Tempted By Darkness

The Light King

"Tell me what your real reasons are and you have my word I will consider your proposition." Sitting back on her armchair she held his debating stare. He was weighting her words.

What could possibly have a King such as Alec running to his enemy asking for help?
He was a powerful king. Nobody knew what his powers were but everybody knew not to upset him or else. She had some guessings of her own about his lineage and they were both terrific and terrifying. She preferred not to think about it.

A shadow cast itself on his face as he started speaking. "A few months ago I started having some nightmares. Nightmares in which I have no control of myself. Nightmares in which I start killing my own people. Doesn't matter who it is. If it moves, if it breathes, I kill it. Like a machine. At first I didn't think anything of them. I thought I was just stressed out and they were just a manifestation of my frustrations. However, recently... " His hands shook on his knees. His eyes were lost in his thoughts, thoughts of death, fear and anxiety. Things that Athena enjoyed inflicting on her enemies with her powers but she had never seen them on a King such as Alec. He was too strong for that, not even she could that to a conqueror like him.

A bad feeling started to form in the pit of her stomach. She did not like how the situation was turning out.

"Recently they were not nightmares anymore." The Queen took in a sharp breath at his words. She knew this was coming and yet she had not been ready.

This was bad.
This was very bad.

"Have you killed anyone?" She asked bracing herself for the answer. If he did, then it was already too late.

"No. I seem to snap out of it just before inflicting the final blow. But I hurt them. I hurt a lot of people, Athena. I hurt a lot of MY people. People that I should be keeping safe. I am afraid the next time I will not be able to regain control of myself. Fighting this sudden urge to kill is really hard and it seems this thing is getting more and more control over me as time goes by. And if it takes over me completely... I don't know what's gonna happen. I need your help. I know this is dark magic. I honestly considered you as one of the suspects but then again you wouldn't have resorted to this cowardly way. You would have marched down my palace and unleashed your wrath on me. I know what you are Athena. I know you have a lot of power and I need you to help me in this. I tried consulting one of the best sorceress in my kingdom but she claims the power is too great for her to intervene. I don't want my people to be afraid of the monster I will become. I know your help doesn't come without a price. I know you don't trust me. That's why I am giving you my Kingdom by marrying me. You will have access to everything I have access to, as my Queen. Every resource that is mine, will be yours. I will stand next to you with my armies in every battle you need to win. I will protect you and your people as my own. I am just asking you to help me out with this and everything will be yours to take. I will sign this marriage and alliance with a blood oath if needed."

Athena did not bother to inform him that she would have helped him anyway. Proposition or no proposition, this was a danger she was not ready to risk her people for. Because if this enitity took complete hold of Alec, then everyone would be in danger.
Furthermore, she was a Queen. And the best interests of her reign were her own. She was not one to waste opportunities when they presented themselves.
An alliance sealed with marriage with the King of Light would mean a lot of advantages for her people. And everything the man had said was true. They would make a terrific kingdom. No one would dare touch them without risking both their wraths. Safety and peace would be guaranteed.

"Very well." Without wasting any time, she took a silver knife from the small table near her armchair and sliced through her palm.

She passed the blade to him as he did the same. They joined their bloody palms in a handshake as they recited their oaths.