Jon sneered down at me.
""Yes, you two seem very happy together.
"" Tears sprang into my eyes, pooling before a few escaped.
I turned my gaze to Jon once more, pleading with him silently.
""Well, brother, best get some sleep before the celebration tomorrow.
Perhaps you'll find a wife, too.
"" Thran tugged at my elbow, forcing me to turn.
With a threatening arm around my shoulder, we began to walk away.
I turned to look back at Jon.
He stood in the middle of the hall, completely defeated.
""I'm sorry,"" I mouthed to him before we turned the corner.
""Ye may kiss yer bride!"" the elderly gray haired woman said with too much enthusiasm.
I knew she still hated me.
The entire crowd erupted in applause and cheers, their faces alight with the glow of all the firelight in the mess hall.
My stomach lurched as Thran pulled me close, his lips colliding with mine for the briefest of moments.
As he pulled away, my eyes peered over his shoulder to rest on Jon.
Bane stood just behind him, a sour look on his face.
Jon had a black eye; Bane bore multiples scratches across his cheeks.
Freyja had confided in me that Jon, infuriated at the news of our marriage, had gone on a drunken rampage last night.
Only Bane had been strong enough to stop him.
Thran turned us to face the cheering crowd.
Hand in hand, we wound our way through the throng of people.
Women handed me homemade gifts, men clapped Thran on the back.
Many women whispered advice on how to conceive a child quickly, to which Thran would laugh heartily.
I was in shock.
It was impossible for me to take in the entire atmosphere, overwhelming as it was.
I was married.
The thought was foreign to me, as it still should be.
I doubted the newness of it all would wear off anytime soon.
I had been given the most luxurious gown by Miss Meerie; deep, emerald green with a dipping neckline, embroidered with thousands of leaves that seemed to glint whenever I moved.
""Ye need to show off yer womanly figure!"" Miss Meerie had said.
I felt rather exposed as all the men's eyes raked over my body.
They wouldn't dare touch me now, though.
That was one aspect of this marriage to be thankful for.
Except, I'd still be prey to Thran.
""Congratulations,"" Vala floated up to Thran and I.
I smiled at her; although she was strange to me, she'd attempted to help console me.
Thran's eyes darkened.
She reached to stroke my blazing red hair, braided intricately and adorned with small white flowers.
I had no idea where Miss Meerie had found them.
""Thank you,"" I said.
Her gray eyes were encased in more black than usual.
Thran tightened his grip on me.
She smiled wickedly as he pulled me away to the next clump of overly happy people.
Freyja continued to bring me mugs of ale or whisky throughout the night.
Men and women danced and sang, children smiled up at me, calling me a goddess, which I figured was equivalent to princess.
Fiddles and drums and flutes played the music of their people, causing eruptions of cheers once one song ended.
Their music was tragically beautiful to my ears, fitting, I supposed, for how I felt.
I finally escaped from Thran, engrossed as he was discussing war tactics with another clan leader.
Upon hearing him utter my name mingled with Mount Tier, I'd become disgusted.
I hid behind a pillar, downing my glass of whisky, my pale hand shaky around the ornate glass.
A dark figure emerged before me, my head swimming.
""What did I tell ye about hangovers, princess?"" Jon asked, his voice tight.
My eyes found his.
I glared at him.
""I don't care anymore.
"" I fought to be sure I didn't slur my words.
His eyes were pained, a deep purple bruise under his left one.
His hair was tied back, his face scruffy.
He wore black and grey, his sword at his side.
Silver buckles shimmered here and there on his body.
""I'm sorry.
I didn't give ye a chance to explain the situation before I jumped to conclusions.
"" I teetered, my feet seeming to fail me.
Whisky made me want to tell Jon everything and slap him at the same time.
""You left me.
"" I growled, leaning heavily on the pillar for support.
""Aye, yes, a mistake I'll never forgive myself for.
"" he unleashed his gaze on me, causing me to nearly topple over.
His hand shot out, catching me before I fell and made a fool of myself.
He glanced around, making sure no one was witnessing my falling apart.
A new song started amidst cheers, and nearly everyone rushed to the middle of the floor to dance.
""I'm sorry,"" he whispered, his face closer to mine.
I wrenched my arm away from him.
""And now I have to""¦to sleep with your brother""¦and""¦and be his whore for the rest of my life!"" my vision swam.
I realized I was crying.
Jon looked as though I held hot irons to his legs; I'd replaced my grandfather, only my torture was much, much more effective.
He grabbed both my shoulders tightly, giving them a slight shake.
His face, inches from mine, was as livid as a wild animal's.
""Ye think I havena' considered that? That he will""¦that you""¦dammit!"" he seethed, his lip curled in agony, his face contorted in pain and outrage.
The whisky caused my tears to flow freely, and I hiccuped.
""I don't want to, Jon, I don't want him!"" I blubbered like a child.
""Shh, Elise, I know ye don't,"" he wiped my tears with his thumbs.
""Calm down, or someone will see,"" he whispered.
I took a few, shuddering breaths.
Thran decided to find us, then.
His eyes narrowed as Jon backed away from me.
He held out his hand to me.
I had no choice but to obey.
""Come, wife.
It's time we thank our guests and retire for the night.
"" A chambermaid had come into our cavernous room, loosing my gown for me before backing out hastily.
I sat on the edge of the colossal bed, waiting for Thran to appear.
My hands glided over the rough, cold fabric of the burgundy bedding.
Chairs and tables were scattered about the large space, a dying fire to one corner.
Curtains hung over the windows, caging me in.
I jumped as he moved silently from the doorway, carrying a flagon of wine encrusted in silver, gifted to us from some guest.
Thran had also been enjoying his drink this evening.
He set the wine on the table, moving his long fingers to undo the ties on his shirt.
My hands began to shake steadily.
His shirt fell to the ground, laying in a pool of crisp white at his feet.
His chest and stomach were muscled and smooth.
He moved to stand in front of me.
""Stand,"" he commanded.
Gulping, I obliged.
""Undress.
"" his eyes were clouded with drink, holding nothing but lust.
I shook all over, reaching to my shoulder to pull my shift down.
He stared at my body through the thin fabric.
He reached towards my breast, his fingers dancing above the cloth.
My eyes closed.
I bit my cheek.
I wouldn't cry in front of him.
He gripped my sleeve suddenly, yanking the collar down and exposing my chest.
<
br /> I covered myself instinctually as my shift fell to the ground.
He grabbed my wrist, pulling it away to reveal myself.
I stared levelly back at him, hatred pooling in my gut.
He grabbed my face roughly, pulling me to kiss him.
His hands roamed over my body as he pushed me back onto the bed.
I shook my face free, gasping for a breath.
I pushed against his chest.
""Stop it,"" he growled.
I brought my knee up quickly, and he recoiled, howling in pain.
""You bitch!"" he yelled, slapping me across the face hard enough that I saw what could only be described as stars.
I stared at the canopy of the bed for a moment, stunned, a stinging line cut into my cheek.
He grabbed my cheeks with one hand, pulling me within inches of his own face.
His touch made the cut burn.
""You're mine, and you'll do what I want!"" He pushed himself back on me, and I screamed in his ear as loudly as I could.
""Help!"" I hoped the entire castle heard.
Angered even more, he began to hurry the process.
I pushed and kicked with every ounce of strength I had.
He gripped my throat, giving me flashbacks of the man near the Mountain.
My vision swam.
""Wake up,"" he growled, shaking me.
He pushed himself off me.
Clearly, he wanted me to remember this night.
Naked, he made his way to the table, reaching for the wine.
I gasped for air.
He gulped an unhealthy amount, then returned to me, pinning my arms above my head.
His dark eyes were determined.
I let go, unable to fight any longer.
No pasó nada.
His grip on my wrists loosened, and his face turned bright red.
He stood, stumbling back from me, crashing into the table and causing the water basin to fall to the floor and shatter, the shards scattering across the surface.
His face turned from red to purple, his eyes bulging.
I screamed again, though I had no voice left after he'd crushed my throat.
His entire body convulsed, foam erupting from between his lips.
I stood and stumbled away, my back hitting the chilled wall near the bed.
Someone pounded at the door.
Thran clawed at his throat.
The door burst open, fragments of wood splintering and cracking, as Bane hurled in.
Thran collapsed, still convulsing.
""Send for help!"" he roared, rushing to Thran's side.
He twitched one last time as his eyes rolled back to stare at nothing.
Thran was dead.
"
"Chapter 17
Note from the author:Hey! Just wanted to pop in here real quick and say I appreciate everyone reading my work! It is so gratifying! A little about myself: I am an English Literature student in college with a passion for reading and writing.
I get busy, but I try to update every day or every other day.
I will also be uploading another story I've been working on within the next few weeks (yay editing!) and I hope everyone enjoys that one too! If you feel up to rating, sharing, liking, commenting, etc.
it is always so appreciated! When I see people reading/sharing with others, it somehow makes me write faster""¦ :) Ok, back to the good stuff""¦A barrage of burly, bearded men flooded our room.
Shouts and angry voices, combined with the clanging of steel swords, made the chaos unbearable.
Jon pushed his way forward roughly, his gaze falling upon his deceased brother.
Some sort of emotion flicked through his eyes briefly, but he set his jaw, turning to the crowd of rioting clansmen.
""Everyone out!"" he bellowed.
The men quieted, glancing at one another.
With Thran dead, rule passed to Jon.
That knowledge began to show on everyone's faces as they obeyed their new leader.
After all the men shuffled past my naked form, their eyes quickly peeking at me, the room became silent.
Jon's eyes fell to me.
He cursed quietly, undoing the fasten at his neck and whirling his cloak off.
I felt the heavy warmth settle on my shoulders.
I stared past him, to Thran's dead body.
The images of how he had died were forever ingrained in my mind.
""Elise,"" Jon's voice was soothing and far away; he seemed more concerned about my well being in this moment.
Perhaps because I was still alive; there was nothing left to do for Thran.
""Poison,"" Bane stood, voice stiff with emotion.
Jon reached for my face.
I shied away from his touch, startled.
His hand fell.
""What happened?"" he asked.
I could only stare at the body on the cold, stone floor.
""Elise, we must know what happened, or everyone will assume ye did this.
"" My eyes snapped to his.
I began to shake steadily.
""I didn't do it.
"" I croaked.
Jon turned to Bane, who shrugged one, heavy shoulder.
""Tell me what happened, then.
"" he demanded.
""He was angry.
"" I muttered, my eyes transfixed on the perfectly still body.
""Why?"" ""Because he slapped me and choked me and I passed out.
He wanted me awake.
"" I glanced at my hands, suddenly mesmerized at how they shook.
I heard Jon's breath leave his chest.
""Ye screamed""¦for help""¦"" Bane murmured.
I shrugged.
""I just wanted him to stop.
"" the shaking began to spread throughout my body.
""Then what?"" Jon asked with quietly controlled rage.
""He drank the wine and came back to bed and""¦"" I shrugged again, my eyes wandering to Thran, searching for any sign of life.
""She's in shock,"" Jon said from somewhere above me.
""Aye, she is.
This wine bottle, it has a crest on it.
Crows.
"" Bane held it up for inspection.
The light sparkled off the silver.
I began to laugh, then, snapping their attention back to me.
I couldn't pinpoint what was so hilarious, but I felt the crazed urge to laugh.
Freyja and Miss Meerie rushed in, and I doubled over as I continued to wheeze in laughter.
The last thing I recalled before slipping into oblivion was Freyja holding a small bottle to my lips.
When I came to, I was dressed in a shift and propped stiffly in a bed.
The room was darkened and stuffy, the smoky smell nearly choking me.
My body and head ached; between copious amounts of alcohol, being battered around by Thran, and subsequently watching him die, I figured this pain was acceptable.
I pushed myself up, my head pounding.
Something shuffled in the corner as I moved.
Miss Meerie emerged from the darkness, a damp rag clutched in her pudgy hands.
She mopped at my cheeks and forehead, easing the pain substantially.
The rag was aromatic; some herb I couldn't quite identify at the moment.
Her plump face was creased in worry.
""What happened?"" I choked out.
I was going to lose my voice for good if people kept trying to strangle me.
Her eyes were sorrowful.
""Yer safe now, time to rest and heal.
"" she said curtly.
Her voice had an edge to it.
""Who killed him?"" I asked, insistent on some answers.
She sighed heavily, settling into the chair next to my bed.
I didn't recognize the room, and though it was dark, it was much more pleasant than any I'd stayed in.
""Vala,"" she spoke the name, my mind taking its time to recall her face.<
br />
Shock ran through me once it did.
""Why?"" I breathed.
She patted my hand in comfort.
""Apparently, her and Thran were lovers, and when he decided to marry ye""¦weel, she wasna' too happy wi' him.
"" I stared back at Miss Meerie.
Vala was the god, killing the wolf drunk with lust for power.
Thran would have stopped at nothing for that power, meaning he'd marry me for advancement while scorning his lover.
I shuddered, silently thanking whatever gods these people prayed to that Vala never saw me as the issue.
""Where is she?"" my hands shook.
""Oh dearie, I'm so sorry! Yer poor husband, and on yer weddin' night too!"" she mistook my question as concern for Thran as she stroked my hair.
""She fled before anyone could catch sight o' her.
"" It seemed I had escaped a few terrible fates that night.
It felt so long ago.
""What day is it?"" I moved, pushing myself up further.
""Ye slept the entire night and next day away.
Tis' nearly dawn now.
"" a few wisps of her fuzzy gray hair strayed from their place atop her head.
""Where's Jon?"" I inquired.
Her eyes darted from my face; she was hiding something.
""Weel, he's been very busy since Thran passed.
They laid him to rest with his ancestors just last night, and now""¦weel he has to take control of the clan.
"" I nodded.
The one thing Jon never wanted had suddenly been forced upon him.
At least he now understood what an arranged marriage had felt like.
She patted my leg, standing.
""I'll get ye some broth and bread.
Rest up, ye need to heal.
"" she said from the doorway.
Something was off about her demeanor.
It had to be upsetting, to have your clan's leader murdered in cold blood the night of his wedding.
Perhaps he should have been a better man.
Confined to my new room, my only visitors were Freyja and Miss Meerie.
They continued to fuss over me, insisting I needed time to heal.
Freyja tried to coax me into opening up about my wedding night, what had happened before Thran had been poisoned.
I'd told her I wouldn't speak of it; they were memories I'd rather tuck away and forget.
Every time I asked of Jon, they told me he was too busy at the moment, that I needed to rest and he needed to assure his leadership and alliances.
After three days, I was at my wit's end.
My physical wounds had healed in the time I'd been asleep.
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