Thorns and Promises

The King

[Trigger Warning! This chapter contains themes of kidnapping, S/A, and drugging. Please read at your own discretion.]

{Lilliana’s POV}

Adriel and I walked in silence for a while, until we reached the gates of a massive palace. It was made completely of a shiny black stone, with moss, and vines growing up all around it. I couldn’t help but gape in awe for a moment, the surprising beauty of this place was something I hadn’t expected. Though it looked dark, and fearsome, the craftsmanship of it was astonishing.

I heard Adriel clear his throat, and when I looked back towards him he was glaring at two guards who were staring me down. Ones eyes trailing from my head to feet then back up, the others eyes glued to my face. They both snapped to attention quickly when Adriel began to speak. “Open the bloody gates before I lose my patience with you!” He snapped, the same venom from last night back in his voice.

“R-Right away sir!” One said, before turning and rushing away. The other stayed rooted, looking me back over again.

“Did you not hear me?” Adriel shouted, catching the guards attention, as he snapped back to look at him.

“Sorry sir.. I just..” he muttered looking back over to me. “I didn’t realize she’d look like that..” His eyes trailed up and down my body, in a slow deliberate way.

Adriel stepped between the guard and I. “Stop staring at her, or I will find a way to make you regret it, no matter how long it takes me, and you know I can be quite imaginative.” Adriel seethed.

My body reacted before my mind could catch up, reaching out and grabbing Adriel’s wrist gently. “Hey.. it’s okay, no harm done, let’s just go inside.. alright?” I tried to smile, as I looked up at him.

When his eyes met mine, for a moment, I saw nothing but pure hatred, before they softened, into something I couldn’t quite understand. “Fine..” he sighed, ripping his wrist away from my hands, and pulling the rope. I fell forward, the quick motion causing me to slam into the wall. My head bounced off of it, a throbbing pain shooting through it, before I had to push myself up, steadying myself on the edge of the wall. He pulled my ropes again, before walking through the now open gate.

I went back to walking silently behind him, my head down, my eyes focusing on the ground in front of me. I knew then exactly what kind of person he is. Pompous, arrogant.. he only cares when it benefits him.. when I called him out and tried to get him to let something like this go, go he slipped back into this rude, holier than thou tone.

The floor changed beneath my feet as we walked. I watched as it switched from a dirt path, to stone flooring, as we stepped inside of the castle. I counted each stone as we kept the same pace, going further into the palace. Another set of doors opening for us, before we stepped into another room, and the stones changed, they were different in here, they were chiseled into bricks, and decorated in spiral patterns.

Suddenly I was yanked forward, falling to my knees, I pushed my hands out in front of me to catch the brunt of my fall. I could feel my knees throbbing, as warmth spread to both of them. They were bleeding.. they caught on the side of the stones, tearing the skin away. My palms had the same searing pain, I’d cut them too trying to brace my fall. I didn’t cry, I didn’t shout, I stayed silent, keeping my eyes on the stone floor, tracing the patterns in my mind.

“I’ve brought you the princess of Eldarin.” Adriel spoke, his voice cold, and distant.

“And there was no trouble?” Another voice chimed in, this one deeper, a gruffness to it that had my anxiety spiking just listening to him.

“She was drugged, and assaulted, but her purity is in tact, and she’s fine now.” Adriel replied casually.

A low sigh filled the room. “Take her to the dungeons.. she’ll stay there for the time being. Send word to the King of Eldarin, tell him.. the man that assaulted her has taken her.. say, it’s from a concerned noble that wishes to stay anonymous. Throw him off our scent for now.” The voice said, I began to look up, but decided it wasn’t worth the risk. What if he didn’t want to be seen, and they kill me instead.. it’s obvious now that they don’t want me for leverage against my father. They’re giving Rosewood the credit for my kidnapping.

“Rosewood..” I spoke softly, keeping my head down.

“What?” The voice sneered. “You dare speak without being spoken to, and so lowly we can’t even hear you at that!” He snapped.

I couldn’t help but flinch, and I hated myself for it, I didn’t want them to know I was so weak and pathetic. I cleared my throat, and spoke louder this time. “Ryland Rosewood.. that’s the name you’ll need to tell my father, thought it may help if you knew.”

“Y-You’re helping us?” The voice came again, sounding intrigued, but confused. “Or is this a trick?” He asked, anger slipping into his words.

I shook my head, laughing slightly. “That bastard tried to assault me to force me into a marriage with him, I hope he and his manor both burn!”

Adriel grabbed my arm and hoisted me to my feet, looking down at my hands and my one exposed knee. “I..” he began but I just shook my head.

“Just take me to the dungeon like he said.” I muttered.

He looked down at me like he wanted to say something, but instead he only nodded before turning and leading me out of the room.

He led me down some stairs, and into a damp, musky smelling corridor with cells on both sides. He opened the first one on the right and gripped my restraints, undoing them before tossing me inside. He slammed the door shut behind me, leaving me in pitch black darkness. This place, this cell, this was my home now.. the beautiful prison I had now only a shattered hopeful memory.