My heart fluttered, but I knew that, someday, Xenocrates would be proven correct, and I would beg. I would beg until I no longer had any words to describe the aching feeling he had left me. A void it seemed only he could fill.

  The Arrival

  The following morning, Xenocrates flung the cabin door open, causing a loud reverberating thud to resonate throughout the cabin as he announced for me to arise.

  "Get up now, Caecelia!" he bellowed at me from the doorway.

  I pushed myself up and shook my head to attempt to wake myself.

  He folded his arms over his chest and grinned in the cocky manner he had done every day that I had known him since my capture.

  I frowned and pulled the fur around my nude form.

  He continued to assault my senses with actions that made no sense.

  "Am I to be given clothes, at least, Xenocrates?" I asked, annoyed.

  He shook his head and extended his hand to point at the fur.

  "No, drop the fur and come stand in front of me. I want to see all of your value," he commanded.

  I continued to frown and stood up, allowing the fur to drop completely from my figure.

  He gave a smile and an approving nod and then motioned for me to come forward.

  Again, I did as he bid and stood before him with a look of disgust. "You are such a pig! Commanding and rude, when Livania has told me you have a code you stick to. I do not see how. I see nothing but an arrogant bastard, who has gotten everything handed to him his entire life and thinks all is his, who treats all as if they have no worth, save to suit his selfish purposes!" I was insulted. Worse, I felt complete humiliation yet again.

  He folded his arms, again, and walked around me, scanning my form closely. "That may be true, but what makes you think you are any different, Caecelia? A Daejian brat, spoiled all her life and lead to believe her people were the most superior of all peoples around them? A woman who presumes her worth is above jewels, just because of who she was raised to be. A woman who imagines she is above the common whore resting at my feet! You put your nose down upon the barbaric tribes and yet I wager they have more honor than you hold in your tiniest finger." He returned the insults, and I turned to face him.

  "I am truly growing tired of your games. What have you awakened me for? I am still here, stuck on this ship, and you wake me. To what purpose?" I demanded.

  "Well, I thought you may be pleased to know that we have finally made port in my country. Pretus awaits you. Now, you can come with me willingly or I will drag you off the ship, naked. I imagine it will give the men something to enjoy!" he barked back at me.

  Why was he being so suddenly cruel to me? My face turned to a sour expression, and I found that, yet again, Xenocrates had found a way to make me appear as the fool. The games were beginning to grow annoying, and I wanted answers, though gaining any was something that didn't seem to be presenting itself, just yet. I folded my arms beneath the swell of my breast and stared at him.

  "Then I will ask kindly for you to please give me something to cover myself with, Xenocrates," I said.

  He seemed to find the change in my attitude humorous, and again, he laughed in my face.

  "Oh, but I was just beginning to enjoy the sights, myself. I had hoped you would continue to be a sassy wench and make it where I had to force your embarrassment. Humiliation seems to be a wonderful tool of encouragement, in your case, Caecelia," he said. He turned to walk towards the table and tossed my toga towards me.

  It was the same toga I had worn when I fell into the water, and it smelled of the sea, even still. I shuddered. It was beyond me how he expected a lady of my station would wear clothing that was soiled by ocean water, but I knew, if I argued, he would keep his word. If there was one thing I had learned so far, it was that he did as he said. He would, regardless of the effect it had on anyone else. It was these behaviours that made me curse myself for my actions the night before. How could I give in to his commanding kiss so easily? What a fool I must've appeared to my captor. A captor who found my humiliation to be a wonderful pastime, it seemed. Continuously, I fell into Xenocrates' traps, and it never seemed to cease, the longer I stayed with him, though I found that being absent from him or Livania made me even more distressed. Loneliness was a powerful tool and another one of his favourites. I was beginning to learn his techniques, and I imagined that he knew this.

  "Thank you, "I stated quietly as I began to dress.

  He peered at me with a perplexed expression. "Ah, you have manners now, Caecelia?" he said. "Would you have them long enough to have a civilized conversation with me?" he asked.

  It surprised me that he actually said such things, and at first, I did not understand. "What do you mean by a civilized conversation, Xenocrates?" I asked him.

  He sat on the mattress and tilted his head. "Before I take you to my home, I have some things I would like to tell you. There is more to the purpose I took you, just as you had accused me of," he responded.

  "Is there? What, pray tell, is that?" I asked in response, unsure of what to expect next but having some clue, from the secrets Livania had told me of.

  "I do not think it is the time to tell you. At least, not until you tell me if you can behave yourself and engage in conversation civilly," he said, peering at me with what I presumed to be disdain, from the grimace on his face.

  "Fine, you have my solemn vow that I shall engage you in the most civil way possible," I agreed.

  He gave a nod and motioned to a chair aside him. "Sit there and listen. That means open the wax of your ears and keep your pretty lips shut, yea?" he commanded.

  I did as he bid and crossed my legs as my hands found their place in my lap.

  He smiled at my erect posture and drew his index finger beneath his chin. "When I was eight years of age, I was sent to the training camps for Pretan men, just as all young Pretan boys are. I had been told that I had an obligation and a duty to my people and I felt honored to become a man and battle for our land. We are a strong and loyal people, and our family ties go back generations. The god of war, Kiltus himself, was said to have bred with the first of our people, making us the very children of war himself," Xenocrates began. "Soon thereafter, the Daejians began attacking many of our villages and they killed off an entire family line. The streets were painted in scarlet from the ever-flowing blood of their deaths. They were called House Thessaly, and the Lord of the House was my father's most trusted friend. He had a daughter, who was promised to marry into the family, one day. She was called Alassea. I never saw the child, but I was told she would grow up to become mine, when the time came, as we were betrothed at her birth. I, however, would never meet her until my thirtieth birthday, if I survived war."

  I peered back at him, confused, but I was beginning to understand what Livania had told me had to be the truth.

  "And what does any of this have to do with me, Xenocrates?" I asked impatiently. I wanted to hear him admit to what Livania had told me.

  "Didn't I say to mind your lips?" he asked impatiently. "Hold your tongue, girl. I shall explain it. When the child was but a few months old, her family's estate was destroyed by a Daejian senator. His name was Hortis of House Servili. To you, his name was Father," Xenocrates stated.

  "It is a fact that my father went on many war campaigns in his youth, though that ended, shortly after my birth. Many said I softened his heart. I admit in hearing such things and it grieves me at the loss of such innocence," I said in response.

  "Caecelia, do you not follow conversation enough to understand? Hortis destroyed that family and their entire estate. You were born in the same year. Have you never once heard of the difficulty Melina of Servili faced in bearing children? Do you not know your siblings were half-siblings, born of a whore?" he roared.

  I shuddered and closed my eyes in wait. "I do not need to hear such insults about my deceased family, Xenocrates," I uttered. A pang hit my heart as he spoke of my mother.

  "They are not your family, girl! That bitch was not your mother. Your mother was a beauty, just as you are, one the likes of Melina could never mirror! You were stolen from House Thessaly. You are Alassea of Thessaly of Pretus! I took you from your true captivity, in order to return you to the place you belong—to give you what your father envisioned for his precious daughter, to your people and the title you rightfully deserve!" His voice was laden with anger, and I could not decipher if it were toward me or the facts he had just admitted.

  "No, no! I will not believe that. I cannot believe that, Xenocrates! I loved them! They taught me all I know!" I screamed as my eyes swelled with hot tears.

  "I had hoped I could convince you with kindness and good treatment. Perhaps you are too tainted by Daejian influence. Perhaps you will never be worthy to bear the title of my queen! Perhaps I was wrong to ever think you would behave as you were bred to," he said icily.

  The words stung like a whip across nude flesh, and I sucked in a breath in fear. "Your queen? To beg you and be a servant, like Livania or Lena? That is not how one treats a queen! Lena, the girl you tossed aside, when she no longer served your interests, am I to become refuse, once you've finished with me, too?" I accused with an equally icy tone.

  "Livania is allowed many privileges, more than even you may deserve, and as for Lena, she is a common whore, no different than any I could find traipsing the streets of the Pretan bazaar. She will spread her aching thighs to accept the prick of any bastard who can get it hard! Don't you ever accuse me of misusing a common slut! She was a whore, long before we captured her, and I am certain, she will remain one, long after! Do not test me, Caecelia. You will not like the outcome of being on my bad side. I went for you because you were promised to me, years before you ever knew I was meant to have you, and I will have what is mine. Though now, it seems I have even more to gain from marrying you. I have the Thessalian lands and the Servili estate to call my own by forging an alliance with you. Your face and body will serve me well, I am certain, but it is your love I will never be able to force. I can do whatever I wish and you have no choice but to submit to me. Would it pain you to see me as your lord and husband, only to know I will never love you because of your own foolish tongue?" he inquired.

  The words were like fire arrows that continually forced their way into my chest. I had no shield against him. He had laid out all these truths before me, and in the depths of my heart, I know they are true. My mind, however, refused to accept such lies from those I had called parents. My entire life had been a façade, and now, I was learning that I was a royal in the line of these barbarians. It was more than I could bear, and the overwhelming urge to fall to his knees, begging for forgiveness, overtook me in an instant.

  "Please, I beg of you, do not misjudge me for being fearful of what you say. Please do not throw me to the slave kennels and let these men have their way with me. I cannot help who I am or how I was raised to be. I only know that your blessing upon me is my freedom now. I cannot be held in captivity any longer. I beseech you, Xenocrates, please forgive my insolence." I cried at his feet, falling to my knees to rest my cheek against his foot. I did not even look up to see what the look on his face was, for I had finally met the most humiliating place I had ever been in my life. Just as he had predicted I would. It was as if he had set a trap, and I fell directly into it like a foolish vixen chasing after a ghost of prey.

  "I told you that you would bend to my will and beg me, one day, Sass." He chuckled. "Stand up, Caecelia. I will not have the woman meant to be my wife behaving like a slave. Stand up and show me the fire I first saw. The fire that is equal to my own. The fire I was promised to be burned by, night after night," he said in a commanding voice.

  I pushed myself upward and ran my hands down my stomach. Tears welled in the corners of my eyes, and in fear, I lifted my gaze to meet with his own. "As you wish, milord," I said quietly.

  He looked back at me and pointed towards the door. "Just as I like it, Sass." He grinned. "Exit before me, and welcome to Pretus," he said.

  I turned around and left the chamber, with my commander following close at my heels. As we came out onto the deck, the beauty of the place astounded me. The waters were placid and vibrant blue. It was all so pristine. Xenocrates peered down at me as I paused and stared at the land before me. There were rolling green hills filled with olive trees all around, and the saltiness of the air hit my nostrils with a fierceness I hadn't expected. It was refreshing, all the same, and I quite enjoyed the countryside as my eyes fanned out across the landscape.

  "I knew it would enchant you." He nodded. "It would seem you are taken with the country, already. Now, shall we continue on to my home or does the scenery have you so taken that you're petrified by its sight?"

  I shook my head to clear my mind of the dancing, illustrious thoughts that filled it and gave a nod.

  "Yes, milord. I apologize but it is just so beautiful. I shall follow as you wish for us to," I said.

  Xenocrates took my hand and lead me down the plank, towards the same shiny stallion he had brought me to the ship with. "Let us ride, then," he said, helping me up onto the animal and pulling himself to seat behind me.

  I smiled and looked back at the ship in relief. I was so happy to be leaving that vessel, I could not believe it. Even in his arms, atop the horse, I felt freer now than I had in weeks, and it astounded me to think I could feel that way, while being held by Xenocrates. The very man who had taken me was beginning to make me feel at peace, even while I hated the story he had just told me. We rode through the city slowly, with soldiers to accompany our journey through the streets. As we continued towards his home, I noticed the bazaar around us had a plethora of merchants and items for sale. Much to my surprise, they were a very prosperous people and, evidently, their commerce was varied. I spotted olives, fish, and spices, along with jewellery and silk that spoke of an abundance of trade routes. Whatever sort of rumours were said of the Pretan people I could see were ill placed, as evidenced by the vendors selling on their streets.

  "Your people have much to offer, it seems, Xenocrates. I must admit, I am pleasantly surprised," I said with a smile and a nod.

  "What were you expecting, Caecelia? A city of tents and barbarian fiends?" he asked.

  I shook my head and looked back at him. "No, I had not assumed anything like that, but I did not expect to find a city with more merchants than I have ever seen in our own," I stated. It was true. They had so much more to offer than we had in Daeja. I did not understand how Daejian country held less than these Pretans did, but then again, I had never seen anywhere other than Daeja. I had only heard tales and stories told by my parents. My thoughts once again shifted to the woman I had called mother, Melina. She had been a beautiful woman, with olive skin and shimmering brown hair. Now, however, I knew she was not my mother, and it pained me in consideration to all the things she had taught me. I sighed as I remembered a song she used to sing to me as a child. It was that song that I began to gently hum as we rode through the palace gates into Xenocrates' home.

  "Milord!" an excited woman exclaimed as he stopped the horse in the midst of the castle.

  I remained silent, watching as she awaited him to dismount. "Juleppa," he said with a smile and pulled the woman into a close embrace.

  I did not understand their relationship, but I took it from his demeanour that she had been someone important.

  "How was the campaign? Did you get all you went for, Xenocrates?" Juleppa asked.

  Xenocrates gave a wave towards me and released the woman to turn and lift me from the saddle.

  "Yes, I did. Please meet Caecelia of House Servili," Xenocrates said, waving a hand over me as the woman peered at me.

  "She's a bit thin. Do you think she could handle bearing a Pretan son? I'm not sure her hips can bear the brunt of it." Juleppa frowned, looking over me with disdain.

  I could tell she was not impressed, and I immediately felt unwelcomed.

  "Oh, nonsense, Juleppa. Be nice to the girl. I've given her enough to fret over these past few weeks," Xenocrates said.

  Juleppa walked around me and measured me with her eyes. "Does she speak Pretan? Does she even understand a word we are saying?" Juleppa asked.

  Xenocrates gave a nod and smiled. "Juleppa, she is very well educated; you may be surprised by all she knows. Her fire matches my own, and I am bound to make her my wife," he said.

  Juleppa frowned, but I remained silent, listening to their exchange closely.

  "She does not speak?" Juleppa asked accusingly.

  "No, I do speak," I finally said.

  "Oh, do you, now?" Juleppa asked. "And what do you have to say of our country, girl?" she asked.

  "It is quite a beautiful place, and I am surprised there is so much to see. I had never expected that," I said.

  "What did you expect, then?" Juleppa asked me again, looking me over as if I had no worth in the least. The woman made me feel like an insect and I knew she would squash me, if given any chance. I truly hoped that Xenocrates would allow me the services of Livania at extent. This woman could not be my handmaiden. I would die from her accusing looks alone.

  "I honestly do not know, but I am happy to see what I have," I stated.

  Xenocrates folded his arms and shook his head. "You have given her enough questions for the day, Juleppa. Shall we go inside now? I am starving, and I wish you to show Caecelia to her quarters as a banquet feast is prepared. Tonight, we celebrate my engagement!" he announced, turning on his heels to walk away.

  I stared back at the woman and sighed. It seemed I had little more to turn to, and Xenocrates was going to have his way, regardless. My future was a marriage that would make me Queen of Pretus, to a man whom I barely knew.

  Juleppa looked over me and frowned in disapproval. "I do not know why he wants to marry a Daejian whore, but somehow, you have cursed our king with your good looks. I pray you do not last long, wench. I hate Daejians so," Juleppa said icily. "Follow me or stand there and let the crows feast on your vile flesh. I care not, either way," she said.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10