Page 68 of Awakening the Dark Throne
“Well, at least one of our problems is taken care of. You’ll never be with anyone you don’t want again. I promise you that,” he said, kissing me on the head.
“Thank you,” I whispered, feeling a weight lift off my chest. I was free from King Lysanthier. Truly free.
“I mean it. Even if you don’t want to be with me. I won’t force you, Gen. You will never be forced again. As long as I live, I promise you that.”
I looked up, feeling truly grateful to him. I kissed his lips softly, pulling away with my eyes still locked onto his. “Just give me time, okay. Let’s see where the future leads us.”
He nodded, leaning his head back onto mine. We sat in the comfort of each other’s presence, knowing our future was now changed forever thanks to Otar. Thanks to me.
Chapter 25
Islept better than I had ever slept in my entire life that night. When I woke, Gaelin was already gone, interrogating Otar I presumed. I stretched across the bed, enjoying the freedom I had earned. I picked up the small star pendant Gaelin had given me and admired its beauty before kissing it. Freedom was mine. I wasn’t handed it. I didn’t have to beg for it. A weak, half-breed like me had went out and conquered it. And to my surprise, I was still alive.
I was prepared to die if needed, but the fates had other plans for me apparently. Now, I just had to figure out how to cope with the horror that had been my life for the past few months. I didn’t know if I was ever going to be able to enjoy a male’s touch again without thinking of King Lysanthier. But that didn’t matter now. I could turn my focus back to my mission. Lily.
I went to the bathroom and washed. I stood in front of the mirror for a long while, staring at myself. The first step was being able to look myself in the eye and not be disgusted by the sight. He used and abused me, but that didn’t define me. I traced his house’s sigil that was branded in my skin. This wasn’t a reminder of the pain, but a symbol of my accomplishments. I would overcome this. I had to.
I got dressed and headed down the hall. I walked into the throne room, hesitating with every step. The room was spotless. Unless I had witnessed the event with my own eyes, I wouldn't have known there had been a massacre here the night before. I looked up at the king’s empty throne and smiled. He may have been light alfar, but there was nothing good about him. His heart was as black as the dark magic that ran through the dark alfar’s veins.
I smiled, remembering his body being ripped to shreds. I stood tall at that moment, relishing one last time in my victory. I turned around and walked out of the throne room, leaving King Lysanthier behind me. I helped with the laundry and in the kitchen, smiling the entire time. The alfar were still recovering and needier than normal. I complied, not making a fuss.
Now that Gaelin was king, I had to make sure I was on my best behavior. I wanted his reign to be an easy one. I didn’t want him worrying about me. Sooner or later, he would conceive an heir and then he would fight for my freedom as he promised.
Levos avoided me the rest of the day. I knew he was still mad about my opinions on the events of last night. Gods, what he would have thought of me if he knew the whole truth. He didn’t understand. He couldn’t. He had never been raped. Yes, watching those you love around you going through it was one thing, but he never had to experience being used in such a foul way. Having something so private and intimate taken from you. Having to suffer the abuse of a tyrant. Levos would eventually forgive me. He just needed time.
I went to clean up before dinner, filthy from the flour I had been using to make bread. I made my way to the throne room with a smile plastered on my face. Crowds of alfar and humans huddled around the doors waiting to be let in. I frowned at the sight, wondering what all the fuss was about. Eventually, we all were allowed in. Queen Daealla and King Atros were seated on the royal thrones.
I made my way back to the wall. There were no trays of food, no wine. I looked at Felicity, asking what was going on with my eyes. She leaned in close, making sure not to attract any unwanted attention.
“The queen demanded that we not serve anyone. Everyone here was in attendance at dinner last night. She believes someone helped the creature kill the others. She’s out for blood and she isn’t going to stop until she gets it,” she whispered.
My heart dropped. I tugged on my sleeve, covering Otar’s sigil. I didn’t know how dangerous Daealla was. I was too busy fending off her father to worry about her. I knew she was vengeful and reckless, but to what extent, I had no clue.
The doors of the hall closed us in as the last alfar took his seat. The queen stood, Gaelin seated at her side. Her face showed no sign of remorse or fear, only determination. The room went silent. She looked across the crowd of people, noting each of their faces. She snapped her fingers with a single fluent motion.
Two guards came in from behind her, dragging Otar in iron chains. I had to focus on controlling my breathing and facial expressions. I kept my head down, not making eye contact with anyone. The alfar sat stoically silent. I heard the chains rattle as they threw Otar’s body in front of the court.
“This is the creature who has taken so much from us,” began Daealla. “This creature was slain by my husband over a month ago, yet somehow it kneels before you now, still reeking of our race’s blood. In past months, traitors have been discovered among us. Alfar who we believed to be friends turned foe. This creature lay dead under the keep of our kingdom only two days ago. Yesterday, its body went missing and last night it tore through our court like a storm.
“The creature was cut open. Organs were removed. Flesh was taken, yet he sits here… whole. How can this be? He rose from the dead, just like the Christian god has been acclaimed to do. Are you the Christian Jew known as Yahweh?” she asked Otar.
He snickered on the floor, shaking his head from side to side. “Stupid queen,” he said, spitting at her feet.
The guard hit him across the face, causing black blood to seep from his mouth.
“I believe someone,” she continued, “in this court has betrayed us. They have turned their backs on our race and helped this creature wreak havoc over our houses and over our kingdom, and I will not stop until that person is brought to light.” She stepped down in front of Otar, looking at him as if fire could blaze from her eyes. “Who assisted you?” she demanded.
“I didn’t tell your pretty king, why am I going to tell you?” he laughed.
She pulled out an iron knife and slashed across his face. He turned his head slowly and licked at the blood with delight.
“You will tell me who helped you or I will torture you slowly for the rest of your immortal life,” she said through her teeth. She had a temper, that was for sure. She wasn’t calm, cool, and collected like her father had been, before he began to go mad.
“What makes you think that is a punishment? Torture is foreplay, my dear,” he said, snapping his teeth at her with a low growl.
She hit him across the face again. “Was it a human or an alfar?” She demanded. “Answer me!” she yelled.
He shrugged. “Human, alfar, maybe both. I don’t remember. It was dark and he, she, it, didn't stick around to chat,” he said mockingly.
