Promised To The King

I Guess Dreams Don't Come True

A little over 2 years later::

SILAS' POV:

    One month. That was all that remained of the engagement. Just one. Then she would be mine. And mine alone. We had one other date, a few months ago. She came to my home, and we had a date in the garden. Mom giving her the free will to take whatever flowers pleased her. She looked so happy here. I still could not get her out of my mind. We constantly wrote letters to each other. Our connection growing stronger every day. I still could not believe how lucky I was. An arranged marriage, and yet, it was perfect. She was the one. I could not picture my life without her. I was buzzing with excitement, as was the entire kingdom. Father had gone to Eudaimonia to finalize all arrangements with her father. While mom and I stayed here to prepare. 

    I was taking a break for a moment and walking through mom's garden as memories of our last date flashed through my mind like a movie. I could not keep the smile from my face or the excitement from my movements. My hands fidgeted with the last letter she had sent me. I had read it so many times, that I could recite it from memory alone. I even heard her sweet voice as the words replayed in my head. 

"My beloved,

    Every day that I must wait to hear your voice, to see your face, seems longer than the last. I long for you to be here. Next to me. I never would have imagined that a forced marriage would send me to my soul mate, and I could not be happier. My mind replays every interaction we ever had, and I can't help but smile at how our relationship blossomed. It blossomed as beautiful as the cherry blossom tree we watched bloom on our last meeting. Remember when we were little, our first meeting, Your mother told you to take me to her garden upon seeing my very first flower journal. You picked me the rarest flower in the world, the Kadupul. The only flower who blooms for only 24 hours. I still have it. And I look it every single day. I await counting the days until we meet again, my prince. 

Yours ALWAYS, 

Blakely."

    Her sweet voice. My heart skipping beats as her voice replayed in my head like a love song. I laughed silently to myself at the foolish thought. A prince, acting like a love-struck puppy. The thought was comical really. My head snapped up at the sudden quick footsteps I heard approaching. 

         "Mom? What's wrong?" I asked sensing her presence. 

        "Silas. Your father is home, and...well," She said sighing, "we need to speak to you."

    Immediately, her reaction sent me into a panic. My heart sank. He just came back from Eudaimonia...and already, mother looked...distressed. A thousand thoughts running through my mind. Something was wrong. I rushed past her walking as quickly as I could. My walking turning into a run. After what seemed like the longest run ever to the throne room, I walked in. For the first time in my life, I was afraid. Her face flashed through my mind. Was...was I losing her? So close to the wedding? I tried to force the thought out of my head as I came face to face with my dear old dad. We stared at each other and somehow I knew. I had lost her as quickly as I had fallen for her. But...I wanted, no, I needed to hear him say it. I needed to watch him rip the heart from my chest and watch it break. 

    "Dad...what...what happened to my bride?" I pleaded. Seeing the look in his eyes. But he remained silent. Like he was searching for the right words to say.

     "TELL ME!" I begged as my voice broke. 

        I watched the pain flash in his eyes. Like he knew how I was feeling.

         "Son..." His voice came as a broken whisper. immediately I felt my legs get weak and my hands start to shake. I have never felt so weak and helpless in all of my life. "Ev...Everett decided, in Eudaimonia's best interest, to give her hand to...to the duke. Duke Eldric to be exact. She will wed him on her 17th birthday." He said with a shaky voice as he watched the light that was there moments before vanishing from my eyes. 

    I fell to my knees. I couldn't believe it. I wouldn't believe it. She was torn from my grasp. One moment, she was mine, the next...she was his. For the first time in my life, I felt my perfect composure shake. I felt a wet substance dripping down my cheeks. I touched my face with shakey hands. Tears? The prince...crying? I looked at mom with a pained look. One that made her immediately rush to my side as I broke. I felt shattered. "Mom...mommy....why? What did I do? Was it something I did?" I cried. I would lie if I said I didn't cry like a little boy. 

    She shakes her head and holds me close. "it was nothing you did. Understand? You did everything right. We will figure this out. I promise." She says as she tries to soothe me. "Heartbreak is never easy. But we will get you through this and we will figure this out. Together."

                                                                              --------BLAKELY'S POV:

    I paced around my room with excitement as news of King Adrien and my father's final meeting before the wedding buzzed around the castle. Plans were made, arrangements set. Nothing could go wrong. It was too late for that. All there was left to do was to ride this high straight to my wedding day. I watched from my window as King Adrien's car drove away. Followed in pursuit by his guards. I jumped up and immediately ran down the hall excitedly. Mom stopped me abruptly. 

        "Woah, my dear. Where is the fire?" She grinned.

         "Sorry, I am just so excited. Only 30 days!" I looked around to make sure dad wasn't anywhere to be found.     "Mom. In 30 days I get to live my fairytale! Can you believe it? It is finally happening!" All of a sudden I hear dad clear his throat. Damn. He was like a ghost. I never heard him coming. I immediately contained my excitement and stood straight like the proper lady he forced me to be. 

        "What did I say about talk of fairytales?" His voice sounded like it boomed in the deserted hall. 

I immediately flinched back at his words. 

        "Yes of course. I do not know what came over me, sir." I bow slightly and stand upright. 

        He nods dismissing it. "On to more important matters. Adrien states Silas has called the wedding off." 

    I felt my heart plummet in my chest. "He...why? Was it something I did?" I pleaded. Trying to hide the fact of how bad it hurt. 

    "Probably. You can't do anything right. Adrien said it was because He fell in love with someone else. Someone who never let foolish dreams fill her head. Someone worthy of a throne. And I could not agree more." He said disapprovingly. 

    "Why...would he say such things?" I said as my broken voice gave away my emotions. I watched my mother's heartbreak for me next to me as she watched the scene unfold. 

    "He is a prince Blakely. Princes feel no need to sugar coat. Oh well. On to other matters. Since you are not fit to take a throne in anyone's eyes. I have arranged a suitor for you. Duke Eldric." He announced as the Duke walked down the hall to meet us. 

    "Dear. He isn't even close to her age. He is in his 40's. Surely you don't want her going to him." Mom said stepping forward. 

"Cora. Remember your place!" His voice boomed. She stepped back, choosing to fight about this another day. Dad was always extra in front of guests. Always trying to show off. "Now leave! Allow them to get acquainted." He glared at her.

    Mom did as she was told. Brushing against my hand with hers. A silent reminder that she would not rest knowing this was happening. I look at him. Not thinking in my right mind. I stared at the duke in horror. "No." I heard escape my mouth before I could retract it.

    "My father's head snapped towards me. And in his eyes, I saw such fury. "What. Did. You. Just. Say?" He said through gritted teeth. The look on his face told me to choose my next words very carefully. 

We stared at each other as the Duke watched very pleased. I am sure he wished for a bowl of popcorn to watch the battle laying out before him. "You heard me." I said standing straight. Prepared for whatever would happen. "I said NO! I will not marry some old...disgusting perv." I could not believe such words were in my thoughts. Let alone my mouth. 

    The Duke's smile faded quickly. his lips forming a thin line. His jaw tense. You could have heard a pin drop. Father stepped forward calmly. Looking around for interruptions first. The Duke folds his hands tightly. So tight in fact his knuckles turned white. men of power were not used to having women speak to them in such a manor. I looked up at dad as he raised his hand quickly. And before I could fathom what was happening, I felt the back of his hand slam into my face so hard it knocked me to the floor. I heard an anguished cry escape my lips as I felt a drop of blood drip from the corner of my mouth. He rose his hand again to continue when the Duke grabbed it. 

    "Now now your majesty. Not the face. Damaged property is as good as no property." His voice sent chills down my spine. "Just not the face. I need something pretty to look at until she is mine at least." He smirked down at me. My eyes widened at his cruelty. Who were they sending me to? The gatekeeper to hell? 

    Dad smiled. "Of course Duke. My apologies." He stepped and kicked me hard in the stomach. My breath caught before I could cry out. "Get up. Go to the throne room. You will get the whip for your disobedience. Stubborn little bitch." He hissed. 

    Afraid to make things worse, I stumbled to my feet clutching my stomach, and walked into the throne room. With shaky hands, I removed my dress and got on my knees in nothing but my bra and underwear. My face blushed and felt hot as I wasn't used to feeling so exposed. I listened as he...and to my surprise...the Duke walked in. He handed the whip to the Duke and walked to his throne. 

    "Since it was you she insulted, it will be you to give the punishment she deserves." Dad sneered, watching me.

    I looked up at him silently pleading. But it did no good as I felt the first c***k of the whip. Then another. I felt the blood trickle from my back as I cried out from each new lash. Each harder than the last. After 17 lashings, he stopped. 

    Tears fell from my eyes as he walked around and kneeled before me. "17. 17 lashes to mark you. So that you never forget who owns you." He hissed as he stood. Dropping the whip. Elanor rushes in as if on cue and helps me from my knees. Her touch always soothed me. She quickly helped me walk back to my room so she and my awaiting mother could tend to my wounds. The second I walk in I see the pain behind mom's eyes. 

     "Oh, baby. I am so sorry." Her voice broke as Elanor laid me on my stomach so they could assess the damage. "Sometimes, you have to pick your battles. I would never let him do anything I did not think you can handle. But know, the battle I am picking, is one that will lead to your happiness." She offered a weak smile as my vision faded. The world went black as I fell into a dreamless sleep clutching the last letter Silas had sent me. 

    As I fade out, I think of the last thing written on that page. 

    "I love you ALWAYS. Until we meet again, my princess."

                                                              --------

EVERETT'S POV:

    I stood slowly as Elanor walked in to help Blakely out of my sight. How did a mighty king like me, spawn such a weak child? I shook my head in disapproval. 

    "Eldric. Forgive her ignorance. Foolish child, she takes after her mother you know." I smiled patting the Duke's back. "She will not disrespect you further. I can assure you that." 

    He returned my smile. "No, I don't suppose she will. It's like a dog, your highness. If they act out. You chain them and put them in their place. They ALWAYS learn their lesson." 

    "Yes, they do. Even the worst dogs learn." I smirked.

    He looks at me concerned for a moment. "You know, The connection between Silas and Blakely can't go ignored. He will come for her. And she will know you lied. The kingdom could fall. She is a princess of the people. If she starts an uproar, the people will follow her." 

    I nodded in agreement. "Yes, I suppose we can't let that happen. And it won't happen if we kill the royal family." I smirked in deep thought. "If we play out cards right, they won't see it coming." 

    Eldric's face lit up. "No, they wouldn't. And she would never know. Normally business matters with the vampires, stay with the vampires." 

    I couldn't help but laugh. "No. She is so sheltered anyway, it would never cross her mind. You work on snuffing her light out like a candle. Allow me to personally handle the bloodsuckers."

    Eldric walked out quickly. Seemingly content with the plan put into motion. If I wanted this to work, I would need a very small team for an assassination. At the thought of the bloodsuckers blood on my hands made me giddy like a boy in a candy shop. I had fantasized about this for so long, and now, it is about to happen. It felt like Christmas morning. I paced around the throne room impatiently. Running through every name in my army. Every high ranked officer. Trying to find the perfect ones for a mission like this. Then it clicked. Like a lightbulb went off over my head. Immediately I call my most trusted guard into the room. 

    "Brett. Do not say a word to anyone, and I mean anyone, or I will kill you and your family on the spot. Understood?" He nodded. His eyes widened with fear. I couldn't help but smirk. "Good. Now, make haste and gather Axton, Hayden, Amias, Alcide, and Vaughn. Tell them they are to meet me here. IMMEDIATELY." I ordered him. 

    Without a word he bowed and off he went. The perfect men for the job. Together we would make this the biggest success in history. Too bad nobody could know about it...yet anyway. It wasn't long before they started piling in the door. 

    "Boys! Wonderful to see you. Brett. Shut and lock that door behind you. Do not let anyone disturb us." I ordered as he backed out of the door doing exactly as I said. "Now that is handled. I called you here because each of you has the services I need for this mission." I watched all of them look at me eagerly. 

    "Anything my king." Axton smirked. 

    "We..." I paused for dramatic effect. Knowing they were all as excited as I was. "Well, my boys...we are going to assassinate the vampiric royals."