She hesitated at the door, her hand trembling against the wooden handle before she forced it open. Her eyes quickly scanned the environment and she found Zed at the center of the room.
He was on the floor, his back hunched, his chest rose and fell rapidly, his breathing ragged and uneven. Her eyes searched for the maid she had sent inside, but she was no where to be seen. Though there was the faint sickening scent of blood which made her stomach turn.
Fear clawed at her throat as she watched the man in front of her.
"Prince Zed?" she called softly, her voice trembling.
Zed lifted his head and head lifted, his amber eyes glowed dark crimson as they gauged her.
"Where...Where is the maid?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
For a long moment, he only stared. Then, a faint smirk curved his lips. "She has gone to a better place".
Skye looked at him like he had said the most absurd thing in the world. She looked at him in confusion and an uncertain fear. He seemed like a different person, there was a certain crazy look in his eyes that made her step back.
He slowly rose from the ground, taking large deliberate steps towards her. Skye stumbled backward, her breath hitched in her throat not out of attraction but fear. The small smile never left his lips as he approached her.
Skye felt all her senses heightened and there was a strong feeling in her gut urging her to run. She quickly turned around, bolting for the door. But before she could reach it, an unseen force seized her, pulling her back hard. The door slammed shut on its own, the sound echoing through the room.
She tried to move ahead but it almost seemed like there was a wall blocking her.
"Please," she whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks, "please, let me go." She begged.
Zed stopped in front of her. The amber in his eyes slowly returned and the smile he held disappeared. For a second, his expression softened, and he looked away, his jaw tightening.
He did not want her to see him that way, like the monster he was. There was an insatiable hunger within him that made him lose his sense of reasoning once it took over.
"I did not mean for you to see me like this." he said quietly, more to himself than to her.
He straightened himself and cleared his throat "You shall visit your kingdom today," he said, as though nothing had happened. "Tell your father that we are to be married… tomorrow."
Skye was about to refute, say something but without another word, he brushed past her, leaving the room and then disappearing down the corridor.
Skye stood frozen, staring at the door that he had just passed through and the reality of his words dawned on her.
Tomorrow?
She stood there shocked and confused.
Tomorrow?
Her heart hammered as her mind tried to grasp what had just happened. What had happened to the maid and where she was, to Zed and to herself. She remembered the bitter scream, the agony behind it that made her stomach turn.
She couldn't deny that she was afraid of him. His aura screamed evil and powerful, yet she was getting married to this man she knew nothing of.
She held her trembling hands together trying to make them stop and took a deep breath, there was no turning back now, she had already made her decision. If Kristanlia was to be her home, she would learn to live in it. Or rather survive in it.
She left the room, and began to wander the vast castle halls, her footsteps echoing faintly against marble floors. Afterall by tomorrow, this would be her home.
It was all too soon she didn't think that Zed would want them to be married so quickly, he said they would be married soon and she had hoped soon would be in a few months or maybe years, but all of a sudden he declared that they would be married tomorrow.
After parading the castle and clearing her mind, she began to head back towards her room. When she sudden found guards walking towards her.
For a moment she felt afraid but they did not carry the same hostility as they did when they locked her and her father up.
Once they reached her they bowed a little and relayed. "The Prince has ordered that you be taken back to your kingdom," one of them announced.
Skye blinked in surprise, then nodded. She was already dressed, so she followed without protest.
They walked down the stairs and for the first time since she got here she saw the gates of the castle. Outside the great gates, stood a grand black carriage flanked by guards as coachman. Some other guards were on horses to serve as escorts back to her kingdom.
Relief flooded her chest at the thought, she was going home.
She could only hope her father would have forgiven her. She really wanted to see him.
Her father was not one to hold grudges but she knew that she had disappointed him dearly and it grieved her heart.
She trotted to the carriage and one of the guards with her held it open and she stepped inside. Once she was in, he shut it behind her and signalled to the coachmen and they immediately started moving.
The journey to Gumstom took only a few hours. Everything she needed for the trip had been provided to ensure her comfort. The carriage trotted along the uneven road at a steady pace, and by evening of the day, the familiar peaks of Gumstom came into view. The home she had missed so much.
When the carriage halted in front of the castle, she hardly waited for help before stepping down.
They were welcomed warmly and word was sent to King Alexander that his daughter had returned.
Alexander fled from the throne room like a mad man and rushed outside, his eyes frantically searching for his daughter.
Skye had ran with the same urgency panting hard. Immediately her eyes met his, tears filled her eyes.
Her father, King Alexander stared, his expression disbelieving, the side of his eyes crinkling as he smiled with arms open wide.
"Father!" she cried, her voice breaking as she ran into him.
He held her tight, burying his face in her hair. "My sweet child," he whispered hoarsely.
She pulled back slightly, tears bright in her eyes. "How….How have you been?"
He raised his warm hand brushing her cheek. "Better now that you're here." he smiled and she returned it.
"How have you been?" It was his turn to ask.
She laughed softly, "I've been well. Prince Zed has… treated me kindly, he is not too bad."
"Walk with me," he urged his tone shifting, he signalled to his guards to welcome the escorts that had come with her.
They walked through the castle gardens, the air filled with the soft rustle of leaves and a familiar scent she was used to.
"Skye," he began quietly, "have you noticed anything… strange about the Prince?"
She hesitated. Then nodded. "Yes, Father. I know he isn't human."
The King stopped, staring at her. "And you still wish to marry him?"
"I don't wish to," she admitted softly. "But I must. It's for the safety of our people and kingdom. Also he is not so bad all the time" she defended.
Alexander sighed heavily.
"Be careful" he warned.
"I will," she promised, smiling faintly.
He studied her face, and then his gaze dropped to her neck. His brow furrowed when he saw the faint scratches marring her skin.
"You are hurt." he stated.
Skye raised her hand instinctively, touching the marks. "Ah—just an accident, Father. Nothing more." She forced a short laugh.
He didn't believe her. "I hope such accidents will not repeat themselves," he said sternly.
"They won't," she said quickly, though even she wasn't sure she believed it. He nodded and they continued walking.
The garden was quiet, and the air was cool. Skye kept taking subtle glances at her father snd when she was sure his mind was calm, she took a deep breath.
"Father," she called softly and King Alexander turned to face her, focusing all his attention.
"Prince Zed and I are getting married… tomorrow. We wish for you to attend."