Forbidden Essence
Chapter 17 : He's Here
"Are you mad?" Edmund roared as he wrenched his hand away from my own. My hand was still in the air as I stood momentarily frozen, staring where Edmund's hand had been joined with mine. "I will not marry this... this wench!" He shook in anger as he glared at King Reddings with trembling fists. "I'd rather marry a mule for heaven's sake!"
His father let out a exhasperated sigh, "Edmund, you will do as I say. There is no other solution than this matrimony between our two rival kingdoms." I lowered my hand as I attempted to soak in exactly what the proposition offered was.
"She is the daughter of Jerediah, the man who killed the only woman I considered a mother when my own would not even look at me! I will not marry the daughter of that murderer." Edmund hissed and his words seem to jolt me out of my stupor.
"I will not marry this beast!" I cried, glaring at the man spoken of while he coldly scowled back. He ignored my outburst and turned to King Reddings
"We do not have the slightest inclination to want be joined in this pathetic excuse of a marriage, father, I suggest you think of another solution." Edmund's voice was cold and emotionless, and his eyes torpid as he did not even lift his eyes away from his father's. It was unsettling, yet, as I watched him speak his words with such venom, I was slightly taken back, feeling slightly insulted that he'd rather marry a mule than I, although it was outrageous that I would. King Reddings shook his head, tutting,
"My words have been spoken, son, and you know as well as every being in this kingdom that I do not go back on them. The matrimony will prevent war and save us many men that are bound to be taken by death, and it will shine quite a good light with the other kingdoms."
Edmund let out a sound of disgust, "Always thinking of yourself and what you will profit, aren't you father? Manipulating those around you like puppets; I am your son! I am not a toy to be handled." He hissed, and as the words left his mouth King Redding's gaze drastically darkened and I took a discreet step back.
King Reddings, however, looked anything but considering or compassionate of Edmund's words. His kind face took a twisted turn as his eyes shined with fury and danger. He stepped close to Edmund and spoke in such a voice that had shivers of fear running up my spine, "You will do as I say, Edmund. It was not a request, nor a proposition as you seem to be thinking. It was an order. And as the king, your life is rightfully sworn mine, and you will do as I say or you will be beheaded."
Father and son furiously held each other's gazes in a battle of will. Neither man let their gazes fall, and the uncomfortable and think atmosphere in the tower was beginning to suffocate me, as was the decision that will surely ruin my life.
"And if I refuse to your order, King Reddings? What will my fate be?" my voice didn't shake despite my mind slowly drowning in the turmoil I had gotten myself in. Without realizing, I noticed that my voice had taken a mocking tone, and that had gotten instant attention from both men.
The king's eyes were still brimmed with fury, and at my tone and input grew even more angry than thought possible. He stepped towards me and hissed, also quite mocking,
"You will receive the same fate as my dear son here, Princess Arabella." He gave out a heartless laugh, "And I doubt your father would care less. The war will still go on, and time it is to remove your father and your mighty brothers off the pedestal of the most richest lands, don't you agree?"
Tears pricked behind my eyes but I didn't dare let them spill, "You wouldn't dare." I whisper growled, and he laughed out loud in turn, his voice cruel,
YOU ARE READING
Forbidden Essence
Historical Fiction#1 historical fiction / 2016 Sent as a spy to the kingdom of West, Arabella would do everything in her power to prevent the war brewing behind castle walls from occurring again. However, she did not not know that her plans would go into ruins when s...
