Chapter 18 Chapter 17
Evelyn.
"Well, there's nothing anyone can do anymore. I just have to be brave." I muttered, giving her a teary smile. She held my hands, squeezing them reassuringly.
"You'll get through this. I know you will." Amaris stated with all the confidence she could muster, even as tears filled her eyes.
"I pray so." I whispered, sniffing. Pulling my hands away from her, I muttered. "I have to go now."
"Okay." Amaris mumbled, her voice wobbly. I let out an half-smile and continued to the king's chambers. Knocking once, I waited for his answer to enter before I did, meeting him getting dressed for the meeting. He looked formidable as ever, his wavy black hair flowing past his shoulders and shielding his chiseled face. His eyes were hard and cruel and his aura dangerous. I was suddenly reminded of how much of a monster this man was and my hate for him grew.
Lowering myself to my knees, I watched as he dismissed the maids that were with him, finishing with his clothes. They bowed, quickly exiting the chambers and leaving me alone with him. He stared at me for the longest time, not saying anything. Finally, he spoke.
"Come here." He ordered.
My heart raced as I approached him, and my palms grew clammy. I had prayed for strength, for courage, but as I stood before him, I felt anything but brave. My knees threatened to buckle beneath me, and I wanted to run far away from here. Reaching his presence, I watched as he brought out a collar from one of his pockets, opening it up and wearing it on my neck. My heart skipped multiple beats and I wanted to pass out as the cold metal grazed my skin, goosebumps rising on my skin. He kept the leash with him, glaring at me.
"Stay behind me as we go. Do you understand?"
"Yes, master." I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. He wore his cloak and walked out of his chambers immediately and I trailed behind him, seeing as he got flanked by guards. Keeping my gaze to the ground, I followed him to the council room where the meeting was being held. As he approached the huge double doors, a guard announced his presence and the doors were pushed open. He walked into the room and everyone except the Alpha kings bowed as he made his way to the seat with me following behind him, resisting the urge to run away.
Managing to look up, I glanced around and realized they had redecorated the council room to fit the occasion, the occasion being me. The seats formed a huge circle and there was some space in the middle, big enough to fit a gilded cage into it and that was a placed a huge table that could act as a bed. A very uncomfortable bed. My heart dropped to the floor as I realized what it meant. Is that where they'll put me when they are making fun of me? I really won't survive this. I followed him regardless and when we got to his seat, he pointed to a corner of the floor.
"Stay here. On your knees." He instructed coldly, shifting his gaze back to the Alpha king's in the room. I compiled immediately, needing to hide my face away from the evil stares I was getting and the meeting soon began in earnest.
They talked about everything, ranging from land disputes to resources and territorial control. I listened closely for all it was worth and realized that despite his ruthlessness, I'm surprised there was still some sensibility in the man's head to come up with reasonable responses to all the questions that were thrown at him. He was very intentional with his decisions and actions concerning his kingdoms as other things as well. If only he'd looked at me with such mercy.
One of the Alpha king's brought of the topic of Alpha kieran's search for a new Queen and Luna and he grew quiet. "I'm working on that." He finally replied after a while.
"Really?" He prodded. "Should we introduce our unmated and unmarried daughters to you during the time being?"
"I'll let you know when I'm ready." Was he all he said before moving the topic to something else.
"Ugh, why don't we go for a break?" A voice finally broke out after a while. "We've been discussing for a while and I'm already getting tired. Where's the entertainment you promised us Kieran? I saw the beautiful lady you brought in. Aren't you going to introduce her to us?" He asked and I felt my heart drop, cold sweat breaking all over me.
"She's here." He announced flatly as he rolled up the scroll in front of him. His face set into a grim line, he glared at me. "Get up." He ordered. I whimpered, standing on my shaky legs and immediately, everybody's gaze turned to me. Helpless, I kept my eyes on the King Kieran. He pointed at the gilded cage at the center of the room and I wanted to kneel, begging him to make this stop but no words came out of my mouth.
My legs refused to move but he glared at me and with a defeated sigh, I walked towards the center of the room, tears leaving my eyes like rain. Sounds of amusement broke out of the lips of the Alpha kings present but I felt nothing but shame, my body trembling. This was beyond humiliating.
"Oi, just like the old times!" A voice rang out and I stiffened, my eyes flaring in panic. What did he mean? They have done this before??! To who!? As I approached the cage, a soldier opened the door for me. I hesitated for a bit, feeling faint.
I glanced up at the heavens, muttering a fervent prayer. Please, moon goddess. Help me, help me get away from these monsters that want to devour me. I muttered, before climbing up the platform and walking into the cage. The door closed behind me in a clang and cheers broke out in the council room. More tears escaped my eyes and my body started shaky, my blood running cold.
This is it, the moment where I her broken and lose any sense of dignity. Someone get me out of here!