Obsidian Monarchy

Haven

Adrian gently grabbed her waist then pulled her back to where she was. Grabbing her chin, he moved her face so she was looking at him again. “Every ruler has an end to their rule. I made the condition with my mother that on our wedding, I take the reins. My wife will not be a prisoner.” The look of sincerity almost had her believing him, however what he did not understand was the length his mother would go to stay in power.

She would likely be the interim ruler while he traveled through the universe, the representative of the Aetherium. Although this country was covering the smaller continent of this planet, it was one of the strongest, closely followed by Eldoria which was part of the larger continent across the sea.

The hum filled the air again, vibrating off her skin. She was just beginning to understand what that meant, however what she knew was that there was something important in this moment. She was being warned by the unseen force governed by the Monarch’s, however due to her lack of connection the past Monarchs she could only guess as to what they were trying to warn her about.

“Adrian, I know you think that this marriage will be the solution to both our problems. I respect that you want to have a solution to my problems, however you have no idea what your mother is capable of. What she has done and will continue to do.” Seraphina paused, hoping to break through that wall of ignorance that he had when situations involved his mother. “I will not be allowed to grow into my position as Monarch because that threatens her rule. I know you can’t bare to hear it but Jordan left for that exact reason.”

Seraphina would likely stay in Haven, locked up until her will was broken. Of course, the Guard would likely need to spend most of their time searching the universe looking for the six books that were used for the resurrection ceremonies. Until she took full power of the Monarch, she would be a figure head.

“Jordan wanted to do what she wanted to do. She was too stubborn to do the long route.” Adrain shifted her attention from her thoughts as he slowly brushed his thumb across her bottom lip. “You need to trust me Phin. I know my mother has kept you trapped here, but that will be different.”

Seraphina had to resist the urge to scoff at the irony. He was with her now, chained to her bed to force her to stay long enough to marry him. All the while he used a pet name for her. “You could have me unchained now, yet here we are. This is a direct reflection of what I am to expect in the future.”

He sighed and dropped his hand from her face to gently hold the back of her neck. He pushed her soft red-brown hair around her pointed ear. It was the only sign besides her upturned eye that she had elf blood, she kept her hair down most days to cover them. Elves were considered dangerous because of their connection to magic, flaunting her heritage was dangerous in the manor and likely was the reason she was treated so poorly.

“Until I know you won’t flee like Jordan did, these are necessary.” He reached over her, pushing his chest against her while now running his hand against her bare shoulder, and grabbed her right wrist with his other hand. He was skilled enough to not have to recite the spell to conjure another cuff around her other wrist. He was one of the strongest conjurers in the nation, being able to push beyond most people’s limits. “I understand you don’t believe me, but you will be a full Monarch. You will take back the power and save the world. Of that I have never doubted.”

It was only a few moments that it took for the cuff to materialize and the chain to follow but in those moments, he was caressing her to his chest. He smelled of wood smoke and some type of oil, he likely was staying with the manor men on the outer skirts of the manor before coming here. Seraphina looked over his shoulder to avoid eye contact with him.

He was handsome, no one could deny that and appeared to be kind, his mother truly was the problem. Adrian was the youngest, and likely the last of her children. Due to that he was the one made to follow orders. As the only male child of the Master Hunt, the fourth husband of Madam Hunt, he was viewed as a threat that needed placating.

The chain pulled on her wrist, sending a tingle up her arm as the magic settled. He then rested his left arm on her exposed legs and dropped his other hand to her waist. He normally kept a distance, keeping his hands off of her. She didn’t understand why he changed this time; he had been alone with her before but never touched her. Now that she could feel his hand on her thigh, she felt the warmth from his skin dancing across her skin. A soft electric current followed the warmth.

Part of her could feel the edges of his soul brushing against hers, she had never experienced that sensation before and was startled at the intimacy of it.

Adrian met her eyes then, not speaking he watched her. For a brief moment she feels that he had a similar reaction to the connection. Though she looked away, she could feel his eyes drift across her face for what felt like forever. Before standing, he reached up and grabbed her chin again and drew her attention. He said nothing but looked her in the eyes, some sort of intent was behind his gaze but Seraphina couldn’t understand what he meant for her to know.

Breaking eye contact he touched her thigh one more time then made his exit. There was no thud that followed the door shutting, locking her in was unnecessary when she was chained to the bed.