B E N E F A C T I O N

I N T R O D U C T I O N S

The four-inch heels on my feet click against the hardwood floor of the hall. The red gown that I wear flows down my body, stopping just before touching the ground. My braids rest over the swells of my breast, that are slightly exposed by the deep neckline, as I walk with my head held high.

Hardwood floors give way to marble ones. While an empty hall is replaced by a grand foyer filled with women and men hustling around. When Tevilla and I enter, eyes snap in our direction to look at me. I only glance at a few people and I met with confused stares and looks of distaste. Deciding it's best to keep my eyes forward, I don't look at anyone else. But my hearing is my worst enemy right now.

"Is that her?"

"She's nothing special."

"What does she have that Marlie doesn't have?"

"I bet she's just his whore, nothing more."

I keep my head held high as I listen to the horrible things people say to me, while briefly wondering who Marlie is. Once we are out of the foyer, I'm led down another hall that is grander that the last. The walls are lined with nothing but windows that overlook the mountains surrounding what I know is the kingdom. When my eyes find the gate, I feel a deep sorrow in my heart for all my loves ones that are on the other side. I hope they know that I didn't choose this. My parents did for me, and if I had it my way, I'd be with them.

The further I walk down the hall with Tevilla, the more my heart beats against my chest. My nose picks up on the scent of lavender and what I can only describe as earth as we near a set of large golden double doors. Standing beside the doors is a large man dressed in armor.

"Hello Pluto." Tevilla says as she stops in front of the door. The large man, who stands so tall that I must crane my neck to look up at him, gives us both a curt nod before opening on of the doors. I expect to see a room on the other side but instead there are stairs. Tevilla begins to walk up them and I follow. I glance up at Pluto before I do and he gives me a small smile. Once I step up a few steps, I hear the large door close behind me.

The smell that assaults my nose intensifies as we get closer to a large arch way at the top. A gorgeous velvet curtain flows in front of it, and in front of that stands another guard, just as large as the last one.

"Hello Neptune." Tevilla greets and I immediately notice that the guard looks just like Pluto. They're twins. It's obvious. Every one of their features resemble each others perfectly. Completely identical.

Neptune bows and pulls the curtain to reveal a large room that looks like something out of a story book. Large pillars etched in gold lead down a long red carpet to a large throne. The lavender and earth smell is overwhelming and my body heats up to the point that I cannot stand it. My eyes connect with a large man sitting on the extravagant throne. As we draw nearer, I immediately come to the realization that the smell is emitting from him.

Tevilla walks until we are standing at the end of the long red carpet with only three steps separating us from the man who lounges as if he doesn't have a care in the world.

He has one large leg relaxing over one arm of the throne. His other leg resting on the ground with a woman leaning against it, while sitting like a sphinx. When we make eye contact, anger flows through me like nothing I have ever felt. A deep rumble flows from my lips before I can stop it as I take a step forward.

"Constance." Tevilla says in a warning tone as she turns and looks at me. I snap out of my anger immediately and give her an solemn expression. "You are alright." She assures me as she looks back at the large man.

My eyes trail up to look at his face in admiration. His jet-black hair is slicked back, with a single curl hanging in front of his widow peak. He has eyes the color of the sun, a straight nose dotted with freckles, that lead to a pair of pouty sweetheart lips. His jaw line is razor sharp and I can tell that if he stood, he would be the size of the guards that lead to this room. He wore a simple black button down and a pair of black slacks. Three of the buttons are undone, giving me a peek of his hard pecks that lay underneath. I unconsciously lick my lips at I stare at the exposed flesh.