Carved by the Gods

The Feast

Two long days passed of me being paraded around, and I had yet to see Lexa and her damaged face. I smiled softly to myself knowing it was because of me, well, the monster inside that I feared. But at that time the monster within was helping me, defending me from whatever nefarious plans the true monster had. Cage kept me on a tight leash making me stick to his schedule only, my guards sure to keep me blindfolded or at the very least, the heavy viel like I had on today. Though knowing Cage he'd just rip it off again to destroy whatever he felt like. Damn psychopath.The shackles they forced me in were rubbing my wrists and ankles raw under the fine dresses I was being forced to wear. Funny, I feel I must be their best dressed prisoner. As angry as I was, I was too excited to know that Bellamy would be here soon, to help me escape. I could apologize to him for everything. The trouble I put him through, the things I've said, the horrible things I've done. It would all be made right the moment he gets here. A small wrinkled man with a twinkle in his dark eyes approached me as my guards were escorting me to my cell again, he bounded up and smiled wide.

"Mountain Men! I have brought forth the most delicious wines known to Jasper. Once you're done with...whatever this is, please join your King in the throne room." He boomed jovially. Something about this man was familiar, the voice, his eyes, it all reminded me of something from long ago. Like a memory from a dream...something I couldn't quite place my finger on.

"Bring this young lady to her room why don't you?" The man chuckled. The guards shifted slowly, and then tightened their grip on me.

"Sorry, we have to escort this one to our King." The one to my left said.

"Well why should she, she's a prisoner isn't she?"

"Yes. However our King has ordered her presence.." My feet began to ache with the weight of my shackles, shifting slightly as the old man took a step forward.

"Until when?" There was a long pause before the one to my right dug his nails into the skin of my upper arm, almost drawing blood. I grit my teeth as his grip tightened further.

"Until she is no longer of use to his majesty." He growled. A rough hand shoved me hard, pushing me forward as we began our trek to the ill awaited throne room. It almost felt as if this were going to be my last time walking these halls. As if these were my very last moments I'd be spending on this Earth. A sense of foreboding flooded my stomach, would Bellamy get here in time? Would I be freed soon? Or would Cage finally get his wish, and have my head on his wall of treasures. Did I even deserve rescue? Was there any justification to prove that I deserved to be saved, or would I finally feel what it was like for all those taken by my deathly gaze? Would Cage see my soul slip away like I did to my own victims...or was there even a soul to see? My heart ached as I thought of him pushing through the doors of the palace, finding that I was already gone, another person taken from him in his short life. Another devastation to tip him over the edge, another thing ripped from his grasp so unfairly, so unjust. It killed me to even think of his reaction to find my lifeless body. After every trial we went through could I put him through this? Could I honestly just give up and have him lose one more person he holds so close? As we continued down the hall, the old man skipped so cheerfully as if he wasn't in the depths of Hell. How would Bellamy even find me, he was a prisoner just like me but even after days of being here I couldn't find my way in this labyrinth, how could he after even less time? The palace was a fortress in its own right with guards everywhere, he'd have to fight with everything he had just to get in, we'd hear the commotion. We'd hear the screams, the sounds of death, see the blood...something else to take another piece of him away. The mere thought of him losing yet another part of his soul, crushed me. I knew better than anyone the price of taking another's life. The shame, the guilt, the anguish of it all. How nothing feels like it once did, like part of you went with them to the underworld, them being sent to Asphodel or Elysium while the part of you goes to the depths of Tartarus. To fester and rot, leaving stains on your soul as you continued throughout life. More and more until there's nothing left but rancid pieces for the birds to pick off. It was at this point that I hoped for the first time he wouldn't get here. The echoes of people chattering about excited over this mysterious and generous visitor filled the halls as we began to finish our journey to the ornate doors of the throne room. The numerous gems of lives taken by their hands decorated the stone arches, red, blue, and green. The thuds of heavy footfalls filled my ears as we slowly approached, servants running around with trays on trays of fruits, meats, and numerous vegetables to pair with the benefactors wine. Rich smells of roasted pig and beef filled the air, the aromatic mint scent of rich halloumi cheese left a tanginess sitting in the air around me, and cloying scents of honey cake and spiced oranges mingled around through the throngs of the hectic crowd. My mouth began to water at the mere thought of indulging in any of these delicacies, but knowing Cage, I would be left with gruel, or even worse...the scraps of the fine meal.

"He claims it's better than Jaspers wine!" A young girl giggled.

"Be careful, the Gods have been quite temperamental lately." Another woman scolded. The groups of people were fussing about balancing work and excitement as this would be a treat for them especially. The doors to the room slowly creaked open as everyone rushed in, the clatter of trays and china being set out for all in attendance. As we walked in, the tintinnabulation of the numerous guests and servants faded and grew faint as my guards escorted me to the chopping block or as they would all call it, the Kings throne. We halted at the base of the crimson carpeting, that was spilling down the staircase like freshly spilled blood. I kept my gaze fixed upon the ground as I readied myself for whatever horrors were in store for me. Each step felt heavier than the last as dread pooled throughout my body, overflowing until I reached the top. I found myself staring at sandaled feet, their slendered ankles adorned with golden chains, as Cage's voice boomed through the room demanding everyone take their seat.

"Our lovely Wanheda, kneel before your patron." He ordered. I did as I was told, kneeling at Diana's feet, but warning bells rang as I raised my head; looking up I saw the eyes of the one who cursed me. Her face as mangled as I had left it all those weeks ago, her lifeless green eye stared through me.

"So we meet again." Lexa snarled.