her long dark hair bounced against her back as she entered the large room-finding everyone's attention on her. Clearing her throat and taking a deep breath, she set her hands on the banister in front of her and spoke loud enough so the entire room could hear;

"Thank you all so very much for being here. As you know, functions such as this are quite nerve racking and in the spirit of this, I ask that you show only your true nature this evening. I hope you all enjoy tonight and find a good memory-if nothing else."

The men applauded as she descended down the stairs, three men instantly greeting her as she hit the bottom step. One man stood with a slight limp, a cane being his source of stability. He had short hair that was greying at the temples along with scars upon his body-an obvious veteran of many battles. Welcoming him first, she turned to her second suitor. He gave a pretentious vibe and leaned to kiss her hand to greet her. Long hair fell over his cheeks and was only a few inches from his shoulders. As he looked to her, his gaze drew her in as he had a deep brown set of eyes that were enticing-but when he spoke of all his money and women-she politely turned to the third man. The final man was decorated in war. Seven different badges sat on his left chest, ranging from heroic acts to general stationing in the service. He greeted her with an intense politeness and only spoke when asked a question by her. Seeing the other two men; the military man who had been winded just by walking to her-and who was now sitting at a chair nearby-and the pompous golden boy, she asked this man to dance.

As they made their way onto the floor, he pulled her perfectly with the correct steps, even dipping her at the end. During their dance, she analyzed him-seeing if he had the necessary properties to be the next king. As far as looks, he was scruffy but admirable. He never spoke in a rude word or gave a sideways glance-he appeared to be the perfect gentleman.

The final chord of the song strong before she was pulled with her back against the man. It appeared he had become more attracted to her. With his hand around his waist, she closed her eyes and felt his hand on his side before feeling a cold blade against her throat.

"Here is how it'll go!" He spoke loudly as the women servants gasped and the men drew their swords. "I will take your pretty little Queen here to where she belongs-and YOU will all...be taken care of by my friends." Suddenly some men in the crowd revealed themselves to be in cahoots with the man holding Holly.

Taking the blade gently across her throat, in a teasing fashion, her hand gripped around his wrist.

"Please-I will give you whatever it is that you desire."

"No." He pulled her tighter against him. "This is not about money or your fancy titles...this is about vengeance."

"For what?"

"You murdering the previous King."

Her eyes grew wide as she was drug away from the ball and throw into her own dungeons. Several men whom she had imprisoned for harming others were released and left to deal with her as they pleased. They instantly flocked her cell, reaching in-making her terrified of their sexual comments and horrifying expressions. She closed her eyes and thought of Dawson, his soft touch and incredibly kind voice-but his betrayal was still too deep to cause complete comfort. She made herself safe in the corner, clutching her arms around her as she slowly began to freeze.

When she woke up last, it had been early light. She had been the only one in the dungeon and was becoming increasingly ill. Between the lack of food, water, and proper shelter, she was becoming a victim of the elements as broken stones let in the rushing rain, and critters that bit at her toes and fingers while she slept. It was nearly two weeks by the time anyone had come to see her.

The sound of the creaky door was welcoming, but all still terrifying as she was unsure who it could be. For a moment, she imagined it to be Dawson or even Nicholas coming to rescue her-but instead, a woman in a long white dress emerged from the hall. Her face was covered in a long white veil and her face had been hidden. As the door shut behind her, the woman moved to Holly's cell before throwing her veil back.

"Vera?" Holly asked in a hoarse voice, her throat having been exceptionally dry and her eyes aching from the dim light.

"Did you truly think that you would see the last of me? Especially to be humiliated in such a way."

"You did that to yourself-"

"With Dawson's help, of course." She let out a long breath-incredibly smug and pleased with herself.

"Why did you do this?"

"This place was supposed to be mine! And now, I have everything you did...this castle...the title of Queen-since you have been missing for weeks. And Dawson."

"Dawson?"

Vera nodded, pulling up her hand to reveal a silver band on her left hand. "We just became married this last hour-off to our honeymoon after this."

"He would never marry you."

"Not in the normal sense of it...but sometimes to get what you want...you have to think...outside of the "so-called" box. But do not worry! When we get back, I will be sure that you have a marvelous reunion." She began to leave, before looking back in the hall. "I nearly forgot." Throwing her veil, it landed directly in front of Holly's cell. "Would not want you to feel left out." She said sarcastically before the door shut behind her and Holly grabbed the veil. Holding it in her grasp, she tore it and let out a miraculously loud scream that was blood piercing to any who heard it-including many servants.

Just then, she heard the sound of hooves outside her cell and could see through a small hole that she was getting into the carriage with someone. She could not mistaken the man-as it was indeed Dawson. His hair was longer now, a more wavy design and an obvious smile was on his face. Although she did not believe him truly happy, it hurt her more than anything to see such a thing.

Climbing on a nearby rock, she cupped her hands over her mouth and screamed towards him. Tears shooting down her cheeks as she saw him ride away with his new bride. Falling down the wall, she collapsed into her hands and allowed herself to cry until she then fell asleep.