In Darkness

Chapter Three

The walk to the throne room was silent. Michael's broad arm around Willow's waist kept her steady and before she was within the Queen's line of sight she straightened herself out, letting go of the guard and bracing herself on her own unsteady legs. The Queen would look for any sign of weakness in her. Anything she could find to exploit and punish her for.

"Are you okay with walking on your own?" Michael studied her face, looking for any hint that she was in pain, and she was, but she had learned to mask it years ago. Plus, the salve was taking the edge off and making it more bearable.

"I will be okay." She said, reaching out and tenderly placing a hand on his arm. "Thank you for your kindness. It's not often that I get to experience it."

Michael gave her a quick half smile, as the massive oak doors swung open, revealing the Queen sitting in her throne, Baron standing beside her.

The pair walked in and immediately realized that there were others in there too, faces they did not recognize.

However, they did recognize the crest on one of the unfamiliar guards in black. The crest belonged to The Dark King. The ruler of Erybos.

"Your majesty." Michael bowed before the Queen as they approached her.

"Finally, my daughter has decided to grace us with her presence." The Queen remarked, annoyance in her eyes.

"What do you think, King Kieran?" The Queen turned to face a man that was sitting in a chair to her left, his eyes roaming over Willow's body making her fight the urge to squirm.

The Dark King turned to a man in long dark blue robes beside him and whispered something to him. The robed man nodded and The Dark King turned his eyes back to Willow.

After a few seconds, he stood and stalked towards her, circling her the way a hunter does its prey.

"She will do." He finally said after his inspection was complete.

She will do?

What the hell does that even mean?

"Good. So, we have an agreement then?" The Queen's eyes shimmered with her success.

"I will sign the treaty after the ceremony is complete." The Dark King turned on his heels and strolled right through the doors, satisfied with the bargain that had been made.

Willow turned and gave her mother a puzzled look. Unsure if it was safe to even ask what had just happened.

"Well, my dear child, it seems I have finally found a use for you." The Queen's voice was cold.

"What do you mean?" The words slipped out before Willow could stop them.

"You see, there have been threats of Erybos invading Lyra and I could not afford a war. So I found out what the King needed and used it to forge a treaty of peace." The Queen snickered.

Willow's mouth went dry. Her tongue stuck to the roof as she uttered "and what did the King need?"

"A young wife to produce heirs." The Queen stated. "And what better than one of royal blood?"

"You gave me to him?" The words were barely audible.

"After tonight, you will no longer be my problem and you will have finally done something in your pathetic life to make me proud." The Queen looked away from Willow, a silent dismissal.

Michael bowed again, and escorted Willow from the room. Helping her steady her legs and staying silent so she could process what had just occurred.

"The stories of the King's cruelness are well known. I can't believe she would just hand me over to him. He's a monster." Willow uttered, horrified.

Michael remained silent, unsure of what to say and not wanting to voice his opinion of royal affairs,

Willow continued mumbling to herself until they had reached her room. Both were surprised to find that the door was open.

Inside were two women, one older with silvery hair, and another, much younger with locks so red it looked like fire.

"Can I help you?" Michael asked, stepping in front of Willow.

"The Queen has tasked us with getting the Princess ready for the royal wedding. She wants you to be presentable for the King." The older woman spoke, giving Willow a look over while scowling at her long brown, tangled hair.

"Very well." Willow swallowed, resigning to her fate. She eased herself down into a chair between the two women and they began to work. The older woman started brushing her hair, and braiding it away from her face. The redhead had started washing Willow with a warm cloth and then began putting rouge on her cheeks and lips.

Once they had finished, the younger one had pulled open a box that was sitting on Willow's bed, unnoticed by her.

"What is that?" She asked as the woman set the lid aside.

"Your wedding dress. King Kieran had it sent up." The woman said, placing the box in front of Willow.

She looked down at the folded fabric and noticed the bodice was made of lace. She reached in and pulled the gown out, gently unfolding it as she took in the details of it. The gown itself was buttery soft, with white lace detail on the bodice. Peaking out from under the lace was a soft gray-blue fabric. This fabric made up the skirt of the dress and train.

The women helped Willow get the gown on and she gasped when she saw her reflection. The woman looking back at her through the mirror was hardly recognizable to herself. The bodice hugged her in all the right places, and the skirt was loose and flowed to the floor. Everything about this gown was gorgeous and elegant.

"You look stunning." Michael said, pulling her attention away from the mirror.

"You definitely look the part of a princess tonight." The older woman added with a smile, proud of her handy work.

"I can't believe this is happening." Sadness laced Willow's voice.

The two women took that as their queue to leave the room.

"The wedding is at sunset. Don't be late." The young woman warned before slipping out.

"Thats less than two hours from now." Willow gave Michael a horrified look, tears once again threatening to spill over.

"I know, Miss." He swallowed hard. He wanted to protect her from whatever fate was about to befall her, but he knew there was nothing he could do. They both knew. And if he dared to try and help her again, he would be executed without a second thought.

Willow looked at herself again, taking in her appearance. Her dark green eyes looked bright against the black paint they had used to stain her lashes, making them appear longer. Her lips were painted a soft pink and her cheeks matched, giving her a rosy glow. Her hair fell down her back in soft waves except for the few pieces that were braided away from her face and pinned up. She looked nothing like the battered woman staring back at her last night.

Willow took a few deep breathes to calm her nerves before turning towards Michael. "We should probably head on down. My mother will want to look me over to make sure I am presentable."

"Very well, Miss." Michael held out his arm and she took it. Allowing him to once again lead the way.