The Old Gods

Svetovid

Darius didn't know Zorya well enough, but he sure already knew the way her temper always worked against her, and that she wasn't always good at controlling her rage, so he could imagine the reaction that she would have now after hearing his words. After all, she will merry the man she considered enemy, and maybe she was already in love with someone before?

Darius doubted that, if she loved someone he would probably already know about that, because Zorya seemed more passionate then anyone he had meet before in his life, she would definitely show that.

So what if she marries him?

She will be fine, she will not lack anything, and she will always be safe under his protection, and him, well she was intriguing, different than anyone else he had ever meet in his life, he wasn't sure that he could ever love her, but he could definitely get used to her presence, maybe it could even make him happy at the times.

"I need to speak with my gods." Zorya said calmly. She got up from the bed and Kreshnik followed her.

The guards were ready to stop her.

"Don't. If she is going to be my wife, then I will have to learn to take a care of her, no matter how exhausting that can be." Darius said and sighed. This woman won't be easy to handle.

Zorya started running as fast as her wounded body was allowing her to do so, ignoring the pain, ignoring everything, she felt so full of life and this marriage felt like a cage for a wild soul, and she didn't know how to take that. Zorya continued running until she reached the river. She instantly started taking of the clothes she was wearing, and dived into the cold water. It made her body as well as her mind feel refreshed.

To leave everything she is, and everything she believes in and merry this man? To become his Queen and rule over people who were responsible for the death of her brother?

To leave everything, or become Rusalka and remain here in her forest?

"What are the gods telling you?" Darius suddenly came with his horse, he didn't want to leave her alone here, when she could end up being hurt by her own people.

"If you fail to notice I am naked." Zorya warned him.

"It's not like I can see much." Darius answered and sat on the ground.

"I needed to freshen up."

"You are allowed to do anything you wish, I won't do anything to stop you. You are going to be a Queen after all. If that is what you wish." Darius said.

"I need to pray first." Zorya answered and left the water, her body was freezing as soon as it felt the cold air.

Darius, trough his damaged eyes was able to see the beauty of her pale, naked body, covered with the battle scars that only complimented her and proved that she was a strong woman. But Darius didn't allow himself to offend her by staring at her naked body, instead he got up and warped his cloak around her trembling body.

"Who are you praying to?"

"Svetovid."

"Who is him?"

"He is a prophet ,four-headed god with two heads looking forward and two back, which means he can see the past and the future, and he can give me the best advice." Zorya answered, making Darius almost chuckle, the religion of pagans was always interesting to him, but it also made him amused, by how big their imagination was.

"Oh I don't anyone could accurately predict your future princes, and I don't believe you would like to know my past as well." Darius answered.

"Why?" Zorya asked.

"What if my past scares you?"

"If we are going to live in a lie that we are going to call a marriage, then we could at least know who are we marrying to, even if that could be scary." Zorya said.

"You have a point princess." Darius chuckled at her words.

He knew that no matter what she says, he scares her. He felt how her body tensed under his touch, and he knew that they will always be sworn enemies, pagan and a Christian, but maybe, someday, they could make a marriage between the two of them work.

"I became a king when I was around your age, even thought I was the youngest of my brothers, and that I resented living in a castle. I was unhappy at first, but then I meet a woman named Anna. We got married instantly, and had a daughter, Maria. We lived happily for three years. But then I started the war with Vikings, and their attack took us by surprise in the church on Sunday morning. My wife and daughter were murdered in cold blood, and my eyes were damaged with fire of the candle. I locked the Vikings inside the church and burned it to the ground together with the bodies of my wife and daughter." Darius spoke slowly, as if he was searching for mentally strength for every word needed to be said.

Zorya felt the loss of loved one not so long ago, and she knew she didn't want anyone to pity her. It took her a moment to decide to move closer to him and place her hand on his showing her support

"How much time passed since that?"

"Almost five years, it was a long time ago. I am capable now of moving on and being a good husband to another woman. My past won't get in my way." Darius answered without looking at her.

"It is a great loss. If you need more time it is alright." Zorya said.

"No, I don't need more time. I made up my mind. But what about you?" Darius asked now looking at her.

"I don't know what kind of a wife do you expect me to be, but I don't think I am like the other Christian woman, am I right?" Zorya asked.

"No, you are completely opposite of them. Christian woman are tender, fragile, gentle, elegant, and they have no battle scars because their innocent souls are afraid of sword. But you Zorya, you are strong, one of the best warriors I have ever fought, you are feral, but you are still beautiful on your own way, and maybe you are just the kind of a queen that my people need." Darius said.

"Is that just a nice way to say that you still think that I am a savage?" Zorya asked.

Darius laughed. He was beautiful when he laughed, she couldn't deny that.

"Fine, I will be your wife, and I will live in your kingdom, as long as I can bring Kreshnik with me." Zorya said.

"You don't need a prophet before you make a decision?"

"I didn't need a prophet to find out about your past either." Zorya answered with smile.

Darius could fall in love with that smile and that feral beauty someday. He simply warped his arm around his future queen and continued looking into the distance silently. 

Hey everyone, here is another chapter, I really hope that you enjoy reading my story. If you do, please support me by voting and commenting, it means a lot!