|| 20th of Junil, 999 || Kainesborough, Edan ||

  She finally closes the doors and looks up at me again, her expression unreadable. She slowly moves closer, her hips swaying with every step. Stalking over to the small table near the bed, she pulls out a bottle of sparkling berry wine from the bucket of ice sitting there. With a flick of her wrist the cork pops and she pours the deep purple liquid into two crystal glasses. She reaches out and offers me one, a small knowing smile on her face. Our fingers brushing briefly as I grasp the delicate stem.

  Her eyes never leave mine as she lifts her own glass to her lips, drinking me in even more than the wine.

  I can’t help but look away, finally taking a sip of the cool liquid as a distraction from her piercing gaze. The bubbles dance on my tongue, sweet and tangy, but I soon down it all with a single, almost desperate gulp. My head starts to swim, and a slow smile overtakes my face.

  Now that’s more like it.

  You got this.

  I lift my eyes and hold her gaze, my heart pounding, my mind spinning with thoughts of what I’m about to do to her.

  She takes another sip, her lips lingering on the rim of the glass for a moment before she sets it back down onto the small table. Then she sits down on the edge of the plush mattress, and begins to remove her strappy sandals, her eyes still not straying from mine. I instinctively begin to kick off my shiny black loafers as well, my eyes locked on hers with a look of pure anticipation.

  That’s right, just look at me Beautiful.

  She lets her unlaced shoes fall to the floor with a soft thud before patting the space beside her on the bed, “Come here Princeling…”

  The subtle command sends a heat to my lower stomach, my pants already beginning to tighten. I sit down the empty glass and stride over to the bed, my footsteps clumsy, my desire for her overcoming any remaining doubts. I sit down next to her, our thighs almost touching, the heat between us tangible even through layers of fabric. When her gaze meets mine again, my heart lurches in my chest, towards her and those eyes that seem to see everything.

  Fuck…why does this feel so intense?

  She’s just some woman.

  She’s just-

  That’s when she finally turns to face me fully, her thigh now pressing flush against mine. Her hand slowly lifts, and she reaches over to gently caress the side of my face, her touch light yet electric. She leans in slowly, her breath warm against my face, “You’re thinking too much.” she whispers, her voice low and teasing, “Just relax. Let go. Enjoy this. Alright?”

  I let out a slow, shaky breath, the tension in my chest lessening slightly. “I… don’t know if I know how to do that right now,” I confess.

  Her expression softens in turn, and she says, “Just close your eyes. I’ll take care of the rest, I promise.”

  I hesitate, but only for a moment. When I finally shut my eyes, darkness surrounds me, and suddenly, every other sense is heightened. The sound of her breathing, the warm press of her thigh, the faint scent of her citrus perfume, all sharp in the quiet dark.

  I feel it when she shifts again, moving closer, and then her fingertips begin to ghost over my jawline lightly. Her thumb moves to brush over my bottom lip, the warmth of her touch setting each nerve ending on fire.

  I want to feel her, to taste her, to lose myself in her until nothing remains but the memory of her name.

  The urge is to kiss her is burning within me, and I can’t help but to lean closer, my lips seeking out her warmth in the darkness like a flower growing towards its sun.

  The moment our lips make contact, my body is on fire, already craving more of her. Her lips are as soft as I imagined, yet there’s a firmness to them that threatens to consume me. The kiss is slow at first, careful, but eventually my tongue carefully traces the seam of her lips, begging for permission to taste her.

  She obliges, her mouth opening against mine, allowing me to deepen the kiss. My hand slowly cups the back of her head, keeping her close as my tongue delves into her mouth, tasting both the sweetness of the wine and something uniquely her.

  The kiss becomes more urgent, more desperate, my desire to have her overpowering all reason. My body reacts to hers, my heart drumming wildly in my chest, heat pooling low and lower in my abdomen. All thoughts of right and wrong, of duty and responsibility flee my mind, replaced only by a singular thought.

  I deserve this.

  “Lay back.” she whispers against my lips.

  The command breaks through the haze in my mind, and without question, I do as she says, laying back on the bed, my eyes still closed. I feel the mattress shift as she climbs on top of me, straddling my hips. My fingers brush gently against the fabric of her dress as it rides up her shapely thighs. The feeling of her body on mine, her weight pressing down on me, is intoxicating, and I can’t help but lift my hips, craving more contact, more pressure, more her.

  Her body moves against mine, a slow, deliberate rhythm that’s both maddening and satisfying. I can feel every inch of her, the heat of her skin, the press of her thighs as they squeeze my hips. She lowers her head and her lips trail kisses along my jawline, then down my neck, her teeth nipping at my skin. Her hands then begin to slide under the fabric of my shirt, her fingertips grazing over the soft muscle of my stomach. I finally open my eyes just as she sits back up, gazing down at me with a devious expression on her face.

  The sight of her on top of me, her long dark ropes of hair slightly disheveled, her full lips swollen from kissing, is almost too much to bear. She looks like some sort of goddess, like a deity of moonlight and mischief demanding my complete surrender, and fuck if I won’t give it to her.

  One of my hands softly cups her jaw, my thumb tracing the line of her cheekbone as my other hand squeezes the top of her plump thigh. “You…are so fucking beautiful.” I tell her, my voice full of awe and desire.

  Val looks down at me, a slight smirk on her lips before saying, “and you…are so fucking stupid.”

  Wait, what?

  Before I can react, I feel a slight pinch at my neck, followed by a wave of dizziness. Darkness begins to cloud the edge of my vision, my mind going fuzzy. I try to keep my eyes open, to focus on her face, but my eyelids feel heavy, and my strength is fading fast.

  What...the fuck…

  The last thing I remember before the world goes black is her cool amused voice whispering down at me, “Sweet dreams, Princeling.”

  || 21st of Junil, 999 || Queenshearth, Edan ||

  I wake up with a start. My head is spinning, and my body feels like it’s made of lead. I struggle to open my eyes completely, the world coming into focus in bits and pieces.

  What…happened?

  The first thing I notice is the darkness. It fills most of the space outside of the few beams of sunlight that shine upon the wood grain next to me. Thankfully the light provides just enough glow for me to get my bearings. From what I can see, I appear to be in some sort of wooden box.

  The second thing I notice is how uncomfortable this damned box is. There’s a constant rhythmic thumping beneath my head, jostling my brain about like a hornet’s nest. The movement alone makes me want to vomit.

  Where the hell am I?

  I try to sit up, the attempt sending a wave of dizziness through me until I’m forced to lay back against a nearby wall for support.

  “Hello?” I shout, covering my eyes against the bright beams of sunlight streaming through the small square window above.

  Shit, what did I do?

  My head still feels hazy, all my recent memories are blurry and hard to pin down. But then, a flash of green passes through my mind and I remember the woman from the club. Her warm hand in mine, leading me up the staircase to that private room.

  Did she do this?

  Fuck, what was her name?

  Victoria?

  Veronica?

  A faint throb in my neck draws my attention. I reach up to touch the spot and feel a slight sting. I pull my fingers away and see a few bits of dried blood on my fingertips.

  Did she…fucking bite me?

  No, you idiot her mouth wasn’t anywhere near-

  My eyes go wide as realization dawns, the only obvious explanation for the hazy feeling in my head.

  She drugged me!

  I lean forward a bit too much and the sunrays beam right into my eyes. I grimace against the sunlight once more, only to finally realize yet another horrifying thing.

  It’s light out, which means…I’m late for the damn wedding.

  Shit!

  I try to stand up too quickly and immediately regret it, the dizziness returning tenfold. I clutch the side of the box, willing my heart to steady, but panic still blooms in my chest.

  Fuck!

  He’s going to proper kill me this time.

  How do I even begin to explain why I missed it?

  The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  I force myself to push past the dizziness and try standing up again, bracing my hand against the wall. The world spins for a moment before righting itself. Finally, after several moments of clumsy stumbling, I’m able to peek out of the small window at the back of the box.

  All I can see is the landscape rushing past, a blur of green trees and red dirt. We’re definitely not in the city anymore. We’re somewhere in the countryside, heading in a direction I can’t discern.

  Shit, where the hell is this thing going?

  I rack my brain trying to remember something, anything, about last night. But the memories are fleeting, like images in a dream, fading more with each second that passes. All that remains are flashes of her touch, her scent, her skin against mine, the taste of her lips… And then nothing. Just darkness.

  How could I let myself get tricked like this?

  I’m so fucking stupid!

  I sit back down, burying my head in my hands as the reality of my situation settles in.

  I’m trapped in a wagon of some sort, missing my own wedding, with no real idea where I’m going.

  Oh, and I’m supposed to be the second most powerful man in the kingdom.

  Right...

  I laugh humorlessly, the sound echoing back at me around the small space. The irony of the situation is brutal, the ultimate cosmic joke.

  if dear old dad could see me now...

  “What are you back there giggling about?” a man’s deep voice echos from the opposite end of the cart.

  I immediately jerk my head up, looking in the direction of where the voice came from. I’m alone inside the cart but the realization finally dawns that someone must be driving this damned thing.

  “I wasn’t giggling.” I snap, my throat a bit dry. “I'm trying to figure out where the hell you’re taking me.”

  “Well that’s not your business, is it?” the driver retorts, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Why don’t ya just sit back and enjoy the ride eh? Ain’t like you’re going anywhere.”

  I can’t help but to clench my jaw in annoyance. I try to steady my voice before speaking, not wanting to sound as weak or vulnerable as I feel right now, “This is a mistake. Do you realize who I am?”

  The driver laughs, “Oh, I know exactly who you are. Prince Emerson Kaine II. Heir to the throne of Edan, beloved by the common folk and adored by the ladies.” There’s a mocking lilt to his voice and I can practically see the sneer on his face.

  “Don’t forget incredibly handsome and charming.” I add on petulantly, my mind still buzzing with ideas of how to get myself out of this mess.

  “Sure, let’s add that to the list. Sooo charming and handsome that you let yourself be taken without even putting up a fight. Real royal behavior there, Princeling.”

  I grit my teeth at his words. He’s right and we both know it. I was stupid and careless, too blinded by lust and curiosity to notice the trap until it was too late. Too naive to realize that I was being played, with every sugary sweet word out of her beautiful mouth.

  I’m such a fucking idiot!

  I close my eyes and try to focus my emotions, not wanting my anger and shame to get the best of me, especially right now. My hands grip the wooden walls of the cart for balance as I slowly stand up again. “Please…Just tell me what you want.” I implore, trying a different approach.

  “I want...you to shut up.” the man responds gruffly.

  “I need to return to the palace. Please sir, do this and I swear I’ll pay you handsomely.” I lie.

  Everyone has their price, isn’t that what dad always says?

  “Keep your sodding gold.” The man replies, scoffing in disgust.

  Fuck, okay, he’s clearly not interested in money, so what then?

  What could he possibly want from me?

  More importantly, what could I actually give him?

  “Please..” I try once more, a hint of desperation seeping into my voice. “I’m missing my own wedding.”

  “You think I give a shit about some royal wedding?” the man mocks. “Besides…most men who love their wives don’t go to brothels the night before.”

  Who the fuck does this old man think he is?

  I can feel my temper flaring, my patience wearing thin. “Sir, you will release me, or I will make you release me. This is your only warning.” I order, my voice sounding more confident than I feel.

  The man laughs heartily, the sound boisterous and condescending. “Go on then, give us a show.”

  “You think I won’t?” I snap, “Quite frankly you are really starting to piss me off mate. So do what I ask before you end up getting hurt.”

  Another dry chuckle sounds from the front of the cart. “Oh, and you’re the one who’s going to hurt me? If you’re so big and bad, show me what you’ve got then.”

  I shake my head in frustration, realizing there is no reasoning with this mad man.

  Fine, if that’s how you want to play it.

  “Stop the cart and Let me out of here right now.” I say, imbuing my words with the Divine Influence, ignoring the chilly feeling that snakes through me as my power reaches out to grasp the man’s will.

  A moment of silence passes by before the sound of his laughter rumbles through the wooden wall separating us.

  My brows furrow in confusion but I try again. “Stop the cart right now!”

  Again, my power reaches out and again, his will slips through my grasp like sand.

  The man lets out another roar of laughter before teasing, “No, no, try again. I think I felt a little tingle that time.”

  Shit.

  What the fuck is going on?

  Now I can’t even use the Influence?

  No one has ever nullified my powers like this before, except…

  “Are you a Kaine too? Is that how you’ve blocked me?” I blurt out, my chest growing tighter with dread.

  “Or maybe it’s that pretty bracelet you’re wearing.” the man mocks, his voice lilting in a disturbingly feminine manner.

  “What are you talking about?” I shoot back, trying to keep my frustration in check “What bracelet? I’m not-” my words cut off as my eyes fall to my right wrist. And there it is.

  A delicate copper colored band, encircling my wrist like a shackle. There are strange symbols etched into the metal and within each one, a faint red glow.

  I stare down at it, anger and confusion bubbling up in equal parts.

  How the hell did I not notice this before?

  Without taking my eyes off the bracelet, I tug at it, trying to pry it off. But it’s like it’s bonded to my skin, refusing to budge. “What is this thing?” I shout, still trying to remove the cuff.

  The man’s voice floats back to me, “Oh that? That’s a little bit of insurance. In case you decide to try anything a bit more…untoward.”

  “How do you remove it?” I snap, my anger building.

  I can’t show up to the wedding in this fucking thing!

  More silence follows and my rage finally boils over. “Answer me! I am your prince goddammit!”

  “Ah…there’s that famous Kaine temper.” He teases in a lazy drawl that only serves to make me angrier. But he continues before I can respond, “Allow me to make one thing clear. You are no prince of mine and if you don’t shut that trap, I’m gonna stuff it full of horse shit. Understand?”

  “You wouldn’t dare.” I seethe, though some sinking part of me fears he would, in fact, dare.

  “No? Keep yapping. Try me.” There’s a serious edge to the man’s voice now and its clear he would make good on this promise.

  Despite it all, I know I can’t just give up yet. “I- Look, at risk of...horse shit, I wanted to apologize. I’m deeply sorry I lost my calm for a moment there, I’m usually much more personable I can assure you.” I tell him, my words dripping with false sincerity.

  A thick silence follows.

  Against all reason I continue, playing the only angle I’ve got left. “It's just that…you seem like a solid bloke and when my father finds out what’s happened here, I fear he will lose his temper. I would really hate for a simple hard-working man such as yourself to get caught up in all this royal drama, really I would.”

  More silence.

  My ego is taking a beating at this point, but what more do I have to lose?

  I clear my throat and try one last time, “Now obviously you are a man of great conviction. Most blokes wouldn’t turn down gold but you,” I shake my head for inflection even though the man can’t see me. “You said no to it, something only an honorable man can do. But I wonder, is there really no possibility of us reaching some sort of understanding? Perhaps not with money but surely there is something you want? Name it and I’ll make certain it’s yours, what do ya say, do we have a deal?”

  Finally, after what feels like an eternity, a low, almost annoyed sigh drifts back to my side of the cart, before the man simply says, “Horse. Shit.”

  My eyes narrow and I let out a sharp scoff.

  Ohhh fuck him.

  “Fine then. But when my father puts your head on a spike don’t come crying to me!” I snap, banging my fist against the wall separating us before slowly sinking back down to the floor.

  The cart continues on it's slow journey. I sit in brooding silence, stewing in anger for what feels like hours, until eventually my eyes drift shut, and I’m pulled into a deep sleep once more.

  Blood.

  It seeps in from nowhere, warm and thick, licking at my boots with a slow inevitability.

  I don’t remember how I got here.

  Glass walls surround me—impossibly tall, smooth, flawless.

  I press my palms to the surface. It doesn’t budge.

  Outside, painted faces gather like flies. Hundreds, maybe thousands, all dressed in finery.

  Silent as the grave as they feast on me with their eyes.

  Hungry.

  More blood.

  Crawling up my ankles like vines. Rising slowly.

  Patient.

  I slam my fists against the walls. Scream. No one flinches. No one moves. They just watch, as the box becomes my coffin.

  I can smell it. Copper and salt. Sharp enough to choke on. The air feels heavy, wet. I take a step back, hit the glass behind me. There is nowhere to run.

  The blood rises.

  It laps at my waist now, warm as bathwater.

  I laugh. It sounds unhinged.

  Of course it would be warm.

  Then—light.

  Brilliant, searing, golden-white. It cuts through the crowd like a blade and haloes her in its center.

  A woman.

  Pale yellow hair like sunlight through silk. Green eyes bright as spring. She looks like—

  “Mum?” I whisper.

  She smiles. It’s the same smile from my childhood. The one she’d wear when I scraped my knee or snuck sweets before dinner.

  Kind.

  Knowing.

  Too tender for this bloody place.

  She steps forward, and the crowd parts.

  My breath catches. My chest cracks open. My heart glows.

  Still, the blood rises.

  She places a hand on the glass. No blood touches her. Not a drop.

  “You’re tired, aren’t you, my love?” she asks, her voice like honey and mercy.

  “Yes,” I choke. “So tired.”

  “I know,” she says. “Soon, you’ll rest. Soon, I’ll see you.”

  The blood touches my neck.

  I shake my head. “No—I don’t—I can’t—”

  She hushes me with a smile. The kind that used to fix everything. The kind that made all the monsters in the dark go away.

  Well, almost all of them.

  “You’ll see me soon, darling,” she whispers. “You’ll finally be free. Isn’t that what you want?”

  She’s right.

  I’m so close. I just have to-

  I let go of the glass and drift back, sinking into the warmth. It cradles me now.

  Like arms.

  Like hers.

  My hands fall to my sides. Heavy. Tired.

  And as the bitter warmth fills my lungs, as my vision goes red and gold and black, I think of her smile.

  And for a moment, I am young again, curled in her lap, her fingers stroking my hair.

  The world was cruel, but she was always kind.

  Maybe death will be too.