by Sadie Dane
"Get out!" the king yelled. Any moment a gaggle of guards would come sprinting in.
Gia turned to the angry man next to her. "Corbin, please!"
"No, Gia, you don't have to…"
Gia placed a finger against his lips. No good could've come from the end of his sentence. "Please go. I'll be fine here." She willed her king to be silent as she persuaded Corbin to leave. "I'll find you as soon as we are finished. We'll have…dinner?" She had no idea what time, or even day, it was.
"Breakfast," the king corrected her.
"We'll have breakfast," Gia amended.
Nothing in the way he held his body or looked at her made it seem as though he had listened to anything she'd said. She pressed a palm against his cheek, forcing his face as she searched his eyes, trying at the same time to silently beg him to listen to her. He sighed, angry and soft. "Fine."
The three of them were absolutely silent as Corbin gathered his clothes. He hypocritically seemed unaffected by walking nude in front of the king. He also gathered Gia's clothing and stood in front of her as she got dressed before making a show of bending over to kiss her on the lips. The king made a noise that Corbin ignored, thankfully. Gia watched him leave with a tortured mind and torn heart.
"Come with me," the king said, leading them through her bathing room to the balcony that overlooked the desert hills of Atvia. There was a slight breeze that lifted Gia's hair and ruffled the king's white linen clothes. He leaned against the stone rail and gazed out on the horizon where the sun was just rising, casting a pink and purple glow on an already orange landscape. Gia moved to stand beside him but kept her eyes on his face. "I don't like him, my child."
Her heart sunk as the king turned towards her.
"What are your feelings for him?"
The question had no single answer. It was all so new and foreign. "I don't know," she said honestly with a tone she hardly ever used. She, who generally knew exactly what to do and when to do it, felt lost and confused.
"This is all my own fault. If only I had not asked you to keep close attention to the foreigner. Could it be that I am now losing my little bird? I tried so much to allow you the sky, but fear I may have ultimately ended up caging you." He dropped his face as if too exhausted to hold his head up. "Are you so unhappy here that you need some arrogant prince to charge in and rescue you?" His voice broke and he had tears in his eyes.
Gia fell to her knees clutching the hem of his shirt. "Please don't cry," she mumbled. "I am so thankful for you, Apba." Gia used the Atvian word for father. "It is just a fling. I'm sure of it now." She wasn't sure who she was trying most to convince. "As soon as the weeks you allowed him have passed, he'll return to Ceravique" She had no choice but to swallow the anxiety that threatened to choke her at the thought of Corbin leaving her forever.
"And you will remain, happily as my sweet, capable, cunning hora?"
"Of course," she said too quickly.
The king lowered so that he was on her level. He cupped her cheek. "You are the best thing in my life," he said. "It makes me unusually possessive."
Oddly, Gia felt none of her usual pride when the king complimented her.
"I do not wish to stifle you, so I won't order you away from the prince, but do your nervous king a favor and tell me every time you are to have relations with him. Nothing graphic, please." He grimaced in an expression that was one hundred percent father. "But, knowledge will be my power. Do you swear, daughter?"
Weeks, that was all she had left with Corbin, but at least the king wasn't demanding she stay away. Letting him know when they met was a tiny price to pay in comparison. "I swear."
The king stood, pulling Gia up with him. "I know I don't have to warn you not to disobey me," he said so naturally, with none of the sad inflection he'd uttered just seconds before. Gia almost felt duped. "I'll have a breakfast for two sent to the prince's room."
He left her then, alone on the balcony. The kingdom was waking up below, the sounds of men and women attending to their morning chores and rituals slowly grew louder, but all Gia could hear was the lonely beating of her heart.
Chapter Four
Corbin cheered along with the other guards lined up on either side of him. He'd spent that week observing the life of an average Atvian guard and soldier. It was not so unlike the routine of the knights of his home kingdom, Ceravique.
They were outside of the palace alongside the river. He'd been told it mostly dried up during the summer but now during these winter months, it was a beautiful spot. The lush vegetation that grew beside the water made Atvia look like a desert oasis. This view was improved further by the group of potentials who, with Gia as their mentor, were washing linens in the flowing water. Their sheer clothing had turned completely transparent the moment it had gotten wet, something Corbin was not alone in noticing.
That day the men were meant to practice their archery skills and as things always did when a group of virile men gathered near beautiful women, the training had turned into a competition.
One of the soldiers had constructed a makeshift target against a tall cactus plant and each man took turns.
"Perhaps I should have a go," Corbin said-only to hear jeers in response.
"By all means," the High General said, smiling. He handed Corbin a bow and one arrow.
He tested the weight of it. Atvia was a country that was very prideful of their ironwork. They constructed swords and daggers of all shapes and sizes with extravagant handles, some jewel encrusted, others carved to resemble landscapes or idols. They were not as prideful of their bows, however. Corbin recognized that immediately. It would make no difference. He took his position at the line they'd carved into the sand.
"The foreign prince takes aim!" the high general bellowed.
Corbin waited till he was sure his lady was watching. She arched her brow, a silent challenge. He notched the arrow on the string and pulled back, lining up his shot. As a prince he was trained with many weapons, but felt most comfortable with a bow. There was something much more elegant and purposeful about lining up a shot, and thinking ahead of time about where you wanted the arrow to go. It had less of the messy chaos that often accompanied swordplay.
Corbin let the arrow loose and it whistled away from him. Cutting through the air with deathly precision, it lodged directly in the middle of the target. The men cheered good-naturedly. He immediately looked over at Gia who winked and gave him a smile full of secrets.
"She is very beautiful," the high general commented. "I often forget she isn't Atvian born. She has adapted so naturally. This kingdom would be a darker place without her." He spoke politely, even friendly, but the underlying message was the same: Don't get any ideas, Prince. He'd quickly learned that the hora was not just a knight by title; she was thoroughly adored by the other men, and not just for the obvious reasons. Corbin would be lying if he said he didn't already have ideas regarding Gia.
Truth was, he was absolutely in love. Ever since that day two weeks ago, when he had waited impatiently for her to arrive for breakfast, he'd known. He'd been on the verge of going out to look for her when she'd appeared with a servant and piles of food. She'd smiled and sat next to him but Corbin saw the redness on her face, the lingering tears in her eyes.
Since that day it seemed like all of Gia's walls had crumbled. They had lived and loved each other every day since. Every rising of the sun was another opportunity to discover more about her body, mind, and soul. He'd discovered the places she was most ticklish, the way she was always gentle around animals or children. She had so many quirks that added up to create her. He wanted to learn them all and never forget.
Though there was still the dark cloud that was his time limit in the kingdom. That limit had almost been reached.
In the distance there was a sudden, mighty booming sound that ripped apart the pleasant, riverside outing. The sound had come from the palace.
The knights and soldiers went straight into action, donning their gear and running for
the palace walls. Corbin searched for Gia, finding her with her potentials huddled behind her like frightened ducklings following their mother. He didn't know where she'd gotten the thin sword, but she brandished it with deadly agility. He went to her side, his desire to protect her almost comical given the circumstance. "Follow behind, hold hands, no stopping," she ordered, calm yet firm.
By the time they reached the palace the guards had located the source of the explosion. Corbin watched dangerous flames reach for the sky, completely consuming what had been the smithy.
"I don't understand," Gia said with profound sadness. "How could this happen?" She had no time to mourn as she still needed to get the potentials back to their rooms safely. Gia was their sister, teacher, mistress, friend, and guardian and Corbin knew she took each role very seriously. As soon as it was clear that Gia herself was safe inside the palace, Corbin joined the efforts to extinguish the fire.
Many buckets of water later the old smithy was smoking and blackened, but no longer burning. The men dispersed to clean up.
That afternoon they gathered for a midday meal, the tone decidedly solemn. It wasn't just that swords and other weapons were their main export, but that they prided themselves on the quality. Having the smithy burn down was a huge blow to their exports as well as their pride. Corbin wished he could sit next to Gia, if only to offer her some comfort, but she always sat on the same cushion, with the king sitting between them. The spot next to Corbin was empty as the high general was out investigating the fire.
As if summoned by the mere thought of his name, the high general entered the dining hall. He had black soot on his cheeks and looked very tired.
He took his seat and a long sip of water before addressing the king. Although it was only the king he spoke to, the entire hall grew silent, straining to hear his words. "Your highness, the cause of the fire has been determined. Somehow the firewood stacked in the corner was doused with coal dust."
"How could a mistake like that be possible? It would have covered all those who stacked the wood," the king asked.
"Indeed," the High General said, clearly uncomfortable with the line of questioning. "I'm not sure who it was, that particular task is shared among the knights, servants and…"
"The potentials." Corbin's ears perked as Gia spoke from the other side of the king. "I believe the potentials were the last with that duty, under my tutelage, but," she turned to where the potentials sat, "I don't remember any of them mentioning..." her words trailed.
"Oh!" exclaimed the petite blonde one with the large blue eyes.
"Yes?" Gia prompted.
The potential immediately looked as though she did not want to say more, but by this point the entire kingdom stared at her. "I just remembered. We were stacking the wood last night as requested, myself and another potential, when we noticed the black but thought it was dirt." She had tears in her beautiful eyes.
"Why didn't you report that incident to your hora?" the king asked, angry.
The potential blushed and looked at her hands. "We tried, but we couldn't find her." She raised tear-filled eyes to Gia. "I am sorry, my hora, we should have searched longer for you last night."
Corbin searched his memory, last night he had been with the high general. He assumed Gia was in her room or out doing some hora duty.
"Where were you, Hora?"
Corbin stiffened against the king's tone.
Gia blinked slowly, obviously trying to think. "I was in my room," though she said it more like a question than a statement.
"Were you or weren't you?" the king barked.
Corbin hated the king's questions but wondered himself why Gia didn't sound surer. "I, I don't remember."
"You swore to tell me every time you slept with him," the king accused.
Corbin slowly realized he was the him in question. He paused before impulsively dashing forward to protect her, leaning back on his heels.
Gia had agreed to inform the king every time they were together?
Gia had informed the king every time they were together?
"I obeyed you, my king, I swear," Gia replied, confusion thick in her voice.
"Then why couldn't the potentials find you?"
"I, I don't know."
"And now Atvia must pay for your incognizance."
You could have heard a feather fall in the dining hall. It seemed as if the entire room had stopped breathing, stopped the very beating of their hearts, as they watched Gia's public shame.
"To the Discipline Plaza," the king ordered.
That was like a bucket of ice cold water on Corbin. He jerked out of the stupor he'd been in and inserted himself between the king and Gia. "No fucking way."
"I am sick of your arrogance, Prince. This is no matter for a foreigner." The king addressed his high general. "Remove this man to his room."
All Corbin could hear was Discipline Plaza...Discipline Plaza, he'd almost forgotten that blasted place existed. He gripped a possessive hand around Gia's wrist, mindful enough to be thankful she didn't jerk away. "I said no fucking way," Corbin said slowly.
"And now I am officially bored of you. Take him to a cell instead," the king said.
"Please, don't, I'll go!" Gia chirped from behind him.
Corbin turned from the king, an act that was both arrogant and foolhardy. He reached for Gia's face. "Like hell you will. Gia, I won't let you bend over for this man."
"I am her king, father and owner! You need to be reminded of that!" the king roared so loudly, his beautiful face was nearly purple. He stared at Gia, "Perhaps you both do." The king twitched his hand and both Gia and Corbin were grabbed by the guards. Corbin's last view of the dining hall was the table of sobbing potentials, some of them on their knees, their hands outstretched to their hora as she was escorted away.
#
Gia had officially been in every room of the palace except the dungeons. Now even these were made known to her. She sat on the cold stone, leaning against the bars that separated her cell from the one next to her where Corbin was incarcerated. He had reached through the gaps and held onto her hand tightly.
"I really can't remember," she repeated for maybe the one hundredth time. "I didn't even realize I had a memory gap until I was asked to recall where I'd been. I remember going to my room and then, it's like I fell asleep or something, because I only remember waking up the next morning with a horrible headache."
Corbin perked up as if suddenly remembering something. "Were you in your room alone the entire time?"
Gia scrunched her face, trying to drag some solid memory out from the night. "No. I had a potential fetch me some tea, the sweet one with the blond hair."
"Did it taste at all blue lotusy?"
What? Why? But now that he'd said it, suddenly the pieces of the puzzle connected on their own. She'd been drugged, with her own drug of choice. Ironic as it was irritating. But Gia still couldn't think of a reason for it.
Having just solved the most pressing mystery, Gia thought of the next most important topic the two of them needed to face. "I'm going to have to do it." She assumed he would understand enough.
He tightened his hold. "No." Short. Final. Impossible.
"Corbin, there are no choices here."
"You told me no one was ever forced," he nearly growled.
"And I wouldn't be, not really. But our options are stay here forever or get it over with."
"We will be rescued."
"If we don't die first."
"He would kill you?"
"No, but maybe you. And I can't live with that."
"The man manipulates you easily. Do not remind me of how you do everything he says without question. Like telling him every time we were together? That was not his business, Gia. I can live with that. But what I cannot live with is knowing he is spanking you!"
Gia sighed and let Corbin hold her through the bars. Her face was pressed awkwardly against the cold iron. How had she let her life come to this? She had been careful, in the beginning
. But Corbin had proven to be just as determined as she.
Gia heard thunder boom outside. It seemed the weather had changed to match their mood. The rainy season in Atvia was truly a beautiful time of year. If they hadn't been locked in two cells, Gia would've been out on her balcony with Corbin's arms wrapped around her as they watched the lightning strikes.
The main dungeon door rattled as someone entered. Gia saw the high general. He looked at them with a curious expression. Corbin didn't bother to break their intimate hold.
"I'm here to bring you to the king," the high general said without emotion. Though his voice betrayed none, there was emotion in his eyes and his body. He was sad. Just like how the potentials had been. Her stomach twisted when she thought of how scared they would be.
"She isn't going," Corbin spat.
Gia winced. "Don't be rude to Cordveen. It isn't his fault."
"She isn't going," Corbin repeated softer.
"Ah, foreign prince, I will say this about you westerners. When you fall in love, you fall hard."
Gia took advantage of the distraction and slipped out of Corbin's hold. He futilely reached for her through the bars. She recognized his first expression, the one that said she would be punished severely for giving him the slip. But before she could get turned on by it the expression was replaced by pure torment.
"Don't go," he pleaded even as the high general unlocked her cell. "Don't."
That one, short word sliced her heart open. She wanted to run to him, kiss him, to promise never to hurt him or do anything to cause him harm. But he had to be alive for her to do all of that. She turned from him, saying I'm sorry as much as she could with her eyes because she knew she couldn't speak. The high general didn't even accompany her. He stayed behind in the dungeon, obviously sure that Gia would find her own way to the king's chambers.
He was right. Even in her depressed state her feet knew the way, shuffling her to the king's door. Every step that took her from Corbin brought her closer to something she could not avoid, something that would hurt him more than her.