Princess of Darkness Read online

  “Why are you crying?” he asked her. Approaching her with a sense of confidence, the young Lord took her hands in his and kissed them tenderly. The action alone took Serendipity by surprise.

  “At least Marcus burned their bodies before he took me.” she replied. “Better than leaving them face down in the dirt, for the crows to pick at.”

  Aderico understood what she meant. He ran a hand around to the small of her back and he held her there, bringing her a little closer.

  The Princess, however, pulled away and picked up the nightgown she had left out for herself, hanging on the back of her chair. She slipped past a dressing screen next to the wardrobe and changed into her nightwear there.

  “You can talk to me.” Aderico called out to her, as he too changed into his own night clothes. Pulling his tunic off, he walked over to the wardrobe and threw it open in search of a fresh one. As he found one made of white silk, he made a desperate attempt to peer past the dressing screen. He failed to see anything.

  Serendipity emerged from her momentary hiding space and watched as her fiancé pulled his tunic over his head, freeing some golden hair as he did. She hadn’t failed to notice the few light scars he had on his rib cages; it seemed even he had permanent reminders of past events. Whatever had caused those marks, Serendipity wasn’t sure she cared enough to find out. The Princess found her way towards the bed and sat down on the edge of it.

  “I’m sorry about your parents.” Aderico said to her. “If that’s what you’re upset about then, truly, I’m sorry. My uncle isn’t one to stop and consider who is an actual threat and who isn’t. He must have thought they’d try to stop him from taking you. Naturally.”

  Serendipity didn’t want to talk about it.

  Dropping to one knee, Aderico began to unbuckle his boots. When he looked up at his fiancé, he noticed her staring back at him. A smile crept onto his face and he began crawling towards her, slowly; carefully. Aderico ran a hand up the Princesses calf, bringing her gown up as he moved. He felt her shudder. “Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?” he asked her. The young Lord pressed his lips against Serendipity’s knee and then moved them up to her thigh, slow and tender.

  Serendipity jolted at his touch. She wanted to move away, yet at the same something urged her to stay. Her fingers grasped the covers on which she sat and she closed her eyes. Still, Aderico carried on. With his other hand, he pushed it in between her thighs. He felt the Princess jump, and she pushed his hand away.

  “I can’t – I don’t want to.” she whispered. Pulling some curls from her face, Serendipity shuffled back further onto the bed until she was able to slip under the cover. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to.” she repeated and rolled onto her side to hug herself tight. The Princess wanted to be alone; or for Valerius to appear with hot cocoa so they could sit and just talk again, enjoy each other’s company. She wanted to go home!

  Aderico said nothing as he joined her in bed. He didn’t wrap his arms around the girl or intrude on her space, no matter how badly he wanted to just take her on his bed right now. The young Lord wasn’t used to being told no, not by anyone. He didn’t like it at all.

  Tourri

  It had come as no surprise when Vestus had to retire to bed early, as his sickness got the best of him. The poor boy was coughing up so much blood he was feeling faint – and whilst it was never always this bad, it frightened those around him.

  As a result, Tourri had been left to complete any tasks the King may have left behind. It was nothing out of the ordinary, just a few contracts concerning potential allies and marriages, statistics regarding stock intake for the barracks and the King’s army; down to the amount of crops which had been harvested, by the few farmers who broke their backs day in day out in the village nearby.

  Tourri’s head had already begun aching after two hours or so of prying through the endless piles of paper. She hated the taste of wine and ale even more, so she had to make do with a cup of honeyed milk instead. Tourri liked to think it steadied her thoughts well enough.

  “I have reports concerning the growth of our fleet. We’ve gone up from five ships to fifteen within a matter of six weeks, thanks to the additional thirty sailors we’ve had join our ranks. That makes eighty sailors, fifteen warships, twenty fishing boats and another twenty fisherman to help feed our growing population,” Seb began as he entered the King’s study, eyes fixed on the papers he held in his hands.

  “As well as our ever increasingly popular fishing market. If there’s anything Skull Island is doing right, its breeding sailors, building ships and catching fish.”

  Tourri looked up from her own work in time to find the Captain dropping his papers down before her, inviting her to take a look for herself. Yet, Tourri wasn’t interested in boats or fish at this moment.

  “The leeches didn’t work either. The healers still don’t know how to help Vestus and I fear he’s only getting worse. He has his days where he can be doing cartwheels across the entire castle hall but, most of the time he’s in bed sick and gradually just getting worse.” she said. Her fingers ran over the papers she had been given and she managed a smile as Seb replied,

  “And yet he still insists on practising his sword-skill whenever he is up and running. He’ll get better, I know he will.”

  “I like to keep on believing that too.” Tourri said quietly. She looked up at Seb again and as he found a seat in front of the desk, she perched herself on the edge of it until she was almost level with his face. “I can’t believe Hathor Redbane is actually dead. Marcus Valenti had somehow managed to persuade the Emperor of Iradas to come into his home, like a lamb to a slaughterhouse.” she paused to let out a small scoff. “I just hope Viktor isn’t as rash with his decisions as his father was. His new bride wouldn’t like to see him dead so soon into their marriage; whenever the wedding is actually going to take place.”

  Seb scratched at the stubble already growing after his recent shave. “The Redbanes are moving on, like they should do. To lose a father is a tragedy but, they’re in a position where they don’t have the luxury to mourn for their parents like we do.” he said.

  Tourri swung her dangling legs gently, back and forth. As she looked back at the papers on the desk, Seb took the opportunity to study the curve of her neck; her red hair tumbling off one shoulder. He took in the beauty of her, his jaw tightening a little at one of her shoulders which she had left naked; her white tunic sloping to one side.

  After a moment, Tourri looked back at Seb. “We won’t leave them to fight this war on their own. When we’re ready, Skull Island will come to their aid with this fantastic fleet you keep on talking about.” she said, bringing the Captain back to the conversation.

  Seb nodded. “Of course we won’t. Vestus is eager to join this war and, wherever he goes, we follow. I just hope we would have gathered a large enough force to join the war when we’re needed the most.”

  Tourri slid off the desk and retrieved a map which she had kept rolled up and tucked away in a heavy pot by her desk. She opened it with care and, using whatever heavy objects she could find, she pinned the paper down by all four corners.

  Seb joined her side to observe the map with her.

  “Skull Island is located just east of Valkenn. If the need should arise, we could take our ships around the western side of Valkenn,” Tourri began, drawing a half circle with her fingers, “from Brittle beach all the way to Valkenn.” she looked to the Captain. “How long would that take, roughly?”

  Seb leant forward, pressing his palms flat against the desk in thought. His hand came down over Tourri’s, but he didn’t seem to notice.

  The young advisor blinked hard at his touch and she pulled her hand away. “Seb,” she began. Her abruptness took the Captain by surprise. When Seb looked up at her and blinked hard, Tourri drew away suddenly. “Stop distracting me.” she said whilst fighting hard to keep a smile from breaking through.

  “What do you mean?” Seb asked her in turn. He noticed th
e girl’s freckles darkening again, and he knew by that alone, she was feeling flushed.

  “What’s all this flirting and these private conversations about?” Tourri continued.

  Seb took a step closer to her, and he grabbed hold of her arms, squeezing them gently. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to – what do you mean?” he replied. Already, Seb felt the heat rise in his cheeks at Tourri’s unexpected response.

  The young advisor let loose a breath. “What do you see in me, Seb? Honestly? Vestus is looking into marrying a Princess; if he thinks he can manage one, and you – we’ve known each other for years and I still don’t know what it is that you find so attractive about me.”

  Seb ran a lightly scarred hand through his dark hair.

  “Tourri I-I’ve liked you for years. I’m sorry, I thought you would have gotten the hint by now.” he blushed and looked down at his feet. “I know you like Vestus on a more intimate level, you always have. It’s just, I thought that ever since he became King and immediately needed to marry a Princess; maybe I’d have the honour of calling you mine. If you liked me enough, that is.”

  Tourri stepped back, blinking hard whilst she did. She let out a sudden burst of laughter.

  “What?” Seb asked her. He didn’t quite understand what was so funny. Had he said something stupid?

  “You think I love Vestus? Oh, Seb – he’s like my brother! What kind of signals have I been giving to suggest such a thing?”

  Seb wasn’t sure whether to feel embarrassed or relieved. He wiped his sweaty palms onto the side of his breeches and then tucked them into his pockets. He shrugged shyly. “I just thought that, you know, since he’s a King and I’m only a mere Captain,” he began.

  Tourri raised a brow at him. “Do you really think I’m that shallow? How long have we known each other for?” she asked. She didn’t sound angry, rather surprised instead.

  Now Seb was feeling embarrassed. He looked around the room as though suddenly searching for something he hadn’t realised he’d lost. Really, he just needed to break off all eye contact with Tourri. “I’ve just made it really awkward – I’m sorry. You know, I should probably go. The fleet seems to be doing well; I’ve been putting so much time and effort into it, I shouldn’t forget about the actual army.” he was just rambling now. Why he felt so nervous around Tourri all of a sudden, he didn’t know. It made his stomach ache.

  The King’s advisor watched in silence as Seb left the room in a hurry. When his hand was already on the door handle, that was when she called out to him. “Seb,” she began and waited for the Captain to look her way again. “I do.”

  The Captain felt his stomach drop, with joy – not fear or disbelief but, joy. He gave her a smile and then left to avoid Tourri seeing him blush.

  Viktor

  It was late when the young heir to the throne of Iradas was woken up by an excited messenger, bearing news of the arrival of Dominika Urveed, Princess of Illia. Viktor fixed up his tunic as he rushed towards the grand hall with the young boy and an escort of guards. He looked a mess, no doubt, with his scruffy hair and purple eyes but, he couldn’t just leave his fiancée standing all alone in the hall. He needed to welcome her to his home properly, whatever the time.

  There came voices from the hall, one spoke with a thick accent of some kind; his r’s rolling as he spoke. The other belonged to a guard on duty, reassuring the man that the Emperor was on his way. Guards on duty around the hall slammed the butts of their spears against the ground as soon as Viktor entered the hall. The foreign guests turned their attention to the young Emperor as he approached them.

  “Ah, Emperor! It’s such a pleasure to meet you in person.” the foreign man with the rolling r’s said. He dropped to his knees, pressed his head against the floor and then found his feet again.

  Viktor had never seen anyone bow like that before. Yet, he had heard from his father and tutor alike of the culture of Illia. He learned the people there had many customs which didn’t apply to the Allied Kingdoms – such as not eating meat before midday, and the strictest of religious followers abstained from alcohol of any kind, except for special occasions.

  “Allow me to introduce myself,” the man began again. His long beard, tied tightly in a plait, swung around as he spoke. He straightened out his simple grey travelling attire. “I am Tohji, advisor to the Princess Dominika Urveed of Illia. It is a pleasure to meet you, your Imperial Majesty.”

  Viktor gave him a warm smile. “The pleasure is mine.” he replied.

  After a moment, Tohji stepped aside and allowed a figure cloaked and hooded in a red cape to approach. The figure stopped before the Emperor and pulled her hood off, revealing a youthful and unexpected face.

  The Emperor blinked hard at what he saw.

  Dominika had an exotic beauty about her. Her hazel skin was soft and unblemished, her face revealing high cheekbones, a dainty nose and plump lips. She lifted her doe-like eyes up to where Viktor stood and gave him a well practised curtsey. “I am honoured to meet you, Emperor.” she said quietly. Her voice was sweet and young.

  “Please, just Viktor.” he replied. The Emperor wondered how old his fiancée even was.

  Dominika blushed; the colour concealed by her dark skin. She brushed her thick locks back but, said nothing.

  “You must be tired. I’ll have my men escort you to your chambers, where you can rest. We can save all the formalities for the morning.” Viktor insisted.

  The young Princess allowed him to take her hand and kiss it tenderly. She nodded her head once in thanks and followed after the guards Viktor had so kindly assigned to her. She left the hall without another word.

  As Tohji went to leave, Viktor placed a hand out in front of him and stopped him for a brief exchange of words. “How old is she?” he asked, as that was one of the few things he didn’t know about her.

  “The Princess has reached an age where she is fertile, I assure you. She will not fail to give you a son,” Tohji began.

  “That’s not what I asked.” Viktor replied.

  The advisor waited a moment before finally saying, “Her majesty is twenty-one years old.” he then bid the Emperor a good night and retired to a chamber of his own, leaving Viktor to stand and watch him as he left, in silence.

  Valerius

  The blanket over Valerius and Serendipity’s shoulder started to slip, so the young Lord fixed it up and pulled her closer to him. Serendipity hadn’t been able to sleep, her restlessness had set her off in search of Valerius instead. Now, she swung her feet gently as she sat on the bench of the young Lord’s balcony, gazing up at the night sky. She was counting the stars to keep her mind from wandering back to the fact that she was still a hostage, after her failed attempt to escape.

  “Have you ever wondered what the edge of the world looks like?” she asked. “If there even is one?”

  Valerius’ hand stroked Serendipity’s as they hid underneath the blanket, keeping warm. Alone together, this was the closest they had ever been since the Princess’ arrival at the castle. It was the closest they had been allowed to get.

  “I imagine it to look exactly like this, a starry sky and maybe even a black sea with the moon reflecting against the dark abyss. It would look so frightening but, so beautiful at the same time.” Serendipity continued.

  Valerius looked to the side at where the Princess sat. He studied the arch of her neck, her delicate throat as she lifted her head to look up at the stars and the way her pale skin seemed to glow against the light of the moon. “Serendipity,” he began. “I want to apologise. I should have helped you escape, that time we went riding in the gardens. It was unfair of me to show you a way out and then suddenly take you away from another chance at freedom. I was just, it was selfish of me, because I want you here. With me. In a way, I guess I was worried I’d lose you again.”

  Serendipity met Valerius’ gaze and gave him a sweet smile. “Here I was thinking I mean nothing to you.” She said.

  Valerius reached his hand out of the bl
anket and took hold of the Princess by the chin. “Don’t ever suggest that. You mean the world to me.” He replied. “If you asked for the stars, I’d grab you the brightest one, knowing it still wouldn’t compare to the light you have brought into my life. You’ve shown me the beauty of youth and ignited a love in me I had never thought I’d ever feel.”

  Serendipity let loose a shaky breath as Valerius ran his thumb over her bottom lip. “And what do you want, Lord Valerius?” Serendipity whispered, leaning a little closer to him. Her pale cheeks now burned pink as Valerius tightened his grip on her but, not in a way that would hurt her. “You haven’t ever told me what you want. What you really want.”

  Valerius smiled and tilted his head to the side, waiting, listening to the way Serendipity’s breathing grew unsteady. “I want to go to the edge of the world with you. If there even is one.” he whispered and brought his mouth down on hers.

  Serendipity felt the heat rise in her cheeks as she pulled Valerius closer to her. From beneath the blanket she felt his hands run around her waist and he held her there, as he pressed a kiss against her lips one after the other. “I’d like that very much.” she whispered back. For that moment alone, she chose to forget how and why she had ended up here in the first place.

  Viktor

  With Saff away in Bordennia and Adelaide in Faradwyn, the young Emperor of Iradas had to break his fast that next morning in a very empty dining room. He wasn’t used to the quiet, in fact he loathed it most of the time. What Viktor liked the most was hearing the commotion of the daily activities within his castle; cherishing the silence only when he really needed it. Now with a wife guaranteed, the Emperor would soon be having children of his own on the way and the castle would once again be filled with noise and laughter. But that was still some time away.