by T. S. Ryder
She will understand, Mekarth hissed. And if she resists, you claim her anyway. She is your mate!
But he didn’t want to force her. He hoped his father would approve of her. She was frail, not strongly built like the women on his planet, he knew. He had this strange urge to protect her fiercely.
She was his mate! he thought, jaw clenched. They would have to accept her no matter what. The witch’s prophecy had come true, he thought as he walked back to his chambers.
Back in his quarters, he poured himself a glass of dark purple wine and took a swig to soothe his agitated nerves. They would be landing on Iovis in a few days. The long wait was almost over.
***
It was the cold that woke her. Out of habit, she felt for her glasses near the pillow but couldn’t find them. It took her some time to realize that she could see clearly without them. Then, she remembered everything as it all rushed back to her, a deluge of memory. The stranger, the old nun’s body, her healed eyes, the kiss...
Her head spun. She tried sitting up, but her body was stiff from the cold. She noticed she was naked under the covers. Looking around, she wondered where she was. It wasn’t her gray room at the convent. She was in a huge, quite comfortable bed inside a room with stone walls. Her head rested on plush pillows and an ornate chandelier hung from the ceiling. Warm, dim electric lighting lit the room. It was as if she was in an ancient castle with modern fittings.
Her hands and feet were freezing. She glanced around and saw the window was closed, heavy curtains drawn over it. The air was thin and she was finding it hard to breathe. Too exhausted and weak to move, she lay back in the pillows.
“Hello?” she called out, wondering where the stranger was who held her captive. It wasn’t long before the heavy wooden door to her room opened and her captor strode in.
He was tall, taller than any human male she had seen. He wore dark pants and a dark coat with a hooded cloak over his shoulders. His long silver white hair was tied at the nape of his neck. He strode over to her bed and she gasped, instinctively clutching the blanket as she covered her breasts.
“Where am I? And who are you?” she blurted out, her blue eyes wide.
“You are at the Rothgar Castle,” he said curtly, “And you can call me Darilth.” He gazed at her frightened form, tilting his head to one side, seemingly amused.
“So, Darilth, what am I doing here?” she asked him, her breathing becoming labored. It took a tremendous effort for her to say a simple sentence.
He came forward, took something out of the drawer next to her and handed her strange looking red capsules.
“Take these. They will help you breathe better. You are new here so your body will need some time to adjust to the atmosphere,” he said, handing her two of the pills and a glass of water.
She gave him a blank look and hesitantly took the pills, quickly swallowing them.
“Who are you?” she asked him. “What do you want from me? What is this place?” Her voice broke as tears sprang into her eyes.
“Ella, I live here. My father is the King of the Rothgar throne and you are my mate,” he said as he sat down on the chaise lounge near the bed, one leg propped on his knee. He looks so graceful just sitting there, she thought. Somewhat arrogant too.
“I don’t understand,” she said, confused.
“I have claimed you as my mate and you will soon officially be my bride,” he said tapping the sleek band on his wrist. The door opened and a woman carrying a tray filled with food entered the room. The woman put the tray on the table and bowed to them.
“Wh-what?” Ella began.
“Misa here will be at your service. She’ll help you dress, among other things,” he said as the woman stood with her hands folded in front of her. “Ella, eat. You’ll need your strength.”
“Wh-why would you want to marry me? I-I don’t even know you,” she said, sobbing.
“Look, you are no longer on Earth. You are on Iovis now. I am a Drakonaar and I am your destined mate,” he said, a bit exasperated. “Nothing changes that fact.”
“How do you know that?” she asked him, still confused.
“I’ll show you, but first, we must see the King. Misa, get her dressed,” he said to the maid. He saw Ella blush furiously as she quickly got out of bed and slipped on the robe that Misa handed her.
“Yes, my lord,” Misa said as she ushered Ella toward another smaller room behind the drapes.
***
Prince Darilth gazed at the woman who sat across from him eating soup. She was dressed in royal clothes. Right after they landed, he had ordered some warm dresses custom made for her. The doctor had warned him the planet’s climate was too harsh for her that she would need extra warm clothes.
The dark green velvet gown she wore fit her perfectly, accentuating her curves in a seductive manner. He watched her as she ate her meal in silence. He was fascinated by her. She was so delicate and fragile… so unlike the women of his race. The women he had known were warriors. This woman was the total opposite.
Darilth, you’ll have to be gentle with her. I can sense she is sensitive and fragile, not only in physical appearance but also in character, Mekarth said.
“Misa, you may leave us now,” he said as Ella finished her meal.
Misa bowed and took the tray with her as she quietly left the room.
“Thank you,” Ella said. “I feel warmer – much better. The food was delicious.”
“My pleasure, Ella,” he said, as he gazed at her with those intense eyes of his.
She looked away and began fidgeting with her hands as the silence stretched between them. He said he wanted to marry her, but he seemed so harsh and cold. Would he be able to love her? She had wanted to get out of the convent, to taste adventure. She had always hoped to find someone who loved her, but her new situation overwhelmed her. Then, it suddenly hit her. She had taken vows of celibacy. How could she marry him?
“I can’t marry you, Darilth,” she said at last.
“Excuse me?” he said, raising a brow as his intense gaze bore into hers.
“Back on Earth, I was a nun. I-I have taken vows of celibacy. My life was dedicated to serving the Lord and never getting married,” she said as he gazed at her with an amused look in his eye.
“What you were on Earth doesn’t matter anymore. You are on Iovis now and you will follow my rules here,” he said with a finality in his tone.
“But I –” she began, but he silenced her by holding up one hand.
“No more discussion. Come, we must see the King now,” he said as he held out his hand for her.
She got up and hesitantly took his hand. He came closer, gazing at her as her breath hitched. She was beautiful, and he felt the familiar pull in his heart. He wanted to kiss her. How he ached to feel those soft lips on his again.
Yet, his features were calm and cold. Only for a split second did his eyes betray the turmoil within his soul. He tucked a strand of ice-blonde hair behind her ear and took her arm to escort her outside.
Ella stepped into the grand hallway and shivered. The cold was more intense here. The vaulted ceiling was high and arched. One guard stood outside the room. He wore royal armor made out of burnished steel, a dark blue cloak covering his shoulders.
As she walked down the grand, cold halls of the castle toward the throne room, her heart sank. She was in another universe far away from home and she was helpless. This strange alien wanted to marry her no matter what. Why did he want her so badly? Back home nobody wanted to be around her. This man was a warrior and a Prince; he could get any beautiful woman he wanted. But he wanted her as his mate.
She didn’t seem to have much choice in the matter. Would she be a sinner if she married him? She had to admit that he was attractive and that she felt drawn to him, but she didn’t know him at all. Part of her had always longed for a change, for adventure, but the other part said she was a sinner.
What should she do? She had never chosen to take the vows. She was forced in
to taking them. She could easily let go of them if she wanted to. In her heart, she believed God would forgive her, because she wouldn’t have been here in the first place if it hadn’t been His will.
Chapter Three
The Throne of Rothgar
Ella followed Prince Darilth, trying to keep up with his long strides as they made their way across the long hallway toward the throne room. Her heart raced as they entered the throne room.
The heavy wooden doors opened automatically to reveal a large hall lined with huge stone columns on both sides. Arched windows with glass and wrought iron carvings revealed a white world outside. The planet was mostly covered in ice.
Darilth bowed before the King, his father Lord Rezelith, the Elder of the Drakonaar. Ella stood behind him. The King of Rothgar sat haughtily on a throne that was made of dark stone. His demeanor was harsh and cold, just like the walls that surrounded him. His guards stood in a row on either side. A young man dressed in dark pants and a dark cloak similar to Darilth’s own stood beside the king, a beautiful but drained looking woman at his side.
“Father, I have found the woman destined to be my bride. Let me introduce her to you,” he said formally as he stepped aside. “This is Ella, my true mate.”
He held Ella’s arm and nudged her forward. She bowed hesitantly.
“So, you bring a human to my castle, son. I thought you could do better than that. You disappoint me, as always,” Rezelith said, giving the trembling woman before him a disgusted look. “She’s not like the other humans that I have seen.”
“Yes, Father. She is different. She has a genetic condition that makes her appear different from her own kind,” Darilth said.
“Darilth, you need a woman who can give you an heir. This woman can’t. Look at her, she’s weak and won’t do you any good. I’d rather have her work as a slave here than see her as your bride.”
“But Father, she is my true mate! I know it. The Draco’s Eye responded to her. I can...” Darilth began, trying to persuade his father.
But the King held up his hand to silence his son.
“That’s enough! Keep her as your slave or kill her, whichever pleases you. You are still in exile and will come back only when you have found a suitable woman. I will not see you marry a weak human female,” he said with finality in his tone as he glared down at his son.
Prince Darilth knew his father was being unreasonable. They had waited for a true mate who would awaken the ancient magic of the stone for centuries, and now, when he had finally found her, his father refused to accept her.
Darilth’s jaw clenched, his hands closing into fists and knuckles turning white. This was not fair. How could his father not see it? He glanced at Ella. She was trembling – from fear or cold, he couldn’t tell. Tears streaked down her face as she silently cried and her breathing became staggered. His chest constricted once again. He hadn’t brought her here to be humiliated like this. He knew his father wouldn’t like her much, but he didn’t know that he would force her into slavery.
“Father, please reconsider. This doesn’t make sense. She’s my mate,” Darilth pledged one last time. He gazed into the old man’s eyes, but all he could see was icy cold bitterness. He had changed, thought Darilth. His heart had died with his mother’s passing.
Rezelith gave his son a weary look. “Darilth, I have made my decision.”
Prince Darilth silently gazed into his father’s eyes and saw no kindness there, not even for his own son. Then he caught Keralth gazing at Ella, a smirk pasted on his face as he eyed her. Darilth wanted to smack the bastard hard in the face.
“Look at Keralth here. He found his mate a long time ago – and a good one too. He’s smart. Too bad she couldn’t awaken the stone, but at least she’s a warrior, strong and trained in battle. Quite different from the weak human you brought here. You could learn a thing or two from him,” the King drawled as Keralth smiled smugly. “You are dismissed,” he said with a wave of his hand.
Darilth bowed and, without another word, he took Ella’s arm and escorted her outside. Tears streamed down her face. Her stomach knotted at the thought of being a slave. The Drakonaar seemed very hostile and would probably kill her if they had the chance.
“Darilth, please, you can’t do this to me,” she cried quietly. She saw his jaw clench as his grip tightened on her arm. He almost dragged her back to his chambers and closed the door behind him. He loosened his grip and turned her in his arms, gazing deep into her pale blue eyes.
“You need to calm down, Ella,” he said in his low, deep voice that she found so alluring. “Listen, I didn’t expect that it would come to this. I need to think.” He held her firmly but gently until her breathing calmed. He then helped her sit upon the chaise lounge, strode over to the table, and poured dark purple wine into two glasses.
“Drink this. You’ll feel better,” he said as he handed her a glass.
Her hands quivered as she took the glass from him. The exotic wine slid silkily down her throat and warmed her up instantly. “Thank you,” she said ever so softly.
He raked a hand through his long, silver-white hair and took a swig, draining his glass. He walked back to the table and poured himself another glass.
“You knew the King wouldn’t approve, didn’t you?” she asked him as he stood with his back to her, brooding. “Yet you still brought me here,” she said.
“I thought he would accept you after he saw that you awakened the Draco’s Eye,” he said quietly.
“He’s right. You should marry a woman worthy of you – a warrior princess, not a weak human like me,” she said as fresh tears sprang to her eyes. “But please, I don’t want to be a slave. Please set me free...” She looked up at him and a strange light lit up her beautiful eyes as if an idea had suddenly struck her. “Take me with you wherever you go. I’ll work for you as a free woman!”
“There is no such thing as a ‘free woman’ in my world, Ella. Here women are either warriors married to men or slaves who work as concubines,” he said dryly, his back still to her.
“I’d rather die than become your slave!” she replied heatedly, breathing hard. Her conscience was appalled at the idea of living her life as a concubine. “Kill me before I have to face any more humiliation.”
He turned and she saw his deep sapphire eyes raw with emotion as his intense gaze penetrated her soul. “For you I can make an exception. I will set you free and send you home if you want.”
“I... I don’t have a home... or a family,” she said quietly. “I don’t want to go back to the convent. My life there was no better than that of a slave.”
“I’ll have to leave Iovis by tomorrow night. I’m still in exile.” He gazed at her for a long time. Then he set his glass down and sat down beside her. “Would you prefer to be my wife, Ella?”
It was a simple question and, yet, Ella gasped. She was taken aback by his bluntness. He patiently waited for her answer, longing in his eyes. She took a deep breath. “Even if I said yes, the King wouldn’t let us...”
“I’m asking you, Ella,” he said in that low deep voice of his as he held her gaze.
“Yes, if you can love me,” she said in her soft voice.
He took her in his arms and held her. Cupping her chin, he gazed deep into her blue eyes, his piercing gaze growing darker. The next moment, his lips were on hers, reclaiming her mouth with a fervent longing that made her blood burn with desire. Her answer was that passionate kiss.
“I don’t care what the King says or thinks. I will make you my Queen, Ella.” He pulled away from her and she gasped for breath. How could his father not see that she was his true mate?
Well, if he can’t see that she is the one, you can’t do anything about it, Mekarth said dryly.
“Come with me now,” Darilth said. He gave her a cloak with a hood and helped her put it on.
“Where are we going?” she asked him.
“You’ll soon find out,” he said as he put on his own dark cloak and hood and strapped o
n his sword, the Lazarus. Its blade was forged from a steel native to Iovis and it was sharp enough to split a feather in two. The Lazarus, which meant ‘protector of the King,’ could only be wielded by the heir to the throne.
He held her hand firmly while he led her toward the basement tunnels. The tunnels were lit with blue light. At their end were metal doors that slid open, revealing some sort of car behind them. He strapped her in a seat and sat down beside her. The car could move in all directions: left, right, up, and down. They started moving through the complex system of tunnels.
“Umm... Can I ask where we are going?”
“We are getting married,” he responded, tilting his head amusedly.
“What? Now?” she asked, surprised.
“Yes, now. We’ll be at the Rothgar temple in a few minutes,” he said.
“But what if the King finds out?” she whispered, wide-eyed.
“Trust me, he won’t,” Darilth said with a smile on his face.
Chapter Four
The temple of Rothgar was simple but elegant in its grandeur. It had pristine white columns and white marble flooring. The ceiling was domed. It was unexpectedly warm inside.
Ella stood beside Darilth at the center of the temple hall next to the huge fountain. Darilth held both her hands as the old man recited incantations she didn’t understand despite her wearing the translator.
Darilth stood there and gazed at her, and when then the old man asked him if he would take her as his mate for life, he said yes. When she heard herself say yes, she knew in her heart that she had done the right thing. The old man filled a silver cup with water from the sacred fountain and handed it to the Prince. Darilth took a sip and then offered it to her. The water tasted sweet. He then kissed her, sealing their bond for life.