Chapter Five - The Grand Party

The guards waited for me to begin walking again, but I remained standing there taking in the scene before me. As I scanned the room, Asher walked closer to me and began to speak, “Is everything alright, my lady?”

“Yes…” I replied in awe, becoming uncomfortable by Asher’s formality.

“Lord Silas is waiting.” He responded.

The guards motioned for me to continue our tour through the massive amount of people in the room. As I walked, Asher remained a few steps behind me as everyone that I passed bowed to me like I was a queen or someone of great importance. These actions made me feel extremely uneasy and want to turn around to run away.

Halfway through the crowd, I finally saw Silas who was staring at me with a smirk. His eyes contained a hunger in them which made me feel even more squeamish. I did not like the thought of Silas having a romantic interest in me; in turn, I loathed the idea of feeling anything but disgust for this man. I know deep down he is up to something, especially with all these people here.

I smiled back at Silas while attempting to hide my fear, which I’m pretty sure I was unsuccessful at. Tonight is not going to end well for me, I thought to myself as I reached Silas. He wore an extravagant outfit.

It wasn’t anything like a tux or a suit like you would expect. He wore a dark-colored shirt, which clung to him tightly, with a maroon overcoat that hung down to his knees.

As Silas began introducing me to people, that I cannot even remember the names of, I started to feel a little panicked and frightened. In this room, I only knew Silas, so I was staying close to him, but I also didn’t know if walking away from him would be unacceptable, as he held uninteresting conversations with others. I knew Asher, but if I stood by him or sought him out, I would immediately be scrutinized by Silas; causing him to look closer at Asher and me.

My eyes scanned the room, with almost everyone solely focused on me. Amazement and wonder occupied their eyes. Why are they staring at me like that? My face started to blush. I began searching the people’s faces to find Asher or someone, something to distract me from all of this.

Before long, Silas held out his hand, “Would you like to dance?”

I smiled while placing my hand in his and replied, “Yes.”

When we started for the dancing area, everyone else stopped what they were doing and stood around to watch us dance. The crowd parted to make room for us and to stay out of the way. Others hurried around so they could catch a glimpse of the couple dancing.

Silas’s arm was wrapped around my waist. I was pulled closer to him. The only place I was able to look was into his eyes.

“Why are we the only ones dancing?” I suddenly questioned, looking around confused, searching for an excuse to stop staring into his piercing green eyes that made my heart race.

“It is a sign of respect. I am their king after all.” He stated as we danced. My body resting against his, an electrical charge surged through me, one that I had only experienced from Rory’s touch.

I smiled, trying to push down the fear, my anxiety. Placing my head on his shoulder, as we danced in a tight embrace, I whispered in his ear. “It’s not very private.”

A look of intrigue and excitement filled his face. “You want some privacy?” He asked with a seductive smile playing on his lips.

I smiled in return, staring back into his eyes, giving him a suspicious look. I was unsure of how to respond to that question, trying to study him, but ultimately said, “Yes,” because it was too crowded in the room and there were just too many eyes on me. I felt like I was the ‘king's new toy’ or something. I did not want to be in this public place where everyone stared at me like I was some type of trophy.

Silas grabbed my hand and escorted me out of the dining hall. As we were leaving, people bowed to us and began to carry on with what they were doing. We walked down a few different corridors before finally making it to our destination.

“Close your eyes.” Silas requested, in a playful tone.

“Why?” I asked him suspiciously with a flirty smile.

“I have a surprise for you.”

I closed my eyes and heard doors creak open as someone grabbed my hand and led me through them. Once on the other side, I could feel the light breeze on my face. I’m outside! I thought, before being positioned in the appropriate place.

“Ok. You can open your eyes.”

I slowly open my eyes to find that I am standing in the garden. My garden. It was even more breathtaking up close. I gasped as I observed my surroundings.

The night sky was so beautiful with millions of stars glowing. The two moons were stunning, giving off more than enough light. There were candles placed meticulously about the garden which captured an ambient and even more romantic setting.

I found myself to be completely speechless. I was overjoyed to finally be in the garden that I could only see through my prison window.

Seeing my delight, Silas placed his hand on the small of my back and led me to a brightly lit gazebo that housed a small table. Food and drink had already been brought to the table for us. It was an incredible setting that had completely captivated me.

In the garden, it was only me and Silas completely alone. No guests, no guards, just the two of us. Silas led me to a chair, pulled it out, and helped me scoot it in, like a gentleman, before taking his seat.

We sat in silence for a few minutes. My eyes glance toward Silas, who is staring at me. I felt my face begin to get hot. Am I blushing? I thought to myself mortified.

“I imagine you are wondering why I have so many guests in the castle this evening.” He stated, still staring into my eyes longingly.

“Yes,” I replied. “Among other things.”

“What other things?” he replied with a smile.

“Why are you having a ball? What is the purpose of all of this?”

“I thought I would do something more than just a simple candlelit dinner for you tonight. You look astonishingly gorgeous in these dresses; it seemed such a waste you had nowhere public to wear them.” He smiled. “I also knew you wanted to desperately visit this garden. I just wanted to do something special for you.” He grabbed my hand, the same electric intensity shot through my arm. “You’ve always been so fond of this garden. That’s why I always made sure it was tended to.”

I remained silent, gazing into his eyes, becoming lost in them.

“You really are beautiful.” I heard Silas’s voice say with an echo, without his lips even moving.

I couldn’t complain about the compliments I was receiving. I felt myself blush again. “So the big party is just to show me off?” I questioned, suspicious as I glared at him playfully. “I don’t buy it.”

He chuckled. “You’ll see.”

Silas and I remained in the garden, eating our food and enjoying each other’s company for an hour before Silas admitted we’d best return to the party to my dismay.

When we were both back in the dining hall with all the guests, I found myself staying close to Silas for the rest of the night. It was very awkward, but I found myself once again not knowing anyone else so I had to endure Silas’s presence. However, deep down, I knew, even though I did not want to admit it to myself, I was starting to feel a little more than just a spark of affection for this guy.

I surveyed the people around us. Catching a glimpse of Asher brooding in the corner.

Before the party was at its climax, Silas called a man over to him and whispered something in his ear. The man obediently walked away, making sure to grab everyone’s attention as he walked over to a staircase, climbing a couple of steps to look over everyone.

“What did you say to him?” I asked Silas.

“You’ll see.”

“Couldn’t you have just told him without having to physically talk to him?” I asked, slightly confused by his actions.

“Sarai, you know doing that is not tolerated. It is seen as highly disrespectful, whether you are the king or not.” He answered my question, without looking at me. Transfixed on the observers and the guard who was about to address everyone.

I gave him a knowing look. I do remember Rory telling me this before. Rory. I became saddened and guilty. My chest started to ache as my heart started to break again. Luckily, Silas didn’t notice this sudden lapse in me. “So what was that back in the garden? You told me I was beautiful without a single word being spoken from your lips.” I spoke, hiding the sadness that tinted my voice.

He smirked. “I don’t know what you are talking about.” He looked at me for a moment to give me a wink.

I smiled weakly back at Silas. I never forgot about Rory, but I did become lost in the events which led up to this moment. I found myself fighting back tears as the nameless guard began to speak.

“Tonight, everyone has been invited to the castle for the very first time since Lord Silas’s reign for a very auspicious occasion! Lord Silas of Shanaledge would like to announce and celebrate his engagement to Lady Sarai!”

The entirety of the guests clapped with enthusiasm while I stood mortified. I NEVER agreed to be Silas’s wife! What the hell is going on!?!?!?! Anger started to build within me, fire burning in my eyes. My gaze looked over toward Asher, who was standing dumbfounded by the announcement.

The man continued, once the crowd settled down a little, “Lord Silas wishes you to continue your festivities this evening and for all of you to know that you are all invited to witness his nuptials to Lady Sarai, which is set to take place in the castle in three weeks!”

Pain hit me in my stomach. My chest started to feel tight as it became harder and harder to breathe. The party became louder as people started gossiping excitedly. I started to feel as if the room was closing in on me as everything started to spin. Random people were running up to me and Silas excitedly congratulating us, as I tried to hide my true feelings. I needed to leave. I needed to get some fresh air.

“Can I go to the garden?” I abruptly asked Silas breathlessly. “I-I need to get out of this room.”

Silas nodded, taking a glimpse at my amulet as a look of concern grew on his face.

A guard was sent to go with the future queen of Shanaledge.

I was swimming, drowning in everyone’s stimulated banter while I was on the verge of hyperventilating. I knew I needed to calm down. The amulet on my chest started to glow as my emotions started to consume me.

There were only two different corridors we needed to walk which would bring me to the garden, but at this moment, it felt as though the corridors were miles long and they were becoming more and more narrow. I felt like I would never escape the castle.

When I finally made it to the garden, I threw myself against a banister and started taking in the fresh garden air.

“Everything is fine,” I told myself. “Everything will be okay,” I repeated to myself, unconvincingly, until I was able to calm down.

That sneaky, lying, manipulative snake! My soulmate is Rory! What the hell is he thinking? I would never consider marrying him, I thought to myself angrily, considering my options.

It appears that I very well may be stuck in Shanaledge. There is no way for me to willingly leave. Silas held all the cards, no matter what way I tried to look at it. Unfortunately, this appears to be my life now. There is no way for me to talk to or be with Rory, I didn’t see myself being able to find Ruth anytime soon, and Asher is just as much of a sneaky prick as Silas.

I found myself pacing back and forth on the stone slab that led to the garden. What could I do? I thought as my breathing started to become irregular again. Wedding… I probably have missed my brother’s wedding by now. I became saddened. Just as quickly as I had calmed myself down, I soon found myself to be overwhelmed by everything again. My hands started to become clammy, my heart started racing, I could not catch my breath, and my vision started to blur again. Just as the darkness started to creep into my eyesight, as I was about to pass out, someone came up behind me and touched my shoulder.

“My darling, are you alright?” Silas’s voice pierced through the darkness that was consuming my vision.

“How could you?” I started angrily, disregarding any progress I may have made in earning his trust. “I never agreed to this. Why would you think I would want to marry you?” I demanded as tears ran down my cheeks.

Silas cradled my face in his hands, wiping away the tears as he held my gaze. “I have loved you from the day I have met you. You are my soulmate, as I am yours.” Silas stated as if that explanation would make everything all better.

“No. Rory is my soulmate and you know that! You just think because I am the key to your success in tearing this world apart, that I am yours!”

“Tearing this world apart?” Silas responded with confusion and anger growing in his voice. “Sarai, I have been excruciatingly patient with you. I’ll admit my methods of making sure you arrived here and checking in on you over the years have been a little… unorthodox, but I promise they were truly necessary.” His arm wrapped around my waist as he pulled me closer. “Maybe I did make unforgivable mistakes to catch your attention, but I am showing you what life could be like with me. You were made to help me make this world better.”

I was filled with so much confusion, hurt, guilt, and anger that I couldn’t find the words to speak to let him know just how I felt about him. My eyes filled with more tears. A little unorthodox? This man has spent my whole life tormenting me and that was supposed to be a form of flirtation?

Silas mistakes my silence for subservience and brings me in for a kiss.

The same electric, passionate, lust that each touch, each kiss fills within me, much like what I had experienced with Rory. I let myself feel it, growing hungrier for each kiss, each touch, thinking of Rory, until I realized what’s happening or who I’m actually with. I snap myself out of the trance, pushing Silas off of me and angrily slapping him. I turned around on one heel and search for the guard. Silas remained close behind me, following me as I walked.

The guard was by the doors which enter back into the castle. “Take me to my room!” I demanded of the guard furiously.

He looks at Silas for approval before leading me back up to my quarters.

When I return to my room, I found Eleanor, the servant, waiting for me, as usual. She was always waiting on me patiently in the room, with a smile on her face.

“Good evening, Lady Sarai. I have been waiting for your return, though I didn’t expect you to be back this early.”

I stared at her confused. “It is pretty late, Eleanor.”

“Yes…” She started. “But I thought you may have stayed out later than this, or not come back tonight at all...” She returned as she started helping me out of my dress.

“I guess the festivities didn’t pique my interest,” I replied.

Eleanor looked at me confused. “What do you mean?”

“Don’t get me wrong, it was beautiful. I never expected to see so many people within the castle.” I started while grabbing my nightgown to put on. “I just wasn’t expecting so much to happen in such a short amount of time.” After being dressed, I stared at Eleanor. “What did you mean you didn’t expect me to come back at all?”

Eleanor blushed. “You never know… Young love and finding your soulmate…”

The thought made me shiver in disgust.

“I guess you didn’t like the engagement announcement?” Eleanor replied.

“It’s not just that.”

“I guess I should have prepared you for that.” She responded with a sigh.

“You knew?” I questioned with astonishment.

“Basically, every single person of the staff within the castle knew.” She replied apologetically. “What do you plan on doing now?”

Tears started to run down my cheeks. I didn’t expect Eleanor to have complete confidence in me, so I wasn’t upset that she did not warn me about Silas’s plans. I didn’t feel betrayed, why would I feel deceived by someone who works for Silas? I was just… mentally and physically exhausted.

I wished all of this was nothing more than a nightmare that Silas had concocted and that I would wake up at any second back in my own bedroom. At home.

“I don’t know.” I finally responded.

“There’s no need to feel upset,” Eleanor replied concerned. “We can figure out how to fix all of this.”

“If you don’t mind, Eleanor, I really just want to be left alone right now.” I started. “I just can’t do any of this at all right now.”

The servant looked a little hurt. “Alright.” She said while walking toward the door. “Before I leave, I just want to say, I think we should really consider thinking about what is to come. We cannot allow Lord Silas to remain ruling over this land.”

“It didn’t look like the townspeople were hurting as much as everyone has been telling me.”

Eleanor looked at me in disbelief. “You cannot be serious. Do you think those people were the ones hurting the worst? Sarai, don’t be so naïve.” Eleanor walked out of the room without asking if I would like anything else. She was visibly upset by my last remark.

I sat on the bench, staring outside the window while playing with the amulet which rested on my chest. I remained this way, daydreaming, completely lost in my thoughts. What could I possibly do?

My daydream was interrupted as the door to my room opened again.

“So what do you think of this announcement?” Asher’s voice sneered behind her.

“I think it is a moot point because it isn’t happening.” I retorted emotionless.

“Look Sarai, I know it isn’t ideal, but it is the best shot we have. It will be best if you played along with Silas’s plans for marriage.”

“Really?” I respond sarcastically. “You want me to trust you and your ‘brilliant’ plans!? You are the whole reason I am stuck in this situation in the first place Asher!” I began angrily. “You can’t even tell me how to use this amulet or how it can help me. All you care about is what you want! Sure, you say you care about Ruth, but what will she think of you when she finds out everything you have done? You say it is to protect her, but that’s just an excuse which she will see right through!”

Asher’s face grew dark. He became angry, saddened, hurt, and he felt guilty about everything I had just said. He lets out an aggravated breath, turns around, and punches a wall to let off some steam.

“How long did you know he was planning on forcing me to marry him?” I questioned with hurt.

“I didn’t know about his decision at all…” He admits.

I stare at him. Why wouldn’t he tell Asher about his plan?

“I am trying to make this right Sarai, I really am. You just don’t realize the danger every action of mine puts me and Ruth in! But you? Silas will not kill you.” He pauses, standing at the entrance to the door. “Not yet anyway.” Then he left me with that chilling statement.

I let out an aggravated scream. Asher always leaves me feeling even more mentally strained. After the night I’ve had, I was unsure of how much more I could take.

Lying in bed, feeling the amulet between my fingers, the light was shining brilliantly in the darkness, even more so than usual. The same little muffled whispers bled through. I thought of Rory, the first night we met, all the times he cuddled me in his arms, how safe I felt wrapped up within him, the first time we had sex. I was feeling guilty and alone as I felt my heart shatter, the amulet started pulsating more and more.

When I finally noticed this, I heard a lot of whispering that was clearer, and then one very distinct voice said, “I need to find her. I need to get to her.”

“Rory!?” I thought without speaking a word. That was definitely his voice, I thought in excitement.

“Sarai!? My love! How are you doing this?” His voice echoed in my head.

“I’m not sure… I have the amulet you didn’t want me to have.”

“Well... At least you have it now so we can talk.” I could tell that he wasn’t thrilled about me having the amulet, but it is the reason why we can talk right now.

“I have so much to tell you, Rory.”

We talked longingly about how much we love and miss each other. He continued questioning me, to make sure I was okay, that Silas or Asher hasn’t done anything to hurt me. “No… But you know how Asher is…” I confessed.

“Unfortunately, yes…” He replied with a little bite.

“I’m so happy you are okay!” I said to him lovingly.

“I’m so relieved that you are okay!”

I didn’t respond. Was I okay?

“Are you still there, my love?”

“I don’t know how fine I am…” I started. I knew I needed to tell Rory about Silas’s announcement, but I wasn’t exactly sure how I would tell him.

“What’s wrong?” His voice conveyed concern.

“I’m not entirely sure how to tell you this, so I’m just going to be blunt about it.” I paused for a moment collecting my thoughts, really not wanting to tell him. “Tonight, Silas threw a huge party in the castle with all of these different people as guests. And during the party,” I hesitated as the words were caught in my throat.

“What?” Rory asked.

“During the party, he announced he and I were getting married in three weeks.”

“That bastard!” Rory’s voice changed from sweet relief to anger. “He cannot do this!”

“It doesn’t matter what we think, Rory. Apparently, I need to go through with it so I can try to remain on his good side.” I replied with defeat.

“Let me guess, Asher told you it was the best way to gain Silas’s confidence?” Rory became annoyed.

“I kind of accepted that fact before Asher even threw his two cents in... I don’t see any other choice…” I confided in frustration.

Rory remained silent.

“Are you still there?” I asked fearing that I had lost him again.

After a while, his voice came through. “Then, you may just have to stick with it. Play along. Pretend you’re interested. I am on my way there now,” Rory responded. I could tell that he didn’t mean any word he spoke. “I should get there before the wedding happens. When I get there I will find Silas and kill him… and Asher.”

“You are coming here?” I was shocked by Rory’s words. “Won’t you die if you are found in Shanaledge?”

“I could.”

“You mustn’t! I don’t want you to come here if you will die!”

“I have to. I must find you! I cannot let you die again…”

“Rory… I don’t think I can do this.” I responded, becoming overwhelmed.

“You must my love.”

Guilt begins to consume me. “I have something I need to ask you…” I begin ashamed. “Is it possible for someone like us, like me, to have more than one soulmate?” I begin to cry a little and I could feel the fracture in my heart burning and aching again.

There is a long pause. “No. I have never heard of anything like that happening to anyone in Shanaledge.” His voice conveying skepticism. I could tell by the sound of his voice, his hesitation, that he did not like where this was going. “It has always been one person.”

“I think… I think it is happening to me…”