Connected to the King

Sudden Turn

Marcus and his men held a celebratory feast in victory against King Porter. I sat comfortably in Marcus’ lap watching the others reenact the war. Their stories kept me on my toes with every swing of their swords clashing against one another. Some men sat in silence and others cheered their comrades on, all while drunken single maidens occupied the laps of some of the single soldiers. We all knew that with a victory comes the party and this had been going on since their return home. Several hours at best now.

Two men who stood before us, their swords drawn, as they told the story of the initial ambush. I chuckled at their attempt to mimic Marcus.

"Oh, how wonderful!” I clapped my hands together, “And there were no casualties? At all?" I asked Marcus.

He sat with his head resting on a closed fist, watching the gathering unfold before us. I watched as his gaze trailed down to my own, "Everyone who left with me is before us. No one lost their lives except King Porter and some of Porter’s men. Those who did survive I brought back to work for us."

My eyes widened in shock, "Y- you brought back survivors?" I brought my hand to my chest, the thought of those poor men in cages saddened me. "You said they were to work for you right? You're not going to just kill them?" I asked.

Marcus sighed and shook his head. "No, while I was away, I had time to think. I figured we could use the extra hands and add numbers to the ranks. So those who did submit were able to keep their heads. The others… not so much." He shifted in his seat, leaned back and he pulled me closer. "I didn't want you to be afraid of me, I could see it in your eyes and feel it in your heart. Especially after I hit you the first time. Granted it was a difficult adjustment, but I made it work… for now."

He wanted to change for me. But, why? I am no one special. How did this all come to be? My thoughts screamed. I took a deep breath and rested my head on his chest. "You changed for me, and I didn't even have to ask. From tyrant to tamed—"

Marcus slapped his hand over my mouth, forcing my head to face him. "Don't ever use that word again. I can change back just like that."

I placed my hand on his and attempted to pull him off me only for his muscles to tense and his jaw to clench. Marcus stared into my eyes with a fury that burned hotter than the flames of hell causing a rising panic in me. I struggled to free myself from his hold.

My teary eyes begged and pleaded for him to release me. I let out a muffled whimper causing the chamber to fall silent. These men knew better than to interfere with their King’s affairs during such a time like this if not ever. It was Maxwell who managed to temporarily bring him back to reality.

I watched Maxwell stomp over with haste, grabbing Marcus by the collar of his tunic, "Marcus what the f**k are you doing?"

Marcus released his hold on me and rose from his seat causing me to tumble to the cold floor. I quickly backed away and rose behind Maxwell. I brought my hands to my chest as Marcus cranked his arm back and launched his fist toward Maxwell’s face. Frozen in place I couldn’t will my feet to move.

Maxwell took the punches straight on without pulling back. Easily pushing him backward toward the tables.

Mariam grabbed my arm, pulling me out of harm’s way and escorted me back to my chamber with Gavin and Emmret in tow.

"Aurora, what did you do?" Mariam whispered.

As I opened my mouth to answer the sound of two men fighting echoed down the hallway, I turned to look but I pushed my legs to continue forward as Marcus and Maxwell exchanged heavy blows. "Marcus!" I screamed as Mariam dragged me away.

What's gotten into him all of a sudden? It's like he became a completely different person. Was it what I said? Tyrant…tamed? Deep in thought I didn't realize we had arrived at my chamber. Mariam quickly unlocked the door and pushed me in before shutting it behind her.

"You two keep watch, I'll try to get this all sorted." I heard her say to the boys as the lock clicked.

"Mariam, let me out!" I quickly turned and banged on the door to no avail. "Gavin please. Let me out. I need to know what happened, why did he just change suddenly?" I cried and slammed my fist against the old wood.

"Aurora, we can't. It's for your own safety. He...he gets like this after every war, that word tyrant seems to trigger something in him every time. Hell, we should have kept you away from him when he came back but you two are f*****g inseparable." Gavin grounded out through the door.

What? Gets like what? Is it the amount of bloodshed? The lives he's taken. I need to know. I clenched my fist even tighter, my chest tightened as my breath became heavy. I huffed and puffed just trying to gain a sense on the matter that lies outside of those doors.

Faded echoes chimed down the hall of what sounded like glassware and metallic dishware slamming into the walls and floor with furniture breaking and other objects shattering.

"Where is she!" I heard Marcus' deep voice spit with venom.

"My King, you mustn't." Emmret's voice of reason responded as the shuffling of feet shifted in front of the door.

I watched the shadows move under the door and steady my breath. The only thing keeping me safe was my boys and the damn door that stood locked between Marcus and myself.

Another scuffle between the three broke out, I backed away from the door toward the fireplace and waited for the fighting to die down. My nerves were shot, and my emotions were on edge with the loud yelling and hollering. I crouched behind the bed and clasped my hands over my ears, silently crying in fear.

Time passed as the fighting continued. I took in a deep breath as I rose from my makeshift hiding spot and released the loudest scream I could muster. "Will you stop! Marcus please!" I was scared beyond anything, but the fighting needed to stop. If it was me he wanted, then so be it.

Heavy panting sounded from the other side of the door. I grabbed the sides of my gown and waited in anticipation for the door to be kicked down, instead the lock clicked and the door swung open in an eerie yet slow fashion. Marcus stood in the doorway seemingly unharmed with Gavin and Emmret standing behind him.

Gavin was clutching his stomach leaning against the wall with a bloodied lip and tousled hair. An expression of pain crossed his face with each breath he took. Emmret stood tall, a bruise formed on his cheek but other than the obvious he remained uninjured.

I gasped and rushed toward Gavin only to be stopped short by Marcus' arm around my waist and pulled back into the chamber. I kicked and screamed as I was pulled away from Gavin. My boys were hurt, and I was not allowed to heal them. Marcus slammed the door shut with his foot.

Anger coursed through me as Marcus tossed me into a nearby chair. Gripping the sides, I pushed myself as far back into it as I could. My worried gaze shifted to Marcus' as he stared down at me with fire in his eyes.

He stood there for a moment huffing, as I sat frozen in place. The feeling of betrayal and resentment was rising in me. If anything, I would give my life just to get away from him.

"What is it you want? Are you going to kill me like you did all of those soldiers?" My voice shook.

Marcus’ eyes narrowed as he knelt before me, bringing his hand up to my cheek which made me to flinch and turn away from him, shutting my eyes in fear that he would strike me. When nothing came, I peeked my eye open and saw the hurt in his eyes.

"You're going to leave me aren't you." He whispered, bringing his face closer to mine.

I let out a jagged breath as I gazed into his eyes. "M-Marcus I can't stay if my life is just going to end like it would have if I had remained at the coven… this anger of yours." I brought my hand to stroke his cheek without warning. He quickly placed his hand over mine, causing me to squeak at the unexpected touch.

"I can't explain any of that to you...because I don't even know." He growled, shaking his head. "But I can’t let you leave me, if it's the last thing I do." His eyes darkened, his grip on my hand tightened.

I knew then that something deep inside of this man had awakened and I was not going to be a part of his unleashed anger. I needed to leave quickly, but how?

I swallowed hard and removed my hand from his cheek. "Marcus, you know I value my life. I can't stay if you're going to kill me." I pushed him back onto his haunches and rose from the chair.

I moved around him and walked to the door with haste. Sensing Marcus' presence behind me, his arm appeared in my peripherals as his hand gripped my throat. I brought my hands up in an attempt to pry him off of me only to fail. His strength was unmatched, as I clawed at his skin.

"Let me go!" I cried, kicked, and screamed. I shut my eyes and continued fighting against him only to have my hands restrained with his free hand.

I was forcefully turned and pushed onto the bed, his grip on my throat loosened as I swung around to face him, "What the hell was that for?"

Silence filled the chamber. I couldn't help but wonder what the hell was going on. My emotions were confused. My heart throbbed into my ears as my blood ran cold. He's not going to… Oh no! I screamed in my head as he pulled his sweat drenched tunic off.

"Marcus, no! Please don't!" I begged and screamed as he unsheathed a knife from its place on his hip. Approaching the bed, I pushed myself back against the headboard. Marcus grabbed onto my leg and pulled me under him. His hand wrapped around my throat once more as he straddled me. Placing enough weight on my stomach to shift my insides.

I stared at him with intense fear and horror. Why? Did he want to hear me scream while he tortured me? How sick. He released my throat to restrain my hands instead. As if I had any more will to fight. I stopped struggling against him, my legs went slack as I laid beneath him shaking in fear. Tears spilled from my eyes as he yanked my hand from beside me and pressed the sharpened blade to my palm.

If this is how I died, then so be it. Closing my eyes, I released a silent cry as he sliced into my hand. The warmth of my blood streamed down my arm as an unfamiliar tingling numbness coated the wound.

"Marcus, what are you doing?" I croaked.

A guttural growl escaped his lips as he pulled away from me. I turned my gaze to him and watched as his tongue licked away at his blood drenched lips. Marcus leaned down and pressed his lips to mine, slipping his tongue into my mouth forcing me to taste my own blood. My stomach turned, remembering what he once told me, he preferred the taste of blood over any woman.

A familiar sharp pain stabbed at my heart; my vision blurred as my eyes rolled to the back of my head. Darkness enveloped me as the thoughts of stabbing Marcus to death roamed through my mind knowing damn well, I would be committing suicide since the two of us are connected.