Bound

IV: Erasmus (No More Than Cattle)

Shock washed over him like icey water, making his bones ache and his lungs scream. His mind forgot how to breathe, speak, and hear. The only thing he could actually do was think, this can't be happening. Except it was happening. A nightmare come true.

When the shock washed away, he was momentarily overcome with anger, and he didn't hesitate to express it, even if he was crashing head first into disrespect. "You're marrying me off?" He echoed numbly before letting loose a string of curses. "I won't be a pawn in your political game! You can't make me do this."

The King rubbed his tired eyes, turning away from his son. "I have no choice."

"You do have a choice! Don't do it! Invade Kynæn, ruin them for all I care. Don't offer me up as a bargaining tool."

Erasmus was way out of line, and he knew that. His father was a very traditional man. Disrespect was not taken lightly, but the sharp sting of the old king's hand still came as a surprise. It stunned him, throwing the two into a silence tempered with unspoken words and pulsing frustration. His father's deep brown glare forced his own to lower in respect.

"You'll do well to remember who you're speaking to, boy." Ádelfan hissed. "Your selfishness is making you blind to the bigger picture. A war with Kynæn is a death wish, one I should have taken into consideration. An alliance with them is a gift. Your dreams of true love mattered to me, but that was before I realized how lenient I've been with you. It's time you stop playing ponies and own up to the responsibilities you were born into."

The young prince could have laughed. Selfish? The insult meant nothing to him, he'd sacrificed so much to his disease. His blood boiled beneath his skin at the realization that even if he felt his father was in the wrong, there was nothing he could do about it. The helplessness was eating him alive.

"I'll never love her," Erasmus vowed.

The king laughed hollowly, "I'm not asking you to love her. If you want to be the king who has a mistress on the side, talk to her about it. I'm sure she wouldn't mind considering the type of country she belongs to. What I am telling you to save this kingdom. Your home."

There was no argument to be made. His words were final, and they echoed in Erasmus' head until he was dizzy. His fate was sealed. His freedom shackled.

With a bow of his head he resigned himself to a life worth no more than cattle.

*~*

His black ceremonial robes had always been heavy and uncomfortable, but under the weight of his brother, father, court advisor, and priest's stares he was sweltering. The binding was supposed to be a quick ordeal, none of the usual celebrations or festivities. Just the priest, a few witnesses who were to watch as his soul was bound to a woman he had never met before the eyes of a god he never believed in.

Save your home was a mantra inside his head and the only thing keeping his feet firm on the elevated platform, but not even that could keep his fear at bay when the large wooden doors swung open and his worst nightmare stalked to her position.

The offending woman stood before him in dark leathers and war paint native to her kingdom, as if she was preparing for battle. The dark, endless gaze that sat behind those wide, slightly uplifted eyes left no room for him to look away. She was wild. With cascading, curly, onyx hair floating around her head, long limbs, toned and battle hardened, and skin that reminded him of the sap that glistened from the forest trees. She should have been beautiful; would have been, if it weren't for the scars.

Erasmus found himself wondering how she obtained such brutal facial scars when the priest cleared his throat, knocking him out of his thoughts. The queen never let her eyes stray from his throughout the entire ceremony, and his anxiety built and built until the final words were spoken and his stomach fell to his feet.
Cheangal.

From a quick run through of their customs he understood it to mean bound. The word sat heavy on his shoulders, and he tensed when he felt calloused fingers brush his jaw.

"Forgive me," she whispered, before tilting his face downward and pressing her cold lips to his. It was unfeeling and awkward, and she pulled away as quickly as she came. He fought the urge to childishly wipe her kiss away but refrained and followed her down to meet his father. They talked briefly, bowing in a civil parting. The queen turned to him and gestured him away from the small crowd. He followed apprehensively.

"You may not see the benefits of this yet, but for the sake of my kingdom and yours, this was for the best. My Croí will retrieve you in a month. You have until then to collect yourself and say your goodbyes."

Her words were rushed, as if she wanted nothing more than to be anywhere but there. He was too busy trying to process her words that he almost forgot to ask the question he should have known the answer to before he married her. "Wait!" He erupted suddenly, reaching for her wrist. "I don't even know your first name."

A slight smile played at the corners of her dark lips, "Andronika."

And then she was gone.

*~*

Ridwan met him in his chambers, drawing him into an embrace before a word could be exchanged. The roles they were accustomed to returned, Erasmus finding comfort and security in the younger brother's arms while Ridwan gracefully remained the pillar of strength in every situation. Tears filled his eyes, but he refused to let them make tracks down his face. He was stronger than this. He had to be.

"I don't want you to leave," his brother breathed, the crack in his voice letting Erasmus know he wasn't alone in all of this overwhelming emotion.

"For the kingdom, right?" he laughed bitterly into Ridwan's shoulder. Despite his sour tone, the reality of it made itself at home in the space between them, pushing the men away from each other. The crowned prince began to pace restlessly across the room, a hand passing over his face in thought.

"Why you, though? Why not me? Joining the two kingdoms into one would be more beneficial on both ends. Why risk your health and sanity over an alliance?"

Those were questions he wish he knew the full answer to. "She didn't ask for just anyone," he explained with a shake of his head. "She asked for me specifically. Father said she didn't leave any room for arguments."

Ridwan stopped abruptly, turning to face Erasmus with a worried look, "There is something not right about her. She's hiding something, something dark, Erasmus. I'm worried that whatever it is you're going to get tangled up in it."

His brother's observation skills are what made him a great leader. "Do you," he coughed, suddenly feeling all of the stress taking its toll on his body. "Do you think that I should figure out what it is?"

"No!" Ridwan shouted in alarm, taking his brother by the shoulders and looking him dead in the eyes. "Promise me that you won't go looking for trouble. That whatever this is, you won't get involved."

Erasmus forced his eyes to stay open and nodded.

"I promise."