Chapter 2: The Southern Borders
2026 Words
::Ryanna's POV::
I'm not sure what had happened. I was sure I would've been dead. I mean... didn't I just try to jump off the ledge of the tower? But, I'm not dead. Wh-why am I not dead?!
I felt the carriage hit a rock that jolted me awake. I gasped and sat upright. The impact stung down my leg and into my ankle. I fought back angry tears of pain and silently cursed to myself.
"Ah, so you're awake." the coachman spoke through the curtains.
I realized that my dress was torn apart and shorter than it was. I sheepishly covered myself with what little was left.
"Now don't worry, Lord Dom did not touch you. He utilized your underdress to patch up your wound." he gestured to my ankle.
"Then why are my sleeves torn as well?" I asked.
"The Lord was not fond of how little fabric it had, so he chose the linings," he chuckled.
That did not make me feel less uneasy at all. I looked out the window and noticed that we were no longer within royal territory. The walls that guarded us within were no longer visible. I saw apple trees barely blossoming its fruits. Fields of serene grasslands flowing within the winds intent. I felt a breeze make its way into the carriage. It smelled so wonderful! It was the last breath of spring and I couldn't help but savor every second of it.
"I assume you've never been beyond the walls?" he asked.
"N-no," I stammered.
I was not sure if it was safe to disclose anything to this man. But I looked down at my broken ankle. It was tightly patched up, he made a cast out of my dress fabric.
But why did he do this? I'm not full royal blood. I-
"My wife..."
I remembered! He had whispered those words to me before I passed out! I felt myself blush. Then I shook the thought away.
Yeah right, I probably fainted from all the blood rush. "Where is he?" I asked.
"He is leading the way to the borders. We are just a few miles away," he explained.
A few miles away. I wondered if I would pass by the place my father had told me about. The road ahead seemed so peaceful, I didn't smell the fumes of war or the night before. About an hour later, the convoy came to a complete halt. A little too sudden that I almost got knocked off my seat.
I could hear in the distance a roar of disgruntled soldiers.
"This is not gonna be pretty," the driver said.
What? What was going on?
I tried to peek through the window, but an arrow flew past.
"If I were you, I'd brace for cover," his voice suddenly darkened.
"What's going on?" I fumbled.
"We've reached the Southern Borders," he sighed, "Did they not tell you what happens here?"
All I ever knew was that the South savages murdered people and always pushed for border dominance.
"It'll be alright." he assured, "Lord Dom always prevails." and with a flick of his reigns the horses charged onward.
I should have braced myself because I felt my balance being thrown into the air. I quickly grabbed the curtain and steadied with my feet. I could hear the yells of soldiers clashing and the smell of blood staining the once peaceful aroma. How could a scenery change so drastically?
Then I heard him.
Lord Dom's war cry as he quickly decapitated a border guard. The head rolled past me, and it was incredibly gruesome to know he wore the High King's guard uniform. His eyes were not blinking, his mouth agape. The blood spewing from his major arteries and veins. The bones of the neck were crippling without the rest of the body's structure.
I shielded my ears and shut my eyes. This was horrible! I wanted it to stop!
Then, after a few minutes, it did.
I slowly opened my eyes as the carriage slowed its pace. The coachman sighed with relief and reported, "Everything has been handled. Are you okay back there?"
"I-I'm okay." I hesitantly answered, obviously trying to hide the fact we pressed through a manslaughter.
The pace of the convoy steadied, and I heard a stallion snorting a few distances away. The carriage I was in soon came to a halt.
"Yes my lord, she is okay." he assured.
In a few seconds I could hear the grunts of Lord Dom, and then he parted the curtains to get a look at me.
"You, ride with me." he ordered.
His voice was so soul shaken that I could feel my knees buckle and I shook away that submissiveness.
"I'm fine here thank you." I tried to turn my cheek.
"Wasn't asking," he corrected.
With a swoop of his arm, he grabbed me by my abdomen and placed me on his steed. I sat in front of him and felt his muscular thighs rub against the side of mine. His strong arms carefully held onto the reins of his handsome black mustang.
"Don't worry, just a little teaching for ya." he muttered.
The coachman spoke no further and with a flick of his wrist the steed sprinted off to the front of the convoy. I had never ridden a horse and did not know how to keep my balance. I leaned forward and hugged the horse's neck. A few seconds later, Lord Dom signaled the horse to slow the pace to a gentle gallop. He then took control with one hand and gently scooped me upright, once again, by my abdomen.
"Never ridden a horse I see?" he refused to lock eyes with me as I sheepishly nodded.
"I've always been afraid," I admitted.
"Horses are far gentler than people." he paused, "They may be simple-minded, but at least they are united in some sense."
I looked around to see the fallen border check points in shambles disappear into the horizon.
"Oh. That back there?" he caught my curiosity, "That was the nobles trying to get both ends of the stick."
"Wh-what do you mean?" I asked.
Lord Dom sighed, "Well, they've never been one to truthfully pull through a bargain. They wanted to kill you as well."
My eyes widened in fear.
"We came to the border only to be greeted with arrows and swords. As you remember, I don't do well with behind confronted." he referred to my home.
"Why?" I muttered.
"Why what?" he asked.
"Why did you kill them? They were not a part of the nobles at all." I continued, "How can you kill and destroy my home?"
He then looked straight forward and did not say a single word. I slowly felt the blood in my veins boil just reminiscing through that night. I had not forgotten and it could not be forgiven. I was forced to wed this savage and some part of me wanted to be stopped and killed right at the border. I do not know what lies ahead of me, but I for sure was uneasy about it.
We then saw a town a few miles behind a hill. The town had a few stone houses with thatch roofings. People were helping each other rebuild some damaged homes.
What happened here?
"The nobles always try to extend their borders. Slaying folks along the way." Lord Dom mustered, "They will all pay."
"Like what you did?" I blurted out with regret.
"What I did had its reasons beyond your understandings' woman." he narrowed his eyes at me, "We will sleep here tonight."
A few of the citizens greeted and waved at Lord Dom. He did not acknowledge or say anything back.
Why are they welcoming him? Is it because they are afraid?
The thoughts cranked through my head and I began to feel light headed. We stopped in front of an Inn and Lord Dom stepped off his horse. He looked at me and I voluntarily struggled myself off. I missed my footing and fell into his chest. His heart pounded against my ear and I felt a rush of blood swelling into my cheeks. I quickly readjusted myself and just saw him looking at me. I could not read his expression, it was neither comedic or aggressive.
"Lord Dom," the coachman greeted him, "Shall we?"
He nodded and then grabbed my wrist. He gently tugged for me to follow him, but I shrugged and flicked my arm away.
"Behave." he warned.
That voice, I didn't understand how to comprehend through his tone. But, I was in unfamiliar territory. His territory. I bit my tongue and followed behind him.
The Inn was lively, there was the smell of beer fresh from the barrels, food being served, and laughter filled the atmosphere. I could hear men and women enjoying their spirits to the last drop. Lord Dom cleared way so we could make our way to a few steps.
"Don't worry Lord Dom," the driver bowed his exit, "I will take care of the tab."
All he did was nod and then looked at me. He signaled towards the upstairs and all my senses began to alarm. I knew what the upstairs of the Inn meant. That was where beds and rooms were located?
I said nothing.
I carefully made my way up the steps and soon came to a door at the edge of the Inn. It was different than the other ones. Lord Dom pulled out a key from his pocket and inserted it into the lock. The door opened and he nudged me from behind. I nervously walked in and saw a room that out suited a typical Inn room. There were candles lit and admirable decorations. It was nothing of the royal people's taste, but to me the esthetics complimented pretty well. That was until I realized there was only one bed!
"Uhhh," I staggered.
"What?" he chuckled sarcastically, "Are you scared to share a bed with your husband?"
"You are not my husband, you are a stranger!" I corrected.
"Well you are right about that, not yet at least." he quickly turned me around and lofted me on his shoulder. He continued towards the bed and I felt a huge ratio difference of heat throughout my body.
"Wh-what are you doing?!" I demanded an answer kicking the air.
My failed attempts resulted in me being placed onto the bed. His body pinned me against the soft sheets and we were just a few breaths away. The heat of his body flushed past my fabric and I remembered that I still had a ripped skirt. I looked down to witness an embarrassing reality that his waist was settled between mine! I began to feel light-headed, and he leaned in to whisper into my ear.
"What's wrong sweetheart?" his hot breath gently echoed into my ears.
"I... I need to bathe," I coughed up an excuse.
"I can help you with that," he suggested.
"N-no, I can do it by myself." I reassured him and then added, "Alone."
"So can I help you undress?" he bent a bit to nip at the previously torn sleeve.
My whole body was overheating. I could feel the steam leaving my pores, and before I could say anything, he gently rubbed his lower lip up against my neck. My body reacted by allowing him to have the rest of it, and I was surprisingly pissed at myself. But I couldn't move!
"You kept calling me a savage," he reminded, "Do you want me to prove it?"
"Please..." I gulped. That was all I could manage.
His breath on my neck stopped. He then slowly made his way off me. He looked at me and then turned away. His tone changed and he walked away.
"Don't fret," he said, "It takes more than being clumsy and unskilled to get into my bed."
What did he mean by that?!
I looked over at him, and before he closed the door he told me,"Not even on our wedding night will I touch you without your permission. That is a guarantee," and left.
- Writer
