Bound to the Shadow Prince

Chapter 2: King

His royal blue cape swayed behind him as he confidently strode into the room. He had a commanding presence in his royal clothes of black with silver and royal blue trim. I found him intimidating. Miralia let go of my hand as she quickly scampered up to stand by Mother. I didn’t blame her, I wanted to go hide behind my parents as well.

He approached me. He was close to a foot taller than I was, towering over me. His beard made his facial features look sharper and more stern. His dark eyes approvingly glowered down on me as if I had just become his possession.

I dipped low into a courtesy. “King Torrin from Kilgindore.”

He offered a slight bow. “Princess Isadora, this meeting has been most anticipated.”

I swallowed.

Father climbed down from his throne, bowing low. “King Torrin, we are so happy you have arrived and have accepted my daughter.”

King Torrin never left his eyes from mine.

“So have I. I believe we will both benefit from this marriage of our kingdoms.”

I glanced at Father, having second thoughts. King Torrin was from a neighboring kingdom. He was known for his ruthlessness and his hatred for the Dark Kingdom. I knew him to rule with an iron fist. His first wife was executed. I never got the particulars, but with his reputation, I didn’t imagine it would take much to get that death sentence.

Him. Out of all the possibilities, why did it have to be with him? I took several steps away, shaking my head.

Father gave a grunt and eyed Miralia. If I didn’t do this, Miralia would have to marry. Marry the old High Duke who abused women. I stopped. To protect Miralia, I would have to marry King Torrin.

King Torrin said, “Will you excuse me and Princess Isadora? I believe we have a right to become acquainted.”

Mother stood and, with an arm around Miralia, exited the room. Father hesitated, looking at me long and hard before I gave him a subtle nod.

King Torrin looked around at the stationed guards.

“I said to Leave!” He barked his command.

The remaining soldiers looked towards Father, who, with a wave of his hand, dismissed them.

Within the resounding click of the heavy oak door, my heart pounded, I was alone with the ruthless King Torrin.

Like a hawk diving with precision towards its prey, King Torrin made his way to me in three long strides.

“Isadora. I am sure you have been made aware of your situation. Your kingdom is on the edge of destitution. Our marriage is Fildira’s salvation.”

Quietly, I said, “I know.”

His finger touched the side of my cheek and trailed down my jaw to my neck.

“I know the reputation of the mind you have, and your ability to find loopholes.” His finger went lower to my collarbone and continued its path. Every touch burned me, making me want to run away. “I expect there will be no slip ups. No changing of your mind.”

His finger glided over the curve of my breast, but I held perfectly still. Seeing no room for defiance among his features.

“You are now mine. Understand? Mine. My bride of the dawn.”

He backed off, and I took my first breath in several minutes. He turned, and with his cape sweeping behind him, exited the throne room.

I tipped my head back, staring into the emerald tapestries of the royal crest.

I’ve known my entire life I had no say in my fate. But watching the departing form of King Torrin made me wonder what being could dislike me so much to make mine this.

I went to my room after being informed King Torrin and my Father would be in council the rest of the day. I probably should have demanded that I be a part of such negotiations since I was directly involved. But I didn’t want to see King Torrin again. I didn’t want to be in his presence.

Miralia came into my room as the sun cast its shadows over the castle.

“Isadora. I had no idea. You cannot agree with this. I will tolerate the High Duke if it could mean you do not have to be subjected to him.”

I hugged Miralia and her golden heart.

I whispered, “I have to. We are no match for the Dark Kingdom, and now we will have an advantage. One we need, and you will be free to marry whomever you wish when you wish it.”

“Sacrificing your freedom for mine isn’t right.”

To keep a part of the sun alive, it was right.

“I am the High Princess, I never had freedom. Not much anyways.”

Miralia gave a small smile. “Well, I brought you something to hopefully lift your spirits.” She pulled a scroll from behind her. “Stole it from the Master Tutor in his forbidden books section.”

My eyes widened. Miralia, the perfect angel, had stolen for me? I opened the scroll and my heart nearly jumped out of my chest at what I was given.

“A copy of Secasha papers?” I exclaimed.

“I just saw the word Astronomy, so I grabbed it. I have no idea what you just said.”

“He discovered a reoccurring comet that passes by our skies. He even has his observations of the stars.”

“Well, I know I am not supposed to know about this, and I don’t want to know. But I do happen to know that most of the guards have been positioned closer to the north wall of the castle.”

I perked up. I grabbed Miralia’s hands. Hope rose in my chest.

She smiled. “I’ll cover for you. I think you need this.”

After kissing her cheek, I jumped up and ran into my closet. I quickly tore off my dress and adorned a simple dark blue cotton dress I had stolen from Sinara.

I pulled the pins and jewelry from my hair before I stepped out looking for Miralia’s approval. But she was not there. No doubt she escaped from the room. She wasn’t a very good liar and if she never saw me leave, who is to say I ever did.

I grabbed my bag, carefully placing the scroll into it before opening my back window.

By the side of my back window was a giant sequoia tree. I climbed out onto the ledge. I jumped onto the tree, my bedroom door opened. I peeked through the glass to see King Torrin searching around my room. I quickly lowered myself to the next branch and swung myself around the side of the large trunk, pushing myself into the leaves, and burrowed small on the limb.

King Torrin approached the window, first looking at the open glass, then at the sequoia tree. His observant eyes roamed up and down it. I held my breath for he appeared as if he could trace it to me.

After several long minutes, King Torrin turned and entered back into my room. I took a long breath of relief as I nimbly navigated down the rest of the tree. Once my feet hit the ground, I pulled my dark blue shawl over my hair and ran towards the canal grate. The canal was dried up during this time of year, so after looking around, I jumped into the small canal and pried open the broken grate just big enough for me to sneak out.

Once outside the castle wall, I ran alongside it using the shadows to hide my presence before sprinting into the woods. I ran until I came upon my spot. The spot I had years ago silently decreed as mine. It was a little meadow that sat on a small ledge of a hill. With my back turned towards the castle and the city below it, I stared out into the ocean watching the waves rumble across the shoreline. The half moon reflected off the water as stars twinkled in the clear sky.

This was my peace. This was mine.

I took out my notebook to make any observations or images of the alignment of the stars where the brightest were now in position in accordance to my spot. The angle of the half moon.

But as I always did, I would become distracted in the shining jewels of the night feeling myself being pulled into their wonder.

The sight of the Orrin constellation embedded into the stars made me think of King Torrin. I shivered. Something in the breeze and stars testified this was my last moment before everything in my life ended as I knew it. And I knew the whispered warning wasn't wrong.