Lord of the Damned - A Viktor Bartholy Story

Chapter 4 - The Royal Marriage

"Bring her to me!"

King Rubobostes was seated upon his golden throne.  He had just been informed that Aleena, princess of the Teurisci and his prisoner, requested an audience with him.

"And make sure she is properly bathed and dressed before you do," Rubobostes added with a smirk.  "I don't want her looking like a beggar... or smelling like one."

The handmaiden assigned to the task nodded in assent.  She had already helped Aleena wash and comb her long, reddish gold hair, and wanted to ensure that the princess would look presentable enough in front of her future husband.

"What would you like her to wear, my lord?"

Rubobostes pulled a face.  "How should I know?  Get her one of my sister's gowns, for all I care.  And for Zalmoxis's sake, hurry up woman!"

Rubobostes had been thinking about his future bride ever since Brogudos informed him that his proud daughter had conceded to marry the king of the Apuli.  That had been more than a week before.  Aleena had asked for permission to cleanse herself spiritually by praying to her various gods, and Rubobostes had given it to her.  Of course, at the time, he thought such rituals wouldn't take longer than a few hours.  Seven days later, the king was truly losing his patience.

In order to gain Aleena's trust, Rubobostes had decided to postpone the execution of her father, Brogudos, until after the wedding.  In fact, no one had mentioned the king's nefarious intentions to Aleena, for fear she would change her mind about going through with the marriage.  But once he wedded and bedded her, Rubobostes fully planned on ridding himself of the Celtic chieftain - his bitterest enemy.  As his lawful wife, Aleena would have to obey his wishes and commands.  Brogudos would die, regardless of her opinion on the matter.

While impatiently waiting for her, the king decided to cleanse himself and to trim his beard and hair.  Being a soldier and man of action, he had never paid much attention to such trivial things.  But he wanted Aleena to like him... and to want him as much as he wanted her.  Thus, he had one of his trusted servants cut his dark locks so that they would barely brush his shoulders, and trim his black beard closely to his face.  The servant was quite crafty, and Rubobostes was pleased upon seeing his reflection in a silver platter.

"Not too bad," he thought to himself with a self-assured grin.

Truth be told, the Dacian king was a very handsome man:  in the prime of his life, he was tall and broad shouldered, with skin bronzed by spending most of his time outdoors and bright green eyes that sparkled like emeralds when he laughed.  Many maidens had fallen for his good, masculine looks, and Rubobostes never lacked for female companionship.  Aleena was the first woman who didn't seem impressed by his exterior.  This, in turn, made quite an impression on the king.  His bruised ego determined him to pursue her all the more.

He was lost in such thoughts when he heard the door open.  He looked up and drew a sharp breath in.  His beloved was inside the throne room, quietly approaching him.

"Aleena," Rubobostes whispered.  "You look... beautiful."

The Celtic princess wore a long, dark green dress made of fine-spun wool.  Her hair was partially braided around her crown, while heavy golden tresses cascaded freely down her back.  Her long, graceful neck was bare of any adornments.  She walked in a proud and stately manner, keeping her blue eyes locked on her future husband's face.

"My lord," she bowed her head slightly, once she stopped right in front of him.

Rubobostes quickly stood up and took one of her hands in his.  He felt an electric jolt as his skin made contact with hers and noticed, with pleasure, that her cheeks reddened at his warm touch.