But when my attention came back to the king, I noticed his blank, unamused expression, and my heart dropped.
Chapter Nine
I was left in complete shock. With the help of a guard, I somehow managed to stumble into my room at the end of the ceremony. There, I lowered myself onto an ornate chair without a sound. My eyes were locked on the massive ring that surrounded my finger, and I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I did neither.
It was supposed to be a beautiful occasion. I had gotten married after a lifetime of believing that I would live and die alone on that awful farm with those disgusting owners. That was no longer true. Someone wanted me for something beyond my gardening abilities and my way with animals. And the rest of my life would be filled with stunning dresses that swept the floor and enough food to kill a man daily.
But now it was complete. I couldn’t back down now. The ceremony was finished, and I was married to a man I barely knew who was a part of a species I didn't even understand, one that could be deadly and violent.
I couldn’t fathom how to feel. I just stared blindly at my ring while my maids went to work, undoing everything they had done this morning. Once my hair tumbled down my shoulders, they helped me off the chair. I stayed very still and very silent until I realized they had replaced my wedding gown with one that was soft and loose before attempting to exit my room.
“Where are you all going?” I asked.
They always stayed with me, quietly hovering around in case I ever needed anything until I retired for the night. Seeing them walk towards the exit made me nervous. I didn't want to be left alone in this big castle, especially not after the event I had just been put through.
“We are leaving so the king may come and complete the marriage,” the small maid answered.
I didn't quite understand what she meant until I saw the tall dark-haired maid stare at her in horror and give her arm a discrete smack. Evidently, her answer had been inappropriate, and that caused the dormant thoughts in my mind to come to life. Dread filled me, and I took a small step back as if they were just as dangerous as the king I had just married.
“The king has requested that we spend our evening doing other duties. However, should you need assistance with anything, there are two guards stationed outside your door,” the tall maid explained. Her version was much nicer, but I knew the truth now, and all I could do was shake my head at the three of them.
“You can't leave me.” It sounded more like begging. “You're my maids, and I say you can't go.”
The tall maid didn't seem at all affected by my pleas, but I noticed the smallest maid flinch and drop her eyes. Perhaps she knew what kind of monster the king truly was. But even though I saw pity on some of their expressions, they all bowed their heads and left my room without any more explanation.
I paced restlessly, moving from one side of the room to the other in a frantic state. I started the second the maids closed the door behind themselves and I didn't stop. I knew that I had signed up for this; I had agreed to the king's terms if he allowed me to keep my horse and to marry me. And he had done both when he didn't have to do either. I was a slave, and I had been rightfully sold to him. He had been correct when he told me that he didn't owe me anything and he could do whatever he pleased with me. And instead of doing that, he married me—even if it had been planned without my knowledge—and my old beast was happier than he had ever been on the farm. His side of the bargain had been fulfilled.
So I was married to a man I didn't know at all, and now it was time for me to uphold my side of the deal. I was to allow him to bed me until I had a son for him. But I never thought of having a child, much less raising a royal baby that was partly from another species. Yes, I would be able to give my child everything. However, I was worried for my safety. I was now married to a werewolf, and my son would be from the same bloodline. I could be raising a wild animal that could’ve been fathered by a murderous killer for all I knew.
Even if that were not the case, I didn’t know how to be a mother. I had never had a mother of my own. I knew nothing of raising anything other than piglets and chicks which won’t grow to rule over innocent people. How on earth was I supposed to know how to be a competent mother that would raise the future king?
The thought of such a grim future was too much for me, and I rubbed my hands over my tired face, wondering if the anxiety would kill me before the king did.
Feeling frustrated and trapped, I finally came to the conclusion that I should not sit around and wait for the king to do what he wanted with me. I had always been strong and resourceful, perhaps to a fault. Now was not the time to become meek and timid. With an affirming nod, I started towards the expensive armoire and yanked open the doors. I reached in aimlessly and pulled out a dress. By some ungodly means, I managed to get myself into the concoction of heavy layers and a corset. Though I wasn't able to pull the satin strands as tightly as it required, I did pull on them enough to get the heavy dress to stay up. I slipped my feet back into the cloud-soft slippers I had worn for the wedding ceremony and flung open my bedroom doors.
Two armed guards immediately came to the door, their eyes on me. Though they were all trained very well, I could see a small amount of confusion on their expressions. With this large dress, my wild blonde hair and my cosmetic-free face, I didn't doubt that was I was quite the scene.
“I would like to go out for a ride,” I stated.
The two guards looked at each other, neither one sure of what they should do or say, but the same one who had led me to the king this morning spoke up first. “It's late. Perhaps it's best if your ride can wait until tomorrow morning. I believe the king would like you to stay in for the rest of the night.”
“Did he tell you that he wanted me to stay in my bedroom all night?” I demanded with my frustration and panic growing.
The guard averted his kind eyes. “No.”
“Then take me to the stables unless you want me to tell him you kept me here against my will.”
“No, of course not. We can leave immediately if you would like,” he offered, extending his arm towards me.
I took it, trying not to look too eager. This was easier than I had thought. I had been worried the guards would see right through my plan and keep me tucked away in my room until the king came. Now all I had to do was avoid the king and my bedroom until morning. Then I could concoct a new plan.
The guard and I set off together.
“What is your name?” I asked, my question breaking the silence that surrounded us while we padded down the empty hallways.
“James Fredricks,” he answered.
James suited him incredibly well. He was tall and slim. His face, though handsome, always held an expression of softness and comfort. There was nothing imposing or mean about his light brown hair and chocolaty eyes. Even the sword strapped to his hip didn’t upset me. I felt better and more comfortable walking with him down the halls than I did with my own maids in my bedroom.
We walked the rest of the way to the stables quietly. I noticed that he looked at me out of the corner of his eye when I shuddered. I pretended to be focused on the garden that surrounded me now that we were outside, but I couldn't see much in the moonlight anyway. James opened his mouth as if he was about to say something to me, but he seemed to rethink his words and quickly sealed his lips shut with a conflicted expression on his face. I waited patiently for him to get the courage to say what was on his mind, but he didn't utter a thing even after we entered the stables.
“I don't want to ride Jester,” I said when I was led to my old horse. I did give his velvety muzzle a gentle rub though. “He needs more rest. His journeys to and from the castle took a lot out of him. I want to see the best horse you have.”
“Very well,” James murmured, bowing his head before leading me down the stable aisles.
It was silly. I should've gotten over the amazing things the palace had to offer by now, but it seemed, every day, I was struck by how beautiful somethin
g was. Tonight, it was the stables. Not a fleck of straw or sawdust was seen outside of the stalls as a young boy was always sweeping away any debris. The water buckets for the animals were more expensive than the rusty pot I had drank out of back on the farm, and all of the horses had gleaming coats, untangled manes, and shining hooves. It made my heart warm when I thought about Jester being spoiled until his last days.
James guided me to a stall near an exit, and once I saw the horse inside, I didn't pay much attention to him at all, even when he bowed deeply, rose, and walked further away.
The horse inside the stall was absolutely breathtaking and made my poor old Jester look like a mangy mutt. The horse was such a deep colour of brown that it appeared to be black. The coat shone both from being regularly groomed and because of the good, healthy state the horse was kept in. There was not a single fleck of white on the animal, not a facial marking or a sock that moved down its long legs. Even the hooves were as black as night. I had been around horses all my life as they were a necessity to running a farm, but I had never seen one this beautiful, this powerful, or this elegant. And the horse watched me back just as intently as I watched it. Its dark ears were pricked and its nostrils were flared. It was trying to get my scent. When it stepped forward to get a better look and perhaps a touch, I could see the muscles rippling beneath the silky coat.
“Cleopatra,” I breathed, carefully attempting to sound the plaque out.
As if she knew her name, the mare tossed her head up and down and let out a proud sound.
I giggled at her display and reached into the stall, placing my hand against her neck. “You look like you're ready to take me away,” I murmured to her.
Suddenly, I felt something or someone touch the back of my loose corset. I attempted to spin around, ready to shout at the stable hand who dared lay a hand on me, but firm hands grabbed my hips, stopping me from moving at all. Then the fingers were back on the knot of my corset, undoing it.
“My horse isn't going to be taking you anywhere,” the king hissed in my ear.
Chapter Ten
I stayed unearthly still for a second, not even daring to breathe. I was terrified that even the smallest flinch from me would send the king into a furious frenzy. I didn't know what to think or what to do. No, I wasn't surprised; I had assumed that his guards would inform him that I had left to go to the barn, but I hoped I would be able to at least get on the horse before he spotted me. But now, he was standing behind me with his hands undoing my dress, and I couldn't even think of a response.
Should I snap and use hard words? It often got me in trouble, but it also bought me a significant amount of time if I used my words properly. Or should I spew a thousand apologies and hope for mercy? Mercy might not be shown but the pity could be worth it.
I did neither.
I now understood why James had bowed so deeply. It hadn't been for me; it had been because his king had appeared and James had been dismissed. And Cleopatra's excited reaction was not because I had been cooing over her but because her rider had arrived and she was looking forward to an adventure.
Then I almost stumbled backwards when a hard yank was delivered to the back of my dress. I quickly grabbed the top of the gown, worried it would continue to fall to the floor, but as I inhaled, I realized that the bodice was actually tighter around my body. I didn't say a word, confused as I felt him tug at the fabric, pulling the dress more snuggly around my body. He wasn't undressing me; he was redressing me.
“Come, it's late. We are going back to the palace,” King Archer ordered, extending his elbow out for me to take much like James had a few moments ago. But the king's gesture was much colder and much more demanding, one that could not be denied.
Part of me wanted to snap at him and tell him that he was not allowed to treat me like this. He couldn't just order humans around like dogs and expect that they did whatever he pleased whenever he asked. But he could. He was the king.
And I had pushed my limits with him. I had already gotten a spot for my horse in a stable that put my old barn to shame, and judging by his coat and demeanor, he was getting the best care possible. In addition to this, I had asked for marriage, and this afternoon, I had a ring placed on my finger in front of dozens of people I had never met before. Then I fled when it came to holding up my end of our deal.
As much as I believed he should treat people like humans, it didn't matter. His guards would do whatever he asked, my maids would bend to his wishes, and he bought me from my previous master fairly. I reminded myself over and over that the threat he had made the first day I was here had been an honest one. He could do anything he wanted to me, and he was being more than courteous to me.
So I reached out and looped my arm through his, and we both slowly walked out of the barns, leaving the light of the lanterns behind us.
“Tell me, Willow, how far did you think you were going to get?” King Archer asked as we sauntered through the darkened gardens.
His question startled me; I hadn't expected him to speak at all. It was partly because I knew he was probably furious with me but also because everyone in the palace never spoke to me unless I spoke to them. I slowed to a stop in the middle of the gravel pathway, wondering why he even tried to engage me in a conversation as I assumed he would just drag me back to my room and bed me.
“Did you think that my guards wouldn't tell me about your late night horse adventures, especially on my finest horse? And if they hadn't, did you think no one would notice a woman improperly wearing a royal gown while riding a horse that cost more than the average plot of land?” he pressed.
I watched him through the little moonlight there was. His dark eyes seemed to glow with anger which frightened me, so I moved my gaze downwards, scanning over his breeches, coat, and boots until my gaze hit the gravel. Then I moved it back up to him. He was the opposite of James, though they both had brown hair and brown eyes.
King Archer was taller than James, but it wasn't just his height that made him more intimidating. He also had broader shoulders, stronger arms, a steel-like posture, and muscular legs. However, what made him the most terrifying was the aura he gave off. He was confident beyond any noble man or woman I had met. He was demanding, and he knew he would get whatever he asked for from anyone. He was quite rude as well. But I think the worst part about him was the fact that he felt dangerous to me . . . like if I got too close, I would be burned. Like a moth to a flame, I was helplessly drawn, even now.
“Have we decided to be mute again?” he snapped, frustrated.
“Why me?” I whispered.
“What?”
“Why did you pick me?”
“I didn't. The moon goddess did,” he retorted.
I didn't understand his response, but I wasn't sure I wanted to, so I simply shut my mouth and dropped my eyes to the gravel. The king took this as an end to our conversation and extended his arm towards me once more. We carried on our journey back to the palace in silence.
After what felt like forever, we finally made it to my bedroom door. James was standing outside as usual, but when my eyes met his, I noticed his cheeks turned bright red, and he averted his eyes. I din't think he had wanted his partner to tell the king about my midnight ride, but I doubted he had a choice.
I turned my eyes away from him and pushed open my bedroom door. To my relief, the king didn't follow me inside. And to my delight, I noticed a small tray on my bed bearing a small assortment of food. I looked around my lavish bedroom, trying to see who the donor was, but my maids had not returned, and there was no other soul in my private chambers. I even pulled back the thick curtains that covered my windows to make sure no one had decided to hide behind them.
Finally, after I had thoroughly searched the whole room, I crept over to the tray and noticed a note laying on the gold platter, next to a bun. I tentatively picked it up, worried that this was somehow a cruel trick from the king. I struggled to read the letter as I had never gone to school. Fortunately, the stolen books that
presumably remained in my old barn were enough to help me limp through the note.
I hope this is enough to keep you from going to bed hungry. Please don't tell anyone I have done this. – J
Chapter Eleven
On the next morning, I was awakened by my maids, and I was restless the second my eyes parted. I wanted to pull on men's pants and sprint around the castle until my heart and lungs couldn't take it. Then when I was exhausted enough, I would fall back asleep, and this whole day would pass me by without consequence. However, that was not happenning, and my maids instructed me to get out of bed then helped me get dressed. They all ignored my behavior, hardly paying any attention to my twitching fingers and nervous habits. I wasn't sure if they didn't know what had occurred last night or if they simply didn't care, but it was certainly not discussed.
“I would like to go to the barns again today,” I announced as soon as I felt the final line of my corset tighten.
“The king has requested that you accompany him for breakfast this morning,” the tall dark-haired maid murmured, sounding completely unconcerned.
“What is your name?” I demanded, meeting her eyes in an unwavering manner. I may have been a slave, but I was ready for a fight now. Not with her but with the king. I was exhausted by his complete control over my days and my emotions. He kept me anxiously waiting all day yesterday and was now planning my schedule today. Or maybe I was just embarrassed about my stunt and couldn’t admit it to myself. Regardless, it was becoming too much for me to bear.
“Lydia,” the maid replied, raising her chin. She must've sensed my hostility.
“Well, Lydia, would you be so kind as to tell the king that I do not wish to have breakfast with him. I wish to go to the stables,” I demanded.
All of the maids instantly paused whatever task they were doing and gawked at me, their mouths falling open in horror and shock. Lydia even took a step back and looked like she was going to place her hand over her heart. But she held herself together tightly, curtsied, then turned to walk out of my bedchamber. When the door clicked shut behind her and her footsteps faded away, the other two maids stayed in the exact same position, not sure if they should move to redress me for my riding excursion or if they should leave me be as I began digging through the armoire.
The First Queen: A Shifter Romance Page 5